RadioShack Pro 92b Handheld Scanner Owners Manual
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Owner’s ManualPlease read before using this equipment. PRO-92 Handheld Scanner 20-522b.fm Page 1 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
2 Contents ˆContents Features .................................................................... 5 FCC Notice .......................................................... 8 Scanning Legally ................................................. 8 Preparation ............................................................... 9 Power Sources .................................................... 9 Using Batteries .......................................... 10 Charging Rechargeable Batteries .............. 12 Using AC Power ......................................... 13 Using Vehicle Power .................................. 14 Connecting the Antenna ................................... 15 Connecting an Optional Antenna ............... 15 Connecting an Earphone/Headphones ............. 16 Listening Safely ......................................... 16 Traffic Safety .............................................. 17 Connecting an Extension Speaker .................... 17 Using the Belt Clip ............................................. 17 Connecting the Clone Cable ............................. 18 About Your Scanner ............................................... 18 A Look at the Keypad ........................................ 19 A Look at the Display ........................................ 21 Understanding Banks ........................................ 22 Channel Storage Banks ............................. 22 Search Banks ............................................ 23 Understanding CTCSS/DCS ............................. 23 PL Codes ................................................... 23 DPL Codes ................................................ 23 Understanding Your Scanner’s Modes .............. 24 Open and Closed Modes ........................... 24 AM Mode ................................................... 25 FM Mode .................................................... 26 LTR (E. F. Johnson) Mode ......................... 26 Motorola Mode ........................................... 27 EDACS Mode ............................................ 28 © 2000 Tandy Corporation. All Rights Reserved. RadioShack, RadioShack.com, and Adaptaplug are registered trademarks used by Tandy Corporation. Hypersearch and Hyperscan are trademarks used by Tandy Corporation. LTR is a registered trademark of EF Johnson. Motorola, Smartnet and Privacy Plus are registered trademarks of Motorola Inc. EDACS is a registered trademark of GE/Ericsson Inc. 20-522b.fm Page 2 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
3Contents Operation ................................................................. 29 Turning on the Scanner and Setting Squelch .... 29 Storing Known Frequencies into Channels ....... 30 Storing Text Tags ............................................... 31 Assigning a Text Tag to a Channel ............. 31 Assigning a Text Tag to a Bank .................. 32 Text Input Chart .......................................... 33 Finding and Storing Active Frequencies ............ 34 Searching a Preprogrammed Frequency Range ....................................... 34 Storing a Frequency While Searching for a Specified Channel .............................. 36 Changing a Search Range with a Preprogrammed Range .............................. 36 Manually Changing a Search Range .......... 37 Scanning the Channels ..................................... 37 Turning Channel-Storage Banks Off and On .................................................. 38 Manually Tuning a Frequency ........................... 38 Deleting Frequencies from Channels ................ 39 Listening To the Weather Band ......................... 39 Listening to a Weather Channel ................. 39 Displaying Weather Messages ................... 39 Special Features ..................................................... 40 Using the Delay Function .................................. 40 Locking Out Channels or Frequencies .............. 41 Locking Out Channels ................................ 41 Reviewing the Lock-Out Channels ............. 41 Locking Out Frequencies ........................... 41 Reviewing Locked-Out Frequencies .......... 42 Clearing a Locked-Out Frequency ............. 42 Clearing All Lock Out Frequencies in a Search Bank ........................................ 42 Priority ............................................................... 43 Changing the Receive Mode ............................. 45 Changing the Frequency Step ........................... 45 Using the Attenuator .......................................... 46 Using the Display Backlight ............................... 47 Turning the Key Tone On and Off ...................... 47 Using the Keylock .............................................. 47 Changing the Display Contrast .......................... 47 Cloning the Programmed Data from Scanner to Scanner ................................... 48 20-522b.fm Page 3 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
4 Contents Trunking Operation ................................................ 48 Understanding Trunking .................................... 49 Setting Squelch for the Trunking Mode ............. 50 Programming Trunking Frequencies ................. 50 Programming Motorola Trunking Systems (UHF-Lo) ..................................... 51 Programming Fleet Maps .................................. 53 Talk Group IDs .................................................. 54 Storing Talk Group IDs ............................... 55 Talk Group ID Hold ..................................... 55 Locking Out Talk Group IDs ....................... 56 Reviewing Locked-Out Talk Group IDs ...... 56 Clearing Talk Group IDs ............................. 56 Clearing All Talk Group IDs in One Bank ... 56 Open and Closed Modes .................................. 57 Changing the Open/Closed Mode .............. 58 A General Guide to Scanning ................................ 58 Guide To Frequencies ....................................... 59 US Weather Frequencies ........................... 59 Ham Radio Frequencies ............................ 59 Birdie Frequencies ..................................... 59 Guide to the Action Bands ................................ 61 Typical Band Usage ................................... 61 Primary Usage ........................................... 61 Band Allocation ................................................. 62 Frequency Conversion ...................................... 65 Troubleshooting ..................................................... 66 Resetting/Initializing the Scanner ...................... 67 Resetting the Scanner ............................... 67 Initializing the Scanner ............................... 68 Care ......................................................................... 68 Specifications ......................................................... 69 20-522b.fm Page 4 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
5Features ˆFeatures Your RadioShack Handheld Scanner is one of a new generation of scanners designed to track Motorola® Type I and Type II (such as Smartnet® and Privacy Plus®) and hybrid analog trunking systems, plus GE/Ericsson (EDACS ®) and EF Johnson (LTR®) type systems, which are extensively used in many communication systems. Trunking communications systems let a large group of 2- way radio users (or even different groups of 2-way radio users) efficiently use a set of frequencies. Instead of se- lecting a specific frequency for a transmission, the user simply selects a talk group. The trunking system auto- matically transmits the call on the first available frequen- cy, and also sends a code that uniquely identifies that transmission. Since the trunking system might send a call and its re- sponse on different frequencies, it is difficult to listen to trunked communications using a regular scanner. The scanner monitors the data sent with a 2-way radio trans- mission, so you can hear the call and response for that user and more easily “follow” the conversation. The scanner also lets you scan conventional transmis- sions, and is preprogrammed with service search banks for convenience. By pressing a single button, you can quickly search those frequencies most commonly used by public service and other agencies without tedious and complicated programming. This scanner gives you direct access to over 33,000 fre- quencies including those used by police and fire depart- ments, ambulance services, government agencies, air, and amateur radio services. Your scanner includes these features: Simultaneous Trunking Operation — tracks three trunking systems (LTR, Motorola, and EDACS) and con- ventional systems at the same time. 10 Channel-Storage Banks — let you store 50 chan- nels in each bank (500 channels) to group channels so calls are easier to identify. 20-522b.fm Page 5 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
6 Features 12-Character, 4-Line, Dot-Matrix Display — shows you detailed operating information and lets you easily program the scanner. Weather Alert — automatically sounds the alarm tone to advise of hazardous weather conditions when it detects the alert signal on the local National Oceanic and Atmo- spheric Administration (NOAA) weather channel during priority operation. Digital Weather Alert — displays the weather event text so you can see the reason for the alert. Preprogrammed Frequency Ranges — let you search for transmissions within preset frequency ranges or with- in ranges you set, to reduce search time and select inter- esting frequencies more quickly. Subaudible Tone Decode — decodes and displays the Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) tone signal being transmitted. Digital Subaudible Tone Decode — decodes and dis- plays the Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) being received. Data Cloning — lets you transfer the programmed data to another PRO-92 scanner. You can also upload or download the programmed data to or from a PC using an optional interface kit. Triple Conversion Superheterodyne Receiver — vir- tually eliminates any interference from intermediate fre- quency (IF) images, so you hear only the frequency you select. Hyperscan TM and HypersearchTM — the scanner scans at up to 25 channels per second and searches at up to 50 steps per second, to help you quickly find interesting transmissions. Scan Delay — delays scanning for about 2 seconds be- fore moving to another channel in conventional mode, so you can hear more replies that are made on the same channel. 20-522b.fm Page 6 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
7Features Priority Channel — you can set the scanner to check one channel every 2 seconds so you do not miss impor- tant calls. Signal Attenuation (Attenuate) — lets you program each memory location to reduce the scanner’s sensitivity to strong local signals, to reduce interference or noise caused by these signals. Text Input — lets you input a text label for each chan- nel, talk group ID, bank, or other memory location so you can easily know about the transmission you are hearing. Lock Out Function — lets you set your scanner to skip over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or searching, and skip over IDs when tracking trunked systems. Key Lock — lets you lock the scanner’s keys to help prevent accidentally changing the scanner’s program- ming. Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector — provides ex- cellent reception and is designed to help prevent anten- na breakage. Memory Backup — keeps the frequencies stored in memory for an extended time even without internal bat- teries. Three Power Options — let you power the scanner with internal batteries (non-rechargeable batteries or re- chargeable batteries). You can also use an AC adapter (not supplied) or power the scanner in a vehicle using a DC adapter (not supplied). Supplied Police Call Trunking Guide — provides a quick reference to public safety trunking radio systems in the United States. Your scanner can receive these frequencies: • 29–54 MHz • 108–136.9875 MHz • 137–174 MHz 20-522b.fm Page 7 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
8 Features • 380–512 MHz • 806–823.9875 MHz • 849–868.9875 MHz • 894–960 MHz This Owner’s Manual also includes the section “A Gen- eral Guide to Scanning” on Page 58 to help you target frequency ranges in your service area so you can search for a wide variety of transmissions. FCC NOTICE Your scanner might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine whether your scanner is causing the interference, turn off your scan- ner. If the interference goes away, your scanner is caus- ing the interference. Try the following methods to eliminate the interference. • Move your scanner away from the TV or radio. • Connect your scanner to an outlet that is on a differ- ent electrical circuit from the TV or radio. • Contact your local RadioShack store for help. If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC re- quires that you stop using your scanner. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Op- eration is subject to the following conditions: (1) this de- vice must not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Note: Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some areas. Check the laws in your area. SCANNING LEGALLY Scanning is a fun and interesting hobby. You can hear police and fire departments, ambulance services, gov- ernment agencies, private companies, amateur radio services, aircraft, and military operations. It is legal to lis- 20-522b.fm Page 8 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
9Preparation ten to almost every transmission your scanner can re- ceive. However, there are some electronic and wire communications that are illegal to intentionally intercept. These include: • telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other private means of telephone signal transmission) • pager transmissions • scrambled or encrypted transmissions According to the Federal Electronic Communications Pri- vacy Act (ECPA), as amended, you could be fined and possibly imprisoned for intentionally listening to, using, or disclosing the contents of such a transmission unless you have the consent of a party to the communication (unless such activity is otherwise illegal). These laws change from time to time and there might be state or lo- cal laws that also affect legal scanner usage. ˆPreparation POWER SOURCES You can power your scanner from any of three sources: • internal non-rechargeable batteries or rechargeable batteries (not supplied — see “Using Batteries” on Page 10) • standard AC power (with an optional AC adapter — see “Using AC Power” on Page 13) • vehicle power (with an optional DC adapter — see “Using Vehicle Power” on Page 14) Notes: • Connecting an AC or DC adapter to the scanner dis- connects internal batteries when you use the sup- plied non-rechargeable battery holder, but it does not disconnect internal batteries when you use the supplied rechargeable battery holder. 20-522b.fm Page 9 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM
10 Preparation • If you install the rechargeable battery holder, you can operate the scanner and recharge the rechargeable batteries at the same time. See “Using Batteries” below and “Charging Rechargeable Bat- teries” on Page 12. • If the scanner stops working properly after connect- ing it to power, try resetting it. See “Resetting/Initial- izing the Scanner” on Page 67. Using Batteries You can power the scanner with six AA batteries. For the longest operation and best performance, we recommend alkaline batteries, available at your local RadioShack store. You can use either the supplied non-rechargeable black battery holder, or the supplied rechargeable yellow bat- tery holder. If you use the rechargeable battery holder, we recommend RadioShack nickel-cadmium or nickel- metal hydride batteries. Warning: Never install non-rechargeable batteries in the rechargeable yellow battery holder. Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot or explode if you try to recharge them. Note: You must charge rechargeable batteries before you use them the first time. See “Charging Recharge- able Batteries” on Page 12. Follow these steps to install the batteries. 1. Press down on the battery compartment cover on the bottom of the scanner and slide the cover in the direction of the arrow to remove it. 2. Pull out and slide the battery holder out of the bat- tery compartment. 20-522b.fm Page 10 Thursday, September 7, 2000 9:41 AM