Uniden SportCat Vhf Scanner Owners Manual

							Table of Contents
About Your New SportCat.......................2
What is Scanning?............................2
What is Searching?...........................2
Types of Communication.......................3
Where to Obtain More Information................4
Unpacking..................................4
Feature Highlights.............................5
Controls and Indicators.........................6
Setup.......................................10
Charging the Battery Pack.....................10
Mounting the Flexible Antenna..................10
Installing the Belt Clip.........................11
Using the Earphone..........................11
Operation Overview...........................12
Programming Channels........................14
A. Programming By Manual Entry...............14
B. Programming With SEARCH................15
Scanning....................................17
Bank Scanning..............................17
One-Key Direct Access Channels...............18
Priority Scan................................18
Delay.....................................19
Locking Out Channels........................19
Looking for “Locked Out” Channels..............20
Sporting Event Scanning......................20
Weather Channel Scanning....................22
Searching...................................23
Using DATA Skip............................23
Search Frequency Skip........................24
Sporting Event Search........................24
Care and Maintenance.........................25
Replacing the Battery Pack....................25
Location...................................26
Cleaning...................................26
Repairs....................................26
Birdies....................................27
Proper Care of Your Scanner...................27
Optional Accessories and
Replacement Parts............................28
Troubleshooting..............................29
Technical Specifications.......................30
1
C:...sc150om.vp
Tue Dec 16 18:56:02 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							About Your New SportCat
TheSportCat™ is a brand new state-of-the-art information
radio with automatic scanning capabilities. It can store
frequencies such as sporting events, police,
fire/emergency, and other communications into 10 banks of
10 channels each. And you can scan all 100 channels at
super fast Turbo Scan speed.
With theSportCat, you can do a fast search for active
frequencies on all 12 preprogrammed bands. In the v.h.f.
bands (29-54MHz and 137-174MHz) you can also use
super fast Turbo Search.
TheSportCatalso has Direct Channel Access for the first
10 channels. This provides quick and easy access to 10
different frequencies so you can keep up with the progress
and control of sporting events.
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way
communications (listed below) do not transmit
continuously. TheSportCatscans programmed
channels
at the rate of nearly 100 channels per second until it finds
an active frequency.
Scanning stops on an active frequency, and remains on
that channel as long as the transmission continues. When
the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until
another transmission is received. Or, you can select an
optional Delay so the scanner stays on the channel for 2
more seconds after the transmission stops, waiting for
another transmission, before resuming scanning.
While theSportCatis scanning channels it is in “SCAN
Mode”. When you stop the scanning with
H,itisin
“SCAN HOLD Mode”.
What is Searching?
TheSportCatcan search each of 12 preprogrammed
bands to find active frequencies. This is different from
scanning, because you can search for frequencies that
have not been programmed into yourSportCat. You can
set the direction of searching as well as the speed. The
Turbo Search feature, new for Uniden scanners, can
search v.h.f. bands at up to 3 times the normal speed.
2
C:...sc150om.vp
Tue Dec 16 18:56:03 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							When theSportCatis searching for active frequencies, it is
in “SEARCH Mode” or “TURBO SEARCH Mode”. When
you stop the search with
H, it is in “SEARCH HOLD
Mode”.
With both Turbo Scan and Turbo Search, yourSportCatis
truly a Twin Turbo Scanner.
NOTE:
The installation, possession, or use of this scanning radio in
a motor vehicle may be prohibited, regulated, or require a
permit in certain states, cities, and/or local jurisdiction. Your
local law enforcement officials should be able to provide you
with information regarding the laws in your community.
Types of Communication
You will be able to monitor communication such as:
»Automobile, Boat, and Marathon races»Golf Tournaments»Traffic information»Police and fire department (including rescue and
paramedics)
»NOAA weather broadcasts (7 preprogrammed channels)»Land transportation, such as trucking firms, buses,
taxis, tow trucks, and railroads
»Marine and amateur radio.»Aircraft»Public Service 800 MHz band
And many more in the following 12 Bands:
Frequency
RangeSteps Mode Transmission
29.0-29.7 MHz 5 kHz NFM 10 Meter Amateur
Band
29.7-50.0 MHz 5 kHz NFM VHF Low band
50.0-54.0 MHz 5 kHz NFM 6 Meter Amateur
Band
108-137 MHz 12.5 kHz AM Aircraft Band
137-144 MHz 5 kHz NFM Military Land mobile
144-148 MHz 5 kHz NFM 2 Meter Amateur
Band
148-174 MHz 5 kHz NFM VHF High Band
406-420 MHz 12.5 kHz NFM Federal Govt. Land
Mobile
420-450 MHz 12.5 kHz NFM 70 cm Amateur
Band
450-470 MHz 12.5 kHz NFM UHF Standard Band
470-512 MHz 12.5 kHz NFM UHF “T” Band
806-956 MHz 12.5 kHz NFM Public Service “800
Band
Important!: The SportCat will not tune within the Cellular
Telephone Band.
3
C:...sc150om.vp
Tue Dec 16 18:56:03 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							Where to Obtain More Information
The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs
have publications, information on computer bulletin boards,
and even contests for the radio enthusiast. See the
enclosed pamphlets for more information. Additional
information is also available through your local library.
Unpacking
Carefully check the contents against this list:
nSportCatTwin Turbo Sports ScannernRubber AntennanAC Adapter/Charger (AD-70U)nEarphonenBelt ClipnBattery (BP-180)nThis Operating GuidenExtra Memo PadsnFrequency Directories Order Form and Betty Bearcat
Club Information
nSportCat Frequency GuidenNickel-Cadmium Battery Disposal NoticenUniden 800 Help Line Notice
If any items are missing or damaged, contact your place of
purchase immediately.
A Product Registration Form is stapled in the center of the
Operating Guide. Remove the Form, complete and mail it.
Please read this Operating Guide thoroughly before
operating the scanner.
4
C:...sc150om.vp
Tue Dec 16 18:56:04 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							Feature Highlights
uTwin Turbo Scan & Search—This lightning-fast
technology enables theSportCatto scan nearly 100
channels per second. Search speed is selectable
between 100 and 300 steps per second. (300 steps
per second only in bands with 5 kHz steps.) Because
the frequency coverage is so large (see previous
section for band listing), very fast scanning and
searching are essential. That is why we combined our
latest technology — Twin Turbo — into theSportCat.
u100 ChannelsYou can program each of these
memory channels to store one frequency.
u12 Bands, 10 BanksIncludes 12 Bands, with
Aircraft and 800 MHz. 10 Banks of 10 channels each
are useful for storing similar frequencies in order to
maintain faster scanning cycles. Bank 1 should be
reserved for sporting events to make the best use of
the Direct Access Keys.
uOne-Key Direct Access ChannelsTheSportCatis
designed specifically for sporting events. You can
quickly go from one channel to the next with just a
touch of a key to easily keeping track of the
participants and officials during the event.
u29 MHz - 956 MHz Indicates the range of
frequencies that can be searched within the bands of
your scanner.
Note:The frequency coverage is not totally continuous
from 29.0 MHz to 956 MHz.
u10 Priority Channels You can assign one Priority
Channel in each Bank. Assigning priority channels
allows you to keep track of activity on your most
important channel(s) while monitoring other channels
for transmissions. (Priority Channels are initially set in
the first channel in each Bank.)
uWeather Channels Lets your scanner function as a
weather information radio.
uPreprogrammed Band Search Toggle through 10
Bands plus Aircraft and 800 MHz for easy searching.
uUnique Data Skip Allows the scanner to skip over
unwanted data transmissions and reduces birdies.
uMemory Backup The stored channels are retained in
memory for at least 3 days, and typically 14 days,
when the Battery Pack is removed from the scanner.
5
C:...sc150om.vp
Tue Dec 16 18:56:04 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							Controls and Indicators
Top View
Antenna
ConnectorConnect the rubber antenna to this BNC
connector and turn clockwise until it locks.
Earphone
JackPlug the supplied earphone into this jack
for private listening. When the earphone is
connected, the internal speaker is
disconnected.
Note the warning on the Inside Front Cover
and on page 11.
SQUELCH
ControlAdjust this control to set the scan threshold
and to eliminate the background rushing
noise heard in the absence of an incoming
signal. See the Operation Overview
Section for adjustment procedures.
ON-OFF/
VOLUME
ControlUse this control to turn the scanner on or
off, and to adjust the volume.
Front View
(Refer to the foldout illustration inside the Back Cover)
Complete explanations of the use of these keys are in the
following Scanning and Searching Sections, beginning on page
1.LCD DISPLAY — The liquid crystal display (LCD)
shows the current channel and frequency. It also
displays the mode, status, and bank indicators.
A.Priority Channel Indicator —
Pappears when
the scanner stops on a Priority Channel.
B.Scan Type Indicator — Indicates BANK or
DIRECT Scan operation.
6
C:...sc150om.vp
Tue Dec 16 18:56:05 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							C.Channel Number — Indicates the current
channel that the scanner is on.
D.Memory Bank Numbers — Each Memory
Bank consists of 10 channels that you can
select or deselect during scanning operation,
using the numeric keypad. When you select
a Bank, its number appears on the display.
When you deselect a Bank, its number
disappears from the display. When you press
Hto stop scanning, only the Bank of the
current channel appears.
E.Low Battery Indicator — Appears on the
display when the Battery Pack is low and
needs recharging.
F.Frequency Indicator — 7-digits plus decimal
indicate the frequency being received by the
scanner.
G.Mode Indicators — (Only the active mode(s)
are displayed during operation.)
Indicates DATA SKIP activated
during SEARCH.
SCNIndicates SCAN Mode.
SRCHIndicates SEARCH Mode. Flashes
when in TURBO SEARCH Mode.
PRIIndicates PRIORITY SCAN Mode.
HOLDIndicates SCAN HOLD or SEARCH
HOLD Mode.
DLYIndicates DELAY is activated.
L/OIn SCAN Mode indicates the
channel shown is “Locked Out”.
In SEARCH Mode, indicates the
frequency shown is “Locked Out”.
WXIndicates WEATHER SCAN Mode.
kIndicates the keypad is locked.
2.DIRECT CHANNEL MEMO PAD — Write the names
of the events/activities you program into your
One-Touch Direct Channels (Channels 1- 10).
3.NUMERIC KEYPAD — Use these keys to program a
channel for scanning. Also use to access a channel
directly with
H. During SCAN Mode, use these
keys to select or deselect any of the 10 memory
banks. (Only the selected bank indicator(s) appear
on the display.)
Note:You cannot deactivate all 10 banks at the same
time.
7
C:...sc150om.vp
Tue Dec 16 19:00:08 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							Key Bank Channel
¬1 1-10
­2 11-20
®3 21-30
¯4 31-40
°5 41-50
±6 51-60
²7 61-70
³8 71-80
´9 81-90
€10 91 - 100
4.In SCAN or SEARCH Mode, pressHto stop
scanning or searching. (
HOLDappears on the
display.) After you stop the scanner, press
Hagain to resume scanning or searching.
GO TO — Use the numeric keypad to enter a
channel number, and then press
H(GO TO)to
access that channel.
5.Use
Bto toggle between Direct Channel Access
and Bank Scanning.
6.Press
Nto toggle the Preprogrammed Search
Band.
SRCHappears on the display.
7.Press
Sto start scanning all programmed channels
that are not locked out. (
SCANmoves across the
display during scanning.)
8.Press
Dto turn ON or OFF the automatic 2-second
delay during scanning or searching for active
frequencies. (In Delay Mode,
DLYappears on the
display.) In this mode, when the scanner monitors an
active frequency, searching or scanning will not resume
until transmission stops for 2 seconds.
9.There are 7 Preprogrammed NOAA weather
channels. Press
Wto find the active NOAA
weather channel in your area.
WXappears on the
display in Weather Mode.
10.Press
Lto turn the display light ON for 15 seconds.
Press
Lagain to manually turn the light OFF.
11.Press and hold until appears on the
display. This disables the keypad and prevents any
accidental key entries. To enable the keypad, press
and hold until disappears from the display.
8
G:\Manuals7\Scanner\Sc150	est.vp
Tue Dec 23 17:15:28 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							12.Use.to enter the decimal point when
programming a frequency into a channel. If you
make an entry error, press
.before theEkey to
erase the entry, and start over.
13.Press
Eto store a displayed frequency into any
displayed channel.
14.Use
dandu(SRCH/CH) to search in either the up
or down direction within a Band, or to go up or down
in frequency when Search is stopped.. In SCAN
HOLD Mode, use these keys to go up or down to the
next channel.
15.Press
Oto “Lock Out” or prevent scanning of the
displayed channel, including Priority Channels. (
L/O
appears on the display.) To unlock a channel, press
Oagain.Ocan be used in Scan or SEARCH
Modes.
16.While Scanning, press
Pto enter the PRIORITY
SCAN Mode. (
PRIappears on the display.) While
Searching, press
P(TURBO) to toggle between
100 steps and 300 steps per second. (When in
TURBO SEARCH Mode,
SRCHflashes on the
display.)
17.Use
Ato skip data signals and unmodulated
carriers when in SEARCH Mode. This feature is not
active in the Air Band.
9
C:...sc150om.vp
Wed Dec 17 10:05:26 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen 
						

							Setup
The SportCat comes with a rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium
Battery Pack. When fully charged, this Battery Pack will
supply up to 12 hours of dependable use. (With the
Squelch control in “closed” position.)
Before using the SportCat for the first time, or whenever
the LOW BATTERY Indicator appears on the LCD display,
you should fully charge the Battery Pack.
Note:When the Battery Pack is low, the Low Battery
Indicator will start to blink. After about 10 minutes, the
scanner will shut itself off to prevent the battery from
becoming completely discharged.
Before charging, you must first install the Battery Pack
according to the steps below.
Charging the Battery Pack
1. Plug the AC Adapter/Charger (AD-70U) into the
Charging Jack located on the Left side of the SportCat.
You can use the scanner while it is charging.)
WARNING! Useonly the supplied AC Adapter/
Charger. Any other AC adapter or external power
plug having over-voltage or reversed polarity can
cause overheating or damage to the circuitry.
2. Plug the AC Adapter/Charger into a standard AC
outlet.
To fully charge the battery, leave the Adapter/Charger
connected for 14 to 16 hours.
3. When charging is complete, disconnect the Adapter/
Charger from the AC outlet and from the Battery Pack.
Note:Disconnect the AC Adapter/Charger from the unit
during a power failure.
Mounting the Flexible Antenna
Place the end of the antenna onto the BNC connector on
top of the scanner and turn clockwise until tight.
10
C:...sc150om.vp
Wed Dec 17 10:06:43 1997 Color profile: Disabled
Composite  Default screen