PRO-2042 Programmable Scanner
(200-0464) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 31533
This scanner is primarily designed for use in the home as a base station.
You can place it on a desk, shelf, or table.
Your scanner's front feet fold up or down. Adjust them to give you the
best view of the display.
CONNECTING AN ANTENNA
The supplied telescoping antenna helps your scanner receive strong local
signals. To install the antenna, screw it clockwise into the hole on the
scanner's top.
The scanner's sensitivity depends on the antenna's length and various
environmental conditions. For the best reception of the transmissions you
want to hear, adjust the antenna's length.
Frequency Antenna Length
25-300 MHz Extend fully
300-520 MHz Extend three segments
760-1300 MHz Collapse all segments
Instead of the supplied antenna, you can connect an outdoor base antenna
(not supplied) to your scanner. Your local Radio Shack store sells a
variety of antennas. Choose the one that best meets your needs.
When deciding on an outdoor base antenna and its location, consider the
following:
The location of the antenna should be as high as possible.
The antenna and antenna cable should be as far as possible from sources
of electrical noise (appliances, other radios, and so on).
The antenna should be vertical for the best performance.
To connect an optional antenna, always use 50-ohm coaxial cable, such as
RG-58 or RG-8. For length over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric
coaxial cable. If the coaxial cable's connector does not fit in the ANT
jack, you might also need a PL-259-to-BNC antenna plug adapter, such as
CAT. No. 278-120. Your local Radio Shack store carries a wide variety of
coaxial antenna cable and connectors.
Follow the mounting instructions supplied with the antenna. Then route the
antenna cable to the scanner, and connect it to the ANT jack on the back of
the scanner.
CAUTION: Do not run the cable over sharp edges or moving objects.
WARNING: Use extreme caution when you install or remove an outdoor antenna.
If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact
overhead power lines. If the antenna touches a power line, contact
with the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause
electrocution and death. Call the power company to remove the
antenna. DO NOT attempt to do so yourself.
CONNECTING POWER
Plug the scanner's attached AC power cord into a standard AC outlet.
CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, the plug's blades are polarized and
fit only one way. If the plug does not fit easily, turn it over
and try again. Do not force the plug into the AC outlet.
The memory backup circuit begins to function a few minutes after you supply
power to the scanner. How long the scanner will maintain channels stored
in memory depends on how long power has been supplied to the scanner. For
example, if power is supplied to the scanner for at least 4 days, the
memory back up circuit maintains the channels stored in memory for up to 3
months.
Using Your Vehicle's Battery
If your AC power does not work in an emergency, you can power your scanner
from your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket with an optional DC cigarette
lighter power cable such as Cat. No. 270-1533 (not supplied).
To connect an optional DC cigarette lighter power cable, insert its barrel
plug into the DC 13.8V jack on the back of the scanner, then plug the power
cable into your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket.
CAUTION: If you use a DC cigarette lighter power cable with the scanner,
it must supply 12 volts and deliver at least 1 amp. Its center
tip must be set to positive, and its plug must correctly fit the
DC 13.8 V jack on the back of the scanner. The recommended power
cable meets these specifications. Using a power cable that does
not meet these specifications could seriously damage the scanner
or the power cable.
NOTE: Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some
areas. Check the laws in your area.
RESTARTING/RESETTING THE SCANNER
If the scanner's display locks up or the scanner does not work properly
after you connect power, you might have to restart or reset the scanner.
Restarting the scanner clears and resets the scanner's display, but does
not erase any channel information stored in the scanner's memory. Follow
these steps to restart the scanner.
1. Use OFF/VOLUME to turn off the scanner, then turn it on again.
2. Insert a pointed object, such as a straightened paper clip, into the
RESTART hole on the back of the scanner.
If the scanner still does not work properly, you might have to reset
it.
CAUTION: This procedure clears all the information you have programmed
into the scanner. Use this procedure only when you are sure your
scanner is not working properly.
1. Use OFF/VOLUME to turn off the scanner, then turn it on again.
2. Press and hold down CLEAR.
3. While inserting a pointed object such as a straightened paper clip
into the RESTART hole on the back of the scanner, press it until the
information on the display disappears. Then release it.
4. After the information reappears on the scanner's display, release
CLEAR.
CONNECTING OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL SPEAKER
You can connect an optional external speaker with a 1/8-inch plug to the
scanner. Use an 8-ohm external speaker capable of handling over 2.5 watts
of power (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 21-549).
Insert the speaker's plug into the EXT SPKR jack on the back of the
scanner.
NOTE: Plugging in an external speaker disconnects the scanner's internal
speaker.
CONNECTING HEADPHONES
You can connect an optional pair of headphones with a 1/8-inch plug to the
scanner. Use monaural headphones (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 20-210).
Insert the headphones' plug into the HEADPHONE jack on the front of the
scanner.
NOTE: Plugging in headphones disconnects the scanner's internal speaker.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use headphones.
Set OFF/VOLUME to the lowest setting before you begin listening.
After you put on the headphones, adjust OFF/VOLUME to a comfortable
level.
Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume
listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Once you set OFF/VOLUME, do not increase it. Over time, your ears
adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause
discomfort might still damage your hearing.
CONNECTING A TAPE RECORDER
You can connect an optional tape recorder to your scanner to record
transmissions. To record from the scanner, you need a tape recorder with
a microphone jack (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 14-1151). Also, you need
a connecting cable with a phono plug and a 1/8-inch plug (such as Cat. No.
42-2461).
1. Insert the connecting cable's phono plug into the TAPE OUT jack on the
back of the scanner.
2. Connect the other end of the connecting cable to your tape recorder's
microphone jack.
Follow the instructions provided with your tape recorder to record
transmissions while the scanner is on.
(EB 3/25/96)
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