SW-100 Multi-Band AC/DC Portable Radio (120-0649) Operation Faxback Doc. # 17709 Follow these steps to operate the radio: 1. If you are using internal battery power or external DC power, set AC/DC to DC. If you are using external AC power, set it to AC. 2. For best CB, SW1, SW2, FM, TV1, TV2, AIR, WX, and VHF reception, fully extend the telescoping antenna. 3. For best AM reception, rotate DIRECTION FINDER (AM antenna) to fine tune the selected station. The DIRECTION FINDER scale ranges from -35 to +35. CAUTION: Do not use the DIRECTION FINDER to carry or lift the radio. It can break and disable AM operation. Use the chrome-plated bars on the radio's sides to lift or carry the radio. NOTE: When using the AM band, it is not necessary to raise the telescoping antenna. 4. Set AFC ON/OFF to ON. NOTE: AFC provides "Automatic Frequency Control" to ensure drift-free FM reception. 5. Set RADIO/P.A. (Public Address) to RADIO. (To use P.A. see"Using the Public Address Function.") 6. Rotate VOLUME (MIN/MAX) to MIN. WARNING: Do not listen at extremely high volume levels, especially using an earphone. Extended, high volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss. 7. Rotate the BAND selector to the desired band. (See "Using Different Bands.") NOTE: BAND controls the selection of 10 frequency bands through six selectable positions. The AM band contains the lowest frequencies (first position, starting at left.) The VHF band contains the highest (last position.) 8. Set POWER ON/OFF to ON. 9. Gradually increase VOLUME to the desired level. 10. Rotate TUNING (outside knob) to move the vertical orange bar along the selected band scale to a radio station. 11. For shortwave (SW) only, rotate FINE TUNING (inside knob) to move the red needle the TUNING/BATTERY meter to the highest tuning display. 12. Rotate TONE (MIN/MAX) to adjust the tone. READING THE DISPLAYS Tuning/Battery Meter The TUNING/BATTERY meter shows signal strength and battery status. With the power turned on, the meter scale ranges from 0 (indicating the poorest reception) to 10 (indicating the best reception.) NOTE: The TUNING/BATTERY meter is completely disconnected and does not indicate anything when BAND is set to the CB mode. Set POWER ON/OFF to ON. Set RADIO/P.A. to P.A. The red needle moves to the right of the green shaded area on the meter when the batteries are strong. As the batteries begin to weaken, the red needle moves to the left. Multiband Display The MULTIBAND display shows 10 frequency band scales. In general, the lowest radio frequencies are in the AM band (shown on the top scale) and the highest displayed radio frequencies are in the VHF band, shown on the last (tenth) scale. NOTE: The highest radio frequencies are actually in the television audio band, shown as channels 7 - 13 on the seventh (TV2) scale. USING DIFFERENT BANDS The SW-100 receives 10 Radio Frequency Bands selected by the following six band selector positions. AM CB SW1/SW2 FM/TV1 TV2 AIR/WX/VHF NOTE: The six band selector positions correspond to the 10 frequency scales on the multiband display. AM is selected when you set BAND fully counter clock-wise and AIR/WX/VHF is selected when you set BAND fully clockwise. AM Broadcast Band This band lets you tune your SW-100 to local AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio stations that operate between 530 and 1710 kHz. Read the top scale when you select AM. Citizen's Band (CB) This band lets you tune your SW-100 to 40 channels of communications (such as home-to-home, truck-to-truck, dispatchers, traffic and road conditions announcements, and Channel 9 - the HELP channel) that operate between 26.96 and 27.23 MHz. Read the second scale from the top when you select CB. NOTES: CB reception is limited by range. Some conditions, such as electrical interference, natural obstructions, humidity, or atmospheric conditions, may further limit the range of reception. For best CB reception, fully extend the external antenna. The TUNING/BATTERY meter does not work in the CB mode. Shortwave Bands (SW1/SW2) These bands let you tune your SW-100 to communications and stations around the world. SW1 operates between 4 and 6 MHz. SW2 operates between 7 and 12 MHz. Read the third scale from the top when you receive SW1 communications. Read the fourth scale from the top when you receive SW2 communications. NOTES: SW1 and SW2 are selectable in the same BAND position. To operate SW1/SW2, connect the plug end of the external antenna (supplied) into the ANT jack and let the other end hang loose. Reception will be best if the antenna is outside. If the supplied antenna is lost or damaged, we recommend you replace it with a shortwave (SW) antenna kit such as Cat. No. 278-758. For best Shortwave (SW) Band reception, use FINE TUNING. Shortwave reception quality varies according to the season of the year, prevailing weather conditions, changes in the atmosphere, and the frequency to which you are listening. The best time for listening to shortwave broadcasts is during the evening and nighttime hours. FM Broadcast Band This band lets you tune your SW-100 to FM (Frequency Modulation) radio stations that operate between 88 and 108 MHz. Read the fifth scale from the top when you select FM. Television Station Audio Band (TV1) This band lets you tune your SW-100 to the audio portion of television channels 2 - 6. Read the sixth scale from the top when you select TV1. Television Station Audio Band (TV2) This band lets you tune your SW-100 to the audio portion of television channels 7 - 12. Read the seventh scale from the top when you select TV2. Aircraft Band (AIR) This band let you tune your SW-100 to aircraft communications in your area (such as aircraft-to-aircraft or air traffic control-to-aircraft) that operate between 108 and 135 MHz. Read the eighth scale from the top when you select AIR. Weather Band (WX) This band lets you tune your SW-100 to weather information in your area. The weather service provided by the government can have up to 10 channels. However, only three (162.400MHz, 162.475MHz, and 162.550 MHz) are currently used and are tunable on this band. Read the ninth scale from the top when you select WX. Public Service and Marine Band (VHF) This band lets you tune your SW-100 to public service and marine band communications (such as police, fire department, taxi, truck, and other private mobile transmission) operating between 145 and 175 MHz. Read the tenth scale from the top when you select VHF. USING EARPHONES Follow these steps to listen with earphones. 1. Turn down VOLUME and turn on the band you want to hear. 2. Insert the earphone (supplied) into the SW-100's EAR jack. 3. Adjust the VOLUME as needed. Traffic Safety Do not wear earphones while operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. This can create a traffic hazard and is illegal in some areas. Even though some earphones are designed to let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still present a traffic hazard. Listening Safely Do not listen at extremely high volume levels, especially using an earphone. Extended high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss. Always start by setting the lowest volume level possible first, then gradually increase the volume as necessary. USING THE PUBLIC ADDRESS FUNCTION Follow these steps to use the public address function. 1. Set RADIO/P.A. to P.A. 2. Plug a microphone (not supplied) into the MIC jack and speak in a normal voice. NOTE: To prevent feedback or high-pitched sounds, keep the microphone facing away from the P.A. speaker and hold the microphone at least 3 feet behind the radio. 3. Adjust VOLUME as needed. (JC/all-11/01/95)