TRC-499 (210-1599) Operation Faxback Doc. # 14615 Before you start using the CB, you should know how to use it effectively and courteously. "CB Operation Tips" contains information that will help you use an enjoy your CB. RECEIVING TRANSMISSIONS AND ADJUSTING SQUELCH CAUTION: Do not attempt to use the CB without first connecting an antenna to it. 1. Turn SQUELCH fully counter-clockwise. 2. To turn on the CB, turn VOLUME clockwise until you hear it click and you hear a hissing sound. The CB displays a channel number. 3. Turn SQUELCH clockwise until the hissing sound stops. NOTE: If the CB picks up unwanted, partial, or very weak transmissions, turn SQUELCH clockwise to decrease the CB's sensitivity to these signals. If you want to listen to a weak or distant station, turn SQUELCH counter-clockwise. 4. Adjust Volume to a comfortable listening level. 5. Press down to select lower channels or up to select higher channels. The channel number appears on the display. IMPORTANT: Channel 9 is reserved for motorist assistance, and for reporting emergency information about accidents, hazardous road conditions, and so on. Always give emergency messages priority on Channel 9. 6. To turn off the TRC-499, turn VOLUME counter-clockwise until you hear it click. TRANSMITTING NOTE: We recommend you try receiving transmissions before you transmit. 1. Follow Steps 1-5 under "Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch." 2. Hold the microphone 2 or 3 inches from your mouth. Then press and hold down the microphone talk button and speak into the microphone in a normal voice. The TX indicator turns on. NOTE: Do not speak too loudly when transmitting. It does not make your signal any stronger, and might distort your transmission. 3. When you finish transmitting, release the microphone talk button. The TX indicator turns off. You can now receive transmissions. 4. To turn off the TRC-499, turn VOLUME counter-clockwise until you hear it click. CB OPERATION TIPS Like most activities, CB radio has its customs and courtesies. The following tips will help you get the most enjoyment from your CB. Common Uses for a CB Radio Business Uses Truck drivers and delivery personnel can learn road and traffic conditions and get assistance in locating destinations. A CB is also good company on those "long hauls." On construction crews, a CB quickly pays for itself when you are calling for additional materials or coordinating the activities of different work crews. For security officers, a CB is more than a convenience - it is a must for both safety and efficiency. Personal Uses Keep in touch with home while driving to work, to the store, or to a social activity. Let your family know you are tied up in traffic or that you will stop by the store on the way home. If you are a two-car (or more) family, CBs are great for communicating with family members while they are in their cars. Contact friends or neighbors - find out "what's happening" or plan a get-together. Ever have car trouble or run out of gas on the highway? What an assurance it is to be able to radio for assistance. Camping, fishing, and other sports are more fun with a CB. Locate a buddy for find out "what's cooking" back at camp. CB COURTESY Wait for a pause in someone else's transmission before you ask for a break. If you do not receive an answer to your call after a second attempt, sign off and wait several minutes before trying again. Do not hold down the microphone talk button when you are not talking. (This is called dead keying.) Assist callers with directions, information about road conditions, and any other reasonable requests. Maximum Range The maximum range and quality of CB transmissions vary depending on these conditions: The type and quality of antenna used. The height of the antenna's mounting location - the higher the antenna, the better the signal's range. The surrounding terrain - mountains and tall buildings limit the range. Weather conditions. The number of nearby CBs operating on the same channel. Standing wave ratio (SWR) between the antenna and the CB. You can check the SWR between the CB and mobile or base-station antenna using an SWR tester (Cat. No. 21-523). Follow the instructions supplied with the SWR tester and the mobile or base-station antenna to change the SWR, if necessary. Using Common 10-Codes Citizen's band operators have largely adopted the 10-codes for standard questions and answers. These codes permit faster communications and better intelligibility in noisy areas. This table lists the codes adopted by the Associated Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO). Code Meaning 10-1 Cannot understand your message 10-2 Your signal is good. 10-3 Stop transmitting. 10-4 Message received and Understood. 10-5 Relay information to _____________. 10-6 I am busy or are you busy? 10-7 Out of service. 10-8 In service. 10-9 Repeat last message. 10-10 Negative (No). 10-11 __________________ in service. 10-12 Stand by. 10-13 Report _________________ conditions. 10-14 Information 10-15 Message delivered. 10-16 Reply to message. 10-17 En route. 10-18 Urgent. 10-19 Contact _____________________. 10-20 What is your location? 10-21 Call __________________ by telephone. 10-22 Cancel last message. 10-23 Arrived at the scene. 10-24 Assignment complete. 10-26 Estimated time of arrival is ___________. 10-30 Use caution. 10-31 Pick-up. 10-33 Emergency traffic. Clear the channel. 10-34 What time is it? (/all-06/07/95)