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)