PRO-28 30 Channel Direct Entry Programmable Scanner (200-0508) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 31211 POWER SOURCES You can power your scanner from any of three sources: Internal batteries (not supplied) Standard AC power (Using an optional AC adapter, Cat. No. 273-1652) Vehicle battery (using an optional DC adapter, Cat. No. 270-1560) USING INTERNAL BATTERIES You can power your scanner with four AA batteries. For the longest operation and best performance, we recommend alkaline batteries (such as Cat. No. 23-552). Or, you can use rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries (Cat. No. 23-125). WARNING: The scanner has a built-in circuit that lets you recharge nickel-cadmium batteries inside the battery compartment. However, you must never use this circuit when you have installed non- rechargeable batteries in the scanner. Be sure to read "Important information about the External Power Jacks" and "Charging Nickel Cadmium Batteries." Follow these steps to install or replace batteries. 1. If the scanner is on, turn Volume/Off counterclockwise until it clicks to turn it off. 2. Press the tab on the battery compartment cover, and lift off the cover. 3. Remove any old batteries from the compartment and cover. CAUTION: Always dispose of old non-rechargeable batteries promptly and properly. Do not bury or burn them. 4. Install two batteries in the compartment and two in the cover as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and -) marked inside. CAUTIONS: Never mix rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, or rechargeable batteries of different capacities. Use only fresh batteries of the required size and type. Always remove old or weak batteries. Batteries can leak chemicals that destroy electronic circuits. 5. Replace the cover. If B flashes on the display and the scanner beeps every 15 seconds, immediately replace or recharge all four batteries. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXTERNAL POWER JACKS The scanner has two external power jacks - POWER and CHARGE. It is important that you understand the purpose of each jack before you connect any adapter to the scanner. The POWER jack powers the scanner and disconnects the internal batteries. You can use this jack to connect an external power source (AC adapter or DC power cord) regardless of the type of batteries you install. The CHARGE jack supplies power to operate the scanner and also charges the internal batteries. Use the CHARGE jack only when you install rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. WARNING: Never use the CHARGE jack with non-rechargeable batteries. If you try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries, they become very hot and could explode. USING STANDARD AC POWER To power the scanner from AC power, you need an AC adapter such as Cat. No. 273-1652 (not supplied). WARNING: Do not use an AC adapter's polarized plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure. CAUTIONS: You must use an AC adapter that supplies 12 volts and delivers at least 200 milliamps. Its center tip must be set to positive, and its plug must correctly fit the scanner's POWER and CHARGE jacks. The recommended adapter meets these specifications. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter. Be sure you connect the AC adapter to the scanner before you connect it to a standard AC outlet. Then disconnect the adapter from the AC outlet before you disconnect it from the scanner. NOTE: The scanner receives a 12-volt input at the CHARGE or POWER jack and reduces it to the 6 volts required by the scanner. 1. Connect the adapter's blue-tipped barrel plug to the adapter's cord and set the barrel plug's tip to positive. 2. Insert the adapter's blue-tipped barrel plug into your scanner's POWER jack. NOTE: If you installed rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries in the scanner, remove the plastic cap from the CHARGE jack and put the cap in the POWER jack. Connect the AC adapter to the CHARGE jack. This powers the scanner and recharges the batteries at the same time. See "Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries." 3. Plug the adapter's power module into a standard AC outlet. USING VEHICLE BATTERY POWER You can power the scanner from your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket with an optional DC cigarette lighter power cord (such as Cat. No. 270-1560). CAUTIONS: The recommended DC power cord supplies 12 volts and delivers at least 200 milliamps. Its center tip is set to positive and its plug properly fits the scanner's POWER and CHARGE jacks. Using a power cord that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the power cord. To protect your vehicle's electrical system, always plug the power cord into the scanner before you plug it into your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket. Always unplug the power cord from the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket before you unplug it from the scanner. NOTE: The scanner receives a 12-volt input at the CHARGE or POWER jack and reduces it to the 6 volts required by the scanner. 1. Plug the power cord's barrel plug into your scanner's POWER jack. 2. Plug the other end of the power cord into your vehicle's cigarette- lighter socket. NOTES: If you installed rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries in the scanner, remove the plastic cap from the CHARGE jack and put the cap in the POWER jack. Connect the DC power cord to the CHARGE jack. This powers the scanner and recharges the batteries at the same time. See "Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries." If the scanner does not operate properly when you use a DC power cord, unplug the power cord from the cigarette-lighter socket and clean the socket to remove ashes and debris. If it still does not operate properly, check the fuse in the power cord. CHARGING NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES The scanner has a built-in circuit that lets you recharge nickel-cadmium batteries while they are in the scanner. To charge the batteries, remove the plastic cap from the scanner's CHARGE jack and put the cap in the POWER jack. Then connect an AC adapter or DC power cord to the jack (see "Using Standard AC power" or "Using Vehicle Battery Power"). WARNING: Do not connect either an adapter or power cord to the scanner's CHARGE jack if you installed non-rechargeable batteries (standard, extra-life, or alkaline). Non-rechargeable batteries become hot and can even explode if you try to recharge them. It takes about 10 to 18 hours to recharge batteries that are fully discharged. You can operate the scanner while recharging nickel-cadmium batteries, but the charging time is lengthened. The first time you use nickel-cadmium batteries, charge them at least 24 hours to bring them to a full charge. NOTES: Nickel-cadmium batteries last longer and deliver more power if you occasionally let them fully discharge. To do this, simply use the scanner until it begins beeping every 15 seconds or B appears in the display. To prevent permanent nickel-cadmium battery power loss, do not charge the batteries at temperatures above about 90 degrees F. IMPORTANT: At the end of a rechargeable battery's useful life, it must be recycled or disposed of properly. Contact your local, county, or state hazardous waste management authorities for information on recycling or disposal programs in your area. Some options that might be available are: municipal curb-side collection, drop-off boxes at retailers, recycling collection centers, and mail-back programs. CONNECTING THE ANTENNA Follow these steps to attach the supplied flexible antenna to the connector on the top of your scanner. 1. Align the slots around the antenna's connector with the tabs on the jack. 2. Press the antenna down over the jack and rotate the antenna's base clockwise until it locks into place. Connecting an Optional Antenna The antenna connector on your scanner makes it easy to use the scanner with a variety of antennas. Instead of the supplied antenna, you can attach a different one, such as an external mobile antenna or outdoor base antenna. Your local Radio shack store sells a variety of antennas. Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect an outdoor antenna. For lengths over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If your antenna's cable does not have a BNC connector, you will also need a BNC adapter (available at your local Radio Shack store). WARNING: Use extreme caution when installing or removing 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 your self. CONNECTING AN EARPHONE/HEADPHONES For private listening, you can plug an earphone or mono headphones (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 33-175 or 20-210) into the HEADPHONES jack on top of your scanner. This automatically disconnects the internal speaker. Listening Safely To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use an earphone or headphones. Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss. Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust the volume to a comfortable level. Once you set the 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. Traffic Safety Do not wear an earphone or headphones 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 and headphones are designed to let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still present a traffic hazard. DISCONNECTING AN EXTENSION SPEAKER In a noisy area, an extension speaker (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 21-549) or an amplified speaker (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 21-541), positioned in the right place, might provide more comfortable listening. Plug the speaker cable's 1/8-inch mini-plug into your scanner's HEADPHONE jack. ATTACHING THE BELT CLIP You can attach the supplied belt clip to make your scanner easier to use when you are on the go. Use the supplied screws to attach the belt clip to the scanner. Then slide the belt clip over your belt or waistband. (SP 3/8/96)