Albrecht AE80H User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

AE80H

50-Channel Portable Scanner

FEATURES

Your new Albrecht AE80H 50-Channel Portable Scanner gives you direct access to over 34,000 exciting
frequencies, including police and fire departments, ambulance services, and amateur radio services.
You can select up to 50 channels to scan, and you can change your selection at any time.

The secret to your scanner’s ability to scan so many frequencies is its custom-designed microprocessor
– a tiny, built-in computer.

Your scanner has these special features:
10 Preprogrammed Search Bands – let you search for transmissions within preset frequency ranges,

so you can find interesting frequencies more quickly.

50 Channels – let you store up to 50 of your favorite frequencies for easy recall and scanning.
Duplicate Frequency Check – automatically warns you if you try to store a frequency you’ve already

stored, to help you use the scanner’s memory more efficiently.
Monitor Memory – lets you temporarily save a frequency located during a direct search, so you can

move it to channel storage later.

Channel Lockout – keeps channels you select from being scanned.
Memory Backup – keeps the channel frequencies stored in memory for about 1 hour during a power

loss.
Two-Second Scan Delay – delays scanning for 2 seconds before moving to another channel, so you

can hear more replies.
Key Lock – lets you lock the keys to help prevent accidentally changing the scanner’s programming.
Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector – provides excellent reception. The BNC connector makes it

easy to attach and remove the antenna or a variety of optional antennas.
Liquid Crystal Display – clearly displays how the scanner is set and makes it easy to change those

settings.
Three Power Options – you can power the scanner from internal batteries (not supplied – including

non-rechargeable batteries, rechargeable batteries, or a rechargeable scanner battery pack) or external
AC or DC power (using optional adapters).

We recommend you record your scanner’s serial number here. This number is on the scanner’s back
panel.

Serial Number: ____________________

Your AE80H scanner can receive all of these frequencies:

• 68-88 MHz (VHF-Lo)

• 137-174 MHz (2-Meter Amateur Radio, VHF Hi)

• 380-512 MHz (Military Aircraft, UHF Lo, 70-cm Amateur Radio, UHF „T“ Band)

• 806-960 MHz (UHF Public Service, Trunked Services, UHF Hi, 33-cm Amateur Band (some

countries)

For a list of the frequency ranges in the ten preprogrammed search bands, see „Search Bands“.

PREPARATION

POWER SOURCES

You can power your scanner from any of four sources:
. Internal batteries (not supplied) with the provided battery holder
. A rechargeable scanner battery pack (not supplied)
. Standard AC power (using an optional AC adapter)
. Vehicle battery power (using an optional DC cigarette-lighter adapter)

Notes:

. The PWR jack lets you connect an external AC or DC adapter to operate the scanner. Connecting an
adapter to PWR disconnects the internal batteries. You can use the PWR jack with either non­rechargeable or rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries installed.
. The CHG jack lets you connect an external AC or DC adapter to operate the scanner. The internal
batteries remain connected when you connect an adapter to CHG, and get recharged when you connect
a charger.

Warning: Never use the CHG jack with non-rechargeable batteries! If you try to recharge non­rechargeable batteries, they could get very hot and explode.

Using Batteries

You can power your scanner from six AA batteries. For the longest operation and best performance, we
recommend alkaline batteries. You can also power the scanner using a rechargeable scanner battery
pack or rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, and recharge it as you use the scanner.

Caution: Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries (standard, alkaline, or
rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of different capacities.

Follow these steps to install batteries or a battery pack.

1. Press down on the battery compartment cover on the bottom of the scanner and slide the cover in the
direction of the arrow to remove it.

2. Slide the battery holder out of the battery compartment.

3. If you are installing individual batteries, insert six AA batteries in the battery holder as indicated by the
polarity symbols (+ and -) marked on the battery holder.

4. Slide the battery holder or battery pack into the compartment.
Caution: The battery holder or battery pack fits only one way inside the battery compartment. Do not

force it.

5. Replace the cover.
When battery power is low, BATT flashes and the scanner beeps about every 3 seconds. Immediately

replace all six non-rechargeable batteries or recharge the rechargeable batteries or battery pack.

Caution: Always dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not bury or burn them.

Using Standard AC Power

To power the scanner from AC power, you need an AC adapter.

Cautions:

. You must use an AC adapter that supplies 9 volts and delivers at least 200 milliamps. Its center tip
must be set to negative, and its barrel plug must correctly fit the scanner’s PWR/CHG jack. The
recommended adapter meets these specifications. Using an adapter that does not meet these
specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.
. When you finish using the AC adapter, disconnect it from the AC outlet first. Then disconnect it from
the scanner.

Plug the adapter’s barrel plug into the scanner’s PWR jack. Then plug the adapter’s power module into
a standard AC outlet.

Using Vehicle Battery Power

To power the scanner from your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket, you need a DC adapter.

Cautions:

You must use a DC adapter that supplies 9 volts and delivers at least 200 milliamps. Its center tip must
be set to negative, and its plug must correctly fit the scanner’s PWR/CHG jack. The recommended
adapter meets these specifications. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could
damage the scanner or the adapter.
To protect your vehicle’s electrical system, always plug the adapter into the scanner before you plug it
into your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket. Always unplug the adapter from the vehicle’s cigarette-lighter
socket before you unplug it from the scanner.

Plug the adapter’s barrel plug into the scanner’s PWR jack. Then plug the adapter’s power module into
your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.

Notes:

Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some areas. Check the laws in your area.
If the scanner does not operate properly when you connect a DC adapter, unplug the adapter from the
cigarette-lighter socket and clean the socket to remove ashes and other debris.

Charging a Rechargeable Battery Pack/Rechargeable Batteries
Your scanner has a built-in charging circuit that lets you charge a rechargeable battery pack or

rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries while it is in the scanner. To charge it, simply connect an AC or
DC adapter to the scanner’s CHG jack.

It takes about 14-16 hours to recharge a battery pack (rechargeable batteries) that is fully discharged.
You scan operate the scanner while recharging the battery pack (rechargeable batteries), but charging
takes longer.

Note: A rechargeable battery pack (rechargeable batteries) lasts longer if you let it fully discharge once
a month. To do this, simply use the scanner until BATT flashes and the scanner beeps about every 3
seconds. Then fully charge it.

Important! At the end of a rechargeable battery pack or batteries 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 a retailers such as your local store, recycling collection
centers, and mailback programs.

CONNECTING THE ANTENNA

Follow these steps to attach the supplied flexible antenna to your scanner.

1. Align the slots around the scanner’s connector with the tabs on the ANT jack.

2. Press the antenna down over the jack and turn the antenna’s base clockwise until it locks into place.

Connecting an Optional Antenna

The ANT jack on the top of the 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 station antenna.

Follow the installation instructions supplied with the antenna, route the antenna cable to the scanner,
then connect it to the ANT jack.

Warning: Use extreme caution when installing or removing an outdoor base station 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 AN EARPHONE/HEADPHONES

For private listening, you can plug an earphone or mono headphones with a 3.5 mm plug into the
PHONE jack on top of your scanner. This disconnects the internal speaker.

Caution: 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.
. 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.

Warning: Do not use an earphone or headphones with your scanner when operating a motor vehicle or
riding a bicycle, in or near traffic. Doing so can create a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some
areas.

CONNECTING AN EXTENSION SPEAKER

In a noisy area, an extension speaker or an amplified speaker might provide more comfortable
listening.

Plug the speaker cable’s 3.5 mm plug into your scanner’s PHONE jack.

USING THE BELT CLIP

You can use the belt clip for hands-free carrying when you are on the go. Simply slide the belt clip over
your belt or waistband.