Radio Shack 21-1599 User Manual

21-159 9.fm Page 1 Thursday, August 5, 1999 10:59 AM

Cat. No. 21-1599

OWNER’S MANUAL

Please read before using this equipment.

TRC-499

40-Ch annel 2-Way CB Rad io

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INTRODUCTION

Your Radio Shack TRC-499 40­Channel 2-Way CB Radio is a high
performance CB with the maximum
allowable legal power and innovative
styling.

This CB is perfect for recreational,
business, or emergency use. You
can call other people who h ave CBs
at home, in their vehicles, or at camp
sites. You can also con nect opt ional
equipment to your CB, such as an
external PA speaker, or a DC power
supply and base station antenna to
set up a base station in your home.

Your CB has these features:

PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) Fre­quenc

nthesizer

—provides reli­able and exact tuning using a precise
frequency reference crystal.

Two Ceramic Filters

—provide su­perior selectivity and prevent adja­cent-channel interference.

DOWN/UP Channel Selector

—

provides maximum convenience

when selecting channels.

LED Displa

— lets you easily see

the selected channel number.

Universal Mountin

Bracket

—lets
you mount your CB securely in your
vehicle or on a table or shelf in your
home.

To use this CB, you need a

Note:

mobile or base station antenna. Your
local Radio Shack store has a wide
variety of antennas. F or more infor­mation, see “Installing an Antenna.”

For your records, we urge you to
record your CB’s serial number in the
space below. The serial number is on
the CB’s back panel.

Serial Number_________________

H

steresis Squelch Circuit

—

compensates for fading signals and
eliminates signal chopping during re­ception.

Automatic Noise Limitin
Circuit

—reduces noise caused by

(ANL)

nearby electrical equipme nt such as
motors or automotive ignition sys­tems.

© 1995 Tandy Corporation.

Radio Shack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.

All Rights Reserved.

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FCC INFORMATION

The Federal Communications Com­mission (FCC) does not require you
to have a license to operate this CB.
However, the FCC does require you
to read and know Part 95 of

Rules

. These rules apply to the oper­ation of a Class D CB. We have pro­vided a copy of these regulations
with your CB.

Warnin

make any internal adjustments. Any
internal adjustments can be made
only by authorized service person­nel.

Internal adjustments and/or modifi­cations can lead to illegal operation
as defined b y Part 95 of
Such illegal operation can lead to
very serious consequences.

To be safe and sure:

• Never open your CB’s case.

Do not open your CB to

:

FCC Rules

FCC

Your CB might cause TV or radio in­terference even when it is operating
properly. To determine whether your
CB is causing the interference, turn
off your CB. If the in terference goes
away, your CB is causing the interfer­ence. Try to eliminate the interfer­ence by:

• Moving your CB away from the
receiver.

• Contacting your local Radio
Shack store for help.

If you cannot eliminate the interfer­ence, the FCC requires that you stop
using your CB.

.

• Never modify your CB.

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CONTENTS

Installation ....................................................................................................... 5

Mounting the Microphone Holder ............................................................... 5

Connecting the Microphone........................................................................ 5

Mounting the TRC-499................................................................................ 5

Installing an Antenna.................................................................................. 6

Selecting an Antenna............................................................................6

Connecting an Antenna . ...................................................................... 7

Using Vehicle Battery Power ...................................................................... 7

Using the CB as a Base Station................................................................. 7

Connecting an Optional External Speaker ................................................. 8

Operation ......................................................................................................... 9

Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch ....................................... 9

Transmitting ................................................................................................ 9

CB Operation Tips..................................................................................... 10

Common Uses for a CB Radio............................................................ 10

CB Courtesy.................. ................... ............................ ........................11

Maximum Range..................................................................................11

Using Common 10-Codes................................................................... 12

Troubleshootin

Reducing Noise .................................. .......... ....... .. ....... .......... ....... .. .........14

Maintenance .................................................................................................. 15

Replacing the Fuse ...................................................................................16

Specifications ................................................................................................17

4

............................................................................................ 13

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INSTALLATION

MOUNTING THE
MICROPHONE HOLDER

Using a Phil lips s crewdr iver an d the
supplied small screws and small
metal washers, attach the supplied
microphone holder horizontally or
vertically to either side of the CB.

CONNECTING THE
MICROPHONE

1. Insert the microphone’s plug into
the microphone jack until it
clicks.

Caution:

phone cable.

Never pull on the micro-

MOUNTING THE
TRC-499

The mo st comm on mo unt ing loc at ion
for this CB is under a vehicle’s dash­board. However, if you use the TRC­499 as a base station, you can place
it on a desk, shelf, or t able (see “Us ­ing the CB as a Base Station”).

If you are mounting the CB in a vehi­cle, choose a location where:

• You can easily reach the CB.

• Wires and cables will not inter­fere with the vehicle’s pedals or
other moving parts.

• The CB is not directly in front of
heating vents.

• All wires and cables will reach
their connection points.

Caution:

fits only one way into the micro­phone jack. Do not force it.

2. Slide the microphone onto the
microphone holder.

To disconnect the microphone cable,
squeeze the bottom of the micro­phone’s plug, then gently pull it out.

The microphone’s plug

Cautions:

• The TRC-499 is designed to
work in a vehicle that has a 12­volt DC, negative-ground electri­cal system. Most vehicles have
this type of system. If you are
not sure about your vehicle,
check with your vehicle dealer.

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• If you use the TRC-499 in a
vehicle, mount it securely to
avoid damage to the CB or vehi­cle during sudden starts or
stops.

Follow these steps to mount the CB
using the supplied hardware.

1. Using the mounting bracket as a
template, mark the positions f or
the screw holes.

2. In each marked location, drill a
hole slightly smaller than the
supplied large screws.

Caution: Be careful not to drill
into anything behind the mount­ing surface.

3. Using a Phillips screwdriver,
attach the mounting bracket to
the mounting surface with the
large screws and supplied lock
washers.

4. Attach the CB to the mounting
bracket using the rubber wash­ers and mounting knobs.

INSTALLING AN
ANTENNA

Caution: To prevent damage to your

CB, you must connect an antenna to
the CB before you operate it.

Selecting an Antenna

When deciding on a mobile or base­station antenna and its location, con­sider these points:

• 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
(ignition systems, gauges, etc.).

• The antenna should be vertical
for the best performance.

Your local Radio Shack store sells a
variety of CB antenna s for both mo­bile and base-station use. Choose
the one that best meets your needs.

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Connecting an Antenna

Once you choose an antenna, follow
the mounting instructions supplied
with it. Then route the antenna cable
to the CB and connect the cable to

ANTENNA

the
CB.

Cautions:

• Do not run the cable over sharp
edges or moving parts.

• Do not run the cable next to
power cables or other CB
antenna cables.

• Do not run the cable through a
vehicle’s engine compartment or
other areas that produce
extreme heat.

jack on the back of the

USING VEHICLE
BATTERY POWER

You can power this CB from your ve­hicle’s battery or from standard AC
power with an optional DC power
supply. For information on us ing AC
power, see “Using the CB as a B ase
Station.”

Follow these steps to power the CB
from your vehicle’s battery.

1. Connect the CB’s black wire to
your vehicle battery’s negative
(

) terminal or to a metal part of

–

the vehicle’s frame that is not
insulated from the frame by a
plastic part.

2. Connect the CB’s red wire, with
in-line fuse, to a source of volt­age that turns on and off with the
ignition switch, such as a spare
accessory terminal in your vehi­cle’s fuse box.

USING THE CB AS A
BASE STATION

Although this CB is designed for mo­bile use, you can also use it as a
base station. To do so, you need the
following items.

• 12-volt DC power supply (such
as Cat. No. 22-120)

Caution:

supplies plug into a standard AC
outlet to produce DC power.
Before connecting your CB to a
12-volt DC power supply, read
and follow the instructions pro­vided with the power supply.

Most 12-volt DC power

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• Base station antenna (such as
Cat. No. 21-967)

• Coaxial antenna cable and con­nectors

Note: Your local Radio Shack store
carries power supplies, antennas,
coaxial antenna cable, and connec­tors.

Follow these steps to install the CB
as a base station.

1. Mount the base station antenna
as described in its own er’s man­ual.

Warning: Use extreme caution
when you install or remove a
base station CB antenna. If the
antenna starts to fall, let it go! It
could contact overhead power
lines. If the antenna touches the
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.

2. Connect the antenna’s cable to

ANTENNA

the
of the CB.

jack on the back

4. Connect the CB’s red wire, with
in-line fuse, to the DC power
supply’s positive (+) terminal.

5. Plug the DC power supply into a
standard AC outlet.

CONNECTING AN
OPTIONAL EXTERNAL
SPEAKER

To make the CB easier to hear in
noisy environments, you can connect
it to an external CB speaker. Use an
8-ohm speaker capable of handling 3
to 5 watts of power (such as Radio
Shack Cat. No. 21-549 ). The speak­er’s cable must have a

Simply plug the speaker cable into
the CB’s

EXT8

Ω jack.

1

/8-inch plug.

3. Connect the CB’s black wire to
the DC power supply’s negative
(

) terminal.

–

8

Note: When you connect an external
speaker, the CB’s internal speaker
automatically disconnects.

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OPERATION

Before you start using your CB, you
should know how to use it effectively
and courteously. “CB Operation
Tips” contains information that will
help you use and enjoy your CB.

RECEIVING
TRANSMISSIONS AND
ADJUSTING SQUELCH

Caution:

CB without first connecting an anten­na to it.

1. Turn

2. To turn on the CB, turn

Do not attempt to use your

SQUELCH

clockwise.

clockwise until you hear it click
and you hear a hissing sound.
The CB displays a channel num­ber.

fully counter-

VOLUME

Note:

unwanted, partial, or very weak
transmissions, turn
clockwise to decrease the CB’s
sensitivity to these signals. If
you want to listen to a we ak or
distant station, turn
counterclockwise.

4. Adjust
listening level.

5. Press
channels or
channels. The channel number
appears on the display.

Important!

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

you hear it click.

If the CB picks up

SQUELCH

SQUELCH

VOLUME

DOWN

counterclockwise until

to a comfortable

to select lower

UP

to select higher

Channel 9 is

3. Turn

SQUELCH

the hissing sound stops.

clockwise until

TRANSMITTING

We recommend you try receiv-

Note:

ing transmissions before you trans­mit.

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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

you hear it click.

counterclockwise until

CB OPERATION TIPS

Like most activities, CB radio has its
customs and courtesies. The foll ow­ing 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 assistanc e 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
a must for both safety and effi­ciency.

Persona l Us es

• 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 t raffic or
that yo u will stop b y th e s t or e on
the way home.

• If you are a two-car (or more)
family, CBs are great for com­muni cating with f amily me mbe rs
while the y ar e 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 hig hway ? W hat an

–

it is

–

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assurance it is to be able to
radio for assistance!

• Camping, fishing, and other
sports are more fun with a CB.
Locate a buddy or 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 ans wer
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

keying

.)

• Assist callers with directions,
information about road condi­tions, and any other reasonable
requests.

dead

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 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 an d a 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.

the higher

–

–

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Using Common 10-Codes

Citizen’s band operators have largely
adopted the 10-codes for standard
questions and answers. These
codes permit faster communication
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

messa
10-2 Your si
10-3 Stop transmittin
10-4 Messa

understood.
10-5 Relay information to

________________.
10-6 I am busy or are you

busy?
10-7 Out of service.
10-8 In service.

e.

nal is good.

.

e received and

Code Meaning

10-14 Information.
10-15 Messa
10-16 Reply to messa
10-17 En route.
10-18 Ur
10-19 Contact ____________.
10-20 What is your location?
10-21 Call ___________ by tele-

phone.
10-22 Cancel last messa
10-23 Arrived at the scene.
10-24 Assi
10-26 Estimat ed time of arrival is

____________ ________.
10-30 Use caution.
10-31 Pick up.
10-33 Emer

the channel.
10-34 What time is i t?

e delivered.

e.

ent.

e.

nment complete.

ency traff ic. Clear

10-9 Repeat last messa
10-10 Ne
10-1 1 ____________ in serv ice.
10-12 Stand by.
10-13 Report ____________

ative (No).

conditions.

e.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

If your CB is not working as it should, follow the suggestions below to see if you
can eliminate the problem. If you cannot, take the CB to your local Radio Shack
store for assistance.

mptom

S

Trouble with reception • The CB is turned on.

•

VOLUME

•

SQUELCH

• The microphone is securely connect ed to the
CB.

• The antenna cable is securely connected to
both the antenna and the CB.

Trouble with transmis­sion

CB does not work at all The power supply (either vehicle or 12V DC) and

• The CB is turned on.

• The microphone is securely connect ed to the
CB.

• All connectors are clean and tightened.

• The antenna cable is securely connected to
both the antenna and the CB.

• You are fully pressing the microphone talk but­ton.

in-line fuse (replace only with an identical 2-amp
fuse) are working; see “Replacing the Fuse.”

Check That:

is turned up.

is adjusted properly.

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REDUCING NOISE

The Automatic Noise Limiting (ANL)
circuit helps keep background noise
to a minimum. However, strong
sources of electrical noise (such as
your vehicle’s ignition, another radio,
or spark plugs) might be more than
the circuit can compensate for.

If you operate the TRC-499 with a ve­hicle’s engine off, you should not
have any problems with noise. If you
use the CB with the engine on, you
can determine the source of the
noise by turning off the engine an d
operating the CB with the ignition set
to ACC. If most or all of the noise
goes away, the problem is in your ve­hicle’s ignition or electrical system.

Here are a few hints to help you re­duce or eliminate such noise:

• Replace old ignition wires with
new, high-voltage, noise-sup­pression wires.

Your local Radio Shack store has a
wide selection of n oise-suppression
accessories.

• Install noise suppressors on
your spark plugs, or install new
spark plugs that have built-in
suppressors.

• Be sure that the ground connec­tion (black wire) is secure.

If problems persist, check yo ur alter­nator/generator, regulator, and gaug­es. Noise from these sources can be
reduced or eliminated using bypass
capacitors at various output voltage
points.

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MAINTENANCE

Your TRC-499 40-Channel 2-Way CB Radio is an example of superior design
and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your CB so
you can enjoy it for years.

Keep the CB dry. If it gets wet, w ipe it dry immediately. Liquids
might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.

Handle the CB gently and carefully. Dropping it can damag e cir­cuit boards and cases and can cause the CB to work improperly.

Keep the CB away from dust and dirt, which can cause premature
wear of parts.

Wipe the CB with a dam p cloth occasionally to keep it looking

CLEANER

new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong de­tergents to clean the CB.

Modifying or tampering with the CB’s internal components can cause a malfunc­tion and might invalidate your CB’s warranty and void your FCC authorization to
operate it. If your CB is not performing as it should, take it to your local Radio
Shack store for assistance.

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REPLACING THE FUSE

The TRC-499’s 2-amp fuse helps
protect your CB from power surges
and short circuits. If the fuse is blown,
replace it with a 2-amp, fast-acting
glass fuse (Cat. No. 270-1007).

Follow these steps to replace the
fuse.

1. Make sure the power source
and CB are both turned off.

2. To open the fuse holder, push
the fuse holder ends together,
then turn either end counter­clockwise and release it.

3. If the fuse is blown, replace it.

Caution:

the fuse only with another fuse
of the same type and rating.

4. To close the fuse holder, push
the fuse holder ends together,
then turn either end clockwise.

16

Make sure you replace

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SPECIFICATIONS

RECEIVER

Frequency Coverage ............................................ All 40 CB Channels (Class D)

26.965 to 27.405 MHz

Sensitivity..................................................... 0.7

Adjacent Channel Rejection........................................................................55 dB

Audio Output .........................................................................3 Watts (Minimum)

Frequency Response .....................................................

Intermediate Frequency ............................................................1st 10.695 MHz,

Cross Modulation .......................................................................................50 dB

Squelch ............................................................Adjustable from 0

TRANSMITTER

Frequency Coverage .............................................All 40 CB Channels (Class D)

Output Power............................................................... 4 Watts (FCC Maximum)

Type of Modulation...................... AM Double Sideband, Full Carrier Modulation

Modulation Capability................................................................................ ± 90%

Spurious Emissi o n ................... ............................ ............................. ........

Frequency Tolerance ............................................................................. ±±200 Hz

Antenna Impedance ............................................................................... 50 Ohm

Current Drain (13.8 volt supply)................................ 1 Amp with No Modulation

GENERAL

µV or better for 10 dB (S+N)/N

6 dB (at 450-2500 Hz)

-

2nd 455 kHz

µV to 1 mV

.5

26.965 to 27.405 MHz

1.5 Amps with 80% Modulation

60 dB

-

Power Requirements . ....................................... 13.8 Volts DC, Negative Ground

Dimensions.. ......... ............................ .................. 1

Weight ......................................................................................................1

Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications are subject
to change and improvement without notice.

3

/8 x 49/16 x 61/4 Inches (HWD)

(47 x 150 x 202 mm)

3

/4 lbs

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NOTES

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RADIO SHACK LIMITED WARRANTY

This product is warranted against defects for 90 days from date of pur­chase from Radio Shack company-owned stores and authorized Radio
Shack franchisees and dealers. Within this period, we will repair it with­out char

slip

not cover transportation costs. Nor does it cover a product subjected to
misuse or accident al dama
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RADIO SHACK MAKES NO
EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIM­ITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED
WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. Some states do not permit limita­tion or exclusion of implied warranties; therefore, the aforesaid limita­tion(s) or exclusion(s) may not apply to the purchaser.

This warranty gives you specifi c legal rights and you may also have o ther r ights which vary
from state to state.

e for parts and labor. Simply

as proof of purchase date to any Radio Shack store. Warranty does

e.

We Service What W e Sell

bring your Radio Shack sales

9/94

RADIO SHACK

A Division of Tandy Corporation

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

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