Radio Shack PRO-2018 User Manual
www.radioshack.com
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OWNER’S MANUAL —
Please read before using this equipment.
%106'065
Features ...................................... 2
The FCC Wants Y ou to Know ..... 3
Scanning Legally ..................... 4
Preparation ................................. 4
Using AC Power ...................... 4
Using Vehicle Battery Power ... 5
Connecting an Antenna ........... 5
Connecting an Earphone/Head-
phones ..................................... 6
Connecting an
Extension Speaker .................. 7
About Your Scanner ......... ........... 7
A Look at the Keypad ................. 8
A Look at the Display .................. 9
Understanding Banks ............... 12
Channel Storage Banks ......... 12
One Touch Banks .................. 12
Operation ................................ .. 15
Turning On the Scanner/Setting
Volume and Squelch .............. 15
Storing Known Frequencies Into
Channels ............................... 15
Searching the
One Touch Banks ..................... 16
Using Tune ............................ 17
Scanning the
Stored Channels .................... 18
Turning Channel-Storage Banks
Off and On ............................. 18
Monitoring a Stored Channel . 18
Clearing a Stored Channel .... 19
Listening to the Marine Bank . 19
Listening to the
Weather Band ........................ 19
One-Touch Search
Banks
— let you search
preset frequencies in
separate ham radio,
police/fire/emergency,
aircraft, weather, and
marine banks, to make it
easy to locate specific
types of calls.
Tune
— lets you tune
for new and unlisted
frequencies starting
from a specified
frequency.
20-424
Liquid-Crystal Display
makes it easy to view and
change programming
information. The display
backlight also makes the
scanner easy to read in
low-light situations.
Priority Channel
you program a frequency
into the priority channel. As
the scanner scans, it
checks the priority channel
every 2 seconds so you do
not miss transmissions on
that channel.
—
— lets
"+/2146#06"
If an icon appears at the end of a paragraph, go to the box on that page
with the corresponding icon for pertinent information.
— Warning
RRRR
ý
. — Caution
#
°°°°
#
— Important
— Hint
#
±±±±
— Note
2002 RadioShack Corporation.
©
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and R adio Sh ack .c om
are trademarks used by
RadioShack Corporation.
%106'065
Special Features ....................... 20
Delay ..................................... 20
Locking Out Channels or
Features
Frequencies ........................... 21
Using Priority ......................... 22
Turning the Key Tone
On and Off ........... ............. ..... 22
Avoiding
Image Frequencies ................ 22
Resetting/Initializing
the Scanner ........................... 23
Wired Programming ....... ........ 23
A General Guide to Scanning ... 24
Guide to Frequencies ............ 24
Guide to the Action Bands ..... 25
Band Allocation ..................... . 26
Frequency Conversion .......... 30
Troubleshooting ........................ 31
Care ........................ ............. ..... 32
Service and Repair ................... 32
Specifications ............................ 33
Parts and Accessories .............. 35
('#674'5
Your RadioShack PRO-2018 200-Channel Desktop
Scanner lets you in on all the action ! This scanner g ives you
direct access to over 25,000 frequencies, including those
used by police and fire departments, ambulance services,
government agencies, air, and amateur radio services. You
can select up to 200 c hannels to scan, and y ou c an change
your selection at any time.
The secret to your scanner's ability to scan so many
frequencies is its built-in microprocessor. Your scanner also
has these special features:
Two-Second Scan Del ay
before moving to another channel, so you can hear more
replies.
Ten Channel-Storage Banks
channels in each of 10 different bank s, to group channe ls so
you can more easily identify calls.
Memory Backup
— keeps the channel frequencies stored
in memory for about 1 hour during a power loss.
— delays scanning for 2 seconds
— let you store up to 20
HyperSearch™ and HyperScan™
— let you set the
scanner to search at up to 50 steps per secon d an d to s ca n
at up to 25 channels per second, to help quickly find
interesting transmissions.
Duplicate Frequency Check
— automatically notifies y ou if
you are about to st ore a frequen cy yo u hav e alrea dy st ored,
to help avoid wasting storage space.
Weather Alert
— automatically sounds the alarm tone to
advise of hazardous weather conditions when the scanner
detects an alert signal on the local NOAA weather channel.
Lock-Out Function
— lets you set your scanner to skip
over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or
searching.
Supplied Telescoping Antenna
— lets the scanner
receive strong local signals.
External Antenna Terminal
— lets you connect an
external antenna (not supplied) to the scanner.
2
Your scanner can receive these bands:
(TGSWGPE["
4CPIG"*/*\+
29 – 54
108 – 136.9875 Aircraft
137 – 174
380 – 512
6[RGU"QH"6TCPUOKUUKQPU
10-Meter Ham Band,
VHF Lo,
6-Meter Ham Band
Military Land Mobile,
2-Meter Ham Band,
VHF Hi
UHF Aircraft,
Federal Government,
70-cm Ham Band,
UHF Standard Band,
UHF “T” Band
±
6*'"(%%"9#065";17"61"
-019
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a scanning receiver, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential ins tal lat ion . This equipment g ene rate s, us es and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications.
. These limits are designed to provide
"016'"±"
±
See “Specifications” on Page 33
for more information about the
scanner's frequency steps.
The FCC Wants You to Know
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules
.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This devic e may not cause harmf ul interference.
3
"9#40+0)"R"
R
To prevent electric shock, do not
use the AC adapter's polarized
plug with an extension cord,
receptacle, or other outlet unless
you can fully insert the blades to
Preparation
prevent blade exposure.
.
"%#76+10"
You must use a
Class 2 power
!
source that supplies
at least 300 mA. Its center tip
must be set to positive and its
plug must fit the scanner's DC
12V jack. Using an adapter that
does not meet these
specifications could damage
the scanner or the adapter.
• Always connect the AC adapter
to the scanner before you
connect it to AC power. When
you finish, disconnect the
adapter from AC power before
you disconnect it from the
scanner.
12V DC and delivers
.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
5ECPPKPI".GICNN["
Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different
groups including police and fire departments, ambulance
services, government agencies, private companies,
amateur radio services, military operations, pager services,
and wireline (telephone and telegraph) service providers. It
is legal to listen to almost every transmission your scanner
can receive. However, there are some transmissions you
should never intentionally listen to. These include:
• Telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other
private means of telephone signal transmission)
• Pager transmissions
• Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions
According to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act
(ECPA), you are subjec t to fin es and poss ible i mpris onmen t
for intentionally listening to, using, or divulging the contents
of such a transmission unless you have the consent of a
party to the communication (unless such activity is
otherwise illegal).
This scanner has been designed to prevent reception of
illegal transmissions. This is done to comply with the legal
requirement that scanne rs be manufactured so as to not be
easily modifiable to pick up those transmissions. Do not
open your scanner's case to make any modifications that
could allow it to pick up transmissions that are illegal to
monitor. Doing so could subject you to legal penalties.
We encourage responsible, legal scanner use.
Mobile use of this scan ner is unlawfu l or require s a permit in
some areas. Check the laws in your area.
24'2#4#6+10
75+0)"#%"219'4
You can power the scanne r using the s upplied 12V, 300 mA
AC adapter. To power the scanner using an AC adapter,
insert the AC ada pter’s ba rrel plug into th e scanner' s
jack. Then connect the other end of the adapter to a
standard AC outlet.
Rý
.
DC 12V
4
75+0)"8'*+%.'"$#66'4;"219'4
You can power the scanner from a vehicle’s 12V power source
(such as a cigarette-li ghter socket ) using a 12 V, 300 mA DC
adapter and a size D Adaptaplug™ adapter (neither supplied).
Both are available at your local RadioShack store.
To power the scanner using a DC adapter, attach the
Adaptaplug to the DC adapter so the tip reads positive (+)
and set the adapt er' s vol tag e s w itc h to 1 2V. Next, insert the
Adaptaplug into the scanner's
end of the DC adapter into your vehicle's cigarette-lighter
socket.
±
DC 12V
jack. Plug the other
.
%100'%6+0)"#0"#06'00#
%QPPGEVKPI"VJG"5WRRNKGF"#PVGPPC
You must install an antenna before you can operate the
scanner.
The supplied telescoping antenna helps your scanner
receive strong lo ca l s ign al s. To install the an ten na, thre ad it
clockwise into the hole on top of the scanner.
.
"%#76+10"
Always connect the DC adapter to
the scanner before you connect it
to a power source. When you
finish, disconnect the adapter from
the power source before you
disconnect it from the scanner.
"016'"±"
±
• If you use a cigarette-lighter
power cable and your vehicle's
engine is running, you might
hear electrical noise from the
engine while scanning. This is
normal.
• Mobile use of this scanner is
unlawful or requires a permit in
some areas. Check the laws in
your area.
.
The scanner's sensitivity depends on its location and the
antenna's length. For the best r eception of the
transmissions you want to hear, adjust the antenna's length
according t o the chart below.
(TGSWGPE["
4CPIG"*/*\+
29 – 174 Extend fully
380 – 512 Extend 2 segments
#PVGPPC".GPIVJ
%QPPGEVKPI"CP"1WVFQQT"#PVGPPC
Instead of the supplied antenna, you can connect an
outdoor base stati on o r mob ile a ntenna (n either suppli ed) to
your scanner. Your lo cal Rad ioShac k store sells a v ariety of
antennas. Choose the one that best meets your needs.
Preparation
5
"9#40+0)"R"
R
Use extreme caution when
installing or removing an outdoor
antenna. If the antenna starts to
fall, let it go! It could contact
Preparation
overhead power lines. If the
antenna touches a power line,
touching 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.
.
"%#76+10"
Do not run the cable over sharp
edges or moving parts that might
damage it.
.
When deciding on an outdoor antenna and its location,
consider these points:
• The antenna should be located 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 optio nal base-station o r m obi le ant enna, first
remove the supp lie d a nte nna from the scanner. Alw ay s use
50 Ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect
an outdoor antenna. For distances longer than 50 feet, use
RG-8 low-loss dielec tric coaxial cable. If the anten na cable's
connector does not have a BNC connector, you will also
need a BNC adapter (not supplied, available at your local
RadioShack store). Your local RadioShack store carries a
wide variety of coaxial cable and connectors.
Once you choose an antenna, follow the mounting
instructions supplied with the antenna. Then route the
antenna's cable to t he sca nner an d conn ect the cable to the
ANT connector.
Rý
.
%100'%6+0)"#0"'#42*10'1
'#&2*10'5
*
For private listening, you can plug a 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) miniplug earphone or headphones (not supplied), available at
/PC
your local RadioShack store, into
scanner. This automatically disconnects the internal
speaker.
.KUVGPKPI"5CHGN[
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you
use an earphone or headphones.
• Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin
listening. After yo u begi n lis tening , ad just t he vol ume t o
a comfortable level.
• Do not listen at ext remely h igh volum e level s. Extended
high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing
loss.
• Once you set the vo lume, do not inc rease it. Over time,
your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level
that does not initially cause discomfort might still
damage your hearing.
on the back of the
6
6TCHHKE"5CHGV[
Do not use an earphone or headphones with your scanner
when operating a mot or vehi cle or ri ding a bicy cle in or ne ar
traffic. Doing so can create a traffic hazard and could be
illegal in some areas.
If you use an earphone or headphones with your scanner
while riding a bicycle, be very careful. Do not listen to a
continuou s broadcast. Even though some earphones/
headphones let you hear some outside sounds when
listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a
traffic hazard.
%QPPGEVKPI"CP"'ZVGPUKQP"5RGCMGT
In a noisy area, an extension speaker (not supplied)
available at your local Ra dio S hac k sto re, mi ght prov id e
more comfortable l istening . Plug the speaker c able's 1/8 inch
/PC
(3.5 mm) mini-plug into
.
#$176";174"5%#00'4
Once you understand a few simple terms used in this
manual and familiarize yourself with your scanner's
features, you can put the scanner to work for you. You
simply determine the type of communications you want to
receive, then set the scanner to scan them.
frequency
A
kHz or MHz). To find active frequencies, you can use the
search function.
You can also search the One Touch Search Banks, which
are preset groups of frequencies categorized by type of
service.
When you find a frequency, you can store it into a
programmable memory location called a channel, which is
grouped with other channels in a channel-storage bank.
You can then scan the ch annel-storag e banks to see if th ere
is activity on the frequencies stored there. Each time the
scanner finds an active frequency, it stays on that channel
until the transmission ends.
is the receiving signal location (expressed in
About Your Scanner
7
#".11-"#6"6*'"-';2#&
A Look at the Keypad
FD/PD Lets you
search the scanner's
preprogrammed fire/
MAR Lets you
search the
scanner's
preprogrammed
marine band.
HAM Lets you
search the
scanner's
preprogrammed
amateur radio
band.
SCAN/MAN
Scans any
preprogrammed
channels; stops
scanning and
lets you directly
enter a channel
number.
L/O RVW/L/O
Reviews
locked-out
frequencies;
lets you lock
out selected
channels or
frequencies.
police band.
WX
Lets you search
the scanner's
preprogrammed
weather channels.
or
H
G
Searches up or
down for active
frequencies or
selects the
direction when
scanning
channels.
PGM
Programs
frequencies
into
channels.
TUNE/CLEAR
Lets you tune a
frequency along
with H or G;
clears an
incorrec t entry.
PRI/ALERT Turns the priority feature and WX alert
mode on and off.
AIR Lets you search the
scanner's preprogrammed
aircraft band.
Number Keys Each
key has a single digit
(0 to 9) and a range
of numbers. Use the
range of numbers
above the key (21-40
for example) to select
the channel in a
channel-storage
bank. See
“Understanding
Banks” on Page 12.
ENT (enter) Enters frequencies
´
DELAY/
Programs a
2-second
delay for the
selected
channel;
enters a
decimal point.
into channels.
8
#".11-"#6"6*'"&+52.#;
The display has indicators that show the scanner's current
operating status. This quick look at the display will help you
understand how your scanner operates.
C7H?D;
Indicates that the
scanner is
searching the
marine bank (see
“Listening to the
Marine Bank” on
Page 19).
MN
Indicates
that the
scanner is
searching
the weather
channels.
IH9>
Appears during service
bank searches.
87DA
Appears with
numbers (1-10)
to indicate the
scan bank.
Bank numbers
with a bar under
them show
which banks are
turned on for
scanning (see
“Understanding
Banks” on
Page 12).
C7D
Appears when you
manually select a
channel.
7?H
Indicates that
the scanner is
searching the
aircraft bank.
>7C
Indicates that
the scanner
is searching
the amateur
radio bank.
A Look at the Display
9>
Appears with
digits (1-200)
or F to show
which
channel the
scanner is
tuned to.
ý
(lockout)
B%E
Appears when you manually select
a channel that was previously
locked out during scanning or when
you review a locked-out frequency.
<:%F:
Indicates that the scanner is searching the fire/police bank.
H
G
or
Indicates the search or scan direction.
I97D
Appears when the scanner scans channels.
9
F=C
Appears when you program frequencies into the scanner's
channels.
FH?
Appears when the priority feature is turned on.
:BO
Appears when you program a 2-second delay.
7BBý9>ýBe$#ekj
Appears when you lock out all frequencies in the marine
bank.
A Look at the Display
XýNý#<KBB
Appears when you try to enter a frequency during a search
when all displayed bank’s channels are full.
#ZKFB#
Appears when you try to store a frequency that is already
stored in another channel.
Z<7KBj
Appears when you remove all the lock-outs from the FD/PD,
AIR, or HAM bank frequencies.
:#;hheh
Appears when the scanner receives a data error during
wired programming.
;dZ
Appears when the sc anner h as fin ished wired pr ogramm ing.
;hheh
Appears when you make an entry error.
<Beý7BB#9B
Appears when you remove all the locked-out frequencies
during a FD/PD, AIR, or HAM bank or tune search.
<Be#<KBB
Appears when you try to lock out a frequency during a tune
or search when 50 frequencies are already locked out.
10
<ýB#ekj
Appears when you start a tu ne fr om a loc ke d-ou t freq uency.
B#h
Appears when you review locked-out frequencies.
e<<ýjed;
Appears when you turn the key tone off.
edýjed;
Appears when you turn the key tone on.
F
Appears when the scanner is tuned to the priority channel.
Ij7hj
Appears when the scanner starts wired programming.
#j#
Appears when the scanner is tuning frequencies.
M_h;Z
Appears when you set the sc anner to its wired prog ramming
mode to program frequencies into it.
C7h
Appears about 2 seconds after you press
<?h;
FeB?9;
/
Appears about 2 seconds after you press
MAR
FD/PD
.
.
7?h
Appears about 2 seconds after you press
AIR
.
>7C
Appears about 2 seconds after you press
HAM
.
M;7j^;h
Appears about 2 seconds after you press WX.
BeýL><
Appears when you turn on the low VHF sub-bank while
searching in the fire/police bank.
>_ýL><
Appears when you turn on the high VHF sub-bank while
searching in the fire/police bank.
K><
Appears when you turn on the UHF sub-bank while
searching in the fire/police bank.
'&ýC
Appears when you turn on the 10m sub-bank while
searching in the ham bank.
,ýC
Appears when you tu rn on t he 6m su b-bank whi le search ing
in the HAM bank.
A Look at the Display
11
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