Radio Shack PRO-2040 User Manual

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100-Channel Programmable Home Scanner
Cat. No. 20-414
OWNER’S MANUAL
PRO-2040
Please read before using this equipment.
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FEATURES
Your Radio Shack PRO-2040 100­Channel Programmable Home Scan­ner lets you in on all the action! This scanner gives you direct access to over 30,000 exciting frequencies that include police and fire departments, ambulance and transportation ser­vices, and amateur radio. You can select up to 100 channels to scan, and you can change your selections 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 also has these fea­tures:
H
perscan —
per second.
H
persearch —
frequencies at 300 st eps per second in bands that have 5 kHz steps to help you find interesting broadcasts.
Ten 10-Channel S t ora
let you store 10 cha nnels in each of 10 banks to group frequencies so you can easily identify calls.
Priorit
fied channel every 2 seconds so you do not miss important calls.
Channel —
scans 50 channels
searches through
e Banks —
checks a speci-
Data Detection —
detect data signals (nonmodulated signals such as preamble signals for pagers) during a limit or a direct search so it can automatically contin­ue searching.
Monitor Memories —
up to 10 frequ encies you locate dur­ing a frequency search which you can then transfer into channels.
Search Function
new and unlisted frequencies using a designated frequency range (limit search) or starting from a specified frequency (direct search).
Selectable Scan/Search Speeds
let you select normal or hyper
scan speeds, and normal, high, or hyper search speeds.
Manual or Scan Channel Select
lets you manually specify a single channel or set the scanner to auto­matically scan all the stored chan­nels.
Search Skip
50 frequencies for the scanner to skip during a limit or direct search, so you can avoid unwanted frequen­cies.
you can set i t to
let you store
searches for
lets you select up to
Radio Shack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
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All Rights Reserved.
CAUTION
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Two-Second Scan Delay — delays scanning for 2 seconds b efore mov­ing to another channel, so you can hear more replies.
Weather Band Key
scans the
preprogrammed weather frequen­cies to keep you informed of the most current weather conditions.
Memory B ackup
keeps the chan-
nel frequencies s tored in your s can­ner’s memory for up to 3 days during a power loss.
Squelch C ontrol
lets you adjust
the receiver’s sensitivity low e nough to receive weak signals or high enough to eliminate receiver noise when not receiving a signal.
Lock-Out Function — prevents channels you select from being scanned.
Backlit LCD Display
lets you
easily see the indicators on the scan­ner’s display, even at night.
Audio O ut p ut Ja ck — lets you con­nect an earphone or headphones for private listening, or an external speaker for listening in a remot e or noisy area.
Optiona l An tenn a Ter minals
let
you connect the supplied telescoping antenna to the screw-in terminal, or an external antenna to the BNC con­nector.
Optional Power Sources
let you
power your scanner using the sup­plied AC adapter or an optional DC adapter.
Warning: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do n o t ex p os e this system to rain or moist u re .
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN.
CAUTION
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR BACK. NO USER -SERVICE­ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVIC­ING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
!
: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
This symbol is intended to alert you to the presence of uninsulat­ed dangerous voltage within the scanner’s enclosure that might be of suf ficient m agnitu de to co nsti­tute a r isk of el ectri c shock . Do not open the scanner’s case.
This symbo l is in tended to info rm you that important operating and maintenance instructions are in­cluded in the litera ture accom pa­nying this scanner.
!
For your records, please record your scanner’s serial number in the space provided. The serial number is locat­ed on the back of the scanner.
Serial Number:
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Your PRO-2040 can receive these bands:
Band Modulation Frequency Range Frequency
Step
10-Meter Ham Band FM 29.00-29.7 MHz 5.0 kHz VHF-Lo FM 29.7-50.00 MHz 5.0 kHz 6-Mete r Ham Band FM 50.00-54.00 MHz 5.0 kHz Aircr aft AM 108-13 6.975 MHz 12.5 kHz Gover nm e nt / H am FM 137-14 8 MH z 5 .0 kH z VHF-Hi FM 148-174 MHz 5.0 kHz Ham/Government FM 406-450 MHz 12.5 kHz UHF-Lo FM 450-470 MHz 12.5 kHz UHF-T (TV) FM 470-512 MHz 12.5 kHz UHF-H i FM 806-823.9375 MH z 12.5 kH z UHF-Hi FM 851- 868.9375MHz 12.5 kHz UHF-H i FM 896.1125- 95 6 MH z 12.5 kHz
FCC Notice
Your scanner might c ause radio or TV interference even whe n it is operating properly. To determine if your scanner is causing the interference, turn off your scanner. If the interference goes away, your scanner was causing it. Try to elim­inate the interference by:
• Moving your scanner away from the receiver
• Connecting your scanner to an outlet that is on a different electrical circuit from the receiver
• Contacting your local Radio Shack store for help
If you cannot eliminate the interferen ce, the FCC requires that you stop using your scanner.
Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some areas.
Note:
Check the laws in your area. This device complies with Part 15 of
FCC Ru les
. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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CONTENTS
Preparation .......................................................................................................7
Connecting Power.......... ......... .......... .......................... ................................7
Using Standard AC Power .................................................... ....... ....... ..7
Memory Backup.. ......... .......... ........................................................... ....7
Using Vehicle Battery Power .................................................................8
Connecting an Antenna .......................................................... ................... ..9
Telescoping Antenna............................................................................. 9
Optional Outdoor Antenna.....................................................................9
Resetting the Scanner’s Display................................................................ 10
Initializing the Scanner ............................................................................... 11
Connecting an Earphone/Headphones/External Speaker.........................1 1
Listening Safely...................................................................................12
Traffic Safety......... ..............................................................................12
Understandin
A Look at the Front Panel..........................................................................13
A Look at the Display .................................................................................15
Understanding the Scanner ’s Memory ......................................................17
Channel-Storage Banks . ..................................................................... 17
Monitor Memories............................................................................... 17
Operation........................................................................................................18
Turning On the Scanner/Setting the Volume and Squelch........................18
Finding Birdie Frequencies........................................................................19
Manually Storing Frequencies in Channels ...............................................20
Searching For and Temporarily Storing Active Frequencies......................21
Limit Search........................................................................................21
Direct Search.......................................................................................22
Search Skip Memory........................................................................... 23
Listening to Monitor Memories...................................................................24
Moving a Frequency from a Monitor Memory to a Channel.......................25
Scanning the Stored Channels..................................................................25
Turning Channel-Storage Banks On and Off.......................................26
Manually Selecting a Channel ...................................................................26
Listening to the Weather Band...................................................................27
Special Features.............................................................................................28
Designating a Priority Channel . .................................................................28
Using the 2-second Delay..........................................................................28
Your Scanner........................................................................13
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Locking Out Channels ...............................................................................29
Changing Scanning and Search Speeds................................................... 29
Detecting Data Signals.................................................. .......... ....... ....... ....30
A General Guide To Scanning....................................................................... 31
Guide to Frequencies................................................................................ 31
National Weather Frequencies................................................... ..... ....31
Ham Radio Frequencies .................................. ....... .......... .. ....... .........31
Guide to the Action Bands......................................................................... 31
International Broadcast Bands ............................................................31
Typical Band Usage............................................................................ 32
Primary Usage .................................................................................... 32
Specified Intervals...............................................................................33
Band Allocation................................................................................... 33
Frequency Conversion.............................................................................. 38
Troubleshooting.............................................................................................39
Care and Maintenance................................................................................... 40
Specifications................................................................................................. 41
Scanning Legally
Scanning is a fun and interesting hobby. You can hear police and fire depart­ments, ambulance services, radio servi ces, aircraft, and mili tary operations. It is le transmission your scanner can receive. However, there are some electronic and wire communications that are ille
Telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other private means of tele­phone si
•Pa
Scrambled or encrypted transmissions
Accordin amended, you could be fined and possibly imprisoned for intentionally listenin to, using, or disclosing the contents of such a transmission unless you have the consent of a party to the communication (unless such activity is otherwise ille-
al). These laws change from time to time and there might be state or local laws
that also aff ec t le
nal transmissi on)
er transmissions
to the Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), as
al scanner usage.
overnment agencies, private companies, amateur
al to listen to almost every
al to intent ionally intercept. These include:
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PREPARATION
CONNECTING POWER
Using Standard AC Power
You can power your scann er from a standard AC outlet using the sup­plied AC adapter.
Warnin
er’s polarized plug with a n ext ension cord receptacle unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
Cautions:
• The supplied AC adapter sup-
• Be sure you connect the AC
Do not use the AC adapt-
:
plies 12 volts and delivers 500 milliam ps. Its ce nter tip is s et to positive, and its plug properly fits the scanner’s Using an AC adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter. The scanner’s dis­play dims if the AC adapter you use does not provide the required 12 volts DC.
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.
DC 12V
jack.
• If you have difficulty inserting the AC adapter ’s polarized plug, do not force it. Turn it over and rein­sert it.
1. Insert the supplied AC adapter ’s barrel plug into the scanner’s
12V
jack.
2. Plug the adapter’s power mod­ule into a standard AC outlet.
DC
Memory Backup
If a power failure occ urs or i f the pow­er cord is disconnected, the scan­ner’s memory backup circuit keeps information in memory for up to 3 days.
Note:
begins to protect the contents in memory within a few minutes after you plug in the scanner.
The memory backup circuit
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Using Vehicle Battery Power
To power your scanner from your ve­hicle’s battery power, you need a DC power cord (such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 270-1533).
Cautions:
• Your vehicle must have a 12-volt DC, negative-ground electrical system.
• The recommended DC power cord supplies 12 volts and de liv­ers at least 500 milliamps. The center tip on the barrel plug is set to positive, and the plug properly fits the scanner’s
12V
jack. Using a DC power cord (or adapter) that d oes not meet these specifications c ould dam­age the scanner or the cord (or adapter). The scanner’s display dims if the DC cord (or adapter) you use does not provide the required 12 volts DC.
DC
• Be sure you connect the DC cord to the scanner before you connect it to the vehicle’s ciga­rette-lighter plug. Then discon­nect the cord f rom the vehicle’s cigarette-lighter plug before you disconnect it from the scanner.
Follow these steps to use vehicle battery power.
1. Insert the barrel plug into the scanner’s
DC 12V
jack.
2. Plug the other end of the adapter into you r vehicle’s ciga­rette-lighter socket.
If the scanner does not oper-
Note:
ate properly when you use a DC cord (or adapter), unplug the cord (or adapter) from the lighter sock et and clean the socket to remove ashes and other debris.
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CONNECTING AN ANTENNA
You can connect eit her the supplied telescoping antenna or an optional antenna.
Telescoping Antenna
To attach the telescoping antenna, simply screw it into the hole on top of your scanner.
The antenna’s length controls its sensitivity. Adjust the length of the telescoping antenna as follows for the best reception.
29-54 MHz Extend all 3 seg-
ments
108-174 MHz Extend only 2 seg-
ments
Optional Outdoor Antenna
The supplied antenna is usually ade­quate for strong, local signals. How­ever, for the best results in receiving weaker, more distant signals on all bands, you can attach an optional outdoor antenna (not supplied), such as a mobile, telescoping, multi-band, or outdoor base antenna.
Warning: When installing or remov­ing an outdoor antenna, follow all cautions and warnings included with the antenna.
Notes:
• This scanner uses a BNC antenna connector. If the coaxial cable’s connector does not fit
ANT
the need an adapter. Your local Radio Shack store sells a com­plete line of outdoor antennas, adapters, BNC connectors, and mounting hardware.
• Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable to connect an outdoor antenna. For lengths under 50 feet, use RG58 (Cat. No. 278-
1314) or RG8/M (Cat. N o. 278-
1313). For lengths over 50 feet, use RG-8, low-loss coaxial cable (Cat. No. 278-1312).
jack, you might also
406-956 MHz Collapse Fully (only
1 segment extend­ed)
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For the best performance, consider the following when deciding on an outdoor base antenna and its loca­tion:
• The location of the external antenna should be as high as possible.
• The external antenna and antenna cable should be as far away as possible from sources of electrical noise (appliances, other radios, and so on).
• The external antenna sh ould be vertical.
Mount the antenna following the in­structions supplied with the antenna and its mounting hardware, then fol­low these steps to connect an exter­nal antenna.
1. Route the antenna cable to the scanner and connect it to the
ANT
jack on the back of the
scanner.
RESETTING THE SCANNER’S DISPLAY
If the scanner’s display locks up after you connect a power source, follow these steps to reset it.
1. If the scanner is off, press
POWER
2. Using a pointed object, such as a straightened paper c lip, press
RESET
ner. The display resets, and the scanner turns off.
to turn it on.
on the back of the scan-
Caution:
over sharp edges or moving objects.
2. Remove the supplied antenna from the top of the scanner.
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Do not route the cable
3. Press
POWER
scanner again.
to turn on the
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INITIALIZING THE SCANNER
If the scanner or its display does not work properly even after resetting it, follow these steps to initialize the scanner.
Caution:
clears all the channels you stored in memory. Initialize the scanner only when you are sure it is not working properly.
1. If the scanner is off, press
POWER
2. Press and hold press scanner using a pointed object, such as a straightened paper clip. The display resets, and the scanner turns off.
Initializing the scanner
to turn it on.
RESET
on the back of the
./CLEAR
, then
CONNECTING AN EARPHONE/ HEADPHONES/ EXTERNAL SPEAKER
The 1/8-inch of the scanner lets you connect an earphone, headphones, or an exter­nal speaker.
• For private listening, connec t an earphone (Cat. No. 33-175).
• For more comfortable private lis­tening, connect mona ural head­phones (Cat. No. 20-210).
EXT SP
jack on the back
3. Press scanner.
POWER
to turn on the
• For listening from a rem ote area or in a noisy area, connect an extension speaker (Cat. No. 21-
549).
Note: Connecting any external de­vice to the disconnects the internal speaker.
EXT SP
jack automatically
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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 high­volume 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 are designed to let you hear some out­side sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still present a traffic hazard.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCANNER
A LOOK AT THE FRONT PANEL
This look at the scanner’s front panel will help you understand each control’s function.
Control Fun ction
POWER
1-0
./CLEAR
ENTER
VOLUME
SQUELCH
SCAN
MANUAL
Turns the scanner on and off. Each single-digit number on the keys enters the
numbers for a channel or a frequency, or each range of numbers above the number keys indicates the channels that make up a channel-storage bank. See “Understanding Channel-Storage Banks.”
Enters the decimal point in a frequency, or clears an incorrect entry and is u sed when you initialize the scanner.
Enters programmed frequencies into channels. Sets the scanner’s volume. Adjusts the scanner’s receiver sensitivity to help
you eliminate background noise. Starts scanning through the stored channels. Stops scanning and lets you manually enter a chan-
nel number.
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Control Function
L/O/SEARCH SKIP
PRI/HYPER SEARCH
LIMIT
DLY
MON
SPEED
-
D
PGM
WX
Turns the selected channel’s lockout function on and off, or skips a specified frequency during a limit or direct search.
Sets and turns on and off the priority function for a particular channel, or selects the hyper search speed.
Used to set the lower or upper limit during frequen­cy searches.
Programs a 2-second delay for the sele cted chan­nel.
Stores frequencies into and accesses t he 10 m oni­tor me m ories .
Changes the scanning or search speed. See “Scan­ning and Search Speeds.”
Enters the up or down direction in the search mode. Programs frequencies into channels. Searches through the seven preprogrammed
weather channels.
DA TA
14
Turns the data skip feature on and off.
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