Radio Shack PRO-2041 User Guide
PRO-2041 Scanner
(200-0463) Care and Maintenance Faxback Doc. # 38902
Your Radio Shack PRO-2041 400-Channel Programmable Home Scanner is an
example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions
will help you care for your scanner so you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the scanner dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately.
Liquids can contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.
Handle the scanner gently and carefully. Dropping it can damage
circuit boards and cases and can cause the scanner to work improperly.
Use and store the scanner only in normal temperature environments,
Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices and
distort or melt plastic parts.
Keep the scanner away from dust and dirt, which can cause premature
wear of parts.
Wipe the scanner with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking
new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong
detergents to clean the scanner.
Modifying or tampering with the scanner's internal components can
cause a malfunction and might invalidate its warranty and void your
FCC authorization to operate it. If your scanner is not operating as
it should, take it to your local Radio S hack store for assistance.
PRO-2041 Scanner
(200-0463) Features Faxback Doc. # 38896
Your new Radio Shack PRO-2041 400-Channel Programmable Home Scanner gives
you direct access to over 32,000 exciting frequencies, including police
and fire departments, ambulance services, and amateur radio services.
You can select up to 400 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 there special features:
Hyperscan - lets you scan up to 25 channels
per second and search up to 50
steps per seconds.
Triple Conversion Superheterodyne - virtually eliminates any
Receiver interference from intermediate
frequency (IF) images, so you hear
only the frequency you select.
17 Preprogrammed Search Bands - let you search for transmissions
within preset frequency ranges, so
you can find interesting
frequencies more quickly.
40 Monitor Memories - let you temporarily save up to
40 frequencies located during a
frequency search, so you can move
selected frequencies to channel
storage later.
Direct Frequency Search - lets you search for new and
unlisted frequencies starting
from a specified frequency.
Limit Frequency Search - lets you search for new and
unlisted frequencies within the
preset frequency ranges or your
own programmed frequency ranges in
the 10 search banks.
Eleven Preprogrammed Weather - keep you informed about current
Frequencies weather conditions.
Ten Channel-Storage Banks - let you store 40 channels in each
bank to group channels so calls
are easier to identify.
Sort - lets you move frequencies you
stored in a bank into consecutive
order. This makes it easy for you
to identify the frequencies you
have stored.
Auto Store - quickly finds and automatically
stores active frequencies into
channels.
Duplicate Frequency Check - automatically notifies you if you
are about to store a frequency you
have already stored, to help avoid
wasting storage space.
Memory Backup - keeps the frequencies stored in
memory during a power loss.
Ten Priority Channels - let you set the scanner so it
checks the next priority channel,
in order, every 2 seconds, so you
do not miss important calls.
Two-Second Scan Delay - delays scanning for about 2 seconds
before moving to another channel
or frequency, so you can hear more
replies.
Lock-Out Function - lets you set your scanner to skip
over specified channels or
frequencies when scanning or
searching.
Liquid Crystal Display - makes it easy to view and change
programming information.
Backlit Display - makes the scanner easy to read
in low light conditions.
Two Power Options - let you power the scanner from
standard AC power (with the
supplied AC power cord) or your
vehicle's battery (with an optional
DC cigarette -lighter power cord).
Frequency Data Loading - lets you program the scanner
with frequencies stored in a
personal computer. You need a
personal computer and a data
interface kit (available through
your local Radio Shack store) to use
this feature.
Your PRO-2041 scanner can receive all of these frequencies:
29-54 MHz (10-Meter Amateur Radio, VHF Lo, 6-Meter Amateur Radio)
108-136.975 MHz (Aircraft)
137-174 MHz (Government, 2-Meter Amateur Radio, VHF Hi)
380-512 MHz (Military Aircraft, UHF Lo, 70 -Centimeter Amateur Radio,
UHF "T" Band, Government)
806-824 MHz (UHF Public Service)
849-869 MHz (UHF Hi)
894-960 MHz (UHF Hi, 33-Centimeter Amateur Radio)
For breakdown of the frequency ranges in the 17 preprogrammed search
bands, see "Preparation," Faxback Doc. # 38897.
In addition, your scanner is preprogrammed with the following weather
service frequencies:
161.6500 MHz
161.7750 MHz
162.4000 MHz
162.4250 MHz
162.4400 MHz
162.4500 MHz
162.4750 MHz
162.5000 MHz
162.5250 MHz
162.5500 MHz
163.2750 MHz
We recommend you record your scanner's serial number here. This number
is on the scanner's back panel.
PRO-2041 Scanner
(200-0463) General Guide to Scanning Faxback Doc. # 38900
Reception of the frequencies covered by your scanner is mainly "line of-sight." That means you usually cannot hear stations that are beyond
the horizon.
GUIDE TO FREQUENCIES
US Weather Frequencies
162.400 162.425 162.450 162.475 162.500 162.525 162.550
Other Weather Frequencies
161.650 161.775 162.440 163.275
Ham Radio Frequencies
Ham radio operators often transmit emergency information when other means
of communication break down. The following chart shows the frequencies
the scanner receives that Ham radio operators normally use:
Wavelength (meters) Frequencies (MHz)
10-Meter 29 .000-29.700
6-Meter 50.000 -54.000
2-Meter 144.000 -148.000
70-cm 420.000 -450.000
33-cm 902.000 -928.000
Birdie Frequencies
Every scanner has birdie frequencies. Birdies are signals created inside
the scanner's receiver. These operating frequencies might interfere with
broadcasts on the same frequencies. If you program one of these
frequencies, you might be able to turn SQUE LCH clockwise to cut out the
birdie.
The birdie frequencies on this unit to watch for are:
32.100 36.000-36.300 40.000 -40.300
41.890 44.100-44.300 48.100 -48.300
52.100-52.300 108.100-108.800 112.100-112.700
120.300-120.500 121.500 128.300 -128.900
136.200-136.800 144.300-144.800 150.150
152.300-152.800 155.500 156.300 -156.500
160.300-160.900 166.200 171.550
400.400 429.050 434.400
450.450 479.100 504.125
810.150 820.650 865.350
915.400 944.050
To find the birdies in your scanner, begin by disconnecting the antenna
and moving it away from the scanner. Make sure that no other nearby radio
or TV sets are turned on near the scanner. Use the search function and
scan every frequency range from its lowest frequency to the highest.
Occasionally, the searching will stop as if it had found a signal, often
without any sound. That is a birdie. Make a list of all the birdies in
your scanner for future reference.
GUIDE TO THE ACTION BANDS
United States Broadcast Bands
In the United States, there are several broadcast bands. The Standard AM
and FM bands are probably the most well known. There are also four
television audio broadcast bands - the lower three transmit on the VHF
band and the fourth transmits on the UHF band.
Typical Band Usage
VHF Band
Low Range 29.00 -50.00 MHz
6-Meter Amateur 50.00 -54.00 MHz
U.S. Government 137.00 -144.00 MHz
2-Meter Amateur 144.00 -148.00 MHz
High Range 148.00 -174.00 MHz
UHF Band
Military Aircraft 380.00 -384.00 MHz
U.S. Government 406.00 -420.00 MHz
70-cm Amateur 420.00 -450.00 MHz
Low Range 450.00 -470.00 MHz
FM-TV Audio Broadcast, Wide Band 470.00 -512.00 MHz
800 Band Law Enforcement 806.00 -824.00 MHz
Conventional/Trunked Systems 856.00 -866.00 MHz
Public Safety 866.00 -869.00 MHz
Trunked Private/General 894.00 -960.00 MHz
Primary Usage
As a general rule, most of the radio activity is concentrated on the
following frequencies:
VHF Band
Activities Frequencies
Government, Police, and Fire 153.785 -155.980 MHz
Emergency Services 158.730 -159.460 MHz
Railroad 160.000 -161.000 MHz
UHF Band
Activities Frequencies
Land-Mobile "Paired" Frequencies 450.000 -470.000 MHz
Base Stations 451.025 -454.950 MHz
Mobile Units 456.025 -459.950 MHz
Repeater Units 460.025 -464.975 MHz
Control Stations 465.025 -469.975 MHz
Note: Remote control stations and mobile units operate at 5 MHz
higher than their associated base stations and relay repeater
units.
SPECIFIED INTERVALS
Frequencies in different bands are accessible only at specified intervals.
For example:
Frequency Range (s) Specified Interval
29.54 and 137-174 MHz 5.0 kHz steps
380-512 MHz 12.5 kHz steps
108-136.975 MHz 25 kHz steps
BAND ALLOCATION
To help decide which frequency ranges to scan, use the following listing
of the typical services that use the frequencies your scanner receives.
These frequencies are subject to change, and might vary from area to
area. For more complete listing, refer to the "Police Call Radio Guide
including Fire and Emergency Services," available at your local Radio
Shack store.
Abbreviations Services
AIR Aircraft
BIFC Boise (ID) Interagency Fire Cache
BUS Business
CAP Civil Air Patrol
CB Citizens Band
CCA Common Carrier
CSB Conventional Systems
CTSB Conventional/Trunked Systems
FIRE Fire Department
HAM Amateur (HAM) Radio
GOVT Federal Government
GMR General Mobile Radio
GTR General Trunked
IND Industrial Services
(Manufacturing, Construction, Farming, Forest Products)
MAR Military Amateur Radio
MARI Maritime Limited Coast
(Coast Guard, Marine Telephone,
Shipboard Radio, Private Stations)
MARS Military Affiliate Radio System
MED Emergency/Medical Services
MIL U.S. Military
MOV Motion Picture/Video Industry
NEW New Mobile Narrow
NEWS Relay Press (Newspaper Reporters)
OIL Oil/Petroleum Industry
POL Police Department
PUB Public Services
(Public Safety, Local Government, Forestry Conservation)
PSB Public Safe ty
PTR Private Trunked
ROAD Road & Highway Maintenance
RTV Radio/TV Remote Broadcast Pickup
TAXI Taxi Services
TELB Mobile Telephone
(Aircraft, Radio Common Carrier, Landline Companies)
TELC Cordless Phones
TELM Telephone Maintenance
TOW Tow Trucks
TRAN Transportation Services
(Trucks, Tow Trucks, Buses, Railroad, Other)
TSB Trucked Systems
TVn FM -TV Audio Broadcast
USXX Government Classified
UTIL Power & Water Utilities
WTHR Weather
VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF)
VHF Low Band - (In 5 kHz steps)
29.900-30.550 GOVT, MIL
30
580-31.980 IND, PUB
32.000-32.990 GOVT, MIL
33.020-33.980 BUS, IND, PUB
34.010-34-990 GOVT, MIL
35.020-35.980 BUS, PUB, IND, TELM
36.000-36.230 GOVT, MIL
36.250 Oil Spill Cleanup
36.270-36.990 GOVT, MIL
37.020-37.980 PUB, IND
38.000-39.000 GOVT, MIL
39.020-39.980 PUB
40.000-42.000 GOVT, MIL, MARI
42.020-42.940 POL
42.960-43.180 IND
43.220-43.680 TELM, IND, PUB
43.700-44.600 TRAN
44.620-46.580 POL, PUB
46.600-46.990 GOVT, TELC
47.020-47.400 PUB
47.420 American Red Cross
47.440-49.580 IND, PUB
49.610-49.990 MIL, TELC
6-Meter Amateur Band
50..000-54.00 HAM
U.S. Government Band
137.000-144.000 GOVT, MIL
2-Meter Amateur Band
144.000-148.000 HAM
VHF High Band
148.050-150.345 CAP, MAR, MIL
150.775-150.790 MED
150.815-150.980 TOW, Oil Spill Cleanup
150.995-151.475 ROAD, POL
151.490-151.955 IND, BUS
151.985 TELM
152.0075 MED
152.030-152.240 TELB
152.270-152.480 IND, TAXI, BUS
152.510-152.840 TELB
152.870-153.020 IND, MOV
153.035-153.725 IND, OIL, UTIL
153.740-154.445 PUB, FIRE
154.490-154.570 IND, BUS
154.585 Oil Spill Cleanup
154.600-154.625 BUS
154.655-156.240 MED, ROAD, POL. PUB
156.255-157.425 OIL, MARI
157.450 MED
157.470-157.515 TOW
157.530-157.725 IND, TAXI
157.740 BUS
157.770-158.100 TELB
158.130-158.460 BUS, IND, OIL, TELM, UTIL
158.490-158.700 TELB
158.730-159.465 POL, PUB, ROAD
159.480 OIL
159...495-161.565 TRAN
161.580-162.000 OIL, MARI, RTV
162.0125-162.35 GOVT, MIL, USXX
162.400-162.550 WTHR
162.5625-162.6375 GOVT, MIL, USXX
162.6625 MED
162.6875-163.225 GOVT, MIL, USXX
163.250-166.225 MED, GOVT, MIL, USXX
166.250 GOVT, RTV, FIRE
166.275-169.400 GOVT, BIFC
169.445-169.505 Wireless Mikes, GOVT
169.55-169.9875 GOVT, MIL, USXX
170.000-170.150 BIFC, GOVT, RTV, FIRE
170.175-170.225 GOVT
170.245-170.305 Wireless Mike
170.350-170.400 GOVT, MIL
170.425-170.450 BIFC
170.475 PUB
170.4875-173.175 GOVT, PUB, Wireless Mikes
173.225-173.5375 MOV, NEWS, UTIL, MIL
173.5625-173.5875 MIL Medical/Crash Crews
173.60-173.9875 GOVT
ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY (UHF)
U.S. Government Band
406.125-419.975 GOVT. USXX
70-cm Amateur Band
420.000-150.000 HAM
Low Band
450.050-450.925 RTV
451.025-452.025 IND, OIL, TELM, UTIL
452.0375-453.00 IND, TAXI, TRAN TOW, NEWS
453.0125-454.000 PUB, OIL
454.025-454.975 TELB
455.050-455.925 RTV
457.525-457.600 BU S
458.025-458.175 MED
460.0125-160.6375 FIRE, POL, PUB
460.650-462.175 BUS
462.1875-462.450 BUS, IND
462.4625-462.525 IND, OIL, TELM, UTIL
462.550-462.925 GMR, BUS
462.9375-463.1875 MED
463.200-467.925 BUS
FM-TV Audio Broadcast, UHF Wide Band
(Channels 14 through 69 MHz steps)
475.750 Channel 14
481.750 Channel 15
487.750 Channel 16
511.750 Channel 20
NOTE: Some cities use the 470-512 MHz band for land/mobile service.
Conventional Systems Band - Locally Assigned
851.0125-855.9875 CSB
Conventional/Trunked Systems Band - Locally Assigned
856.0125-860.9875 CTSB
Trunked Systems Band - Locally Assigned
861.0125-865.9875 TSB
Public Safety Band - Locally Assigned
866.0125-865.9875 PSB
33-Centimeter Amateur Band
902.0000-928.0000 HAM
Private Trunked
935.0125-939.9875 PTR
General Trunked
940.0125-940.9875 GTR
FREQUENCY CONVERSION
The tuning location of a station can be expressed in frequency (kHz or
MHz) or in wavelength (meters). The following information can help
you make the necessary conversions.
1 MHz (million) = 1,000 kHz (thousand)
To convert MHz to kHz, multiple the number of megahertz by 1,000:
30.62 (MHz) x 1000 = 30,620 kHz
To convert from kHz to MHz, divide the number if kilohertz by 1,000:
127,800 (kHz) + 1000 = 127.8 MHz
To convert MHz to meters, divide 300 by the number of megahertz:
300 + 50 MHz = 6 meters
(LB/km-04/11/1997)
PRO-2041 Scanner
(200-0463) Operation Faxback Doc. # 38898
TURNING ON THE SCANNER/SETTING VOLUME AND SQUELCH
NOTE: Make sure the scanner's antenna is connected before you turn
it on.
1. Turn SQUELCH fully counterclockwise.
2. Turn OFF/VOLUME clockwise until it clicks and you hear a hissing
sound.
3. Turn SQUELCH clockwise, then leave it set to a point just after the
hissing sound stops.
If the scanner automatically starts scanning channels, press MANUAL
to stop scanning.
NOTE: If you have not stored frequencies into any channels (see
"Storing Active Frequencies"), the scanner does not scan.
If the scanner picks up unwanted, partial, or very weak
transmissions, turn SQUEL CH clockwise to decrease the scanner's
sensitivity to these signals. If you want to listen to a weak
or distant station, turn SQUELCH counterclockwise. (Also see
"Special Features," Faxback Doc. # 38899 for more information
about adjusting the scanner's sensitivity).
If SQUELCH is adjusted so you always hear a hissing sound, the
scanner does not scan properly.
STORING ACTIVE FREQUENCIES
You can store frequencies into channels using any of these methods:
Manual storage
Auto storage
Band, limit, or direct search
Good references for active frequencies are Radio Shack's "Police Call
Radio Guide Including Fire and Emergency Services," "Aeronautical
Frequency Directory," and "Maritime Frequency Directory." We update
these directories every year, so be sure to get a current copy. See
also "General Guide to Scanning," Faxback Doc. # 38900.
If you do not have a reference to frequencies in your area, f ollow the
steps in "Automatically Storing Frequencies," "Band Search," "Limit
Search,"
or "Direct Search from the Displayed Frequency" to search for
transmissions.
Manually Storing Frequencies
If you know a frequency you want to store, you can store it manually.
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