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 SQUELCH 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.