Radio Shack PRO-2048 User Manual
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Owner’s Manual
Programmable Home Sca nner
Please read before using this equipment.
Cat. No. 20-417
PRO-2048 200-Channel
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FEATURES
Your RadioShack PRO-2048 200Channel 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 200 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:
Manual or Scan Cha n ne l S el e ct
—
lets you manually specify a single
channel or set the scanner to automatically scan all the stored channels.
Triple Conversion Superheterod
ne Receiver
— virtually eliminates any interference from
intermediate frequency (IF) images,
so you hear only the frequency you
select.
Selectable Scan/Search Speeds
— let you select normal or Hyper
Scan speeds, and normal, high, or
HyperSearch speeds.
H
perScan
— scans 50 ch annels
per second.
perSearch
H
— searches through
frequencies at 300 s teps per second
in bands that have 5 kHz steps to
help you find interesting broadcasts.
Ten 20-Channel Stora
e Banks
—
let you store 20 channels in eac h of
10 banks to group frequencies so
you can easily identify calls.
Ten Pr io rit
Channels
— let you set
the scanner to chec k up t o 10 channels every 2 seconds so you d o not
miss important calls.
Data Si
nal Skip
— lets you set the
scanner to skip non-modulated signals or data signa ls during a limit or
direct search so it can automatically
continue searching.
Monitor Memories
— let you store
up to 10 frequ encies you locate during a frequency search which you
can then transfer into channels.
Search Function
— searches for
new and unlisted frequencies using a
designated frequency range (limit
search) or starting from a specified
frequency (direct search).
Search Skip
20 frequencies for the scanner to
skip during a limit or direct search, so
you can avoid unwanted frequencies
such as those with a continuous
— lets you select up to
transmission.
© 1997 Tandy Corporation.
HyperScan and HyperSearch are trademarks and RadioShack
is a register ed trad emark used by Tandy Corporat ion.
All Rights Reserv ed .
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CAUTION
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Adjustable Tone — lets you turn on
or off the beep you hear when you
press a key.
Two-Second Sca n 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 so you can stay informed about
current weather conditions.
Memory Backup — keeps the channel 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 enough
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 Liquid Crystal 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.
Optional Antenna Termi nals — let
you connect the supplied telescoping
antenna to the screw-in terminal, or
an external antenna to the BNC connector.
Optional Power Sources — you
can power your scanner using the
supplied AC adapter or an optional
DC cigarette-lighter power cable.
Warning: To preven t fire or shoc k
hazard, do not expose this system
to rain or moisture.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN.
CAUTION
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER OR BACK. NO USER-S ERVICEABLE 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 sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of elec tri c shoc k. Do no t
open the scanner’s case.
This symbol is intended to inform
you that important operating and
maintenance instructions are included in the litera ture a ccom panying this scanner.
!
We recommend you record your
scanner’s serial number here. The
number is on the back panel.
Serial Number: ________________
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Your PRO-2048 can receive these bands:
Band Frequency Range
10-Meter Ham Band 29.00
VHF-Lo 29.7
6-Meter Ham Band 50.00
Aircraft 108
Government/Ham 137
VHF-Hi 148
Ham/Government 406
UHF-Lo 450
UHF-T (TV) 470
UHF-Hi 806
(MHz)
136.975
–
823.9375
–
851
868.9375
–
896.1125
29.7
–
50.00
–
54.00
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
148
174
450
470
512
956
FCC NOTICE
Your scanner might c ause radio or TV interference even when 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 RadioShack store for help
If you cannot eliminate t he interference, the FCC requires that you stop using
your scanner.
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This device complies with Part 15 of
lowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause ha rmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
FCC Rules
. Operation is subject to the fol-
SCANNING LEGALLY
Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different groups including police
and fire departments, ambulance services, government agenc ies, private companies, amateur radio services, military operations, pager services, and wireline
(telephone and telegraph) service provide rs. It is legal to li sten to al most every
transmission your scanner can receive. However, there are some transmissions
you should never intentionally listen to. These include:
• Telephone conversations (either cellular, cordless, or other private means of
telephone signal transmission)
• Pager transmissions
• Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions
According to the Electronic Communications P rivacy Act (ECPA), you are subject to fines and possible imprisonment for intentionally listening to, using, or divulging the contents of such a t ransmission unless you have the c onsent of a
party to the conv ersat ion (unless such acti vity is otherw ise illeg al). We enco urage responsible, legal scanner use.
Note:
Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some areas.
Check the laws in your area.
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CONTENTS
Preparation ..................................................................................................... 8
Connecting Power ..................................................................................... 8
Using Standard AC Power ............................................. ..... .. ..... ..... .. .. 8
Using Vehicle Battery Power ............................................................... 8
Connecting the Antenna ............................................................................ 9
Connecting an Optional Antenna . ..................................................... 10
Resetting the Scanner’s Display .............................................................. 10
Initializing the Scanner ............................................................................ 11
Connecting an Earphone/Headph ones/Ext ernal Speaker ....................... 12
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
Manually Storing Frequencies in Channels ............................................. 19
Searching For and Temporarily Storing Active Frequencies .................... 20
Limit Search ...................................................................................... 20
Direct Search .................................................................................... 21
Search Skip Memory ......................................................................... 22
Listening to Monitor Memories ................................................................. 23
Moving a Frequency from a Monitor Memory to a Channel ..................... 23
Scanning the Stored Channels ................................................................ 24
Turning Channel-Storage Banks On and Off ........................................... 24
Manually Selecting a Channel ................................................................. 24
Listening to the Weather Band ................................................................ 25
Special Features ........................................................................................... 26
Using Priority Channels ........................................................................... 26
Using the 2-Second Delay ....................................................................... 27
Locking Out Channels ................................ .............. ................... ............ 27
Changing Scanning and Search Speeds ................................................. 28
Skipping Data Signals ............................................................................. 28
Turning the Key Tone On or Off ............................................................... 29
Your Scanner ...................................................................... 13
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A General Guide To Scanning ..................................................................... 30
Guide to Frequencies ............................................................................... 30
US Weather Frequencies .................................................................. 30
Canadian Weather Frequencies .................................. ....... .......... ......30
Ham Radio Frequencies .................................................................... 30
Birdie Frequencies .............................................................................30
Guide to the Action Bands ....................................................................... 31
United States Broadcast Bands ........................................................ 31
Typical Band Usage .......................................................................... 31
Primary Usage ................................................................................... 33
Specified Intervals .................................................................................... 33
Band Allocation ........................................................................................ 34
Frequency Conversion ............................................................................. 39
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................... 40
Care and Maintenance ................................................................................. 41
Specifications ............................................................................................... 42
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DC 12VANT
EXT SP
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PREPARATION
Your scanner’s display is protected
during shipment by a piece of blue
film. Peel off this film before you use
the scanner.
CONNECTING POWER
If a power failure occurs or if
Note:
the DC cigarette-lighter power cable
or AC adapter is disconnected, the
scanner’s memory backup circuit
keeps information in memory for up
to 3 days.
Using Standard AC Power
You can power your scanner fr om a
standard AC outlet using the supplied AC adapter.
Warnin
er’s polarized plug with an extensio n
cord receptacle unless the blades
can be fully inserted to prevent blade
exposure.
Do not use the AC adapt-
:
• Be sure you connect the AC
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.
• 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.
EXT SP
RESETDC 12V
DC
2. Plug the adapter’s power module into a standard AC outlet.
Cautions:
• The supplied AC adapter supplies 12 volts and delivers 500
milliamps . Its cent er tip is s et to
positive, and its plug properly fits
the scanner’s
DC 12V
Using an AC a dapter that does
not meet these specifications
could damage the scanner or
the adapter.
8
jack.
Using Vehicle Battery Power
To power your scanner from your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket, you
need a DC cigarette-lighter power
cable such as Cat. No. 270-1533).
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Cautions:
• The DC cigarette-lighter power
cable must be capable of delivering 12 volts and 500 milliamps, its center t ip must be set
to positive, and its barrel plug
must correctly fit the scanner's
DC 12V
jack. The recommended
power cable meets t hese specifications. Using a power cable
that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the power cable.
• Always plug the power cable
into the scanner before you plug
it into your vehicle's cigarettelighter socket. Always unplug
the power cable from the vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket
before you unplug it from the
scanner.
Follow these steps to use vehicle
battery power.
Note: If the scanner does not operate properly when you use a cigarette-lighter power cable, unplug the
power cable from the cigarettelighter socket and clean the socket to
remove ashes and other debris.
CONNECTING THE
ANTENNA
To attach the supplied telescoping
antenna to your scanner, simply
screw it into the hole on top of your
scanner.
RESETDC 12VANT EXT SP
1. Insert the power cable’s barrel
plug into the scanner’s
DC 12V
jack.
2. Plug the other end of the power
cable into the vehicle’s cigarettelighter socket.
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
segments
108
MHz
406
MHz
174
–
956
–
Extend only 2
segments
Collapse fully
(only 1 segment
extended)
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Connecting an Optional
Antenna
The s upp li ed t ele sc opi ng ant enn a re ceives strong, local signals. However, to receive weaker, more distant
signals in all bands, you can attach
an optional antenna, such a s an external mobile antenna or outdoor
base station antenna. Your local RadioShack store se lls a variety of antennas.
If you connect an external an-
Note:
tenna, remove the telescoping antenna from the top of the scanner.
Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable,
such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect
an outdoor antenna. For lengths over
50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss d ielectric
coaxial cable. If your antenna’s cable
does not have a BNC connector, use
a BNC adapter available at your local
RadioShack store.
Warnin
installing or removing an outdoor antenna. If the antenna starts to fall, let
it go! It could contact overhead power
lines. If the antenna touches a power
line, contact with t he ant enna, 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.
Cautions
• Do not run the cable over sharp
• Do not run the cable next to
• Do not run the cable through
• Follow all cautions and warnings
Use extreme caution when
:
:
edges or moving parts.
power cables or other antenna
cables.
areas that produce extreme
heat.
included with the antenna.
Follow the installation instructions
supplied with the antenna, route the
antenna cable to the scanner, then
connect it to the
of the scanner.
10
ANT
jack on the back
ANT EXT SP
RESETTING THE
SCANNER’S DISPLAY
If the scanner’s display stops working after you connect a power
source, follow these steps to reset it.
1. If the scanner is off, press
POWER
to turn it on.
RESETDC 12V
EXT SP
RESET
DC 12V
EXT SP
ANT
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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.
2. Using a pointed object, such as
a straightened paper clip, pre ss
RESET
on the back of the scanner. The display resets, and the
scanner turns off.
3. Press
POWER
to turn on the
scanner again.
Caution:
Initializing the scanner
clears all the channels you stored in
memory. Initialize the scanner only
when you are sure it i s not working
properly.
1. If the scanner is off, press
POWER
2. Hold down
RESET
to turn it on.
/CLEAR
•
, then press
on the back of the scanner using a pointed object, such
as a straightened paper clip.
The display resets, and the
scanner turns off.
3. Press
POWER
to turn on the
scanner.
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CONNECTING AN
EARPHONE/
HEADPHONES/
EXTERNAL SPEAKER
The 1/8-inch
of the scanner lets you connect an
optional earphone (such as Ca t. No.
33-175), headphones (such as Ca t.
No. 20-210), or an external speaker
(such as Cat. No. 21-549).
Note:
vice to the
disconnects the internal speaker.
EXT SP
DC 12V
RESET
EXT SP
ANT
jack on the back
Connecting any external de-
EXT SP
jack automatically
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 vol ume 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 a nd could be
illegal in some areas.
12
Even though some earphones and
headphones let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal
volume levels, they still can present a
traffic hazard.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCANNER
Once you understand a few simple terms we use in this manual and familiarize
yourself with your scanner’s features, you can pu t the scan ner to work for you .
You simply find the communications y ou want to receive, then set the scanner
to scan those frequencies.
A
frequenc
find active frequencies, you can use the
search within a specific range of frequencies or the
which lets you search up or down from the currently displayed frequency.
When you find a frequen cy, you can store it into a permanent memory location
called a
stora
activity on the frequencies st ored there. Each time t he scanner finds an ac tive
frequency, it stays on that channel until the transmission ends.
Another option is to store the frequency into a temporary memory location
called a
Just keep in mind — you search frequencies and scan channels.
is the tuning l ocation of a st ation (expressed in kHz or M Hz). To
function which lets y ou
direct search
channel
e bank
monitor memor
, which is grouped with your other channels in a
. You can then
limit search
the channel-storage banks to see if there is
scan
until you decide to move it to a channel.
function
channel-
A LOOK AT THE FRONT PANEL
This look at the scanner’s front panel will help you understand each cont rol’s
function.
VOLUME
SQUELCH
Sets the scanner’s volume.
Adjusts the scanner’s receiver sensitivity to help you elim-
inate background noise.
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SCAN
MANUAL
Starts scanning through the stored channels.
Stops scanning and lets you manually enter a channel
number.
L/O/SEARCH SKIP
Turns the selected channel ’s lockout function on and off,
or skips a specified frequency during a limit or direct
search.
DELAY
PRI/HYPER SEARCH
Programs a 2-second delay for the selected channel.
Sets and turns on and off the priority function for a partic-
ular channel, or selects the HyperSearch speed.
MON
Stores frequencies into and accesses the 10 monitor
memories.
LIMIT
Used to set the lower or upper limit during frequency
searches.
SPEED
POWER
Changes the scanning or search speed.
Turns the scanner on and off.
D — Enters the up or down direction in the search mode.
Number Keys
/CLEAR
•
ENTER
PGM
WX
DATA
14
Each key has a single-digit label and a range of numbers.
The single digits are used to enter a channel or a frequen-
cy. The range of numbers (21
40, for example) above the
–
key indicates the channels t hat make up a channel-stor-
age bank.
Enters the decimal point in a frequency, or clears an incor-
rect entry. Also used when you initialize the scanner.
Enters programmed frequencies into channels.
Programs frequencies into channels.
Searches through the seven preprogrammed weather
channels.
Turns the data skip feature on and off.
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