Radio Shack PRO-2051 User Manual

20-426

Pro-2051 1,000-Channel

Triple Trunking Mobile/Base Scanner

Please read this user’s guide before installing, setting up and using your new product

www.radioshack.com

Contents

Thank you for purchasing your Pro-2051 1,000-channel, triple-trunking scanner from RadioShack. Signal stalker allows you to lock on frequencies within 1,000 feet, without programming. The PC interface lets you program your scanner using your computer. Support for Motorola, LTR and EDACS trunked systems permits you to access most any police, fire and emergency system. With built-in Skywarn, you will be able to stay up to date with the reports called in by storm spotters.

user’s guide • quick start guide • preprogrammed frequency addendum

Scanner

Antenna

AC adapter

DC cable w/fuse

Knob (2)

Lock washer (2)

Mounting

bracket

Screw (2)

2

The Basics

The Basics

your scanner’s keypad	6
your scanner’s rear view	8
your scanner’s display	9
the FCC wants you to know	10
step 1: install your scanner	11
mounting the scanner in your vehicle	11
step 2: power your scanner	12
from a wall outlet	12
through your vehicle’s ignition (negative ground only)	12
from your vehicle’s cigarrette lighter	13
step 3: connect your scanner	14
connecting the supplied antenna	14
connecting an external antenna	14
connecting an external speaker	15
step 4: set up your scanner	17
turn on your scanner	17
set the squelch	17
listen to preprogrammed frequencies	18
common scanner terms	18
scanning overview	18

3

Contents

Beyond the Basics

advanced scanner features	20
channel storage banks	20
storing known frequencies into channels	20
deleting a stored frequency	22
locking out channels	22
hold/resume	24
direct channel access	24

scanning a private bank	25
priority scan	26
changing the priority channel	26
service scanning	27
band search	28
data skip	29
frequency skip	30
storing search frequencies	30
delay	31

highway patrol alerts	32
highway patrol/local police scanning	32
scanning highway patrol, local police,
and private frequencies	34
scan hold	35
highway warning alert	35
highway patrol priority channels	36
trunked highway frequencies	37

4

Contents

Skywarn	38
NWR SAME	39
Signal Stalker	42
setting the signal stalker options	43
trunk tracking	46
EDACS tracking	59
an EDACS trunked system	60
special EDACS features	60
tracking LTR systems	62
tracking Motorola systems	63
fleet map programming	64
wired programming	75
cloning your scanner	76
birdies	77
replacing the fuse in the DC power cord	77
resetting your scanner	78
frequently asked questions (FAQs)	79
specifications	81
glossary	82
care	83
service and repair	83
warranty	84

5

Contents

your scanner’s keypad

Your scanner’s keys have various functions labeled on and around the keys.

To select the function labeled on a key, simply press the key.

To select the function labeled above or beside a key, first press FUNC, then release it. F appears on the display. Then quickly press the next key in the function key sequence while F appears. F appears or disappears each time you press FUNC.

SQL/FLASH — adjusts squelch volume. Adjusts brightness of ALERT light..

MUTE — mutes the alert tone

VOL/ALERT —turns the power on/off. Adjusts volume level. Changes the alert tone level.

DELAY — sets/resets the delay function for each channel or each mode (band search, service scan).

L/O — locks/unlocks a selected channel or frequency.

e or d — press to scan or search in either direction.

HOLD/RESUME/

— holds or resumes the scan. Also used along with FUNC +

.

DATA — turns the data skip function on/off.

PRI — turns the priority scan and priority ID scan functions on/off.

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Contents

STATE — selects the state code.

PVT/HWY/POL— Scans the private scan bank; scans the private scan bank and highway frequencies (or local police) when pressed in highway scanning mode. Also, used with FUNC + HWY/POL.

SRCH/SVC — selects the search band. Starts ID search mode. Also, used with FUNC + SVC.

TRUNK — Turns on trunk tracking.

FUNC— Lets you use various functions by pressing this key in combination with other keys. Press and release FUNC. Then press the next key.

0-9/WX ALT — enter numbers for various functions. For weather alert, press FUNC +1. For M-LOCK, press FUNC + 9.

./CLR/ — enter a decimal point or clear an incorrect entry. Also, used with FUNC + .

E/PGM — store the frequency. Also, used with FUNC + PGM.

	Press These Buttons	To Do This
	FUNC + SVC	Toggle service scan.
	FUNC + PGM	Program frequencies into channels.
	FUNC + M-LOCK	Lock or unlock the memory.
	FUNC +	Jump directly to the last channel in memory
		(Ch1000) from any mode.
	FUNC + WX ALT	Turn the WX alert function on or off.
	FUNC +	Switch between the three signal stalker modes.
	FUNC + HWY/POL	Scan highway frequencies. Scan highway
		frequencies and local police bank in highway
		mode.

7

Contents

your scanner’s rear view

ANT — connect the supplied antenna or an external antenna here.

PC/IF — connect data cable for cloning or connecting to a PC.

DC 12V — connect a power source here.

EXT SP — connect an external

speaker here.

8

Contents

your scanner’s display

	TRUNK		appears during trunk tracking mode
	M		appears when a Motorola trunking channel is
			selected
	E		appears when an EDACS trunking channel is
			selected
	L		appears when an LTR trunking channel is
			selected
	LIST		indicates a scan list
	BANK		indicates a scan bank
1 - 10			indicates a bank’s number and ID list number
	PGM		indicates program mode
	HIGHWAY		indicates highway patrol scan mode
	PRIVATE		indicates private bank scan mode
	POLICE		indicates police scan mode
	SERVICE		indicates service scan (WX, fire/emergency,
			news, CB, air, railroad, marine) mode
	M-LOCK		indicates the memory is locked
	F		appears when function mode is on
			indicates that signal stalker is active
	P		appears when you select a priority channel and
			talk group
	HOLD		indicates scan hold or search hold mode
	e or d		indicate search direction
	SRCH		indicates band search mode
	PRI		appears when the priority feature is turned on
	L/O		indicates lockout channel and talk group
	DLY		appears when you select a delay
			appears when the data skip feature is turned
	DATA
			on
	FLASH		appears while the ALERT light is off

9

The Basics

the FCC wants you to know

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and

used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

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.

•Consult your local RadioShack store or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Note	Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a

permit in some areas. Check the laws in your area before using.

10

The Basics

step 1: install your scanner

mounting the scanner in your vehicle

Before you mount the scanner, make sure you have all the necessary materials. Then confirm your vehicle has enough room to mount: 2.44” high by 7.06”wide by 6.10” deep (50.8 x 176.5 x 152 mm).

Note

Be sure to avoid obstructions behind the mounting

surface.

Follow these steps to mount the scanner in your vehicle. To mount your scanner on top of the dashboard, rotate the bracket so the ears point up. To use on a flat surface, flip down the built-in stand underneath the scanner.

slide scanner into
bracket

1.Choose a mounting location, then use the supplied mounting bracket as a template to mark the positions for the mounting holes.

2.In the marked positions, drill holes slightly smaller than the supplied screws.

3.Attach the mounting bracket to the mounting location using the supplied screws and lock washers.

4.Attach the scanner to the mounting bracket using the supplied mounting knobs.

11

The Basics

step 2: power your scanner

from a wall outlet

Rear View

1.Connect the tip of the supplied AC adapter to the DC 12V jack at the rear of your scanner.

2.Plug the AC adapter into your wall outlet.

Notes You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 12V

DC and delivers at least 500mA. 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.

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 prevent blade exposure.

through your vehicle’s ignition (negative ground only)

Note	If you are not experienced in connecting accessories to

the vehicle fuse box, use a certified installer.

1.Disconnect the cable from the negative (-) terminal of your vehicle’s battery.

2.Ground the black wire of the supplied DC power cord to your vehicle’s chassis.

12

The Basics

Note	Be sure the grounding screw makes complete contact

with the metal frame of your vehicle.

3. Connect the red
wire of the supplied
DC power cord to a
voltage source that	Rear View
turns on and off with

the ignition switch, such as a spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box.

4.Insert the power cord’s barrel plug into the scanner’s DC 12V jack.

5.Reconnect the cable to the negative (-) terminal of your vehicle’s battery.

from your vehicle’s cigarrette lighter

To power your scanner from a 12V power source in your vehicle, such as a cigarette-lighter socket, you need a 12V, 500 mA DC cigarette-lighter adapter (not supplied), available at your local RadioShack store.

1.Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the scanner’s DC 12V jack.

2.Plug the adapter’s other end into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter or power socket.

13

The Basics

step 3: connect your scanner

connecting the supplied antenna

Plug the telescoping antenna into the ANT connector. The antenna length should be as shown below.

Frequency	Antenna Length
25-174 MHz	Extend fully (4 segments)
400-512 MHz	Extend 2 segments
806-1300 MHz	Collapse fully (1 segment)

connecting an external antenna

The ANT jack on the back of the scanner makes it easy to use the scanner with a variety

of antennas.

You will need to connect an external antenna when you mount your scanner in the dashboard of your vehicle. You may also

want to connect an external antenna if you use your scanner as a base station.

Your local RadioShack store sells a variety of antennas. Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect an outdoor antenna. For lengths exceeding 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If your coaxial cable does not have a BNC connector, you will also need a BNC adapter (not supplied).

14

The Basics

When deciding on an antenna and its location, consider the following:

•The location of the antenna should be 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.

Note

Use extreme caution when 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, 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.

connecting an external speaker

If you mount the scanner in your dashboard or if you use it in a noisy area, you may want to add an external speaker (available at your local RadioShack store) to improve your ability to hear. Plug the speaker cable’s 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) plug into your scanner’s EXT SP jack.

Connect external speaker here

Note

Connecting an external speaker disconnects the

scanner’s internal speaker.

15

The Basics

Listening Safely

To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines:

•Do not connect an earphone or headphones to the scanner. The warning alert volume is not adjustable, and damage to your hearing might result if a warning alert sounds while an earphone or headphones is connected.

•Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume 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.

16

The Basics

step 4: set up your scanner

turn on your scanner

Turn VOL clockwise. The scanner turns on and the ALERT indicator lights for a moment. Then the alert tone beeps and TEST appears. The last setting you selected before turning the scanner off appears.

Note	The alert tone depends on the currently selected setting

(see “Setting the Alert Tone Volume”).

set the squelch

Think of squelch as a gate. If the gate is too low (squelch too low), everything (all noise as well as signals) gets through. If the gate is set too high (squelch too high), nothing gets through. If the gate is set just right (the squelch is set properly), just the desired signals get through.

1.To set the squelch, press HOLD/RESUME to stop scanning. HOLD appears. If needed, adjust VOL until you do not hear a signal.

2.Turn SQL fully counterclockwise until you hear a hissing sound. This lowers the “squelch gate,” allowing all signals and noise to get through.

3.Turn SQL clockwise just until the hiss stops. This raises the “squelch gate,” allowing only strong signals to get through. In a city, you may want to adjust the squelch even further clockwise to decrease the range of the highway warning alert signal. This prevents the alert from sounding unnecessarily due to farther, less important sources.

17

The Basics

listen to preprogrammed frequencies

Your scanner comes preprogrammed from the factory with 150 of the most frequently used frequencies stored in Channels 1 to 150 of the private bank. You can scan these frequencies as soon as you turn on the scanner.

common scanner terms

To find a station, you must tune to a FREQUENCY (expressed in kHz or MHz). To find active frequencies, use the search function or purchase a frequency reference.

In addition to searching a selected frequency range, you can also search your scanner’s service banks. A SERVICE BANK is a preset groups of frequencies categorized by the type

of services that use those frequencies. Your scanner comes preprogrammed with all the frequencies allocated to the weather, marine, aircraft, rail road, CB, news, and police/fire/ emergency services.

When you search and find a desired frequency, you can store it into a PROGRAMMABLE MEMORY LOCATION called a CHANNEL. Channels are grouped into channel-storage banks called a private bank. Your scanner has 10 CHANNEL STORAGE BANKS and each bank has 100 channels. You can scan the channel-storage banks to see if there is activity on the frequencies stored in them.

scanning overview

You can scan in one of four ways:

1.Highway Patrol/Local Police Scanning -- when you select a state you want to scan in highway patrol/local police mode, you can scan preprogrammed highway patrol/local police frequencies.

18

The Basics

2.Service Scanning -- press FUNC + SVC to select one of the service banks to find an active frequency.

3.Band Search -- select a frequency band to search. The search function is different from scanning. It searches for any active frequency step by step within the lower and upper limits of the band. When an active frequency is found, the scanner will stop and stay on that frequency as long as that transmission lasts. If that frequency is interesting to you, press HOLD/RESUME to hold the frequency on the display. Then program it into the private bank you want to store. If you do not want to program that frequency, press HOLD/RESUME or just wait until the transmission ends. The search resumes automatically 2 seconds after the last transmission and looks for more active frequencies.

4.Private Scanning -- the private bank is where you program frequencies you want to store into channels. Press PVT to scan frequencies you have programmed in this bank.

To program frequencies, see “Storing Known Frequencies into Channels”. When scanning stops on an active frequency, it remains on that channel as long as the transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanner will remain on the same channel for 2 more seconds, waiting for a responding transmission. If no responding transmission occurs within 2 seconds, the scanning cycle resumes.

19

Beyond the Basics

advanced scanner features

In this section of the user’s guide, you will discover the wide variety of features that make your scanner flexible and

powerful. As you master these features, you will enhance the value and enjoyment of owning your scanner.

channel storage banks

To make it easier to identify and select the channels you want to listen to, you can assign channels to up to 10 channelstorage banks. Each bank has 100 channels. Use each channel-storage bank to group frequencies, such as those for the police department, fire department, ambulance services, or aircraft. For example, the police department might use four frequencies in your town while the fire department

uses an additional four. You could program the four police frequencies starting with Channel 1 (the first channel in bank 1), and program the fire department frequencies starting with Channel 101 (the first channel in bank 2).

storing known frequencies into channels

You can locate and store specific frequencies into channels for later use. Frequencies are widely available on the Internet and from the FCC. To assist you in locating a desired frequency from the scanner’s wide range, consider using a frequency guide. Excellent references for active frequencies are the RadioShack Police Call Guide, including Fire and Emergency Services, and the Official Aeronautical Frequency Directory. We update these directories every year, so be sure to get a current copy.

Follow these steps to store frequencies into channels.

1. Press FUNC + PGM. PRIVATE and PGM appear.

20

Beyond the Basics

2.Enter the channel number where you want to store a frequency and press HOLD/RESUME to select the channel.

3.Enter the frequency you want to store by using the keypad and ./CLR.

4.Press E to store the frequency into the channel.

5.To store the next channel in sequence, press e and repeat Steps 3 and 4.

To clear a mistake while entering the frequency,

Notes

repeatedly press ./CLR until the display is cleared.

If you enter an invalid frequency, an error tone sounds and Error appears. To clear the error message immediately, press ./CLR.

Your scanner automatically rounds the entered number to the nearest valid frequency. For example, if you enter 151.473 (MHz), your scanner accepts it as 151.475.

When you enter a frequency into a channel, your scanner automatically turns on the delay function and DLY appears on the display. When delay is turned on, the scanner automatically pauses scanning 2 seconds after the end of a transmission before scanning proceeds to the next channel. To turn delay off or on, press DELAY.

If you enter a frequency that has already been entered elsewhere, the scanner sounds an error tone and displays the channel that was duplicated. If you entered the frequency by mistake, press ./CLR, then enter the correct frequency. To enter the frequency anyway, press E to accept.

21

Beyond the Basics

deleting a stored frequency

To delete a stored frequency, select a channel, press 0, and then press E.

Channels with no frequencies are automatically locked

Note

out.

locking out channels

You can lock out reception of any channel so it is not scanned during normal scanning. You can also restore the channel to scanning whenever you wish.

Like conventional scanning, you can lock out reception of unwanted traffic. You can lock out up to 100 IDs. Press L/O on the ID you want to lock out.

To restore all locked out IDs, hold down L/O for 2 seconds or change the state code. If you find an interesting ID you want to continue listening to, press HOLD/RESUME. Press HOLD/ RESUME to resume scanning.

locking out a channel in hold mode

1.Press HOLD/RESUME and enter the channel number by using the keypad, then press HOLD/RESUME.

2.Press L/O to lock out the channel. L/O appears on the display.

locking out a channel in scanning mode

If the scanner keeps stopping on a particular channel due to noise or frequent transmissions, you may want to keep that channel from being received.

Wait until the scanner stops on the channel, then press L/O. The scanner immediately resumes scanning because the locked out channel is no longer in the scanning sequence.

22

Beyond the Basics

Write down your locked-out channels and put them in a

Note

convenient place in case you need to restore them.

memory lock

To avoid accidentally programming frequencies and talk group IDs, you can lock the memory with MEMORY LOCK. Press FUNC + M-LOCK to activate this feature. M-LOCK appears on the display. If you press E to program memory, Prg-Loc appears. To deactivate memory lock, press

FUNC + M-LOCK again.

restoring a locked-out channel in hold mode

1.Press HOLD/RESUME and enter the channel number you want to restore by using the keypad, then press HOLD/RESUME.

2.Press L/O to unlock the channel. L/O disappears.

restoring all locked-out channels

You can restore all locked-out channels in a bank only when a bank is selected for scan. If you have deselected a bank and you want to restore all of its locked-out channels using the steps below, you must repeatedly press PVT until PRIVATE appears and then enter the number of the bank on the keypad.

Make sure the scanner is set to hold mode before

Note

restoring all locked-out channels.

1.Press HOLD/RESUME.

2.Hold down L/O for about 2 seconds. The scanner beeps twice when all channels have been restored.

23

Beyond the Basics

hold/resume

To stop on a channel during scanning or to resume scanning, press HOLD/RESUME.

direct channel access

To access a specific channel directly, press HOLD/RESUME, use the keypad to enter the channel number, then press HOLD/RESUME again.

You can also press PVT, e, or d instead of pressing

Note

HOLD/RESUME the second time.

24

Beyond the Basics

scanning a private bank

You can program frequencies into channels of the private bank. There are 1000 channels in the bank. 150 of the most frequently used frequencies are preprogrammed into Channels 1 to 150. You can scan these frequencies as soon as you turn on the scanner.

1After programming frequencies, press HOLD/RESUME to begin scanning. Or repeatedly press PVT until PRIVATE appears, if the scanner is in another mode. Your scanner scans all the channels upward.

2. The bank number indicators (1-10) selected for scanning appear on the display, and the bank being currently monitored flashes. You can deselect banks from active scanning by entering their numbers on your keypad. The indicator for each deselected bank disappears, and the bank’s channels are not scanned.

One bank must always be active. You cannot deactivate

Note

all ten banks at the same time. If you try to deselect all the banks, the first bank is automatically selected.

To restore a bank to active scanning, enter the bank’s number on your keypad. The bank’s indicator will display again.

During normal scanning the scanner skips unprogrammed or locked out channels. When a transmission is received, the scanner stops on that channel. When the transmission ends, scanning resumes automatically.

You can set the scanner to hold on a frequency for

Notes

two seconds allowing time for a response. For more information on the delay feature, see “Delay”.

During Signal Stalker operation, the delay time is 10 seconds. After 10 seconds have elapsed, or if you press e or HOLD/RESUME, the scanner resumes search.

25

Beyond the Basics

priority scan

When priority scan is turned on, your scanner checks the priority channel in the banks you selected every two seconds for activity. If a signal is present on the priority channel, your scanner monitors the channel until the transmission ends, then resumes normal scanning. You can designate one channel in each bank as a priority channel. By default, the first channel in each bank is the priority channel, but you can change this.

To activate Priority Scan (in either the private scan mode or scan hold mode):

1. Press PRI. PRI appears.

you have locked out all the priority channels, an error

Note

message appears when you select priority mode.

2.Press PRI again to deactivate priority scan. PRI disappears.

changing the priority channel

You cannot eliminate the priority channel, but you can change it to any one of the 100 available channels in each bank.

1Turn off the priority function if it is on.

2. Press HOLD/RESUME.

3. Select a new priority channel by entering the channel number using the keypad. Then, press HOLD/RESUME.

4. Press FUNC + PRI. When the priority channel has been changed, P appears on the display.

Priority in trunking mode works just the same, except you

Note

set them for talk group IDs instead of setting priorities for

26