Radio Shack Pro-2051 User Guide

DRAFT

20-426

Owner’s Manual
Please read before using this equipment.

© 2004 RadioShack Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack, Adaptaplug, Hypersearch, and Hyperscan are trademarks
used by RadioShack Corporation.
Motorola, Smartnet, and Privacy Plus are registered
trademarks of Motorola Inc.

is a registered trademark of GE/Ericsson Inc.

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Front and Rear Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Icon Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

What are Highway Patrol Alerts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

What is Scanning? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

What is Searching? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

What is Trunk Tracking? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Feature Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Where to Obtain More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Information on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Included with Your Scanner Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Installing the 20-426 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

For Home Use (Desktop Installation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

For Mobile Use (In-Car Installation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Typical Mounting Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Mounting the Scanner in Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Applying Power for Vehicle Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

DC power Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Applying Power Using Standard AC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Connecting an External Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Listening Safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Connecting the Clone Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Scanning Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Turn the Scanner On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

How Squelch Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Highway Patrol Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Selecting the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Scanning Highway Patrol Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Highway Patrol Scan Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Highway Warning Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Alert Tone Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Muting the Alert Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Alert Light Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Skip Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Priority Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Trunked Highway Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Private Bank Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Programming Frequencies into Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Deleting a Stored Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Duplicate Frequency Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Memory Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Scanning Private Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Hold/Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Channel Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Restoring a Locked-out Channel in Hold Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Restoring All Locked-out Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Priority Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Changing the Priority Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Service Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Band Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Setting a Search Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Search Hold Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Data Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Frequency Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Storing Search Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

iii
20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page iii

Trunk Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Programming Trunking Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

STEP 1: Selecting Trunking System Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

STEP 2: Programming Trunking Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Programming Talk Group ID/Scan Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Scan Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Receiving Trunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

ID Scan Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

ID Scan Hold Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

ID Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

ID Monitor Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

ID Search Hold and Direct Entry ID in Hold Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Programming Scan Lists During Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Deleting a Stored ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

ID Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Review ID Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Restoring Locked-out IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Setting the Delay Mode for Trunking Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Trunking Frequency Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Setting Priority in Trunking Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Moving between Scan List Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Multi-Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

EDACS® Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

EDACS® Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Programming EDACS System Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

An EDACS® Trunked system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Special EDACS® Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

EDACS ID Range Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

EDACS SCAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

LTR® Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

LTR® Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Motorola Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Motorola Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Fleet Map Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Selecting Preset Fleet Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Programming a User Fleet Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Programming a Hybrid System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for Motorola VHF/UHF

Trunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Toggling the Status Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Control Channel Only Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Disconnect Tone Detect Option (End Code) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Remote Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

PC Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Clone Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

One Year Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

iv
20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page iv

Terminology
What are Highway Patrol Alerts?

Most highway patrol vehicles on the road today are equipped with a secondary
radio system
known as a “mobile extender” or “vehicular repeater.” Whenever the dispatcher
transmits to
any vehicle in the district, “mobile extender” in every car within the district is
activated.
Using a constant PRIORITY check of specific frequencies in each state, the 20-426
recognizes and alerts you to transmissions from “mobile extender” radios as well as
from
car-to-car, aircraft-to-car and other special-purpose frequencies. You receive an
audible
(beep tone) and visual (flashing Alert light) alert whenever you are within an
approximate
three-mile radius of Highway Patrol/ State Police units using a mobile extender unit.

What is Scanning?

Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications do not
transmit
continuously. The 20-426 scans the Frequencies you have programmed into the
Scanner’s
channels until it finds an active frequency.
Scanning stops on an active frequency and remains on that channel as long as the
transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes
until
another transmission is received.

What is Searching?

The 20-426 can search each of its 13 bands to find active frequencies. This is

different from
scanning because you are searching for frequencies that have not been
programmed into
your Scanner’s channels. The scanner automatically chooses between two speeds
while
searching. During search mode the scanner will search 100 frequencies per second
for band
with 12.5 kHz steps and during Turbo SEARCH mode the scanner can achieve up
to 300
frequencies per second for bands with 5 kHz steps.

What is Trunk Tracking?

Conventional scanning is a simple concept. You enter a radio frequency in your
scanner’s
memory which is used by someone you want to monitor. For example, the police in
your
area may broadcast on 460.500 MHz, the fire department on 154.445 MHz, the
highway
department on 37.900 MHz, etc. So when your scanner stops on a frequency, you
usually
know who it is, and more importantly, you can stop on a channel and listen to an
entire
conversation. This type of scanning is easy and fun.
As the demand for public communications has increased, many public radio users
don't
have enough frequencies to meet their needs, and this has created a serious
problem.
Trunking radio systems have been implemented to solve this problem.

20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page 4
5
In a trunked radio system the frequencies are shared among the police and fire
departments
and a computer systematically assigns available frequencies when they are needed
for
communications.
Sharing of the available public service frequencies, or trunking, allows cities,
counties, or
other agencies to accommodate hundreds of users with relatively few frequencies.
Following
a conversation on a trunked system using a scanner is difficult, if not impossible.
Because
when there's a short break during the conversation you're monitoring, it’s possible
that the
talkgroup will be assigned to a completely different frequency in the trunked system.
This

type of scanning is difficult and frustrating.

TrunkTracker Technology changes this! Not only does your new 20-426 scan
channels like
a conventional scanner, it actually follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once
you
know a talkgroups ID, you won’t miss any of the action.
If you're a new scanner enthusiast, you may want to read the first part of this
manual and
use your scanner in conventional mode before you begin trunk tracking.
Understanding
scanning fundamentals and its terminology will make trunk tracking much easier.

20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page 5
6

Feature Highlights

• Pre-programmed frequencies specific to each state (except Hawaii).

• Pre-programmed Trunked and conventional Highway Patrol frequencies

• Highway Patrol Priority Alert

-Receive audible and visual alert when within three miles of many Highway
Patrol/State
units

• Pre-programmed frequencies for the following categories:

-Local Police and County Sheriffs

-Fire and Emergency Medical Service

-News Media

-Weather (continuous NOAA weather and Canadian Coast Guard broadcasts)

-CB Radio

-Aircraft

-Railroads

-Marine Band

-Department of Transportation

• Pager Screen - lets you set the scanner so it does not detect pager frequencies
during Close Call search.

• Trunk Tracking – Follow VHF High Band UHF 800MHz trunked public safety and
public
service systems just as if conventional two-way communications were used.

• Multi-Track – Track more than one trunking system at a time. Scan conventional
and
trunked systems at the same time.

• 1000 Channels – Program one frequency into each channel. You must have at
least one
channel programmed to use the Scan mode.

• 13 Bands – Includes 13 bands, with aircraft and 800 MHz.

• 10 Banks – 10 banks with 50 channels each are useful for storing similar

frequencies to
maintain faster scanning cycles or for storing all the frequencies of a trunked
system.

• 25 MHz-956 MHz – Indicates the range of frequencies that can be searched within
the
bands of your scanner.
Note: The frequency coverage is not continuous and excludes the cellelar
telephone
Band.

• 5 Priority Channels – You can assign one priority channel in each bank.
Assigning a
priority channel allows you to track activity on your most important channel(s) while
monitoring other channels for transmissions. You can also assign trunking priority
talkgroups.

• Data Skip – Allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions and
reduces
birdies.

• Direct Channel Access – Go directly to any channel without entering
programming mode.

• Turbo Search – Increases the search speed to 300 steps per second. This
applies only to
transmission bands with 5 kHz steps.

• PC Programmable – Allows you to easily program all frequencies and Trunking
Talk
Groups into your 20-426 through Radio Shack 20-426 Scanning software running
on your PC.
– For more information on 20-426 SS Programming software visit our website at

scanner.Radio Shack.com.

20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page 6
7

Where to Obtain More Information

Before you can scan the PRIVATE bank, you must program frequencies into the
scanner’s
channels. The Frequency Guide lists typical frequencies used around the U.S.A.
and
Canada that you may program into your new scanner. However, this is not a
complete list of
frequencies for your area.
To obtain frequency information for your area, contact one of the following:

• Scanner Master
1 (800) Scanner (722-6637) (Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Monday through Friday.) [e-mail].
To obtain another copy of the frequency guide, contact one of the following:

• Radio Shack Parts Department

[phone] (Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time Monday
through
Friday.)

• Local Dealer

Information on the Internet

If you have access to the internet, you may want to visit one of the following
websites for
additional information:

scanner.Radio Shack.com
www.bearcat1.com

10:36 AM Page 7
8

Included with Your Scanner Package

• 20-426 Scanner

• AC Adapter (AD 140U)

• DC Power Cord

• Cigarette Lighter Adapter Plug (Model CD007)

• Telescopic Antenna (Model AT129)

• Window Mount Antenna (Model AT002)

• Operating Guide

• Trunk Tracker Frequency Guide

• Other Printed Materials

• Remote Programming Software Demo CD-ROM

• Mobile Mounting Bracket (Model MB-008)
If any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of
purchase or
Radio Shack Customer Service at: [phone], 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central
Time, Monday
through Friday.

Optional Accessories

The following optional accessories for your 20-426 are available from your local
Radio Shack
Dealer or through the Radio Shack Parts Department by calling: [phone],
8:00 AM to 5:00
PM CST, Monday through Friday. We can also be reached on the web at
www.Radio Shack.com.
DC Power Cord (Model PS-001) - For hard wiring power from your car to your
scanner.
Motorola Antenna Adapter (Model PLG-134) - Use only if your antenna has a
Motorolatype
plug.

Page 8
9

Installing the 20-426

For Home Use (Desktop Installation)

1. Insert the DC plug end of the AC Adapter into the DC 12V jack on the rear panel.

2. Plug the AC Adapter into a standard 120V AC wall outlet.

3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT connector.
Extend the antenna to its full height. For frequencies higher than 406 MHz,
shortening
the antenna may improve the reception.

4. Use the desktop stand for a better viewing and operating angle.

Helpful Hints

• If strong interference or electrical noise is received, relocate the scanner or its
antenna
away from the source.

• If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area or need to improve reception, use
an
optional antenna designed for multi-band coverage. (You can purchase this type of
antenna at a local electronics store.)

• If the optional antenna has no cable, use 50-70 ohm coaxial cable for lead-in. A
mating
plug may be necessary for the optional antennas.

For Mobile Use (In-Car Installation)
Installation for Temporary Use:

A Cigarette Lighter Power Cord is provided for easy, temporary installation.
Warning: Do not use the cigarette lighter power cord in a positive ground vehicle.
Plug one end of the Cigarette Lighter Power Cord into the cigarette lighter jack and
the other
end into the DC 12V jack on the back of the scanner.

Connecting the Antenna Plug

Connect the mobile antenna plug into the ANT connector on the rear panel. (For
more
information on antenna installation, please refer to the instruction guide that came
with your
antenna.)
The 20-426 can be mounted using the supplied mounting bracket.
This bracket is available from the Radio Shack parts department (see page 8)

1. Select an ideal location in your vehicle to mount the 20-426. Avoid a location that
could
interfere with your driving. In a passenger car, the ideal location is underneath the
dashboard on the passenger side.

2. Use the supplied mounting bracket as a template for marking the location of the
mounting screws. Note: If there are screws already holding the dashboard, you can
use
the same screw holes to mount the bracket.

Page 9
10

3. Drill the necessary holes and secure the mounting bracket in place using the
screws
provided.

4. Mount the radio to the bracket only after the wiring has been connected to the
rear
panel.

Connecting the Power Cord
Note: If you are not experienced in connecting accessories to the vehicle fuse box,

please
see your automotive dealer for advice on proper installation.

Installation for everyday use:

1. Check the vehicle battery connections to determine which battery terminal
(positive or
negative) is grounded to the engine block or chassis. Most of today’s vehicles use a
negative ground. If your vehicle has a negative ground, follow Steps 2 and 3.
Otherwise,
skip to the note following Step 3.

2. Connect the RED wire of the DC power cord to the accessory contact in your
vehicle’s
+12V DC fuse box.

3. Connect the BLACK wire of the DC power cord to the negative side of the vehicle
(usually the chassis).
Note: In vehicles with a positive ground, the RED wire connects to the chassis and
the
BLACK wire connects to the accessory contact in the fuse box.

4. Insert the DC plug into the DC 12V jack on the back of the scanner.
20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page 10

11

Typical Mounting Methods

The 20-426 can be conveniently mounted on a table, bulkhead, overhead, or any
other
desired location with the supplied mounting bracket (MB008) (refer to figure below
for typical
mounting methods).
Caution: Make sure there are no hidden electrical wires or other items behind the
desired
location before proceeding. Check that free access for mounting and cabling
is available.

Mounting the Scanner in Your Vehicle

Before you mount the scanner, make sure you have all the necessary materials.
Then
confirm that the scanner fits your vehicle’s mounting area. This unit requires a
mounting
area of 2.44 inch high by 7.06 inch wide by 6.10 inch deep (50.8 x 176.5 x 152.5

mm).
Caution: Be sure to avoid obstructions behind the mounting surface.
Follow these steps to mount the scanner in your vehicle.

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

5. Connect the antenna’s cable to the ANT. connector
on the rear of the scanner.
Note: If the antenna cable’s connector does not fit in the ANT.
connector, you might also need a Motorola-to BNC
antenna plug adapter (available at a local
electronics store).

• Table top mount • Bulkhead mount • Overhead mount

SQL
VOL
ANT.
EXT.
SP.
DC 12V
REMOTE

Page 11

Applying Power for Vehicle Installation

You can power your scanner using the supplied DC cigarette lighter power cord or
an DC
power cord.

DC power Installation

To power the scanner from a vehicle’s 12V power source (such as a
cigarette-lighter
socket), you need a cigarette-lighter adapter.
To connect an DC cigarette-lighter power cable, insert its barrel plug into the
DC 12V jack on the rear of the scanner, then plug the power cable into your
vehicle’s
cigarette lighter socket.
Note : If you use a cigarette-lighter power cable and your vehicle’s engine is
running, you
might hear electrical noise from the engine while scanning. This is normal.
Caution: DC 12 V Jack can use a power source that supplies 12V DC at least 500

mA.
You must use a power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers at least
500 mA. Your standard 12V car battery should be sufficient. The cord connector’s
center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 12V jack.
The supplied DC power cord meets these specifications. Using a power cord that
does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.

• Always connect the adapter or DC power cord to the scanner before you connect it
to the
power source. When you finish, disconnect the adapter or DC power cord from the
power
source before you disconnect it from the scanner.

• For added safety and to protect your scanner,
disconnect the cable from your vehicle battery’s
negative (-) terminal before you begin.
Follow these steps to connect the DC power cord.

1. Connect the power cord’s black wire to a chassis ground, such as a metal screw
attached to a metal part of the vehicle’s frame. Be sure that the screw is not
insulated
from the frame by a plastic part.

2. Connect the power cord’s red wire (with in-line fuse) to a source
of voltage that turns on and off with the ignition switch, such as
a spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box.

3. Insert the power cord’s barrel plug into the DC 12V jack on
the rear of the scanner.

4. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery’s negative (-)
terminal.
12

ANT.
EXT.
SP.
DC 12VREMOTE

12
13

Applying Power Using Standard AC Power

To power the scanner from an AC outlet, use the provided AC adapter with a 5.5
mm outer
diameter/2.1mm inner diameter tip.
Caution: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers
at least
500 mA. The cord connector’s 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.

• Always connect the AC adapter to the scanner before you connect it to AC power.

When
you finish, disconnect the adapter from the AC power before you disconnect it from
the scanner.

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

2. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
Note: Use only the AC adapter supplied with
your scanner.

Connecting an External Speaker

In a noisy area, an external speaker (available at a local electronics store)
positioned in the
right place might provide more comfortable listening.
Plug the speaker cable’s 1/8 inch (3.5 mm)
plug into your scanner’s EXT. SP. jack.
Note: Connecting an external speaker
disconnects the scanner’s
internal speaker.

Listening Safely

• Do not use the earphone. The volume is not adjustable for the Warning Alert
and
damage to your hearing could occur.
Connecting the Clone Cable

You can transfer the programmed data to and from another 20-426 scanner using a
RS232C
Straight Cable (9 pin to 9 pin) (not supplied). Connect the cable between each
scanner’s
REMOTE jacks. See "Clone Mode" on page 49. You can also upload or download
the
programmed data to or from a PC using optional programming software available
through
your local electronics store.

ANT.
EXT.
SP.
DC 12VREMOTE
12V
ANT.
EXT.
SP.
DC 12V
REMOTE

20-426 PM Page 13

Scanning Overview

You can scan in one of four ways:

1. Highway Patrol Scanning When you select a state you want to scan in Highway
Patrol
mode, you can scan pre-programmed Highway Patrol frequencies.

2. Service Scanning Press SVC to select one of the nine services 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 If you have programmed frequencies into this bank, press
PVT to
scan only those that you have programmed in this bank.
Note: Before you can scan the Private Bank, you must program frequencies into the
channels. To program frequencies, see “Programming Frequencies into Channels”
on
page 21.
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 there is no
responding
transmission within 2 seconds, the scanning cycle resumes.

Turn the Scanner On

1. Turn the VOL knob clockwise.
The scanner is turned on: the Alert Light flashes and the Alert
Tone beeps loudly.
Note: The Alert Tone depends on the currently setting selected
(see page 17).

2. The last setting mode selected before starts.
14

VOL
push
ALERT

MUTE ALERT

Turn

SQL
VOL
push
ALERT
FLASH
MUTE ALERT

Alert
Light

Page 14
15

How Squelch Works

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 (squelch set properly), just the desired
signals get through.

Setting the Squelch

1. To set the squelch, press HOLD/RESUME to stop scanning.
If needed, adjust VOL until you do not hear a signal (see
page 17).

2. Turn SQL fully clockwise until hiss heard.
This lowers the “squelch gate,” allowing all signals and noise
to get through.

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

Strong Signals
Medium Signals
Weak Signals
Noise
Strong Signals
Medium Signals
Weak Signals
Noise
Strong Signals
Medium Signals

Weak Signals
Noise

SQL push
FLASH
MUTE ALERT

Turn

SQL push
FLASH
MUTE ALERT

Turn

Page 15

Highway Patrol Scanning

Highway Patrol frequencies are pre-programmed on a state-by-state basis. When
Highway
Patrol scanning, the Highway Warning Alert is activated.

Selecting the State

1. Press STATE to select the state you are operating in.
Press and hold STATE to scroll rapidly.
Hint: For the State Code Order, please see page 56.

2. To step forward through the states (A - W), press STATE
and, within three seconds, press the ▲ key repeatedly. To
step backward through the states (W - A), press STATE and,
within three seconds, press the ▼ key repeatedly.

3. To scroll rapidly, press and hold the ▲ or ▼ key.

Scanning Highway Patrol Frequency

You can scan Highway Patrol frequencies by pressing PVT or HWY/POL.

1. Press HWY/POL to scan through only pre-programmed Highway
Patrol frequencies.
or
Press PVT repeatedly in Highway scanning mode until “HWY/POL”
appears on the display to scan through pre-programmed
Highway Patrol frequencies.
Hint: If you press PVT repeatedly in Highway scanning mode
until “HWY/POL” and “PVT” appears on the display, you can
mix-scan between Highway Patrol frequencies and User
Programmed channels.

2. When the scanner receives communications, scanning stops,
the state code and the frequency appear.
When the transmission ends, the scanner holds for two
seconds on that frequency for a response. For more
information on the Delay feature, please see page 28.
If there is no response, scanning resumes.
16

Page 16
17

Highway Patrol Scan Hold

1. When scanning stops on a desired frequency, press
HOLD/RESUME to hold on that frequency as long as you
like. When in the HOLD mode, press the ▲ or ▼ key to step
up or down the frequency. To step up or down rapidly, press
and hold the ▲ or ▼ key.
If you change into a frequency which is a control channel, the
scanner may display the Active ID (When TRUNK mode is
active).

2. To resume scanning, press HOLD/RESUME.
Note: Highway Warning Alert does not work while in the HOLD
mode.

Highway Warning Alert

The scanner alerts you when Highway Patrol/State Police units using mobile
extenders are
within an approximate three mile radius.

1. The ALERT Light flashes and the Alert Tone beeps twice
when a signal is received.

2. The ALERT Light glows steadily for approximately three
minutes. Then, if no other mobile extender transmissions are
received, the light goes out.

3. If more transmissions are received before three minutes have
passed, the ALERT Light flashes and the Alert Tone beeps once.

Alert Tone Volume

Push VOL to select Loud, Medium, or Soft.
The Alert Tone beeps and the ALERT Light flashes to your
choice.

Muting the Alert Tone
Temporary Mute

Press MUTE during the Highway Warning Alert. The Alert Tone
stops and the MUTE LED flashes until the alarm cycle (three
minutes) is finished.

Continuous Mute

Press and hold MUTE for two seconds to turn Continuous Mute on whenever you
wish. You
hear two beeps and the MUTE LED lights continuously. No Alert Tones will beep.

Canceling Mute

To cancel Mute,

SQ
VOL
push

ALERT
FLASH
MUTE ALERT

Alert
Light
Flashes

VOL
push
ALERT
MUTE ALERT

Push In

VOL
push
ALERT
FLASH
MUTE ALERT

MUTE LED
Flashes

Page 17

• Press MUTE to cancel One Moment Mute.

• Press and hold MUTE for two seconds to cancel Continuous Mute. You hear two
beeps
and the MUTE LED goes out.

• Change states. The MUTE LED goes out after scanning starts.

• Turn the scanner off and on.
Note: If MUTE is pressed for less than 2 seconds during the Continuous Mute
mode,
nothing will be changed.

Alert Light Adjustment

The ALERT Light has three settings: Bright, Dim, and Off.
Push FLASH to select Bright, Dim or Off. The ALERT Light
flashes and the Alert Tone beeps.
If you select Off, “ ” on the display reminds you the ALERT
Light is off.
WARNING: You can turn off the ALERT Light and completely
mute the Alert Tone at the same time.

This deactivates the Highway Warning Alert.

Skip Frequencies

To skip a frequency, press L/O.
You can program up to 50 skip frequencies for priority channels. And also you can
program
up to 100 skip frequencies for other frequencies (See page 27). If you skip a
preprogrammed frequency in one state and that frequency is programmed into
another state,

the frequency is skipped of both states. If you change the state code, skipped
frequencies
are cancelled as soon as scanning starts.

Priority Channels

Each state preprogrammed in the scanner contains a number of Priority channels.
The
scanner automatically checks a state’s Priority channels every two seconds for
activity. If
there is activity on one of the Priority channels, the ALERT Light will flash and the
alarm
tone will beep (see “Highway Warning Alert,” page 17).
18

SQL push
FLASH
MUTE ALERT

Push In

Page 18
19
You will experience a slight in the conversations you hear as the scanner checks
the
Priority channels. You can cancel the priority check and the interruptions in the
conversations by pressing HOLD/RESUME to hold on the frequency.
Note: The Highway Warning Alert is inoperative while the scanner is on Hold.
Remember to press HOLD/RESUME to return to normal priority-scan operation.
Priority channel cannot be changed, but you can lock-out priority channels using

L/O.

Priority channels have been pre-determined by the manufacturer as those Highway
Patrol
frequencies most commonly used for mobile extenders and for car-to-car and
aircraft-to-car
operations. Mobile extenders re-transmit every radio broadcast received on the
patrol car
radio to the officer’s walkie-talkie at low-power. Every time any officer or dispatcher
talks
(transmits), the signal is broadcast like a beacon at low-power whether or not the
officer is
out of the car.
You can select Priority Scanning mode by pressing PRI.

• Normal Priority Scan mode.
The scanner checks the Priority frequency every two seconds. “PRI” will be
displayed.

• Priority only mode.
To only monitor the priority frequencies, press and hold PRI to select Priority Only.
This

mode is especially recommended for the following states:
(Arizona) (Michigan)
(Delaware) (Oklahoma)
(Florida) (Wisconsin)
“PRI” flashes when you select Priority Only Mode.

• Priority off mode
The scanner does not check the Priority frequency. “PRI” will not displayed.

20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page 19

Trunked Highway Frequency

Trunked Highway frequencies are pre-programmed for each
state. When the scanner finds the control channel data, the
scanner begins to find any active IDs. If the scanner finds any ID,
the active ID appears on the display and you will hear it.
If you press the ▲ key while monitoring an ID, the scanner will check to see if any
other IDs
are active. If none are active, scanning resumes.
When the scanner finds a control channel, it will stay on that control channel until
reception
of the control channel is lost. To force the scanner off of the trucking control channel,
press
DATA.
If you press the ▼ key while a talk group ID is active, the
frequency on which talk group is transmitting flashes on the
display.
Or press and hold the ▼ key for two seconds, and the ID and the frequency
alternately
appears on the display. To return to the normal display, press the ▼ key again.
Like conventional scanning, you can lockout reception of unwanted traffic.
You can lockout up to 30 IDs. Press L/O on the ID you want to lockout.
If you lockout 31st ID, the 1st ID already locked out is restored.
If you want to restore all the locked out IDs, pres and hold L/O for two seconds.
Or, when the state code is changed, all lockout IDs are restored as soon as
scanning starts.
If you find an interesting ID you want to continue listening to,
press HOLD/RESUME.
Press HOLD/RESUME to resume scanning.
You can set the scanner to hold on an ID for two seconds to wait for a replay before
scanning resumes. While trunking, press DELAY. “DLY” appears on the display.
20

Page 20
21

Private Bank Scanning
Programming Frequencies into Channels

Before the scanner begins Private Bank scanning, you must program a frequency
into at
least one channel. Program frequencies you purchased from your dealer, from
various free
and FCC-based sources on the internet, or from the Frequency guide included in
20-426
package. You will need to program each frequency into the
scanner’s channels in order to hear these frequencies.

1. While Private Bank scanning is activated, press
HOLD/RESUME and enter the channel number where you
want to store a frequency by using the keypad, then press
HOLD/RESUME.
✎ Change the channel by using the ▲ or ▼ key.

2. Enter the frequency you want to store by using the keypad
and (decimal key).

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

4. If you want to program another frequencies into the channel,
select another channel by using the ▲ or ▼ key.
Note: • To clear a mistake while entering the frequency, press (decimal key)
repeatedly until the display is cleared.

• If you enter a invalid frequency, an error tone will sound and appears on the
display. To clear the Error message immediately, press (decimal key).

• Even if you don't enter full numbers as a frequency number, the scanner will
automatically
select the nearest valid frequency.

Deleting a Stored Frequency

To delete a stored frequency:
a. Select a channel.
b. Press 0.
c. Then press E.

Note: Channels with no frequencies are automatically locked out.

.
.
.

20-426 8/22/03 1:40 PM Page 21
22

Duplicate Frequency Alert

If you enter a frequency which has been stored in another channel, you will hear an
error
tone and the other channel displays.
Press (decimal key) to clear and start again.
––– OR –––
Press E again to store the frequency in both channels.