Radio Shack PRO-2096 User Manual

20-496

PRO-2096 Digital 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-2096 digital trunk scanner from RadioShack. You can mount your scanner in a fixed position and use it as a base scanner or you can use it as

a mobile scanner by mounting it in a vehicle. This scanner is the first of an innovative and exciting new generation, capable of receiving digital voice modulation from the newest and most sophisticated conventional and trunked radio networks. No additional hardware or add-on cards are needed.

user’s guide • quick start guide • preloaded data addendum

DC cable w/fuse

Scanner

Antenna

AC adapter

Mounting bracket

Knob (2)

Rubber washer (2)

Lock washer (2)

Screw (2)

DIN sleeve and keys (2)

Rubber foot (3)

2

The Basics

contents

your scanner’s keypad	7
your scanner’s rear view	9
your scanner’s display	10
step 1: install your scanner	11
mounting your scanner in your dashboard	11
mobile mounting in your vehicle	11
using your scanner as a base station	12
step 2: power your scanner	13
from a wall outlet	13
through your vehicle’s ignition	13
from your vehicle’s cigarrette lighter	14
step 3: connect your scanner	15
connect the supplied antenna	15
connect an external antenna	15
connect an external speaker or headphones	16
step 4: set up your scanner	17
squelch	17
storing conventional frequencies	17
deleting frequencies from channels	18
searching and tuning	19
basic scanning	20
about channel-storage banks	20
monitoring a single channel	20
using CTCSS and DCS	21
searching a preprogrammed frequency range	21
search bank charts	22

3

The Basics

searching for active frequencies	27
using Zeromatic	27
using seek search	27
manually tuning to a frequency	28

frequency copy	29
copying a frequency into a specified channel	29
copying a frequency to a vacant channel
into a specified bank	30
copying a frequency to the priority channel	30

listening to the weather band	31
same standby mode	31
testing weather alert	32
using delay	33
locking out channels/frequencies	33
locking out channels	33
locking out frequencies	34
reviewing locked-out search frequency	34
clearing locked-out search frequencies	35
clearing locked-out frequencies in search banks	35
changing the receive mode	35
using attenuator	36
global attenuator	37
turning the key tone on or off	37
using the dimmer	38
changing the display contrast	38

virtual scanner	39
using V-scanner	40
using digital AGC	45
cloning programmed data	45
cloning v-scanner data	46
full cloning	47
selective cloning	47

4

The Basics

trunking operation	50
setting squelch for trunk scanning	50
talkgroup ID hold	50
turning an ID sub-bank on or off	50
open and closed mode operation	51
toggling open and closed modes	52
manual ID lockout toggle	52
activate ID lockout while scanning	53
reviewing locked-out talkgroup IDs	53
changing from ID text tag display
to ID code display	53
trunked delay function	53
clearing talkgroups IDs	54
clearing all talkgroup IDs in one bank	55

programming trunked systems	56
Motorola analog, digital, and APCO-25 systems	56
EDACS systems	57
Motorola VHF and UHF systems	58
Motorola 800MHz splinter systems	59
fleet maps	59
programming the priority channel	61
programming a stored channel frequency
in the priority channel	61
programming the priority channel directly	61

programming a weather channel as the priority channel 62

turning priority on or off	62
programming CTCSS/DCS channels	63
storing talkgroup ids	65

text tags	67
assigning a text tag to a channel	67
assigning a text tag to a group ID	68
assigning a text tag to a channel-storage bank	68

5

The Basics

text input chart	69
using channel receive modes	69
updating the DSP firmware	69
truobleshooting	70
resetting/initializing your scanner	71
resetting your scanner	71
initializing your scanner	72
care	73
replacing the fuse	73
service and repair	73
specifications	74
The FCC wants you to know	77
scanning legally	77
glossary	78
warranty	84

©2004 RadioShack Corporation.

All Rights Reserved.

RadioShack, RadioShack.com. Hypersearch, Hyperscan, V-Scanner, and Adaptaplug are trademarks used by RadioShack Corporation.

Motorola, Smartnet, ASTRO and Privacy Plus are registered trademarks of Motorla Inc.

EDACS is a registered trademark of MA-COM Inc.

The IMBE(TM) Voice Coding Technology embodied in this product is protected by intellectual property rights including patent rights, copyrights and trade secrets of Digital Voice Systems, Inc. This voice coding Technology is licensed solely for use witthin this Communications Equipment. The user of this Technology is explicitly prohibited from attempting to decompile, reverse engineer, or disassemble the Object Code, or in any other way convert the Object Code into a human readable form.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,870,405 and 5,517,511.

This device made under license under one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 4,590,473; 4,636,791; 5,148,482; 5,185,796; 5,271,017; 5,377,229

6

The Basics

your scanner’s keypad

TRUNK — stores the trunking ID code or holds the trunking ID while scanning.

L/OUT — locks out selected channels and ID codes, and skips specified frequencies during a search.

CLEAR — clears an incorrect entry.

PROG — programs frequencies in selected channels.

PWR/VOL/SQ — long knob turns OFF/ON, and controls volume. Short knob controls squelch.

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

s — attach headphones with 1/8” jack here.

7

The Basics

FUNC — press in combination with other keys to

perform various functions.

ATT — Press to activate attenuation (reduce scanner sensitivity, block strong signals). Press again to deactivate attenuation.

DIM — adjusts the backlight level (Light, Dark, or OFF).

TUNE — Press TUNE, PAUSE then e or d to tune to a

frequency.

PAUSE — pauses search or tune operation.

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

WX — press to scan programmed weather channels.

See p. 31

TEXT — press to input text.

SRCH — press to search through search banks.

MAN — press to manually enter a channel number.

PRI — turns the priority function on or off.

MODE — press to change the receive mode.

SCAN — press to scan programmed channels.

8

The Basics

Press to enter a number or a character (in text mode).

./DELAY — press to enter a decimal point, space, or

hyphen. Press to program delay time for a channel/search bank.

ENT — press to confirm frequency and text entries.

your scanner’s rear view

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

SCREW HOLE — use to mount the scanner in a car with some hardware (screw not supplied).

RESET— press to reset your scanner.

DC 13.8V — connect a power source here.

EXT SP — connect an

external speaker here.

9

The Basics

your scanner’s display

Priority On/Off Indicator

	Receiving a Signal ( no signal)	Attenuator On/Off Indicator
		Delay On/Off Indecator
	Channel 00-(49)
		Lockout On/Off Indecator
	Bank 0-(9)
		(While Scanning, Scanning Direction,		or	.)
	(M)anual Mode	Open/Closed Mode Indecator
	(P)rogram
	(S)can	Receiving Mode
		Receiving Frequency
		Stored Text
		or Bank and Channel Numbe r
		Detected ID Display
		(Trunking & CTCSS/DCS)

Bank Off

Open Mode

Closed Mode

Scan Mode

Search Range Number

Zeromatic On/Off Indicator
	Frequency
Sub-Group	Bank Off
Search Range Name

Search Mode

10

The Basics

step 1: install your scanner

You can mount your digital trunking scanner in your vehicle, install it for mobility, or install it as a base station.

mounting your scanner in your dashboard

Note

Note

If you are unsure about how to install your scanner in your vehicle, consult your automobile manufacturer, dealer, or a qualified installer. Before installing, confirm your scanner fits in the desired mounting area and you have all the necessary materials. Your scanner requires a 2 x 71/8 x 5 5/16 inch

(50 x 180 x 135 mm) mounting area.

1.Remove the four rear screws and pull off the black case before installing your scanner.

2.Install the DIN sleeve into the opening in your dashboard, lip facing out.

3.Push out the top and bottom tabs to hold the sleeve firmly in place.

4. Slide the scanner into the
sleeve until it locks in place.

To remove your scanner from the DIN sleeve, insert the two keys straight into the scanner’s front panel. Then, remove the scanner by pulling front panel.

When mounting in your dashboard, you will need to

connect an external antenna and an external speaker.

mobile mounting in your vehicle

You can mount your scanner under the dashboard, or on top of it, using the mounting bracket.

11

The Basics

1.	Attach the three
	protective rubber
	feet to the mounting
	bracket when you
	use the scanner on a
	flat surface. Do not
	use them when you
	mount the bracket with
	screws.
2.	Use the supplied
	mounting bracket as
	a template to mark
	positions for the two
	mounting screws.

3.At the marked positions,

drill holes slightly smaller than the screws.

4.Remove the paper backing from each washer and stick one inside of each bracket’s ear, aligning the washer’s hole with the bracket’s hole.

5.Attach the mounting bracket to your vehicle’s surface using the supplied screws and lockwashers.

6.Slide the scanner into the bracket, aligning the scanner’s holes with the holes in the bracket, and then screw the mounting knobs into the scanner.

When drilling holes, be sure to avoid obstructions behind

Note

the mounting surface. Consult a qualified installer if in doubt.

using your scanner as a base station

You can place your scanner on a desk, shelf, or table to use it as a base station. Since the speaker is on the bottom of the scanner, you may want to use the mounting bracket to elevate your scanner off the surface for better sound. Follow the mobile vehicle mounting instructions above to affix your scanner to a desk, shelf, table or other flat surface (except that the bracket will be below the scanner).

12

The Basics

step 2: power your scanner

You can power your scanner from a wall outlet, through your vehicle’s ignition, or from your vehicle’s cigarette lighter.

from a wall outlet

1.Connect the tip of the supplied AC adapter to the DC 13.8V jack at the rear of your scanner.

2.Plug the AC adapter into your wall outlet.

Note

You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 13.8V DC and delivers at least 600mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 13.8V jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.

Warning!

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

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.

13

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 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 13.8V jack.

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

Note

You must use a power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers at least 600 mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 13.8V 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.

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, 600 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 13.8V jack.

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

Note	When you use a cigarette-lighter adapter, you might hear
	electrical noise from your engine while scanning. This is
	normal.

14

The Basics

step 3: connect your scanner

connect the supplied antenna

Push the antenna onto your scanner’s antenna connector and rotate until it locks into place.

Your scanner’s sensitivity to various frequencies depends on

its location and the antenna’s

length. For best reception, adjust the antenna’s length as follows:

Frequency	Antenna Length
25-54 MHz	Extend fully
108-174 MHz	Extend 4 segments
216-225 MHz	Extend 3 segments
406-1300 MHz	Collapse fully

connect an external antenna

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).

15

The Basics

Warning! 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.

connect an external speaker or headphones

When you mount your scanner in your dashboard, you will need to connect an external speaker or headphones.

Connect	Connect external
headphones here	speaker here

listening safely

To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use headphones.

•Adjust VOL (volume) to its lowest level before putting on headphones. With the headphones on, adjust VOL to a comfortable level.

•Avoid increasing the volume once you set it. Over time, your sensitivity to volume decreases, so volume levels that do not cause discomfort might damage your hearing.

•Avoid listening at high volume levels. Prolonged exposure to high volume levels can cause permanent hearing loss.

traffic safety

Do not wear headphones while driving. This can create a traffic hazard and is illegal in some areas. Even though some headphones let you hear outside sounds when you listen at normal levels, they still can present a traffic hazard.

16

The Basics

step 4: set up your scanner

squelch

1.Rotate VOL clockwise to turn on your scanner. DSP LOADING and Welcome To Digital Trunking appears. In a few seconds, you might hear a hissing sound.

2.Adjust VOL to a comfortable listening level.

3.Rotate SQ (squelch) fully counterclockwise to OFF. Then, rotate SQ clockwise until the hissing sound stops.

4.To turn off the scanner, turn VOL counterclockwise to OFF.

storing conventional frequencies

1.Turn on your scanner and press PROG.

2.Select the desired channel storage bank and channel, and then press PROG.

3.Use the number keys and ./DELAY (to enter the decimal point) to enter the frequency you want to store.

4.Press ENT to store the frequency.

5.The scanner configures the channels you enter after a two second delay. A D appears at the top of the display. If you do not want the scanner to pause before it resumes scanning, press ./DELAY until D no longer appears on the display.

6.To receive conventional frequencies, including AM, FM/Digital, CTCSS and DCS, press MODE. For more information on CTCSS and DCS programming, see “Programming CTCSS/DCS channels”.

7.If desired, program a text tag for the channel. See “Assigning a Text Tag to a Channel”.

8.To program additional channels, press PROG or e or d to move to the next channel memory location.

17

The Basics

Notes	If you make a mistake entering the frequency, Invalid Freq
	briefly appears.
	When you store a frequency by pressing ENT, your
	scanner beeps.
	Press CLEAR to backspace and correct a character, or hold
	down CLEAR for about two seconds to clear the entire field
	and start over.
	Your scanner automatically rounds the frequency you
	enter to the nearest valid frequency. For example, if you
	enter 151.53, your scanner accepts it as 151.5275. Reception
	of the frequency will not be adversely affected.
	If you enter a frequency that is already stored, an error
	tone sounds. Dupl.f and the duplicated frequency number
	appear. Press CLEAR and enter another frequency.
	You can replace any stored frequency by selecting the
	desired bank and channel, pressing PROG, and then
	entering the new frequency.
	Press FUNC, and then CLEAR to erase programmed
	frequency data.

deleting frequencies from channels

In certain circumstances you may wish to completely clear the contents of a channel. One example would be to create empty channels in a selected channel storage bank so the frequency copy function has empty channels available for copied frequencies. See “Copying a Frequency to a Vacant Channel into a Specified Bank”.

1.Press PROG.

2.Use the number keys or e or d to select the frequency you want to delete.

3.Press FUNC, and then CLEAR. The frequency is cleared, and 0.00000 appears on the display.

18

The Basics

searching and tuning

You can search for transmissions using the scanner’s preprogrammed search banks. The search banks include six preprogrammed search ranges, SR0 to SR5. You can change the search range of Bank SR6 manually by setting the lower and higher ends of the search range.

Notes	You can use the scanner’s delay feature while searching.
	See “Using Delay”.
	You can set CTCSS or DCS mode when searching any
	range, except for SR0, SR1, and SR4. The scanner will
	display detected CTCSS or DCS codes depending on the
	mode setting. See “Using CTCSS and DCS”.
	The scanner does not search locked-out frequencies
	while searching ranges.
	You can use PAUSE to temporarily pause searching. The
	scanner will remain on the frequency that was active
	when PAUSE was pressed until you press PAUSE again.
	You can simply listen to the radio traffic on the paused
	frequency, or copy the frequency to a channel before
	resuming your search.

19

The Basics

basic scanning

Press SCAN to begin scanning channels. The scanner scans through all channels in the active channel storage bank. See “About Channel Storage Banks”.

•You must store frequencies into channels before you can scan them. The scanner does not scan through empty channels.

•To change the scanning direction, press e or d while scanning.

about channel-storage banks

•To turn on a channel storage bank, press the number key corresponding to the desired bank until the bank’s number appears on the display.

•To turn off a channel storage bank, press the number key corresponding to the desired bank until the bank’s number disappears from the display.

•The scanner does not scan channels within a bank you have turned off; however, you can manually select any channel in a storage bank, even if the bank is turned off.

•You cannot turn off all channel storage banks. There must always be at least one active channel storage bank.

monitoring a single channel

You can monitor a single channel by manually navigating to that channel. The scanner will receive transmissions only on that frequency.

20

Beyond the Basics

using CTCSS and DCS

Your scanner’s advanced, DSP-based CTCSS and DCS, decoder allows you to listen only to a frequency group that is of interest to you. Simply specify the group’s specific CTCSS or DCS code for a certain frequency. CTCSS and DCS can also help reduce interfering signals that cause your scanner to stop on one channel.

When your scanner stops on a conventional frequency that is configured for CTCSS or DCS, it checks for a match between the transmitted CTCSS or DCS code and the code stored in channel memory. If the transmitted and stored codes match, the scanner stops on the transmission and allows the audio to pass to the speaker. If the codes do not match, the scanner resumes scanning. If the special “search” code is in use,

the scanner instantly displays any detected CTCSS code if programmed for CTCSS mode, or DCS code if programmed for DCS code. You can store the detected code into channel memory by pressing ENT while the code is displayed.

searching a preprogrammed frequency range

The scanner contains these preprogrammed search ranges, stored in the search bank (SR0-SR6).

Bank	Band
SR0	Marine
SR1	CB
SR2	FRS/GMRS/MURS
SR3	Police/Fire
SR4	Aircraft
SR5	Ham
SR6	Limit search (User configurable)

1. Repeatedly press SRCH to select a search bank.

21

Beyond the Basics

2.In the marine, CB and FRS bands, you can directly select a channel or search through the band. When M appears on the left on the second line, you can directly select a channel (see “Search Bank Charts”). Use the numeric keypad to select a specific two-digit channel number (for example, press 1 6 to select Channel 16, or 0 5 to select

channel 5). You can also change the channels by pressing e or d.

There are several group banks in the SR3 Police/Fire and SR5 ham bands. You can turn on the groups by pressing the group numbers. For example, to turn on group 0, press 0.

3.Press FUNC, SRCH while M appears in SR0, SR1 or SR2. M changes to S. Then search through the band. To return to the previous mode, press FUNC, SRCH.

4.Rotate SQ clockwise and leave it set to a point just after the hissing sound stops. After two seconds (if the delay feature is on), the received frequency appears and the scanner starts searching.

5.When the scanner finds an active frequency, it stops searching, and resumes when the transmission ends. If delay is programmed with the search range the scanner will pause for a reply before search resumes.

search bank charts

Search bank: SR0 Marine band

Note	For some Marine frequencies, two frequencies are

assigned to one channel, for example, 157.000 and 161.600 are assigned to Channel 20.

22

Beyond the Basics

Receive mode: FM/Digital

Ch.	Frequency	Ch.	Frequency
	(MHz)		(MHz)
01	156.0500	05	156.2500
06	156.3000	07	156.3500
08	156.4000	09	156.4500
10	156.5000	11	156.5500
12	156.6000	13	156.6500
14	156.7000	15	156.7500
16	156.8000	17	156.8500
18	156.9000	19	156.9500
20	157.0000	21	157.0500
	161.6000
22	157.1000	23	157.1500
24	157.2000	25	157.2500
	161.8000		161.8500
26	157.3000	27	157.3500
	161.9000		161.9500
28	157.4000	63	157.1750
	162.0000
64	156.2250	65	156.2750
	160.8250
66	156.3250	67	156.3750
68	156.4250	69	156.4750
70	156.5250	71	156.5750
72	156.6250	73	156.6750
74	156.7250	77	156.8750
78	156.9250	79	156.9750
80	157.0250	81	157.0750
82	157.1250	83	157.1750
84	157.2250	85	157.2750
	161.8250		161.8750

23

Beyond the Basics

86	157.3250	87	157.3750
	161.9250		161.9750
88	157.4250

Search bank: SR1 CB band

Receive mode: AM

Ch.	Frequency	Ch.	Frequency
	(MHz)		(MHz)
01	26.9650	02	26.9750
03	26.9850	04	27.0050
05	27.0150	06	27.0250
07	27.0350	08	27.0550
09	27.0650	10	27.0750
11	27.0850	12	27.1050
13	27.1150	14	27.1250
15	27.1350	16	27.1550
17	27.1650	18	27.1750
19	27.1850	20	27.2050
21	27.2150	22	27.2250
23	27.2550	24	27.2350
25	27.2450	26	27.2650
27	27.2750	28	27.2850
29	27.2950	30	27.3050
31	27.3150	32	27.3250
33	27.3350	34	27.3450
35	27.3550	36	27.3650
37	27.3750	38	27.3850
39	27.3950	40	27.4050

Search bank: SR2 FRS/GMRS/MURS

Receive Mode: FM/Digital, CT or DC

24

Beyond the Basics

Ch.	Frequency	Ch.	Frequency
	(MHz)		(MHz)
01	462.5625	02	462.5875
03	462.6125	04	462.6375
05	462.6625	06	462.6875
07	462.7125	08	467.5625
09	467.5875	10	467.6125
11	467.6375	12	467.6625
13	467.6875	14	467.7125
15	462.5500	16	462.5750
17	462.6000	18	462.6250
19	462.6500	20	462.6750
21	462.7000	22	462.7250
23	151.8200	24	151.8800
25	151.9400	26	154.5700
27	154.6000

Search bank: SR3 Police/Fire band

Receive Mode: FM/Digital, CT or DC

Group	Frequency (MHz)	Step (kHz)
0	33.420 – 33.980	20
	37.020 – 37.420	20
	39.020 – 39.980	20
	42.020 – 42.940	20
	44.620 – 45.860	40
	45.880
	45.900
	45.940 – 46.060	40
	46.080 – 46.500	20

25

Beyond the Basics

1	153.770 – 154.130	60
	154.145 – 154.445	15
	154.650 – 154.950	15
	155.010 – 155.370	60
	155.415 – 155.700	15
	155.730 – 156.210	60
	158.730 – 159.210	60
	166.250
	170.150
2	453.0375 – 453.9625	12.5
	458.0375 – 458.9625	12.5
	460.0125 – 460.6375	12.5
	465.0125 – 465.6375	12.5
3	851.0125 – 860.9875	25
	866.0125 – 868.9875	12.5

Search bank: SR4 Aircraft

Receive mode: AM

Frequency (MHz)	Step (kHz)
108.000 – 136.9875	12.5

Search bank: SR5 Ham band

Receive mode: FM/Digital, CT, DC, AM (depends on group)

Group	Frequency (MHz)	Step (kHz)
0	28.0000 – 29.7000	5
1	50.0000 – 54.0000	5
2	144.0000 – 148.0000	5
3	222.0000 – 225.0000	5
4	420.0000 – 450.0000	12.5
5	1240.0000 –	6.25
	1300.0000

26