Radio Shack PRO-74 User Guide

Name: Radio Shack PRO-74
Brand: Radio Shack
SKU: 3213940
Rating: 4.6 (7 reviews)

4.6 (7)

Owner’s Manual

PRO-74 100-Channel

VHF/UHF/Air/800 MHz

Please read before using this equipment.

Cat. No. 20-513

Race Scanner

FEATURES

Your new RadioShack PRO-74 100-Channel VHF/UHF/Air/800 MHz Race Scanner lets you in on the action in the pits at the big race or on the streets of your home town. This scanner gives you direct access to more than 30,000 frequencies, including those used by participants and staff at auto races and air shows, by government agencies, police and fire departments, ambulance and transportation services, and amateur radio. You can select up to 100 channels for your scanner to scan, and you can change any of those selections at any tim e.

We have included a frequency guide with your PRO-74 that includes listing s by state for many of the frequencies you can liste n to.

Your scanner has these special features:

Quick-Track Memory

quencies used by the driver’s team into the scanner’s channels. You can recall any of those frequencies by entering the car’s number.

— lets you store a car’s number and any fre-

Two Supplied Antennas

— let you select the antenna that best meets your needs. The supplied stub antenna helps your scanner receive strong local signals and makes the scanner easy to carry and use at events, whi le the supplied flexible a ntenna provides excellent reception and is designed to help prevent antenna breakage.

Twelve Service Banks

— lets you search preset frequencies in separate auto racing, marine, VHF, aircraft, military, ham radio, government, UHF, TV, and 800 MHz banks, to make it easy to locate specific types of calls.

Weather Search

— lets you easily search the scanner’s 7 prepro-

grammed weather frequencies.

Ten Memory Banks

— let you store 10 channels in each of 10 banks

to group channels so you can more easily identify calls.

Priority Channels

— lets you program one channel in each bank (10 in all) and then have the scanner check it every 2 seconds so you don' t miss transmissions on that channel.

1998 Tandy Corporation.

RadioShack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.

Hypersearch is a trademark used by Tandy Corporation.

Hypersearch — lets you set the scanner to s earch at up t o 300 steps per second, to help you quickly find interesting broadcasts. (The normal search speed is 100 steps per second).

Two-Second Scan Delay — automatically del ays scanni ng for about 2 seconds before moving to another channel, so you can hear more replies.

Lock-Out Function — lets you set your scanner to skip over specified channels.

Direct Frequency Search — lets you search all frequencies, starting directly from a specified frequency.

Data Signal Skip — lets you set the scanner to skip non-modulated or data signals during searches. This lets the scanner avoid non-voice signals, making a search faster.

Search Skip — lets you set the scanner to skip up to 20 frequencies you select during searches. This lets the scanner avoid unwanted signals.

Three Power Options — let you power the scanner using alkaline or rech ar geab le nicke l-c ad mium ba tter ies , ext ern al A C p ower us ing an optional AC adapter/charger, or DC power using an optional DC adapter.

Memory Backup — keeps the frequencies stored in memory for up to 3 days if the PRO-74 loses power.

Key Confirmation Tones — t he scanner sound s a tone when you perform an operation correctly, and an error tone if you make an invalid entry. You can turn the key confirmation tone s on or off .

Display Backlight — makes the scanner easy to read in low-light situations.

Battery Low Alert — warns you when battery power gets low. Battery Save — saves battery power when the scanner does not de-

tect any transmissions for more than 5 seconds while a channel is manually select ed or whi le you are programming the scanner.

Key Lock — lets you lock the scanner's keys to help prevent accidental changes to the scanner's programming.

Resume Start — the scanner saves its settings when you turn the power off. This returns you to the function you were using if you accidentally turn the scanner off or the batter ies are weak.

Triple-Conversion Circuitry — virtually eliminates any interference from IF (intermediate frequency) images, so you hear only the selected frequency.

Your scanner can receive these bands:

Frequency Range (MHz)

Step (kHz)

Transmission

29–29.7 5 10-Meter Ham Band

29.7–50 5 VHF Lo 50–54 5 6-Meter Ham Band 108–136.975 12.5 Aircraft/Ai r Shows 137–144 5 Auto Racing, Aircraft/Air

Shows, Government , Motion Picture/Video Industry, Pro Sports Teams, Radio/TV Remote Broadcast

Pickup, Stadi ums/Venues 144–148 5 2-Meter Ham Band 148–174 5 VHF Hi 406–450 12.5 70-cm Ham Band and

Federal Government 450–470 12.5 UHF Standard Band 470–512 12.5 UHF “T” Band 806–823.9375 12.5 Public Servi ce “800” Band,

except cellular band 851–868.9375 12.5 UHF Hi

896.1125–956.000 12.5 UHF Hi

We recommend you record your scanner’s serial number here. The number is on the back panel.

Serial Number: ___________________________

FCC NOTICE

Your scanner might cause radio or TV interference even when it is operating properly. To determine whether your scanner is causing the interference, tu rn off you r sc anner. If the interfe rence goes away, your scanner is causing it. Try the following methods to eliminate the interference:

• Move your scanner away from the receiver

• Connect your scanner to an outlet that is on a different electrical circuit from the rec eiver

• Contact your local RadioShack store for hel p

Note:

Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in

some areas. Check the laws in your area.

SCANNING LEGALLY

Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different groups including police and fire departments, ambulance services, government agencies, private companies, amateur radio services, military oper ations, pager services, and wireline (telephone and telegraph) service providers. It i s legal to listen to almost every tr ansm ission your scanner can receive. However, there are some transmissions you should never intentionally listen to. These include:

• Telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other private means of telephone signal transmission)

• Pager transmissions

• Any scrambled or encrypted transmis sions

According to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), you are subject to fines and possible imprisonment for intentionally listening to, using, or divulging the contents of such a transmission unless you have the consent of a party to the communication (unless such activity is otherwise illegal).

This scanner has been designed to prevent reception of illegal transmissions. This is done to comply with the legal requirement that scanners be manufactured so as to not be easily modifi able to pick up those transmissions. Do not open your scanner's case to make any m odifications that could allow it t o pick up transmissions that it is not legal t o li sten to. Doing so could subject you to legal penalties. We encourage responsible, legal scanner use.

CONTENTS

Prepara tion ....... ... .......... ................. ......... ................. .......... .............. 9

Power Sources ............................................................................ 9

Using Internal Batteries ........................................................ 9

Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries .................................. 11

Using Standard AC Power ................................................. 12

Using Vehicle Battery Power .............................................. 13

Connecting an Antenna ............................................................ 14

Connecting an Optional Antenna ....................................... 15

Connecting an Extension Speaker ............................................ 16

Connecting an Earphone/Headphones ..................................... 16

Listening Safely ................................................................. 17

Traffic Safety ...................................................................... 17

Attaching the Belt Clip ............................................................... 17

Understanding Your Scanner ........................................................ 18

A Look at the Keypad .............. ............ ...................... ............ .... 18

A Look at the Display ............ .. .......... .. .......... .......... .......... ........ 20

Understanding Banks ................................................................ 22

Memory Banks ................................................................... 22

Service Banks .................................................................... 22

Operation ........................................................................................ 24

Turn ing On the Scanner and Setting Squelch ....... .. .......... ........ 24

Storing Known Frequencies into Channels ............... .......... ...... 25

Finding and Storing Active Frequencies ....... .......... .......... ........ 26

Searching the Service Banks ............................................. 26

Searching fro m a Selected Frequency .... ..................... ...... 27

Storing Active Frequencies ........ .......... .......... .......... .......... 28

Search Skip Memory ................................................................. 28

Manually Select ing a Channel ........ .......... .......... .. .......... .......... . 29

Scanning Channels ....................................... ...................... ...... 30

Deleting a Frequency from a Channel ...................................... 30

Listening t o W eather Broadcasts .............. ..................... .......... . 31

Using the PRO-74 at the Races ..................................................... 32

Storing a Car Number and Frequency .................. .......... .......... 32

Adding Frequencies to a Car Number ............................... 33

Viewing Frequencies Associated with a Car Number ........ 34

Deleting a Freque ncy from a Car Number ......................... 34

Scanning by Car Number ........... ...................... ...................... ... 34

Finding What Car Numbers are in What Channels ................... 35

Special Features ............................................................................. 36

Turning Memory Banks On and Off ........................................... 36

Locking Out Channels ......... .......................................... .. ........ .. 36

Priority ....................................................................................... 36

Using the Keylock ...................................................................... 38

Using the Display Backlight ....................................................... 38

Changing Search Speeds .. .......... .......... ..................... .......... ..... 38

Turning the Key Tone Off/On .......................... .. .......... .......... ..... 39

Turning the Battery Save Function Off/On ................................. 39

Skipping Data Signals .................................... .......... .......... ....... 40

A General Guide to Scanning ........................................................ 41

Guide to Frequencies ........... ..................... .......... .......... .......... .. 41

National Weather Frequencies ............................... .......... .. 41

Canadian Weather Frequencies ....... .......... .......... .............. 41

VHF FM Marine Frequencies ........................................ ..... 41

Birdie Frequencies ....... .......... .. .......... .......... .......... .......... .. 42

Guide to the Action Bands ........... ............ ...................... ............ 43

Typical Band Usage ............. .. .......... .......... .......... ........... ... 43

Primary Usage ....... ................................ ...................... ....... 44

Band Allocation ......... ...................... ...................... ............ ........ 44

Frequency Conversion .............................................................. 48

Trou bleshooting ................... ............ ...................... ...................... ... 49

Resetting the Scanner ............................................................... 50

Care and Maintenance .................................................................... 51

Specifications ................................................................................. 52

PREPARATION

POWER SOURCES

You can power your scanner from any of three sources:

• Internal batteri es (not supplied)

• Standard AC power using an optional AC adapter

• Vehicle battery power using an optional DC adapter

Using Internal Batteries

You can power your scanner using four AA batteries. For the longest operation and best performance, we recommend you use alkaline batteries (such as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-552).

You can also use four rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries (Cat. No. 23-125). Before you use nickel-cadmium batteries, you must charge them (see “Chargi ng Nickel-Cadmium Batt eries” on Page 10).

Follow these steps to install batteri es.

1. While pushing up the tab above the battery compartment cover on the back of the s canner, lift open the battery compartment cover to remove it.

2. If you are installing alkaline batteries, use a pointed object such as a pen to set ment to teries, set it to

ALKALINE

ALKALINE JACK NI-CD

. Or, if you are in stalling n ickel-cadmiu m bat-

NI-CD

inside the compart-

Warning: Never set

ALKALINE JACK NI-CD

NI-CD

if you are installing non-rechargeable batteries. Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot or explode if you try to recharge them.

3. Install two batteries in the compartment and two in the cover as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside those locations.

Cautions:

• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended

type.

• Always remove old or weak batteries. Batteries can leak chemi-

cals that destro y electronic circ uits.

• Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries

(alkaline or rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of different capacities.

4. Replace the cover.

BATT.Lo

flashes and the scanner beeps every 15 seconds, replace

(alkaline) or rech arge (rechargeable ni ckel-cadmium) the batteries.

Caution: Always dispose of old b atteries promptly and properly. Do not bury or burn them.

Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries

The scanner has a built-i n circu it that lets you rechar ge nickel -cadm ium batteries whil e they are in the scanner. To charge the batteries, set

KALINE JACK NI-CD

NI-CD

, install the nickel-cadmium batteries

in the scanner, and connect an external AC or DC adapter to the scan-

POWER

ner’s

jack (see “ U sing Standard AC Power” on Page 11 or “Us-

ing Vehicle Battery Power” on Page 12).

AL-

Warning:

Do not connect either adapter to the scanner if you have non-rechargeable batteries (such as alkaline batteries) installed in the scanner and

ALKALINE JACK NI-CD

is set to

NI-CD

, or you are unsure of the switch’s position. Non-rechargeable batteries will get hot and can even explode if you try to recharge them.

Before you use nickel-cadmium batteries for the first time, c harge them at least 24 hours to bri ng them to a full charge.

Discharged batteries take about 10 to 18 hours to fully recharge. It takes longer to fully charge them if you operate the scanner while you recharge them.

Notes:

• Nickel-cadmium bat terie s last longer and del iver more power if you occasionally let them fully discharge. To do this, simply use the scanner until it begins beeping every 15 seconds and

BATT.Lo

flashes.

• To prevent damaging nickel-cadmium batteries, never charge them in an area where the temperature is above 113°F or below 40°F.

Important:

At the end of a rechargeable battery’s usef ul life, it must be recycled or disposed of properly. Contact your local, county, or state hazardous waste management authorities for information on recycling or disposal programs in your area. Some options that might be available are: municipal cur b-side collec tion, drop- off box es at reta iler s such as your local RadioShack store, recycling collection centers, and mailback programs .

Using Standard AC Power

You can power the scanner from a standard AC outlet using an optional AC adapter (such as Cat. No. 273-1665).

Warning:

Do not use a n AC adapter’s polarized plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade expo sure.

Cautions:

• The recommended AC adapter supplies 9 volts and delivers at least 300 milliamps. It has a barrel plug with a center negative tip that correct ly fits the scanner’s

POWER

jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.

• To protect your scanner and AC adapter, always plug the adapter into the scanner before you plug it into the AC outlet, and always unplug the adapter from the AC outlet before you unplug it from the scanner.

• If batteries are installed, make sure

ALKALINE JACK NI-CD

is set to the correct position (see “Using Internal Batteries” on Page 8).

1. Turn

VOLUME

counterclockwise until it clicks to make sure power

is turned off.

2. Plug the adapter’s 3.4 mm outside diameter/1.3 mm inside diameter barrel plug into your scanner’s

POWER

jack.

3. Plug the other end of the adapter into a standard AC outl et.

Using Vehicle Battery Power

To power the scanner from your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket, you need a DC adapter, such as Cat. No. 270-1560.

Cautions:

• The DC adapter must be capable of delivering 9 volts and at least 300 milliamps, its center tip must be set to negative, and its barrel plug must correctly fit the scanner's mended adapte r meets these s pecifications . Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.

• To protect your vehicle's electrical system, always plug the adapter into the scanner before you plug it into your vehicle's cigarettelighter socket. Always unplug the adapter from the vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket before you unplug it from the scanner.

POWER

jack. The recom-

• If batteries are installed, make sure

ALKALINE JACK NI-CD

set to the correct position (see “Using Internal Batteries” on Page 8).

1. Turn

VOLUME

counterclockwise until it clicks to make sure power

is turned off.

2. Set the DC adapter’s voltag e switch to 9V.

3. Connect the adapter’s 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3 mm inner diameter tip to the adapter’s cord, matching TIP to –.

4. Plug the adapter’s barrel plug into your scanner’s

POWER

jack.

5. Plug the other end of the adapter into your vehicle’s cigarettelighter socket.

When you finish usi ng the DC adapter, disconnect it from the cigarettelighter socket, then disconnect it from your scanner.

Note: If the scanner does not operate properly when you connect a DC adapter, unplug the adapter from the cigarette-lighter socket and clean the socket to remove ashes and other debris.

CONNECTING AN ANTENNA

The supplied stub antenna helps your scanner receive most strong transmissions at events and makes the scanner easier to carry and use. The supplied flexible antenna provides slightly better reception and helps your scanner receive strong l o cal signals. You can attach either of the supplied antennas or an optional antenna to the scanner (see “Connecting an Optional Antenna” on Page 14).

Follow these st eps to attach either of the supplied ante nnas to the connector on the top of your scanner.

1. Align th e slots aro und the antenna’s connecto r with the tabs on the scanner’s BNC connector.

2. Slide the antenna’s connector down over the scanner’s connector and rotate the antenna connector’s outer ring clockwise until it locks into place.

Connecting an Optional Antenna

The scanner’s antenna jack makes it easy to use the scanner with a variety of antennas. Instead of either of the supplied antennas, you can attach a different one, such as an external mobile antenna or outdoor base station antenna. 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 over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If your antenna’s cable does not have a BNC connector, use a BNC adapter, available at your local RadioShack store.

Follow the installation instructions supplied with the antenna, route the antenna cable to the scanner, then connect it to the antenna lowing the steps in “Connecting an Antenna” on Page 13.

jack fol-

Warning:

antenna. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches a power line, contact with 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 .

Cautions

• Do not run the cable over sharp edges or moving parts.

• Do not run the cable next to power cabl es or other antenna cable s.

• Do not run the cable through a vehicle’s engine compartment or

• Follow all cautions and war nings included with the antenna.

Use extreme caution when installing or removing an outdoor

other areas that produce extreme heat.

CONNECTING AN EXTENSION SPEAKER

In a noisy area, an extension speaker (such as Cat. No. 21-549), positioned in t he right place, m ight provide more comfort able listeni ng. Plug the speaker cable’s

/8-inch mini-plug into your scanner’s jack.

CONNECTING AN EARPHONE/ HEADPHONES

For private listening, you can plug an earphone or headphones with a

/8-inch mini-plug (such as Cat. No. 33-178 or 20-210) into the jack on top of your scanner. This automatically disconnects the internal speaker.

Listening Safely

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

• Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended highvolume listen ing can lead to permanent hearing loss.

• Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin list ening, adjust the vol um e 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 mig ht still damage your hear ing.

Traffic Safety

Do not use an earphone/headphones with your scanner when operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle in or near traffic. Doing so can create a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some areas.

If you use an earphone/headphones wit h your scanner, be very careful. Do not lis ten to a continuous broadcas t. Even though som e earphones/ headphones let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a traffic hazard.

ATTACHING THE BELT CLIP

You can attach the supplied belt clip to make your scanner easier to use when you are on the go. Use a Phillips screwdriver and the two supplied screws to attach the belt clip to the scanner. Then slide the belt clip over your belt or waistband.

+ 36 hidden pages