Radio Shack PRO-89 User Manual

www.radioshack.com

PRO-89 200 Channel

VHF/Air/UHF/800MHz

Handheld Race Scanner

OWNER’S MANUAL — Please read before using this equipment.

Five Service Banks — Search preset frequencies in separate fire/police, air, ham radio,autorace, andmarinebanks, tomake it easy to locate specific types of calls.

Two-Second Scan/Search Delay — Delays scanning for 2 seconds before moving to another channel, so you can hear more replies.

Ten Channel-Storage Banks — Store up to 20 channels in each of 10 different banks, to group channels so you can more easily identify calls.

20 Monitor Memories — Temporarily save up to 20 frequencies located during a search, so you can move selected frequencies to channel storage later.

Memory Backup — Keeps the channel frequenciesstored inmemoryfor about 1 hour during a power loss.

Triple Conversion Superheterodyne Receiver — Eliminates interference from intermediate frequency (IF) images, so you hear only the frequency you select.

HyperSearch and HyperScan —Set the scanner to search at up to 50 steps per second and scan at up to 25 channels per second, to quickly find interesting transmissions.

Duplicate Frequency Check — Automatically notifies you if you are about to store a frequency you have already stored, to help avoid wasting storage space.

Direct Search — Search for new and unlisted frequencies starting from a specified frequency.

20-514

IMPORTANT

If an icon appears at the end of a paragraph, go to the box on that page

with the corresponding icon for pertinent information.

— Warning

Ó —Hint Ô —Note

RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used

— Important  —Caution

by RadioShackCorporation.

CONTENTS

FCC Notice .................. 4

Scanning Legally ......... 4

Preparation .................. 6

Features

Installing Batteries . 6

Using AC Power .... 7

Using Vehicle Battery

Power ..................... 8

ChargingRecharge-

able Batteries ......... 9

Connecting an

Antenna ................. 9

Connecting Earphone/

Headphones ........ 11

Listening Safely ... 12

Traffic Safety ........ 12

Connecting an

Extension Speaker 13 Understanding the

Scanner ..................... 13

A Look at the

Keypad ................. 14

A Look at the

Display ................. 16

Understanding Banks 19

Channel Storage

Banks ................... 19

Service Banks ...... 19

Monitor Memories 24

Operation ................... 25

TurningOnthe

Scanner/Setting

Volume and

Squelch ................ 25

Storing Known

Frequencies into

Channels .............. 25

Findingand Storing

Active Frequencies 26

Using Monitor

Memory ................ 30

Scanning the Stored

Channels .............. 31

Turning Channel

Storage Banks Off

and On ................. 31

Monitoring a Stored

Channel ............... 32

Clearing a Stored

Channel ............... 32

Clearing all Stored

Channels .............. 33

Clearing all Locked-

Out Channels ....... 33

Listeningtothe

Marine Bank ......... 33

Listeningtothe

Weather Band ...... 34

(continued)

Other features include: Priority Channel — Designate a

channel to scan every two seconds so you do not miss important calls.

Weather Band Key — Scans seven preprogrammed weather frequencies to keep you informed about current weather conditions.

Weather Alert — Automatically soundsthe alarm tone to advise of hazardous weather conditions when it detects the alert signal on the local NOAA weather channel.

Lock-Out Function —Setthe scanner to skip over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or searching.

Key Lock — Lock the scanner’s keys to prevent accidentally changing the scanner’s programming.

Two Supplied Antennas with BNC Connector — 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. The supplied flexible antenna provides excellent reception of weaker signals and is designed to help prevent antenna breakage.

Liquid Crystal Display — Makes it easy to view and change programming information.

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

Three Power Options —Power the scanner from internal batteries (non-rechargeablebatteries, rechargeable Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) or regular or highcapacity Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium) batteries), external AC power (using optional adapters), or vehicle battery power (using optional adapters).

Thank you for purchasing the RadioShack 200-Channel VHF/ Air/UHF/800 MHz Handheld Race Scanner. It lets you in on all the action in the pits or on the track at the big race. This scanner gives you direct access to over 33,500 frequencies, including those used by participants and staff at auto races,policeand fire departments, ambulance services, and amateur radio services. You can select up to 200 channels to scan, and you can change your selection at any time.

Your scanner can receive all of these frequencies:

• 29–54 MHz

• 108–136.9875 MHz

• 137–174 MHz

• 380–512 MHz

• 806–823.9875 MHz

• 849–868.9875 MHz

• 894–960 MHz

This Owner’s Manual also includes the section “A General Guide to Scanning” on Page 52 to

Scanning at the Races 35

Storing a Car Number

and Frequency ..... 36

Adding Frequencies to

a Car Number ...... 37

Adding a Car Number

to the Channel ..... 38

Changing the Stored

Car Number ......... 38

Viewing Frequencies Associated with a Car

Number ................ 39

Deleting a Frequency from a Car Number 39 Scanning by Car

Number ................ 40

Finding Car Numbers Associated with

Channels .............. 40

Special Features ........ 41

Delay .................... 41

Locking Out Channels

or Frequencies ..... 42

Using Priority ....... 44

Using Power Save 45 Using the Display

Backlight .............. 46

Turning the Key Tone

On and Off ........... 46

Using the Key Lock 47 Resetting/Initializing

the Scanner ......... 47

Wired/On-Air

Programming ............. 48

Using Wired

Programming ....... 49

Using On-Air

Programming ....... 50

A General Guide

to Scanning ............... 52

Guide to

Frequencies ......... 52

Guide to the Action

Bands ................... 54

Band Allocation .... 55

Care ........................... 65

Service and Repair .... 65

Troubleshooting ......... 66

Specifications ............ 67

Features

help you target frequency ranges inyourserviceareasoyoucan search for a wide variety of transmissions.

FCC NOTICE

Your scanner might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine whether your scanner is causing the interference, turn off your scanner. If the interference goes away, your scanner is causing it. Try to eliminate the interference

FCC Notice

by:

• moving your scanner away from the receiver

• connectingyourscannertoan outlet that is on a different electrical circuit from the receiver

• contacting your local RadioShack store for help

If you cannot eliminate the interference,the FCC requiresthat you stop using your scanner.

Ô NOTE Ô

Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some areas. Check the laws in your area.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) This device must not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

SCANNING LEGALLY

Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different groups

including police and fire departments,ambulanceservices, government agencies, private companies, amateur radio services, military operations, pager services, and wireline (telephone and telegraph) service providers. It is legal to listen to almost every transmission your scanner can receive. However, there are some transmissions you shouldnever intentionallylisten to. These include:

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

• pager transmissions

• any scrambled or encrypted transmissions

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).

Scanning Legally

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 modifiable to pick up those transmissions. Do not open your scanner’s case to make any modifications that could allow it to pick up transmissions thatit is not legal to listen to. Doing

Ô NOTES Ô

• Dispose of old batteries pr ompt ly and properly.

• Do not burn or bury batteries.

• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended type.

• Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries(standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of different capacities.

• If you do not plan to us e the scanner for a month or more, remove the batteries. Batteries can leak chemicals that can destroy electronic parts.

WARNING o

Never install nonrechargeable batteries in the yellow rechargeable battery holder. Nonrechargeable batteries can get hot or explode if you try to recharge them.

 CAUTION 

The batteryholder fits only one way inside the

Preparation

battery compartment. Do not force it.

so could subject you to legal penalties.

We encourage responsible, legal scanner use.

PREPARATION

INSTALLING BATTERIES

You can power your scanner with four AA batteries (not supplied). Ô

You can use either the black nonrechargeable battery holder or the yellowrechargeablebatteryholder (both supplied) to hold the batteries. If you use the yellow battery holder, we recommend nickel-cadmiumor nickel-metal hydride batteries (not supplied).

1. Press down on the battery compartment cover then slide the cover in the direction of the arrow to remove it.

2. If you are using nonrechargeable batteries, place them into the black holder, as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked on the holder.Or,if you areusing rechargeable batteries, place them into the yellow holder as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked on the holder.

3. Place the battery holder into the battery compartment.



4. Replace the cover.

When flashes on the display

and the scanner beeps, or if the scanner stops operating properly, replace the batteries.

USING AC POWER

You can power the scanner using a 9V, 300-mA AC adapter and a size B Adaptaplug adapter (neither supplied). Both are available at your local RadioShack store.

Cautions:

•You must use a Class 2 power

source that supplies 9V DC and delivers at least 300 mA. Its center tip must be settopositiveanditsplug must fit the scanner's PWR DC 9V jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specificationscould 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 AC power before you disconnect it from the scanner.

To power the scanner using an AC adapter, attach the Adaptaplug to the AC adapter so the tip reads positive (+), then insert the Adaptaplug into the scanner’s PWRDC9Vjack. Connect the other end of the adapter to a standard AC outlet.

Preparation

Ô NOTE Ô

Ifyouuseacigarettelighter power cable and your vehicle’s engine is running, you might hear electrical noise from the engine while scanning. This is normal.

Preparation

USING VEHICLE BATTERY

OWER

You can power the scanner from a vehicle’s 12V power source (such as a cigarette-lighter socket) using a 9V, 300-mA DC adapter and a size B Adaptaplug (neither supplied). Both are available at your local RadioShack store.

Cautions:

•You must use a power source that

supplies regulated 9V DC and delivers at least 300 mA. Its center tip must be settopositiveanditsplug must fit the scanner's PWR DC 9V jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specificationscould damage the scanner or the adapter.

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

To power the scanner using a DC adapter, attach the Adaptaplug to the DC adapter so the tip reads positive (+), set the adapter’s voltage switch to 9V, then insert the Adaptaplug into the scanner’s PWRDC9Vjack. Plug the other end of the DC adapter into your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.

CHARGING

ECHARGEABLE

R B

ATTERIES

Your scanner has a built-in charging circuit that lets you charge rechargeablebatteries while they are in the scanner. To charge rechargeablebatteries, you need to use an AC adapter which supplies 9V (RadioShack Cat. No. 273-1767) or a DC adapter which supplies 10V (RadioShack Cat. No. 273-1830). Connect a size B Adaptaplug to the adapter’s cable with the tip set to positive then insert the Adaptaplug into the scanner’s PWRDC9Vjack.

It takes between 14 and 16 hours to recharge Ni-MH or 7 and 8 hours to recharge Ni-Cd batteries that are fully discharged. You can operate the scanner while recharging the batteries, but charging takes longer.

CONNECTING AN

NTENNA

Connecting a Supplied Antenna

You must install an antenna before you can operate the scanner.

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 local signals.

Ô NOTE Ô

• Do not overcharge Ni-Cd batteries. Overcharging causes them to get hot and shortens their life.

• Ni-Cd batteries last longer and deliver more power if you occasionally let them fully discharge. To do this, simply use the scanner until flashesonthe display and the scanner beeps. Then fully charge the batteries.

IMPORTANT

The EPA certified

RBRC Battery Recycling Seal on the nickelcadmium(Ni-Cd) battery indicates RadioShack is voluntarily participating in an industry program to collect and recycle these batteries at the end of their useful life, when taken out of service in the United States or Canada. The RBRC programprovides a convenientalternative to placing used Ni-Cd batteries into the trash or the municipal waste stream, which may be illegal in your area. Pleasecall1-800-THESHACK (1-800-843-

7422) for information on

Ni-Cd battery recycling and disposal bans/ restrictions in your area. RadioShack’s involvement in this programis part of the company’s commitment to preservingour environment and conserving our natural resources.

Preparation

1. Align the slots around the antenna’s connector with the tabs on the antenna jack.

2. Press the antenna down over the jack and turn the antenna’s base clockwise until it locks into place.

Connecting an Outdoor Antenna

Insteadof a supplied antenna, you can connect an outdoor basestation or mobile antenna (not supplied) to your scanner using a BNC connector. Your local RadioShack store sells a variety of antennas. Choose the one that best meets your needs.

When deciding on a mobile or base-station antenna and its location, consider these points:

• The antenna should be as high as possible on the vehicle or building.

Preparation

• The antenna and its cable should be as far as possible from sources of electrical noise, such as appliances or other radios.

• The antenna should be vertical for the best performance.

Alwaysuse 50 Ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect the base-station or mobile antenna. For lengths over 50 feet, useRG-8low-lossdielectric coaxial cable. If the antenna cable’s connector does not fit in the scanner’s antenna jack, you might also need a PL-259-to-BNC antenna plug adapter. Your local RadioShack store carries a wide variety of coaxial antenna cable and connectors.



Once you choose an antenna, follow the mounting instructions supplied with the antenna, after removing a supplied antenna. Then route the antenna’s cable to the scanner and connect the cable to the scanner’s antenna jack.

CONNECTING AN E

ARPHONE/HEADPHONES

For private listening, you can connect an earphone or headphones with a mm)plugtothe jackonthetop of the scanner. (Your local RadioShack store carries a wide selection of earphones and headphones). Connecting an earphone or headphones

/8-inch (3.5-

 CAUTION 

• Do not run the cable ov er sharp edges or moving parts that might damage it.

• Do not run the cable next to power cables or other antenna cables.

WARNING o

Use extreme caution when you install or remove an outdoor antenna. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches a power line, contact with the antenna, mast, cable,or guy wires can cause electrocution and death. Call the power companyto remove the antenna. DO NOT attempttodoso yourself.

Preparation

automatically disconnects the internal speaker.

LISTENING SAFELY

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

• Setthevolumetothelowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening,adjust the volume to a comfortable level.

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

• Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing.

Preparation

TRAFFIC SAFETY

• Do not use an earphone or headphones with your scanner when operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycleinor near traffic.Doing

so can create a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some areas.

• If you use an earphone or headphones with your scannerwhile riding a bicycle, be very careful. Do not listen to a continuous transmission. Eventhoughsomeearphones or headphones let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a traffic hazard.

CONNECTING AN

XTENSION SPEAKER

In a noisy area, an amplified extension speaker (available at your local RadioShack store) might provide more comfortable listening. Plug the speaker cable’s

/8-inch (3.5-mm) plug into your

scanner’s jack.

Ô NOTE Ô

Connecting an external speaker disconnects the scanner’s internal speaker.

Understanding the Scanner

UNDERSTANDING THE SCANNER

Onceyou understanda few simple terms used in this manual and familiarize yourself with your scanner’s features, you can put

the scanner to work for you. You

Understanding the Scanner

simply determine the type of communications you want to receive, then set the scanner to scan them.

A frequency is the tuning location of a station (expressed in kHz or MHz).Tofindactivefrequencies, you can use the search function.

You can also search the service- search banks, which are preset groups of frequencies categorized by type of service.

When you find a frequency, you can store it into a programmable memory location called a channel, which is grouped with your other channels in a channel-storage bank.Youcanthenscan the channel-storage banks to see if there is activity on the frequencies stored there. Each time the scanner finds an active frequency, it stays on that channel until the transmission ends.

NOTE Ô

Some of the scanner’s keys perform more than one function and are marked with more than one label. The steps in this Owner’s Manual show only the label on the key appropriate to the action being performed.

A LOOK AT THE KEYPAD

If your scanner’s keys seem confusing at first, the following illustration and information should help you understand each key’s function.

Key Function

CAR Store car numbers and frequencies in the

scanner’s channels, add and delete frequencies from car numbers, display car numbers, and listen to the channel where a car number is stored. Eac h time you press

CAR, you see the following information:

- Manual Mode

- Car Number Input Mode

- Car Number Display Mode

- Car Number Input Mode

- Manual Mode

BAND Search the scanner’s preprogrammed

PRI/ALERT Turns the priority feature on and off; turns

WX Scans the seven preprogr ammed weather

SCAN Scans any prog rammed channels. MAN Stopsscanning and lets you directly enter a

Number Keys Each key has single-digit (0 to 9) and a

( / ) Searches up or down for active frequencies

L/O RVW/L/O Reviews locked-out frequencies; lets you

MON/CL Lets you listen to frequencies stored in the

LIGHT/ Locks and unlocks the keypad to prevent

PGM Programs frequencies into channels. DELAY

/•

ENT (enter) Enters frequencies into channels.

service-search banks.

the W X alert mode on and off.

channels.

channel nu mber.

range o f numbers. Use the single digits to enter a channel or frequency. The range of numbers above the key (21–40 for example) indicate the channels that make up a channel-storage bank. See “Understanding Banks” on Page 19.

or selects the direction when scanning channels.

lock out selected channels or frequencies.

20 monitor memories; cle ars an incorrect entry.

accidental entries; turns the backlight on and off.

Programs a 2-second delay for the selected channel; enters a decimal point.

Understanding the Scanner

A LOOK AT THE DISPLAY

L/O

Understanding the Scanner

Scanner

Status

BANK

MRN

CAR#

FD/PD

AIR

HAM

( / )

(lockout)

Description

Appears when you lock the keypad. Appears wit h numbers (1–10) to indicate the

scan bank. B ank numbers with a bar under them show which banks are turned on for scanning (see “Understanding Banks” on Page 19).

Indicates that the scanner is searching the marine service bank.

Appears when you store car numbers and frequencies into the scanner’s channels, add and delete frequencies from car numbers, display car numbers, and move to the channel where a ca r number is stored.

Indicates that the scanner is searching the weather channels.

Indicates that the scanner is searching the fire/ police service bank.

Indicates that the scanner is searching the air service bank.

Indicates that the scanner is searching the amateur radio s ervice bank.

Indicates the sear ch o r scan direction. Flashes w ith a number (1–20) to show which

monitor m emory you are listening to. Appears wit h digits (1–200) or P and a

frequency to show which channel the scanner is tuned to.

Appears when the batteries are low. Appears when you manually select a channel

thatwas previously locked out during scanning or w hen you review a locked-o u t frequency.

SRCH

SCAN MAN PGM

PRI DLY Error

-dUPL-

-d-

-b-

CAr

CAr No. _ _ _ Ch-FULL

F L-out

FLo-FULL

L-r

dEFAULt

FLo ALL-CL

L-o Ch0000

Lo ALL-CL

ALL Ch0000

Appears during service bank and direct frequency searches.

Appears when the scanner scans channels. Appears when you manually select a channel. Appears when you program frequencies into

the scanner’s channels. Appears when the priority feature is turned on.

Appears when you program a 2-second delay. Appears when you make an entry error. Appears when you try to store a frequency that

is already stored in another channel. Appears during a direct frequency search.

Appears during a service bank frequency search (except auto race and marine bank).

Appears when you listen to the car race service bank.

Appears when you input the car number. Appears when you try to enter a frequency into

a channel during a search when all channels are full.

Appears when you start a direct search from a locked-out frequency.

Appears when you try to lock out a frequency during a search when 50 frequencies are already lo cked out.

Appears when you review the locked-out frequencies.

Appears when you remove all the lock-outs from the service bank frequencies.

Appears when you remove all the locked-out frequencies during a service bank or direct search.

Appears when you clear all locked-out channels.

Appears when you remove all lockouts from channels.

Appears when you clear all stored channels.

Understanding the Scanner

Appears when the scanner is tuned to the priority channel.

ALErt

Understanding the Scanner

On Air

WirEd

StArt

Appears when the weather alert is on. Appears w hen you set on-air programmi ng

mode to program frequencies into your scanner.

Appears when you set wired programming mode to program frequencies into your scanner.

Appears when the scanner starts wired or onair prog ramming

C-Err

d-Err

End

oFF tonE on tonE P.-SA

on P.-SA oFF P.-SA

Appears when the scanner receives a checksum error during wired or on-air programming.

Appears when the scanner receives a data error during wired or on-air programming.

Appears when the scanner has finished wired or on-air programming.

Appears when you turn off the key tone. Appears when you turn on the key tone. Appears when the power save function is

turned on. Appears when you turn on power save.

Appears when you turn off power save.

UNDERSTANDING BANKS

CHANNEL STORAGE

ANKS

To make it easier to identify and select the channels you want to listen to, channels are divided into 10 banks of 20 channels each. Use each channel-storagebank to group frequencies, such as those usedby the police department, fire department, ambulance services, or aircraft (see “Guide to the Action Bands” on Page 54).

For example, the police department might use four frequencies, one for each side of town. You could program the police frequencies starting with Channel 1 (the first channel in bank 1) and program the fire department frequencies starting with Channel 21 (the first channel in bank 2).

Understanding Banks

SERVICE BANKS

The scanner is preprogrammed with the frequencies allocated by auto racing, fire/police, aircraft, ham radio, and marine services. This is handy for quickly finding active frequencies instead of searching through an entire band (see “Searching the Service Banks” on Page 26).

NOTE Ô

The frequencies in the scanner’s service banks are preset. You cannot change them.

Auto Racing

Group Frequency Range (MHz)

1 150.995–151.995 5

152.870–153.725 5

154.490–154.625 5 2 460.000–470.000 12.5 3 851.0375

Understanding Banks

851.6625

852.0375

852.1875

853.1625

853.2625

853.4875

854.2625

854.2875

854.7875

855.0375

855.2875

855.5125

855.5625

855.5875

855.7375

855.7875

856.7875

856.9125

857.8375

858.7375

858.7875

858.8375

859.8375

865.6125

865.6625

865.7125

936.2125

937.1500

937.2000

937.2875

Step

(kHz)

–

Fire/Police

Group Frequency Range (MHz)

1 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

2 153.770–154.130 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

Step

(kHz)

Understanding Banks

158.730–159.210 60

166.250 –

170.150 –

3 453.0375–453.9625 12.5

458.0375–458.9625 12.5

460.0125–460.6375 12.5

465.0125–465.6375 12.5

4 856.2125–860.9875 25

866.0125–868.9875 12.5

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