Radio Shack TRC-501 User Manual

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Cat. No. 21-1701

OWNER’S MANUAL

Please read before using this equipment.

TRC-501

40-Channel 2-Way CB Radio

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INTRODUCTION

Your RadioShack TRC-501 40­Channel 2-Way CB Radio is a high
performance CB with the maximum
legally allowable power and innova­tive styling.

This CB is perfect for recreational,
business, or emergency use. You
can call other people who have CBs
at home, in their vehicles, or at camp
sites. You can also connect optional
equipment to your CB, such as an
external PA speaker, or a DC power
supply and base station antenna to
set up a base station in your home.

Your CB has these features:

PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) Fre­quenc

liable and exact tuning using a
precise frequency reference crystal.

Two Ce ramic Filter s

perior selectivity and prevent adja­cent-channel interference.

nthesizer

— prov ide s re -

— provide su-

Automatic Noise Limitin
Circuit

nearby electrical equipme nt such as
motors or automotive ignition sys­tems.

DOWN/UP Channel Selector

provides maximum convenience

when selecting channels.

LED Displa

the selected channel number.

Universal Mountin

lets you mount your CB securely in
your vehicle or on a table or shelf in
your home.

Note:

mobile or base station antenna. Your
local Radio Shack store has a wide
variety of antennas.

— reduces noise cau sed by

lets you easily see

—

To use this CB, you need a

(ANL)

Bracket

—

—

H

steresis Squelch Circuit

compensates for fading signals and
eliminates signal chopping during re­ception.

RadioShack is a trademark used by Tandy Corporation.

2

—

© 1996 Tandy Corporation.

All Rights Reserved.

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

Serial Number_________________

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FCC INFORMATION

The Federal Communications Com­mission (FCC) does not require you
to have a license to operate this CB.
However, the FCC does require you
to read and know Part 95 of

Rules

. These rules apply to the oper­ation of a Class D CB. We have pro­vided a copy of these regulations
with your CB.

Warnin

make any internal adjustments. Inter­nal adjustments m ust be made only
by authorized service personnel.

Internal adjustments and/or modifi­cations can lead to illegal operation
as defined b y Part 95 of
Such illegal operation can lead to
very serious consequences.

To be safe and sure:

• Never open your CB’s case.

• Never modify your CB.

Do not open your CB to

:

FCC Rules

FCC

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

• Moving your CB away from the
receiver.

• Contacting your local Ra­dioShack store for help.

If you cannot eliminate the interfer­ence, the FCC requires that you stop
using your CB.

.

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CONTENTS

Installation ........................................................................................................5

Mounting the Microphone Holder ................................................................5

Connecting the Microphone ........................................................................5

Mounting the TRC-501 ................................................................................5

Connecting an Antenna ...............................................................................6

Selecting an Antenna ...........................................................................6

Connecting the Antenna ....................................................................... 7

Connecting an Optional External Speaker .................................................. 7

Connecting Power .......................................................................................8

Using Vehicle Battery Power ................................................................8

Using the CB as a Base Station ...........................................................8

Operation ..........................................................................................................9

Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch .......................................9

Transmitting ..............................................................................................10

CB Operation Tips .....................................................................................10

Common Uses for a CB Radio ...........................................................10

CB Courtesy .......................................................................................11

Maximum Range ................................................................................11

Using Common 10-Codes ..................................................................12

Troubleshootin

Reducing Noise .........................................................................................14

Maintenance ...................................................................................................15

Replacing the Fuse ...................................................................................16

Specifications ................................................................................................17

4

............................................................................................13

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INSTALLATION

MOUNTING THE
MICROPHONE HOLDER

Using a Phil lips s crewdr iver an d the
supplied small screws and small
metal washers, attach the supplied
microphone holder horizontally or
vertically to either side of the CB.

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CONNECTING THE
MICROPHONE

Make sure the pins on the micro­phone cable’s plug are aligned with
the holes in the CB’s microphone
jack on the front of transceiver and
insert the plug into the jack.

Caution:

microphone cable.

Never pull on the

MOUNTING THE
TRC-501

The mo st comm on mo unt ing loc at ion
for this CB is under a vehicle’s dash­board. However, if you use the TRC­501 as a base station, you can place
it on a desk, shelf, or t able (see “Us ­ing the CB as a Base Station” on
Page 8).

If you are mounting the CB in a vehi­cle, choose a location where:

• You can easily reach the CB.

• Wires and cables will not inter­fere with the vehicle’s pedals or
other moving parts.

• The CB is not directly in front of
heating vents.

• All wires and cables will reach
their connection points.

To disconnect the microphone cable,
press and hold down the small tab on
the microphone plug, then pull out
the plug.

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Caution:

vehicle, mount it securely to avoid
damage to the CB or vehicle during
sudden starts or stops.

If you use the TRC-501 in a

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Follow these steps to mount the CB
using the supplied hardware.

1. Using the mounting b racket as a
template, mark the posi tions for
the three screw holes.

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2. In each marked location, drill a
hole slightly smaller than the
supplied large screws.

Caution: Be careful not to drill
into anything b ehind the mount ­ing surface.

3. Using a Phillips screwdriver,
attach the mounting bracket to
the mounting surface with the
large screws and supplied lock
washers.

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4. Attach the CB to the mounting
bracket using the rubber wash­ers and mounting knobs.

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CONNECTING AN
ANTENNA

Caution: To prevent damage to your

CB, you must connect an antenna to
the CB before you operate it.

Selecting an Antenna

Although this CB is designed for mo­bile use, you can also use it as a
base station. When deciding on a
mobile or base-station antenna and
its location, consider these points:

• For the best performance, the
antenna should be vertical and
located as high as possible.

• The antenna a nd antenna cab le
should be as far as possible
from sources of electrical noise
(ignition systems, gauges, etc.).

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Your local RadioShack store sells a
variety of CB antennas (for bo th mo­bile and base-station use), coaxial
antenna cable, and connectors.

Connecting the Ant enna

Once you choose an antenna, follow
the mounting instructions supplied
with it.

Warnin

you install or remove a base station
CB antenna. If the antenna starts to
fall, let it go! It could contact over­head power lines. If the antenna
touches the po wer line, contact wi th
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.

Then route the antenn a cable to the
CB and connect the c able to the

TENNA

Use extreme caution when

:

jack on the back of the CB.

AN-

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

• Do not run the cable through a
vehicle’s engine compartment or
other areas that produce
extreme heat.

CONNECTING AN
OPTIONAL EXTERNAL
SPEAKER

To make the CB easier to hear in
noisy environments, you can connect
it to an external CB speak er. Us e an
8-ohm speaker capable of handling
3–5 watts of power (such as Ra­dioShack Cat. No. 21-549). The
speaker’s cable must have a
plug.

Simply plug the speaker cable into

EXT 8

the CB’s

Ω jack.

1

/8-inch

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Speaker Cable

When you connect an external

Note:

Cautions:

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

speaker, the CB’s internal speaker
automatically disconnects.

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CONNECTING POWER

You can power this CB from your ve­hicle’s battery or from standard AC
power with an optional DC power
supply (such as Cat. No. 22-120).

Using Vehicle Battery P o wer

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1. Connect the C B’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 vehi ­cle’s fuse box.

2. Connect the CB’s orange wire,
with in-line fuse, to a source of
voltage that supplies constant
positive (+) power, or directly to
your vehicle’s positive (+) bat­tery terminal. This connection i s
for memory back-up.

3. Connect the CB’s black wire to
your vehicle battery’s negative
(

) terminal, or a metal part of

–

the vehicle’s frame that is not
insulated from the frame by a
plastic part

Using the CB as a
Base Station

Caution:

supplies plug into a standard AC out­let to produce DC power. Before con­necting your CB to a 12-volt DC
power supply, read and follow the in­structions provided with the power
supply.

Most 12-volt DC power

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1. Connect the CB’s red and
orange wires, each with in-line
fuses, to the DC power supply’s
positive (+) terminal.

2. Connect the CB’s black wire to
the DC power supply’s negative
(

) terminal.

–

3. Plug the power supply’s cord
into a standard AC outlet.

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OPERATION

Before you start using your CB, you
should know how to use it effectively
and courteously. “CB Operation
Tips” on Page 10 has information
that will help you use and enjoy y our
CB.

RECEIVING
TRANSMISSIONS AND
ADJUSTING SQUELCH

Caution:

CB without first connecting an anten­na to it.

1. Turn

Do not attempt to use your

SQUELCH

clockwise.

fully counter-

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2. To t urn on the CB, turn
clockwise until you hear it click
and you hear a hissing sound.
The CB displays a channel num­ber.

VOLUME

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Note:

unwanted, partial, or very weak
transmissions, turn
clockwise to decrease the CB’s
sensitivity to these signals. If
you want to listen to a we ak or
distant station, turn
counterclockwise.

4. Adjust
listening level.

5. Press
channel numbers or
higher channel numbers. The
channel number appears on the
display.

If the CB picks up

SQUELCH

SQUELCH

VOLUME

DOWN

to a comfortable

to select lower

UP

to select

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Important!

reserved for motorist assistance
and for reporting emergency
information about accidents,
hazardous road conditions, and
so on. Always give emergency
messages priority on Channel 9.

6. To turn off the TRC-501, turn

VOLUME

you hear it click.

Channel 9 is

counterclockwise until

3. Turn

SQUELCH

the hissing sound stops.

clockwise until

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TRANSMITTING

We recommend you try receiving
transmissions before you transmit.

1. Follow Steps 1–5 under “Receiv­ing Transmissions and Adjusting
Squelch.”

2. Hold the microphone 2 or 3
inches from your mouth. Then
press and hold down the micro­phone talk button and speak into
the microphone in a normal
voice. The TX indicator turns on.

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CB OPERATION TIPS

Like most activities, CB radio has its
customs and courtesies. The follow­ing tips will help you get the most en­joyment from your CB.

Common Uses for a CB
Radio

Business Uses

• Truck drivers and delivery per­sonnel can learn road and traffic
conditions and get assistance in
locating destinations. A CB is
also good company on those
“long hauls.”

• On construction crews, a CB
quickly pays for itself when you
are calling for additional materi­als or coordinating the ac tivities
of different work crews.

Note:

when transmitting. It does not
make your signal any stronger,
and might distort your transmis­sion.

3. When you finish transmitting,
release the microphone talk but ­ton. The TX indicator turns off.
You can now receive transmis­sions.

4. To turn off the TRC-501, turn

VOLUME

you hear it click.

10

Do not speak too loudly

counterclockwise until

• For security officers, a CB is
more than a convenience — it is
a must for both safety and effi­ciency.

Personal Uses

• Keep in touch with home while
driving to work, to the store, or to
a social activity. Let your family
know you are tied up in traffic or
that you will stop by the store on
the way home.

• If you are a two-car (or more)
family, CBs are great for com­municating with family members
while they are in their cars.

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• Contact friends or neighbors —
find out “what’s happening” or
plan a get-together.

• Ever have car trouble or run out
of gas on the hig hway ? W hat an
assurance it is to be able to
radio for assistance!

• Camping, fishing, and other
sports are more fun with a CB.
Locate a buddy or find out
“what’s cooking” back at camp.

CB Courtesy

• Wait for a pause in someone
else’s transmission before you
ask for a break.

• If you do not receive an ans wer
to your call after a second
attempt, sign off and wait sev­eral minutes before trying again.

• Do not hold down the micro­phone talk button when you are
not talking. (This is called

keying

.)

• Assist callers with directions,
information about road condi­tions, and any other reasonable
requests.

dead

Maximum Range

The maximum range and quality of
CB transmissions vary depending on
these conditions:

• The type and quality of antenna
used.

• The height of the antenna’s
mounting location — the higher
the antenna, the better the sig­nal’s range.

• The surrounding terrain —
mountains and tall buildings limit
the range.

• Weather conditions.

• The number of nearby CBs
operating on the same channel.

• Standing wave ratio (SWR)
between the antenna and the
CB. You can check the SWR
between the CB an d a mobile or
base-station antenna using an
SWR tester (Cat. No. 21-523).
Follow the instructions supplied
with the SWR tester and the
mobile or base-station antenna
to change the SWR, if neces­sary.

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Using Common 10-Codes

Citizen’s band operators have largely
adopted the 10-codes for standard
questions and answers. These
codes permit faster communication
and better intelligibility in noisy ar­eas.

These tables list the codes adopted
by the Associated Public Safety
Communications Officers (APCO ).

Code Meaning

10-1 Cannot understand your

messa
10-2 Your si
10-3 Stop transmit ti n
10-4 Messa

understood.
10-5 Relay information to

________________.
10-6 I am busy or are you

busy?
10-7 Out of service.
10-8 In service.

e.

nal is good.

.

e received and

Code Meaning

10-14 Information.
10-15 Messa
10-16 Reply to messa
10-17 En route.
10-18 Ur
10-19 Contact ____________.
10-20 What is your location?
10-21 Call ___________ by tele-

phone.
10-22 Cancel last messa
10-23 Arrived at the scen e.
10-24 Assi
10-26 Estimated ti me of arri val is

________________ ____.
10-30 Use caution.
10-31 Pick up.
10-33 Emer

the channel.
10-34 What time is it?

e deliver e d.

e.

ent.

e.

nment complete.

ency traffic. Clear

10-9 Repeat last messa
10-10 Ne
10-11 ____________ i n service.
10-12 Stand by.
10-13 Report ____________

ative (No).

conditions.

e.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

If your CB is not working as it should, follow the suggestions below to see if you
can eliminate the problem. If you cannot, take the CB to your local RadioShack
store for assistance.

mptom:

S

Trouble with reception • The CB is turned on.

VOLUME

•

SQUELCH

•

• The microphone is securely connect ed to the
CB.

• The antenna cable is securely connected to
both the antenna and the CB.

Trouble with
transmission

CB does not work at all The power supply (either vehicle or 12V DC) is

• The CB is turned on.

• The microphone is securely connect ed to the
CB.

• All connectors are clean and tightened.

• The antenna cable is securely connected to
both the antenna and the CB.

• You are fully pressing the microphone talk but­ton.

working and the in-line fuse is not blown; see
“Replacing the Fuse” on Page 16.

Check That:

is turned up.

is adjusted properly.

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REDUCING NOISE

The Automatic Noise Limiting (ANL)
circuit helps keep background noise
to a minimum. However, strong
sources of electrical noise (su ch as
your vehicle’s ignition, another radio,
or spark plugs) m ight be more than
the circuit can compensate for.

If you operate the TRC-501 with a ve­hicle’s engine off, you should not
have any problems with noise. If you
use the CB with the engine on, you
can determine the source of the
noise by turning off the engine and
operating the CB with the ignition set
to ACC. If most or all of the noise
goes away, the problem is in your ve­hicle’s ignition or electrical system.

Here are a few hints to help you re­duce or eliminate such noise:

• Replace old ignition wires with
new, high-voltage, noise-sup­pression wires.

• Install noise suppressors on
your spark plugs, or install new
spark plugs that have built-in
suppressors.

• Be sure that the ground connec­tion (black wire) is secure.

If problems persist, check y our al ter­nator/generator, regulator, and gaug­es. Noise from these sources can be
reduced or eliminated using bypass
capacitors at various output voltage
points.

Your local RadioShack store has a
wide selection of noise -suppression
accessories.

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MAINTENANCE

Your TRC-501 40-Channel 2-Way CB Radio is an example of superior design
and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your CB so
you can enjoy it for years.

Keep the CB dry. If it gets wet, w ipe it dry immediately. Liquids
might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.

Handle the CB gently and carefully. Dropping it can damag e cir­cuit boards and cases and can cause the CB to work improperly.

Keep the CB away from dust and dirt, which can cause premature
wear of parts.

Wipe the CB with a dam p cloth occasionally to keep it looking

CLEANER

new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong de­tergents to clean the CB.

Modifying or tampering with the CB’s internal components can cause a malfunc­tion and might invalidate your CB’s warranty and void your FCC authorization to
operate it. If your CB is not performing as it should, take it to your local Ra­dioShack store for assistance.

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REPLACING THE FUSE

The TRC-501’s 2-amp and 1-amp
fuses help protect your CB from pow­er surges and short circuits.

• If the black wire’s fuse is blo wn,
replace it with a 2-amp, fast-act­ing glass fuse (Cat. No. 270-

1007).

• If the orange wire’s fuse is
blown, replace it with a 1-amp,
fast-acting glass fuse (Cat. No.
270-1005).

Follow these steps to check and re­place each fuse, if necessary.

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1. Make sure the power source
and CB are both turned off.

2. To open the fuse holder, push
the fuse holder ends together,
then turn either end counter­clockwise and release it.

3. If the fuse is blown, replace it.

Caution:

the fuse only with another fuse
of the same type and rating.

4. To close the fuse holder, push
the fuse holder ends together,
then turn either end clockwise.

16

Make sure you replace

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SPECIFICATIONS

RECEIVER

Frequency Coverage ............................................ All 40 CB Channels (Class D)

26.965 to 27.405 MHz

Sensitivity..................................................... 0.7

Adjacent Channel Rejection........................................................................55 dB

Audio Output ......................................................................... 3 Watts (Minimum)

Frequency Response ...................................................

Intermediate Frequency ............................................ .................1st 10.695 MHz

Cross Modulation .......................................................................................50 dB

Squelch ........................................... .................Adjustable from 0

TRANSMITTER

Frequency Coverage .............................................All 40 CB Channels (Class D)

Output Power............................................................... 4 Watts (FCC Maximum)

Type of Modulation...................... AM Double Sideband, Full Carrier Modulation

Modulation Capability................................................................................... 90%

Spurious Emission.....................................................................................–60 dB

Frequency Tolerance...............................................................................±200 Hz

Antenna Impedance ............................................................................... 50 Ohm

Current Drain (13.8 volt supply)................................ 1 Amp with No Modulation

1.6 Amps with 90% Maximum Modulation

µV or better for 10 dB (S+N)/N

6 dB (at 450–2500 Hz)

–

2nd 455 kHz

µV to 1 mV

.5

26.965 to 27.405 MHz

GENERAL

Power Requirements . ....................................... 13.8 Volts DC, Negative Ground

5

Dimensions.. ....................... ........................ ....... 1

Weight .....................................................................................................15.7 oz

Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications are subject
to change and improvement without notice.

/16 x 41/2 x 65/16 Inches (HWD)

(33 x 114 x 160 mm)

(445 g)

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NOTES

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RadioShack Limited Warranty

This product is warranted against defects for 90 days from date of purchase from
RadioShack co m pany-o w ne d s tor e s and auth or i ze d R a dio S h ac k f ran chisees and de al ­ers. Within this period, we will repair it without charge for parts and labor. Simply bring
your Rad ioShack sales slip as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. War­ranty does not cover transportation costs. Nor does it cover a product subjected to mis­use or accidental damage.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES
AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION
OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. Some states do
not permit limitation or exclusion of implied warranties; therefore, the aforesaid limita­tion(s) or exclusion(s) may not apply to the purchaser.

This warranty gives you speci fic l egal rights and you m ay also have other rights which vary from
state to state.

We Service What We Sell

10/95

RadioShack

A Division of Tan dy Corpor ation

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

7A6 Printed in Thailand