Radio Shack TRC-519 User Manual
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40-Channel Mobile CB Radio
Cat. No. 21-1709
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
TRC-519
with WX Alert and SAME
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FEATURES
Your RadioShack TRC-519 40-Channel
Mobile CB Radio provides two-way
communications on the citizen’s radio
band and also lets you tune to local and
national weather service broadcasts.
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 campsites, (for example). You can also connect optional
equipment to your CB, such as external
speakers, or a DC power supply and
base station antenna to set up a base
station in your home. The built-in 40channel PLL (phase-locked loop) frequency synthesizer uses a precise frequency reference crystal for reliable and
exact tuning.
Your CB has these features:
ACE (Audio Clarity Enhancer) —
suppresses noise levels while leaving the
signal intact during reception. It enhances the transmission and pr ovides a significant reduction in transmission and
reception noise.
WX Alert/SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding)
— warns you of serious weather conditions using visual and
audio alarms tailored to the level of
weather severity.
RF Gain Control
— prevents overload-
ing due to strong RF signals.
Maximum Allowable Legal Power
Output
— gives you the greatest avail-
able range.
TX Indicator
— lights to show when the
radio is transmitting.
Digital Channel Display
— makes the
channel number easy to see.
External Speaker Jack
— lets you con-
nect your CB to an external speaker.
Screw-On MIC Connector
— ensures
a secure microphone connection.
To use this CB, you need a mobile or
base station antenna. Your local RadioShack store has a wide variety of antennas. For more information, see
“Connecting an Antenna” on Page 6.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not require you to have
a license to operate this CB. However,
you must know Part 95 of
FCC Rules
. It
explains the proper operation of a Class
D citizen’s band CB. We enclosed a
copy of Part 95 with your CB radio.
Seven Preprogrammed Weather
Channels
— let you manually select
from ten US weather frequencies to stay
informed about current weather conditions as you travel.
1999 Tandy Corporation.
©
RadioShack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
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We recommend you record your CB’s
serial number here. The number is on
the back of the CB.
Serial Number:
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CONTENTS
Installation ......................... ............................................. ......................................... 4
Before You Begin ............................................................................................... 4
Attaching the Microphone Holder ....................................................................... 4
Mounting the CB ................................................................................................. 4
Connecting the Microphone .................. .... ... ... ... ....................................... ... ...... 5
Connecting an Antenna ...................................................................................... 6
Connecting Vehicle Battery Power ..................................................................... 7
Connecting an External Speaker ........ ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ................................... 7
Using the CB as a Base Station ...................................... ... ................................ 7
Operation .............................. ............................................. ...................................... 9
Receiving Transmissions and Setting Squelch .................................................. 9
Transmitting ........................................ ....................... ...................... ................. 10
Listening to the Weather Band ........................... ....................................... ....... 10
Using Weather Alert/SAME ........................................................................ 11
Common Uses for a CB ............................... ... ... .... ... ... ... ................................. 12
Business Uses ........................................................................................... 12
Personal Uses ........................................................................................... 12
Transmission Courtesy ..................................................................................... 13
Maximum Range .............................................................................................. 13
Reducing Noise .. ....................................... ... ... ....................................... ... ... .... 13
Using Common 10-Codes .................................................................................... 15
Weather Channel Frequencies ..... ... ... ... .... ... ... ....................................... ... ... .... 16
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................... 17
Care and Maintenance .......................................................................................... 18
Replacing the Fuse ............................ ... .... ... ... ... ....................................... ... .... 19
The FCC Wants You to Know ........................................................................... 19
Specifications ....................................................................................................... 20
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INSTALLATION
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Your CB’s display is protected during
shipment by a piece of clear film. Carefully peel off this film before using your
radio for the first time.
ATTACHING THE
MICROPHONE HOLDER
You can connect the microphone holder
to either side of the CB or to another location in your vehicle. To attach the
holder to either side of the CB, h orizontally or vertically, secure it using the supplied machine screws and lock washers.
3. Attach the holder at the mounting
location using the supplied machine
screws and lock washers.
MOUNTING THE CB
The most common mounting location for
this CB is under a vehicle’s dashboard.
However, if you use the TRC-519 as a
base station, you can place it on a desk,
shelf, or table (see “Using the CB as a
Base Station” on Page 7).
If you are mounting the CB in a vehicle,
choose a location where:
To attach the holder to another location
in the vehicle, such as the dashboard,
follow these steps.
1. Using the holder as a template,
mark the positions for the mounting
screw holes at the desired location.
2. At each marked position, drill a hole
slightly smaller than the supplied
mounting screws.
Caution:
anything behind the mounting surface.
4
Be careful not to drill into
• you can easily reach the CB.
• wires and cables are clear of the vehicle’s pedals or other moving pa rts.
• the CB is not directly in front of heating vents.
• all wires and cables can reach their
connection points.
Warning:
mount it securely to avoid damage to the
CB or vehicle or injury to anyone in the
vehicle during sudden starts or stops.
If you use the CB in a vehicle,
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Follow these steps to mount the CB using the supplied hardware.
1. Using the mounting bracket as a
template, mark the positions for the
screw holes on the mounting surface.
2. In each marked position, drill a hole
slightly smaller than the supplied
mounting screws.
Caution:
objects behind the mounting surface.
3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, attach
the mounting bracket to th e mounting surface with the supplied screws
and lock washers.
Be careful not to drill into
4. Attach the CB to the mounting
bracket using the supplied rubber
washers and mounting knobs.
CONNECTING THE
MICROPHONE
1. Align the slot on the bottom of the
microphone’s plug with the ridge
inside the microphone jack. Then
fully insert the plug into the jack.
2. Turn the plug’ s locking nut clockwise
to tighten it.
3. Slide the microphone onto the
microphone holder.
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To disconnect the microphone from the
CB, unscrew the locking nut then pull
out the plug.
Caution:
phone’s cable.
Never pull on the micro-
CONNECTING AN
ANTENNA
There are many different types of CB
antennas for mobile CBs. Each antenna
type has its own benefits, so choose the
one that best meets your needs. Your
local RadioShack store sells a wide variety of antennas.
Note:
If you are using this CB as a base
station, see “Using the CB as a Base
Station” on Page 7.
When you choose an antenna, keep in
mind that for the best performance you
should mount the antenna:
cable to the CB and connect the cable to
ANT.
the
Cautions:
For maximum range, adjust the antenna’s Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) using
an SWR meter (not supplied).
jack on the back of the CB.
• Avoid routing the cable next to shar p
edges or moving parts, which might
damage the cable.
• Do not run the cable next to power
cables or other radio antenna cables.
• Do not run the cable through the engine compartment or other areas
that produce extreme heat.
• as high as possible on the vehicle
• as far as possible from sources of
electrical noise
• vertically
Once you choose an antenna, follow its
mounting instructions. Then route the
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Follow the instructions supplied with the
SWR meter and antenna to adjust your
antenna’s SWR to the lowest possible
value. SWR values of 2.0:1 are generally acceptable, with readings of 1.5:1 or
lower being more desirable.
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CONNECTING VEHICLE
BATTERY POWER
Follow these steps to connect the CB to
vehicle battery power.
To Chassis Ground (black)
To ACC Power (red)
1. Connect the red wire (with the inline fuse holder) on the back of the
CB to a terminal in your vehicle’s
fuse box that has power only when
the ignition is in the ACC (accessory) or ON position.
2. Connect the black ground wire to a
metal part of the vehicle’s frame
(chassis ground).
Caution:
wire to a non-metallic (plastic) part,
or to any part insulated from the vehicle’s chassis by a non-metallic
part.
Do not connect the black
CONNECTING AN
EXTERNAL SPEAKER
You can connect an optional external
speaker to the CB. Use an 8-ohm
speaker with a
Insert the speaker’s plug into the CB’s
EXT. SP.
store carries a wide selection of suitable
speakers.
jack. Your local RadioShack
1
/8-inch (3.5-mm) plug.
USING THE CB AS A
BASE STATION
Although this CB is designed mainly for
mobile use, you can also use it as a
base station with an AC power source.
For base station installation, you need
these items.
• a 12-volt DC power supply that can
supply at least 1.5 amps
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 included with the power
supply.
Most 12-volt DC power
• base station antenna
• coaxial antenna cable and connectors
Note:
Your local RadioShack store car ries a wide selection of base station antennas, coaxial antenna cable, and
connectors. In addition, you can ch oose
from a selection of suitable base station
power supplies.
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Follow these steps to install the CB as a
base station.
Powe r
Supply
To –
Term ina l
To + Terminal
1. Mount the base station antenna as
described in its owner’s manual.
Warning:
Use extreme caution
when 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 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.
2. Connect the antenna to the
ANT.
jack on the back of the CB.
3. Connect the CB’s black power wire
to the negative (–) terminal on the
DC power supply.
4. Connect the CB’s red wire (with the
in-line fuse) to the positive (+) terminal on the DC power supply.
5. Connect the DC power supply to a
standard AC outlet.
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