RCA TRC-236 User Manual

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OWNER’S MANUAL Cat. No. 21-1649

TRC-236

40-Channel 5-Watt

CB Walkie Talkie

with LED Displa

Please read before using this equipment.

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FEATURES

Your RadioShack TRC-236 40-Channel 5Watt CB Walkie Talkie with LED Display is a portable, two-way radio you can carry almost anywhere. You can use your TRC236 aro und the ho use , in your o f fice, or in your car or boat. You can also use it on fishing trips, o r at yo ur b usiness for sup ervisory, security, or warehouse personnel.

Your TRC-236 has the foll owing features:

2-Digit LED Display

— lets you easily

see the selected channel number.

Automatic Display Dimmer

— the channel display automatically brightens when you press most buttons. Then, after a few seconds, it dims to save battery power.

High/Low Power Switch

— lets you in crease the transmitted signal strength to increase the TRC-236’s range, or decrease it to save battery power.

Telescoping Antenna with CenterLoading Coil

— provides excellent re-

ception and transmission.

Adjustable Squelch

— helps to eliminat e

noise between transmissions.

Battery Test Button a nd Batte ry Indi cator

— lets you check the batteries’ condi-

tion to find out if they need replacing.

Built-In Modulation Limiter Circuit —

automatically adjusts to a variety of voice levels to ensure a clear transmission.

Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL) Circuit

— reduces noise caused by nearby electrical equipment such as motors or automotive ignit ion systems.

1997, 1998 Tandy Corporation.

RadioShack is a registered trademark

used by Tandy Corporation.

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Power/Charging Jack — lets you power your TRC-236 from an AC or DC power source, so y ou can u se t he TRC-23 6 with out draining the batteries. And, lets you charge nickel-cadmium batteries without removing them from the TRC-236.

Note: To power your TRC-236 with internal batteries, you need eight AA alkaline batteries or ten nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries (not supplied).

We recommend you record the TRC236’s serial numbe r here. The serial number is located on the walkie talkie’s back panel:

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FCC INFORMATION

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not require you t o have a license to operate this walkie talkie. However, the FCC does require that you read and know Part 95 of These rules apply to the operation of a Class D CB. We have provided a copy of these regulat ions with your TRC-236.

Internal adjustments and/or modifications can lead to illegal operatio n as defined by Part 95 of tion can lead to very serious consequences.

To be safe and sure:

• Never open your TRC-236’s case.

• Never modify your TRC-236.

FCC Rules

. Such illegal opera-

FCC Rules

Your TRC-236 might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine whether your TRC-236 is causing the interference, turn off your TRC-236. If t he interference goes away, your TRC-236 is causing it. Try to eliminate the interference by:

• Moving your TRC-236 away f rom the TV or radio

• Contacting your local RadioShack store for help

Warning

make any internal adjustments. Any internal adjustments should be made only by authorized ser vice personnel.

: Do not open your TRC-236 to

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CONTENTS

Powering the CB ................................ 6

Using the POWER Jack and

ALKALINE/NI-CD Switch .................. 6

Using Batteries ................................. 7

Testing the Battery Power .......... 10

Recharging Nickel-Cadmium

Batteries ..................................... 10

Using Vehicle Battery Power........... 12

Using AC Power ............................. 13

Connecting an Optional Antenna ....15

Operation .......................................... 18

Receiving Transmissions and

Adjusting Squelch ....... ................... 18

Transmitting .................................... 20

CB Operation Tips ........................... 22

Common Uses for a CB Radio ....... 22

Business Uses ........................... 22

Personal Uses ........................... 22

Using Common 10-Codes .............. 23

CB Courtesy ................................... 25

Maximum Range ......... .. .......... ....... 25

Trou bleshooting ........ ............ .. ......... 26

Maintenance ..................................... 27

Specifications .................................. 28

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POWERING THE CB

You can power your TRC-236 from any of these sources (none supplied):

• Eight AA alkaline batteries with the two supplied dummy batteries

• Ten rechargeable AA nickelcadmium batteri es

• 12-volt vehicle battery power using a fused power cord

• Standard AC power using a power supply

USING THE POWER JACK AND ALKALINE/NI-CD SWITCH

POWER

The ternal power source (such as your vehicle’s battery power or AC power), or connect a battery charger to charge nickel-ca dmium b atter ies whi le t hey are i n the TRC-236.

jack lets you connect an ex-

The TRC-236 also has a slide switch (

KALINE/NI

partment that you must set correctly, depending on what power source you are using and whether or not you want to charge rechargeable batteries while they are in the TRC-236.

) inside the battery com-

AL-

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•Set it to

ALKALINE

before you connect an external power source (vehicle battery power or AC adapter) to

POWER

the

jack or while you are using internal batteries (alkaline or rechargeable).

•Set it to nect a battery charger to the

NI-CD

only

when you con-

POWER

jack to charge the install ed rechargeable batteries.

Warning

: To avoid injuring yourself or damaging the TRC-236, connect a battery charger to the

POWER

jack

only

when nickel-cadmium batteries are installed (see “ Recha rging Ni ckel-C admium Batteries ” on Page 10 ). Never try to recharg e non- rechargeable batteries. They could get very hot and explode.

Note:

You can connect an external power source for power regardless of the type of batteries yo u installed.

USING BAT TERIES

You can power the TRC-236 from eight AA alkaline batteries (such as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-552) with the two supplied dummy batteries, or 10 rechargeable AA nickel-cadmium batteries (such as Cat. No. 23-125).

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Cautions:

• Always us e fresh, or freshly charged,

batteries of the required size and recommended type.

• Do not mix old and new batteries,

different types of batteries (standard, alkaline, or rechargeable nickel-cadmium), or rechargeable batteries of dif ferent capaciti es.

Follow these steps to ins tal l the batteries.

1. If the TRC-236 is on, turn

OFF/VOLUME

fully counterclockwi se until it clicks to turn it off.

2. Slide the strap on the back of the TRC-236 through the buckle and the battery compartment cover to remove it.

3. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrows to remove it.

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4. Be sure batte ry co mpartm ent is set to

LINE

ALKALINE/NI-CD

inside the

ALKA-

5. Put eight AA alkaline batteries and the two supplied dummy batteries, or ten AA nickel-cadmium batteries into the battery compartment, as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside.

Note

: Before you use the TRC-236 with nickel-cadmium batteries, you need to charge the batteries (see “Recharging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries” on Page 10).

6. Slide the strap on the back of the TRC-236 through the battery compartment cover to reattach it.

7. Replace the battery compartment cover.

Cautions

• If yo u wi ll no t be p owe ring th e TRC 236 from internal batteries for several months, remove t he batteries.

• Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly.

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Testing the Battery Power

1. Turn on the TRC-236 by rotating

OFF/VOLUME

2. Hold down tor lights, there is enough battery power to operate the CB. If the indicator is dim or does not l ight, replace or recharge the batteries.

clockwise until it clic ks.

BATT TEST

. If the indic a-

Recharging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries

You can use a battery charger, Cat. No. 23-249 (not supplied), to charge or recharge nickel-cadmium batteries while they are inside the TRC-236’s battery compartment.

Do not use the TRC-236 while you are charging the nickel-cadmium batteries.

Cautions

• Use only the recommended battery charger to recharge the batteries in the TRC-236. Other chargers could damage your TRC-236 or the batteries.

• Be careful not to overcharge nickelcadmium batteri es.

• To prevent damage to rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, never charge them in an area where the temperature is above 90°F (32°C) or below 40°F (4.5°C).

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