Sony ICF-SC1 User Manual

SONY

PLL Synthesized Scanning Receiver ICF-SC1/ICF-SC1PC

Operating Instructions

3-861-713-11 (1)

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet.

Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

Owner's record

The model and serial numbers are located at the bottom of the receiver. Record them in the space provided below. Refer to them whenever you call your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. Serial No.

WARNING

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

Use of this scanning receiver in a motorized vehicle may be unlawful or require a permit in certain areas. Contact your local law enforcement authorities for more information.

The Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), as amended, prescribes intentionally listening to, using, or disclosing the contents of a cellular or cordless telephone transmission as illegal. This scanning receiver excludes the cellular phone band from its frequency range. Any modification of this receiver to the contrary is likewise illegal by the ECPA.

Information (for ICf-SCIRC)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not

-installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: — Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

— Increase the separation between the equipment and

receiver.

— Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit

different from that to which the receiver is connected.

— Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV

^ technician for help.

Welcome!

Welcome to the world of scanning reception. Here are some of the capabilities and features you will discover

with the new PEL Synthesized Scanning Receiver.

• PEL (Phase Eocked Eoop) synthesized scanning receiver with a frequency range of 25 -1300 MHz (excluding cellular phone frequencies).

• PC controllable (ICF-SCIPC only) — Connect to a Personal Computer for total control of your scanning receiver using the PC control software. The CD-ROM frequency database (supplied) provides information for station frequencies nationwide.

• Easy access to the PSBs (Public Service Bands) with Service Scanning — Receive any one of the 9 pre programmed PSBs (AIR[VHF], AIRIUHF], Weather, Police, Fire/Emergency, Marine, FM broadcast, TV[VHF sound], and TV[UHF sound]) with just a touch of a button.

• Variety of scanning options — Band Scanning,

Programmable Scanning, Memory Scanning, and Intelligent Memory Scanning.

• 300 channel memory — Store the stations of your choice

(10 pages, 30 channels per page). The EEPROM retains stored information without backup batteries.

• Priority Scanning function — Checks every 5 seconds if

there is reception in a priority frequency you have designated.

• Direct manual tuning — Simply input the digits of the

frequency from the numeric keypad if you know the

frequency.

• SKIP function — Skips the frequencies you have designated during scan (up to 100).

• Adjustable scanning pause time — Normal, 2 seconddelay mode, and the 5 second-pause mode.

• Adjustable frequency steps.

• Supports AM, NFM, WFM detection modes in all

frequencies.

• Backlighted Eiquid Crystal Display.

• Key protection to avoid operation by inadvertent key

strokes.

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Table of contents

Preparation

Power sources.......................................................................... 5

Using the receiver on batteries Using the receiver on AC power

Using the receiver on a car battery , Attaching/detaching the antenna Attaching/detaching the belt holder..

Using the earphone.................................

Reception

Various ways of reception

Receiving in the Scanning Mode

Band Scanning....................................................................... 10

Frequency range of the bands

Adjusting the SQL control

Memory Scanning.................................................................. 13

Programmable Scanning

Defining the frequency range

Running Programmable Scanning................................... 16

Service Scanning.................................................................... 17

Intelligent Memory Scanning.............................................. 19

Receiving in the Manual Mode

Direct Tuning Manual Tuning

Preset Tuning..........................................................................22

Presetting stations in the memory.................................... 22

Recalling a preset channel.................................................23

Erasing preset memory

.........................................................................

......................................................................

Priority Scanning

Specifying the priority frequency

Running Priority Scanning

...................................................................

Other usefui functions

SKIP function

Designating a SKlP-frequency.

Adjusting scanning pause time ...

DELAY........................................

Limiting scanning pause to 5 seconds (5-second pause mode)

Adjusting frequency step and detection mode

Adjusting the frequency step.......................................... 31

Adjusting the detection mode..........................................31

Key protection.......................................................................32

Turning on the light..............................................................32

Turning off the beep

..................................

.........................-......................................................30

............................................................

Additional information

Troubleshooting................................

Precautions........................................

Specifications

Supplied accessories

Optional accessories

Location and function of controls .

Front..............................................

Side/rear........................................

Display.............................................................................. 39

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15 15

33 35

36 36 36

^Preparation

Power sources

Using the receiver on batteries

Inserting the batteries

Insert four size AA (R6) batteries with correct polarity as shown in the illustration. Wait at least 3 seconds before turning on the power on the

receiver.

For longer battery life, we recommend the use of alkaline

batteries.

Note

•When using the receiver on batteries, unplug the AC power adaptor or the car battery cord from the DC IN 6 V jack on the receiver, if plugged in.

When to replace the batteries

When the batteries become weak, the sound becomes weak and distorted. cXt will flash in the display. When the batteries become exhausted, <Xi will light up and the power will go off. Replace all four batteries with new ones when do starts to flash.

Notes

•Turn off the power when replacing the batteries.

•After removing the old batteries, install the new ones within 20 seconds. Otherwise, the present status (the current reception mode) of the receiver will be lost and will return to the factory preset. The frequencies stored in the preset memory are unaffected.

• rXi will disappear from the display when you turn on the power with the new batteries.

•When running the receiver on AC power or when you are not using the receiver for an extended period of time, remove the batteries to avoid battery discharge and damage to the receiver from battery leakage.

Battery life

10 hours using four LR6 Sony alkaline batteries (with the

squelch open continuously for 4 hours a day).

Using the receiver on AC power

Plug in the supplied AC power-adaptor in to the DC IN

•Do not twist or crumple the AC power adaptor cord forcefully. Do not place any heavy object on the cord.

•To disconnect the AC power cord, pull it out by the plug, not the cord.

•When you are not using the receiver for an extended period of time, disconnect the AC power adaptor both from the wail outlet and the receiver.

Using the receiver on a car battery

Plug in the car battery cord (not supplied) to the EXT IN 6V jack. For more information, consult the Operating Instructions for the car battery cord.

Attaching/detaching the antenna

Fit the supplied helical antenna so that the projection on the connector of the main unit fits the slot on the antenna. Hold the antenna by the connector and turn it clockwise until the connector clicks.

Helical antenna

Slot

Projection

To detach the antenna

Turn the antenna counterclockwise to release the lock of the connector.

Note

When detaching the antenna, hold the antenna by the connector. Do not hold the antenna rod itself.

Attaching/detaching the belt

holder

Notes

•Turn off the power when plugging or unplugging the AC power adaptor or the car battery cold fromlhe DC IN 6 V jack. Otherwise, the power may be cut off and <X3 may appear in the display. In this case, press POWER to turn the power on again. The display will disappear.

•When using the receiver on batteries, unplug the AC power adaptor or the car battery cord from the IXl IN 6 V jack on the receiver. The receiver will not be powered by the batteries as long^s the DC IN 6V jack is plugged in. If you plug in the AC power adaptor or the car battery cord to the IX IN 6 V jack, the power will automatically switch to external power even if the batteries are installed.

•Use only the supplied/recommended AC jx>wer adaptor and car battery cord.

^ Polarity of the plug

•The display will be lit with the backlight when you are using the AC power adaptor or the car battery cord (see "Turning on the light", page 32).

Place the holder so that the projection on the holder fits the slot on the main unit. Turn the screws clockwise with

To detach the belt holder

Turn the screws counterclockwise.

^■Reception

Using the earphone

To listen through the earphone, plug in the earphone to the ® jack as shown in the illustration.

NOTICE------------------------------------------------

Be sure to adjust VOL (volume) to a moderate level before turning on the power or plugging in the earphone. There will be no sound when there is no reception (squelch closed). Sudden reception (opening of the squelch) may cause unexpected loud sound and may cause hearing damage.

Various ways of reception

The scanning receiver offers a variety of scanning and tuning options. Refer to the pages in the parenthesis for details.

Scanning Mode

Band Scanning (page 10)

scans one of the predefined frequency bands

Memory Scanning (page 13)

scans fhe frequencies you have preset in the memory

Programmable Scanning (page 15)

scans a frequency range that you have defined

Service Scanning (page 17)

scans one of the 9 pre-programmed Public Service Bands of your choice

Intelligent Memory Scanning (page 19)

scans the 10 recent reception frequencies

(memorized automatically)

Manual Mode

Direct Tuning (page 20)

tune in by inputting the frequency digifs

Manual Tuning (page 21)

tune in by adjusting the frequency step by step with the +/- keys

Preset Tuning (page 22)

tune in by recalling a frequency you have preset in the memory

Priority Scanning (page 26)

checks every 5 seconds if there is reception in a

priority frequency (works in either modes)

Receiving in the Scanning Mode

Band Scanning

The receiver divides its frequency range (25.0 MHz to

1300.0 MHz) into 17 bands. Band Scanning scans one of these bands step by step.

1 Set the SQL control to MIN. 2 Press POWER to turn the receiver on. 3 Turn VOL to adjust the volume. 4 Press BAND repeatedly to choose a band.

With each press, the lowest frequency of the next band will be displayed. Press repeatedly until the display shows the lowest frequency of the band of your choice.

page1

/3B3g

DELAY

JIZ nnn

L J.LIUU MHz

5 Adjust the SQL control (see page 11).

Scanning will start. When the receiver receives a signal, fclita'i will light up and the receiver will go into scanning pause. When the signal breaks off, the receiver will resume

scanning automatically.

To turn off the power

Press POWER.

Frequency range of the bands

Frequency range (MHz)

25.0 ~ 29.0

29.0 ~ 54.0

54.0 ~ 72.0

72.0 ~ 76.0

76.0 - 88.0

88.0 ~ 108.0

108.0 - 137.0

137.0 -148.0

148.0 ~ 174.0

174.0-216.0 50kHz

216.0 - 225.0 5kHz

225.0 ~ 400.0

400.0 - 470.0

470.0-512.0

512.0 - 806.0

806.0 - 1000.0

(excluding cellular phone band)

1000.0 - 1300.0

Modulation. WFM: Wide Band Frequency Modulation)

step

5kHz 5kHz 50kHz -

5kHz

50kHz

lOOkHz

12.5kHz 5kHz 5kHz

12.5kHz

12.5kHz 50kHz

12.5kHz

Detection Mode

AM NFM WFM NFM WFM

WFM AM NFM NFM WFM NFM AM NFM NFM WFM NFM

NFM

Note

The frequency steps and the detection modes in the list are the default for each band. You can adjust the frequency step and the detection mode when you are in Manual Mode. You cannot adjust them when you are in Scanning Mode.

To resume scanning manually during scanning

pause

Press + or -.

To change scanning direction

Press + or -. Scanning will restart in ascending direction if you press +, and in descending direction if you press -.

Note

When you start scanning a new band, scanning will always start in

ascending direction.

To exit Scanning Mode

Press SCAN.

KithWl will disappear from the display and the receiver

enters the Manual Mode. Press again to re-enter the

Scanning Mode.

If you press SCAN for 1 second or longer, the scanning pause time will go into the 5-second pause mode (see page 30).

Adjusting the SQL control

Adjustment of the SQL control applies to all modes of

reception.

What the SQL control does

The SQL (squelch) control adjusts the threshold of the signal intensity that opens the squelch.

When the receiver receives a signal above the threshold,

the squelch will open, i:wta will appear in the display, and you will hear the transmission sound. When the squelch opens during scanning, the receiver

stops scanning. This is called a "scanning pause".

As you turn the SQL control counterclockwise to MIN, the

receiver will pause scanning on weaker signals. But this

may cause the receiver to pause scanning on unwanted

noise signals.

As you turn the SQL control clockwise to MAX, the

receiver will cut off the weaker signals and receive only

stronger signals. If it is turned too far clockwise, on the

other hand, there may be no signal strong enough to cause

a scanning pause.

Adjusting the SQL control

Start from the MIN position and turn it

clockwise towards MAX to the point the miM’i

indication disappears in the display.

When there is a signal above the squelch threshold,

will light up and the receiver pauses scanning. Scanning

will resume automatically when the signal breaks off.

NOTICE -----------------------—

------------------

If you wish to listen to transmission continuously (such as when listening to FM broadcast, TV sound, or Weather broadcast, etc.), be sure to set SQL to MIN so that the squelch does not close when the signal gets weak.

—

Memory Scanning

Memory Scanning scans the frequencies you have preset in the memory. (To preset a station in the memory, see page 22). Choose one or more target pages to run Memory Scanning.

1 Set the SQL control to MIN, 2 Press POWER to turn the receiver on. 3 Recall any preset channel (see "Recalling a preset

channel", page 23). The preset number will appear in the display.

PAGE

1ШЗ

DELAY

Press SCAN. The receiver will enter the Memory Scanning mode. The page numberfs) for the target page(s) will appear in the display.

—4^

PAK.i C

DELAY И8Ш IJ J NFU tcnnnn

Here, the receiver is scanning page 1.

PRESET ~tr

12.5k

1 ~in nnn

IL LI.UUU MHz

lJU.UUU MHz

CLI

PRESET nj

5 Adjust the SQL control (see page 11).

6 Select the target page.

With each press of the number key, the page number will appear and disappear alternately in the display.

2 ::6c

PAGE

ПЯШ 'fi^SET

DELAY

NFM

larfA'i

t2.5k

UC П nnn

IJU.UUU

MHz

Here, you have pressed 2 and 6 (to add these pages), and 1 (to discard the page). The receiver is currently

■ pausing scanning on preset channel number 12 of page 6.

Notes

•The number for the current target page will flash in the display.

•When there is only one page in the display, you cannot discard the page from the scanning target.

+ 14 hidden pages