Radio Shack PRO-83 manual

20-501 PRO -83 200 Channel compact scanner w/signal stalk er search and lighted k eypad Read this user ’s guide completely before using your scanner 20-501.fm Page 1 Friday , July 9, 2004 3:23 PM[...]

The Basics 2 Contents The Basics The FCC wants you to know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 powering your scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 using rechargeable batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 using AC power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 using vehicle battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11[...]

3 The Basics service search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 storing frequencies into channels duri ng service search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 scanning the stored channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 manually selecting a channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 signal stalker . . . . . . . [...]

The Basics 4 resetting the scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 frequently asked questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

5 The Basics powering your scanner Y o u can power your scanner from any of three sources: • internal batteries ( not supplied) • standard A C power (using an opti onal AC adapter) • vehicle battery power (using an option al DC adapter) Before installing batteri es, set the switch in the battery compartment to match the type of batteries you [...]

The Basics 6  Install 2 AA batteries, matching the polarity symbols (+ -).  Replace the cover . 20-501.fm Page 6 Friday , July 9, 2004 3:23 PM[...]

7 The Basics Wa r n i n g : Set ALK ALINE/RECHARGEABLE to RECHARGEABLE for use only with nickel cadmi um (Ni-Cd) or nickel metal hy dride (Ni-MH) rechargeable batteries. Never attempt to re charge non- rechargeable batteri es. Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot or explode if you try to recharge them. Cautions: • Use only fresh batteries of th[...]

The Basics 8 The scanner has a built -in circuit that lets you recharge Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries while they are in the scanner . T o charge the batteri es, set ALK ALINE/ RECHARGEABLE inside the battery compartment to RECHARGEABLE , install the batteries in the scan ner , and connect an external AC or DC adapter to the scanner's DC 6V jack (se[...]

9 The Basics until it beeps every 15 seconds and flashes. • T o prevent damage to Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries, never charge them in an area where the temperature is above 113°F (40°C) or below 40°F (4°C). • If you connect an external power source to the scanner with ALK ALINE/RECHARGEABLE set to ALK ALINE , CHArg appears but the scanner does [...]

The Basics 10 and recycle these batteries at the end of their useful life, when taken out of service in t he United States or Canada. The RBRC program provides a convenient alternative to placing used rechargeabl e batteries into the trash or the municipal waste stream, which may be illegal in your area. Please call 1-800- THE - SHACK (1-800-843-74[...]

11 The Basics F ollow these steps to use the scanner on AC power .  Make sure the power is turned off .  Insert the Adaptaplug into the AC adapter's cord so it reads TIP +. Then, insert the Adaptaplug into the scanner's DC 6V jack.  Plug the AC adapter into a standard A C outlet. Using V ehicle Batter y P ower Y ou can power the [...]

The Basics 12  Make sure th e power is turned off .  If the adapter has a voltage switch, se t the switch to 6V .  Insert the Adaptaplug into the DC adapter's cord so it reads TIP +. Then, insert the Adaptapl ug into the scanner's DC 6V jack.  Plug the other end of the adapter into your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket.[...]

13 The Basics setting up your scanner Connecting the Antenna T o attach the supplied flexible antenna to the connector on the top of your scanner , align the slots around the antenna's conne ct or with the tabs on the scanner's BNC connector . Then slide the antenna's connector down over the scanner's connector and rotate the an[...]

The Basics 14 Note: Always use 50- ohm, RG-58, or RG-8 , coaxial cable to connect an outdoor antenna. If the antenna is over 50 feet from the scanner , use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If your antenna's cable does not have a BNC connector , your local RadioShack store carries a var iety of BNC adapters. Connecting an Earphone/Headph[...]

15 The Basics • Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adap t to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing . T raffic Safety Do not use an earphone or headphones with your scanner when operating a motor vehicle in or near traffic. Doing so can create a traffic haz[...]

The Basics 16 A ttaching the Belt Clip T o make your scanner easier to carry when you are on the go, use the supplied belt clip. Use a Phillips screwdriver a nd the supplied scre ws to attach the clip to the scanner . 20-501.fm Page 16 Friday, July 9 , 2004 3:23 PM[...]

17 The Basics About Y o ur Scanner W e use a few simple terms in this manual to explain the features of the scanner . F amiliarize yourself with these terms and the scanner's features, and you can put the scanner to work for you right away . Simply determine the type of communications you want to receive, then set the scanner to scan those com[...]

The Basics 18 A Look At the K eypad Y our scanner's keys have various functions labeled on the key tops and below the keys. T o select the function labele d on a key , simply press the key . T o select the function labeled below a key , first press FUNC then release it. appears on the display . Then quickly press the next key in the function k[...]

19 The Basics SCAN/SRCH : SCAN Scans the stored channels. FUNC + SRCH Starts chain search or resumes searching. / KEYLOCK : T urns the display and key backlight on or off . FUNC + KEYLOCK L ocks and unlock s the keypad. FUNC Lets you use various functions by pressing this key in combinatio n with other keys. Press and hold for more than 2 seconds t[...]

The Basics 20 3/SVC : 3 Enters a 3. FUNC + SVC Lets you search the fi ve service search banks. 4/AL T : 4 Enters a 4. FUNC + AL T T urns the WX alert function on or off . 5/DL Y : 5 Enters a 5. FUNC + DL Y T urns the delay function on or off. 6/B.SLCT : 6 Enters a 6. FUNC + B.SLCT Goes to program band select mode. 7 Enters a 7. 8/ : 8 Enters an 8. [...]

21 The Basics 9 Enters a 9. . /CLR /: . /CLR Enters a decim al point o r clears an incorrect entry . FUNC + Jumps directly to the last channel in memory (Ch#200) from any mode. 0/L/O : 0 Enters a 0. FUNC + L/O Lets you lock out a selected channel or skip a specified f requency . E/PGM : E Enters frequencies into channels. FUNC + PGM Programs frequ [...]

The Basics 22 A Look at the Display The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operating status. The display i nformation helps you understand how your s canner operates. BANK - appears with numbers (1-10). P - appears when you select a priority channel. SCN - appears when you scan channels. SRCH - appears during search mode. P[...]

23 The Basics L/O - appears when you manually select a channel you locke d out or a skip frequ ency . - appears when you lock the keypad. - alerts you when the battery power gets low . - appears while you store a frequency into a channel. or - appears during sea rch mode. - appears only when the function mode is on. WX , POL FIRE , AIR , MRN , or H[...]

The Basics 24 Understanding Banks Ser vice Banks The scanner is preprogrammed with all the frequencies allocated to the weather , ham, marine, aircraft, and police (fire/emergency) se rvices. Channel Storage Ba nks T o make it easier to identify and select the channels you want to listen to, the 200 channels are divided into 10 channel-storage bank[...]

25 Beyond the Basics operating your scanner T urning On The Scanner and Setting Squelch Y our scanner is preprogrammed at the factory with 150 of the most frequently used frequencies in Channels 1 to 150. Y ou can scan these frequencies as soon as you turn on the scanner . Note: Make sure the scanne r's antenna is connected before you turn it [...]

Beyond the Basics 26 Excellent references for active frequencie s are the RadioShack P olice Call Guide including F ire and Emergency Services , and Official Aeronautical Frequency Directory . W e update these directories every year , so be sure to get a current copy . F o llow these steps to store frequ encies into channels.  Press HOLD . Then [...]

27 Beyond the Basics •When you enter a frequency into a channel, the scanner automatically turns on the delay function and DL Y appears. When delay is turned on, the scanner automatically pauses scanning 2 seconds after the end of a transmission befor e scanning proceeds to the next channel. T o turn the function off or on, press FUNC + DL Y . ?[...]

Beyond the Basics 28 Searching For and T emporarily Sto ring Active Frequencies If you do not have a reference to frequencies in your area, use a search (except weather service se arch) to find a transmission. Note: When the sca nner starts searching, it automatically turns on the delay function. T o turn delay on or off , press FUNC + DL Y . Ser v[...]

29 Beyond the Basics T o release the hold and co ntinue searching, press HOLD . O r , if you did not press HOLD , simply press FUNC + or FUNC + to continue searching. Note: Because there are many different fre quencies allocated to fire and police depar tments, it can take several m inutes to se arch all the service frequencies. Storing Frequencies[...]

Beyond the Basics 30 Scanning the Stored Channels T o begin scanning channels, press SCA N . Th e scanner scans through all non-locked channels in the activated banks. (See “Locking Out Channels” on P age 48 and “ T urning Channel-Storage Banks On and Off ” on P age 48). When the scanner finds a transmission, it stops on it. When the transm[...]

31 Beyond the Basics T o manually select a channel, press HOLD , enter the channel number then press HOLD agai n. Or , during scanning, if the radi o stops at a channel you want to listen to, press HOLD once. (Repeatedly pressing HOLD at this time causes the scanner to step through the channels.) P ress SCAN to resume automatic scanning. Signal Sta[...]

Beyond the Basics 32 Signal Stalker might not find the transmission you are searching for , or it might find a transmission other than the one you are searching for . Y ou can screen unwanted transmissions by pressing FUNC + L/O to lock them out. See “L ocking Out F requencies” on P age 49 for more inform ation. • Signal Stalker cannot detect[...]

33 Beyond the Basics  Repeatedly press or to select the option you want, then press E . If you selected S -S.bnd , one of the following band names appears. bnd Lo : VHF L ow Band (25.0000 - 54.0000 MHz) bnd Air : AIR Band (108.0000 - 136.9875 MHz) bnd Hi : VHF High Band (137.0000 - 174.0000 MHz) bnd UHF : UHF Band (406.00 00 - 512.0000 MHz) bnd [...]

Beyond the Basics 34  Repeatedly press or until the option you want appears, then press E to select it. Otherwise, press . /CLR if you do not want to select it. Then skip to Step  .  Press E while S- S .A lt appears. One of the following alert options appears. ALt bEEP : The scanner beeps when a signal stalker signal is detected. ALt Light[...]

35 Beyond the Basics Using Signal Stalk er T o turn on Signal Stalker , turn SQUE LCH fully clockwise, then press FUNC + once except in WX search, band select, or program mode. appears. Every 2 seconds, the scanner se arches for frequencies in the range you speci fied in “Setting the Signal St alker Options ” on P age 32. Note: T o continue sca[...]

Beyond the Basics 36 Sk ywarn The Skywarn function lets you jump directly to the last channel in memory (Channel 200) from any mode by pressing FUNC + . The scanner goes into scan hold mode and starts receiving transmissions in the last channel. If no frequency is programmed in the last channel, No P rg appears and the scanner sounds an error tone.[...]

37 Beyond the Basics • high water areas • downed power lines • other emergency conditions that affect life or property Listening to Skywarn broadc asts makes it easy to quickly find out about and prepare for inclement weather conditions in your immedi ate area, even before your local NOAA weather broadcast and local TV or radio station can an[...]

Beyond the Basics 38 broadcast by NOAA and as much as 5 or 10 minutes sooner than you will hear them on local TV or radio! Those few minutes can be worth a lot when it c om e s to d ec i di n g if y o ur f am i l y n e e ds t o t a k e c o v er . WX Alert T urning On the W eather Alert Feature T urn on the WX alert function by pressing FUNC + AL T [...]

39 Beyond the Basics The preset frequency ranges are: Bank No. Frequency (MHz) Step (kHz) 1 25.0000-27.9950 5 2 28.0000-29.6950 5 3 29.7000-49.9950 5 4 50.0000-54.0000 5 5 137.0000-143.9950 5 6 144.0000-147.9950 5 7 406.0000-419.99375 6.25 8 420.0000-449.99375 6.25 9 450.0000-469.99375 6.25 10 806.0000-956.0000 12.5 Chain Search Mode Pres s FUNC + [...]

Beyond the Basics 40 At least one search bank must be enabled. (The scanner sounds an error tone if you try to disable all the search banks). The search bank and the frequency where chain search starts depends on how the scanner was set before you sele cted chain search mode. Chain Search Hold Mode T o start chai n search hold mode, pres s HOLD in [...]

41 Beyond the Basics Storing Frequencies F ound During Chain Search into Channel Memory Y ou can store frequencies you find in chai n search mode or chain search hold mode.  Press FUNC + PGM in chain search mode or chain search hold mode. The lowest blank channel and bank appear .  Press E to store the frequency into the blank channel. T o se[...]

Beyond the Basics 42 When you select the search bank, the l ower limit and upper limit frequency assign ed in the search bank alternate on the disp lay . T o select another search bank, pre ss FUNC + B.SLCT or FUNC to increase the search bank number or FUNC + to decrease it. Hold down FUNC + or FUNC + for about 1 second to quickly move through the [...]

43 Beyond the Basics  Enter the frequency you want to start from by using the number keys. (P ress . /CLR to en ter a decimal poin t).  Press FUNC + or . The scanner searches, starting from the frequency you entered in Step  . If you enter a frequency that is out of range, the scanner sounds an error tone and Error appears. Pres s FUNC + t[...]

Beyond the Basics 44 Pres s FUNC + to decrease the frequency by one step or FUNC + to increase it by one step. Hold down or for about 1 second to quickly decrease or increase the frequency . T o resume direct sear ch, press FUNC + SEARCH or HOLD . ( or appears on the display , showing the search directi on). Storing Frequencies F ound During Direct[...]

45 Beyond the Basics . /CLR . T o enter the frequency anyway , press E to accept. The scanner moves to program mode after you stored the frequency . Search Skip Memo ry Y ou can skip up to 50 specified frequencies during a search. This lets you avoid unwanted frequencies or those alrea dy stored in a chann el. Notes: • Y ou cannot skip frequencie[...]

Beyond the Basics 46 F ollow these steps to clear a single frequency from skip memory so the scanner stops on it during a search.  Press HOLD to stop the sear ch.  Press FUNC + or FUNC + to select the frequency . L/O appears.  Press FUNC + L/O . L/O disappears. T o clear all the sk ip frequencies at once while searching or search hold, pre[...]

47 Beyond the Basics Delay Sometimes a user might pause be fore replying to a transmission. T o avoid missing a reply on a specific channel, you can program a 2-second delay into any channel or frequency . The scanner continues to monitor the channel frequency for an additional 2 seconds after the transmission stops before resuming scanning or sear[...]

Beyond the Basics 48 T urning Channel-Storage Banks On and Off Y ou can turn each channel-storage bank on and off . When you turn off a bank, the scanner does not scan any of the 20 channels in that bank. While scanning , press the number key that corresponds to the bank you want to turn on or off . Numbers appear at the top of the display , showin[...]

49 Beyond the Basics Notes: • The scanner does not skip locked-out channels when you use Signal Stalker . Y ou must lock out frequencies instead. See “L ocking Out Frequenci es.” • Y ou can still manually select locke d-out channels. T o remove the lockout from a channel, manually select the channel, then press FUNC + L/O . L/O disappea rs.[...]

Beyond the Basics 50 Priority The priority feature lets you scan through the channels and still not miss important or interes ting calls on specific channels. Y ou can program one stored channel in each bank as a priorit y channel (10 for the banks). If the priority feature is turned on, as the scanner scans the bank, it checks that bank's p r[...]

51 Beyond the Basics T o turn off the priority featur e, press FUNC + PRIORITY . PR I disappears. Using Keylock Use the scanner's keyloc k to protect it from accidental program changes. When the scanner's keys are locked, the only controls that operate are SCAN , FUNC , HOLD , , KEYLOCK , and . T o turn on keylock, press FUNC + KEYLOCK . [...]

Beyond the Basics 52 Wired Programming Y ou can transfer programming data t o your scanner using your PC and an optional in terface cable (Cat. No. 20-289, available at your local RadioShack sto re) and software (availab le at your local RadioShack or www .radioshack.com). Note: If the scanner receives no data from the PC for more than 20 seconds, [...]

53 Beyond the Basics  T o set up the program, click on T ools, select Configuration, and select PRO-83 (if necessary).  T urn on the scanner . The scanner automatica lly goes into the wired programming mode. PGM and Wir Ed appear . Then send the data from the PC. Data frame numbers being received appear .  When the scanner has successfully[...]

Beyond the Basics 54 Resetting the Scanner If the sca nner ’s disp lay locks up or stops o perating properly , you might need to reset the scanner . Caution: This procedure clears all the information you have s tored in the scanner . Before you reset the scanner , try turning it off and on to see if it begins working properly . Reset the scanner [...]

55 Beyond the Basics frequently ask ed questions Q : My scanner isn ’t working at all. How do I turn it on? A : The scanner might not be receiving power . Make sure the batteries ar e installed correctly and are good (if you installed al kaline batteries) or fully charged (if you installed rech argeable batteries). See “powering your scanner ?[...]

Beyond the Basics 56 Q : The scann er’s display is dim and hard to see. The scanner also beeps once every 15 to 30 seconds. What ’s wrong? A : The scanner might not be receiving enough power or the batteries might not be correctly installed. Make sure the batter ies are installed correctly and are good (if you ins talled alkaline batteries) or [...]

57 Beyond the Basics or fully charged (if you installed rechargeable batteries. Also make sure the AC adapter’ s or DC adapter ’s barrel plug is fully inserted into the scanner ’s 6V 300 mA jack. See “Using AC P ower ” on P age 10 for more information. If the batteries are OK, the antenna might not be connected or is connected incorrectly[...]

Beyond the Basics 58 Specifications Frequency Coverage: 25.0000-27.9950 MHz (in 5 kHz steps) 28.0000-29.9950 MHz (in 5 kHz steps) 30.0000-49.9950 MHz (in 5 kHz steps) 50.0000-54.0000 MHz (in 5 kHz steps) 108.0000-136.9875 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps) 137.0000-143.99 50 MHz (in 5 kHz step s) 144.0000-147.99 50 MHz (in 5 kHz step s) 148.0000-174.00 00 MHz[...]

59 Beyond the Basics glossar y ALK ALINE/RECHARGEABLE Switch - Lets you select the type of batteries you want to use in the scanner (alkaline or rechargeable ) ........................... ............. 5 Channel - a programmable memory location. Channels are grouped into channel-storage banks. Y our scanner has 10 channel-storage banks and each ban[...]

Beyond the Basics 60 index Accessories ................................. .......................... 64 ALK A LINE/RECHARGEABLE Switch ..................... 5 Antenna Connecting ...................... .................................. 13 Using an Optional Antenna .............................. 13 Attaching a belt clip .................... .........[...]

61 Beyond the Basics Delay ............................... ....................................... 47 Direct Entry Search ............................................... 42 Earphone Connecting ........................ ................................ 14 Extension Speaker Connecting ........................ ................................ 15 Freque[...]

Beyond the Basics 62 Search Skip Memory ........... .................................. 45 Service Banks ................................... .................... 24 Service Search ....... .......................................... ...... 28 Squelch Setting ...................... ......................................... 25 Storing frequencies ......[...]

63 Beyond the Basics warranty This product is warrante d by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for 90 (nine ty) days from the date of purchase from Radi oShack company-owned stores and au thorized RadioSha ck franchisees and dealers. F or complete warranty details and exclu- sions, check with your [...]

Beyond the Basics 64 accessories External Antenna - Connect to your scanner ’s external antenna jack for great reception of signals on many frequencies. RG-8/RG -58 50- Ohm Coaxial Cable - Use to connect your scanner to an external antenna. 12- V -to -6V , 300 mA DC adapter - Use to connect your scanner to your vehicle’s battery power . 6V , 30[...]