Radio Shack AM/FM Auto Reverse Cassette User manual

Cat. No. 14-729
OWNER’S MANUAL
AM/FM Stereo Auto Reverse Cassette Recorder
Please read before using this equipment.
SCR-99
with Bass Boost
14-729.fm Page 1 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

2
FEATURES
© 1996 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Radio Shack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
Your Radio Shack SCR-99 AM/FM
Stereo Auto Reverse Cassette Re-
corder with Bass Boost is a versatile,
easy-to-use music system with many
useful features. You can record live
sounds or from the radio, or just en-
joy the radio or cassette player's high
quality sound.
The SCR-99's compact design and
handy carrying handle let you take it
almost anywhere. Its features in-
clude:
Auto Reverse — automatically plays
the other side of the tape when the
first side ends.
Dual-Source Recording — lets you
record from the radio or use the built-
in microphone to make a live record-
ing.
One-Touch Recording — lets you
start recording quickly and easily.
Soft Cassette Tape Eject — gently
opens the cassette compartment
cover so the cassette does not pop
out.
PHONES Jack — lets you connect
optional earphones so you can listen
in privacy.
Automatic Level Control — automat-
ically adjusts the recording level.
Extended Bass Switch — enhances
low frequency sounds.
Two Power Sources — let you power
the SCR-99 from internal batteries or
AC power.
Warning: To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose this product to
rain or moisture.
The set complies with the FCC
Rules, Part 15.
This symbol is intended to
alert you to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous
voltage within the product’s
enclosure that might be of
sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric
shock. Do not open the
product’s case.
RISK OF ELEC-
TRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR
BACK. NO USER-SERVICE-
ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
PERSONNEL.
CAUTION !
14-729.fm Page 2 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

3
This symbol is intended to inform you that important operating and
maintenance instructions are included in the literature accompanying
this product.
!
14-729.fm Page 3 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

4
CONTENTS
Power Sources ................................................................................................. 4
Using AC Power 4
Using Batteries 4
Using Earphones 6
Listening Safely 6
Traffic Safety 6
Radio Operation 7
Cassette Player Operation 8
Loading a Cassette Tape 8
Playing a Cassette Tape 8
Recording 9
Recording from the Radio
10 Making Live Recordings 10
Tape Tips 10
Recommended Tapes 10
Recording Over or Erasing a
Cassette Tape 10
Preventing Accidental Era-
sure 11Restoring Tape Tension and
Sound Quality 11
Cleaning the Tape-Han-
dling Parts 11
Care and Maintenance 13
Caring for Your SCR-99 13
The FCC Wants You to Know
14
Specifications 15
14-729.fm Page 4 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

5
POWER SOURCES
You can operate the SCR-99 using
the supplied AC power cord or inter-
nal battery power.
USING AC POWER
You can power the SCR-99 from
standard AC power using the sup-
plied AC power cord. Connect the
cord to ~AC IN on the back of the
SCR-99 and a standard AC outlet.
Notes:
• The AC power cord’s plug is
polarized (one blade is larger
than the other) and only fits one
way. Do not force it. If the plug
does not fit, turn it over and try
again.
• Internal batteries automatically
disconnect when you connect
the AC power cord to the SCR-
99.
USING BATTERIES
You can power the SCR-99 from six
D batteries (not supplied). For the
longest life, we recommend alkaline
batteries, such as Radio Shack Cat.
No. 23-550.
1. Press down on the tabs above
the battery compartment cover
and pull it down to remove it.
2. Place six D batteries in the com-
partment, as indicated by the
polarity symbols (+ and –)
marked above the compartment.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the
required size and type.
• Never mix old and new batter-
ies.
3. Replace the cover.
If the SCR-99 does not operate prop-
erly or if the sound weakens or dis-
torts, replace the batteries.
14-729.fm Page 5 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

6
Cautions:
• Always dispose of the old batter-
ies promptly and properly.
• Never leave dead, old, or weak
batteries in the SCR-99. They
can leak chemicals and corrode
or damage electronic circuits.
• If you do not plan to use batter-
ies in the SCR-99 for a month or
more, remove the batteries to
protect the SCR-99 from possi-
ble battery leakage.
14-729.fm Page 6 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

7
USING EARPHONES
For private listening, you can con-
nect a pair of earphones (not sup-
plied) with a 1/8-inch plug. Your local
Radio Shack store carries a wide se-
lection of earphones.
Insert the earphones’ 1/8-inch plug
into the PHONES jack on the side of
the SCR-99.
Note: Connecting earphones auto-
matically disconnects the built-in
speaker.
LISTENING SAFELY
To protect your hearing, follow these
guidelines when you use earphones.
• Set the volume to the lowest set-
ting before you begin listening.
After you begin listening, adjust
the volume to a comfortable
level.
• Do not listen at extremely high
volume levels. Extended high-
volume listening can lead to per-
manent hearing loss.
• Once you set the volume, do not
increase it. Over time, your ears
adapt to the volume level, so a
volume level that does not
cause discomfort might still
damage your hearing.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
Do not wear earphones while operat-
ing a motor vehicle or riding a bicy-
cle. This can create a traffic hazard
and is illegal in some areas.
Even though some earphones are
designed to let you hear some out-
side sounds when listening at normal
volume levels, they still present a
traffic hazard.
14-729.fm Page 7 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

8
RADIO OPERATION
Warning: To protect your hearing, set
VOLUME MIN/MAX to its lowest set-
ting before you turn on the radio.
1. Set FUNCTION to RADIO to
turn on the radio.
2. Set BAND to AM, FM, or FM
STEREO.
3. Rotate the tuning control until
you hear the desired station.
Notes:
• The AM antenna is built-in.
For the best AM reception,
rotate the SCR-99.
• For the best FM reception,
fully extend the telescoping
antenna and swivel it to the
position that produces the
best reception.
• If reception of an FM station is
weak with BAND set to FM
STEREO, try setting BAND to
FM. The sound is mono, but
the reception should improve.
4. Adjust VOLUME MIN/MAX to a
comfortable listening level.
5. Adjust TONE LOW/HIGH for the
desired sound.
6. Set E-BASS OFF/ON to ON to
emphasize low frequency
sounds. Set it to OFF for normal
bass sound.
7. Set TAPE/RADIO to TAPE to
turn off the radio.
14-729.fm Page 8 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

9
CASSETTE PLAYER OPERATION
LOADING A CASSETTE TAPE
1. Take up any slack in the tape by
turning the cassette’s hub with a
pencil. If you do not remove
excess slack, the tape might
become tangled in the record/
playback mechanism.
2. Press STOP/EJECT to open the
cassette compartment door.
3. Load the cassette with its open
edge facing up, its full reel to the
right, and the desired side
toward you.
4. Gently close the compartment
door.
PLAYING A CASSETTE TAPE
Warning: To protect your hearing, set
VOLUME MIN/MAX to its lowest set-
ting before you begin playing a cas-
sette tape.
1. Set FUNCTION to TAPE.
2. Load a cassette tape.
3. Set MODE as follows:
• For one-time play, press
MODE so the button locks
down. When the tape reaches
the end of the first side, it
automatically reverses direc-
tion, plays the second side,
and then stops.
• For continuous play, press
MODE so the button releases.
Each time the tape reaches
the end of a side, the tape
direction reverses and play
continues on the other side
until you press STOP/EJECT.
4. Press PLAY.
14-729.fm Page 9 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

10
Notes:
• Press PAUSE to temporarily
stop playback. Press PAUSE
again to resume playback.
• Press to fast-forward, or
to rewind the tape to the
desired location.
• Press DIRECTION to reverse
the tape’s direction and play
the other side.
5. Adjust VOLUME MIN/MAX for
the desired listening level.
6. Adjust TONE LOW/HIGH for the
desired sound.
7. Set E-BASS OFF/ON to ON to
emphasize low frequency
sounds. Set it to OFF for normal
bass sound.
8. Press STOP/EJECT to com-
pletely stop playback before it
automatically stops. Press
STOP/EJECT again to open the
cassette compartment and
remove the cassette tape.
RECORDING
You can record from the radio, or use
the built-in microphone to make a live
recording.
Caution:
• Before you load a cassette tape
for recording, be sure its erase-
protection tabs are in place. If
you force down RECORD when
that side’s erase-protection tab
is missing, you can damage the
record mechanism (see “Pre-
venting Accidental Erasure”).
• The SCR-99 records only when
the tape is turning forward. After
loading a cassette tape, press
RECORD to see if the tape is
turning forward. You cannot
press RECORD if the tape is
turning in reverse. If necessary,
press DIRECTION to change
the tape’s direction. Do not force
down RECORD.
Notes:
• The SCR-99’s Automatic Level
Control (ALC) automatically
adjusts the recording level. VOL-
UME MIN/MAX has no effect on
recording.
• To record on the other side of
the tape, remove the tape, turn it
over, and load it again.
14-729.fm Page 10 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

11
Recording from the Radio
1. Load a blank cassette tape or
one you want to record over into
the cassette compartment.
2. Set TAPE/RADIO to RADIO.
3. Set BAND to the desired band.
4. Adjust TUNING to the station
you want to record.
5. Press RECORD to begin record-
ing. PLAY, RECORD, and
MODE lock down.
Note: To temporarily stop
recording, press PAUSE. To
resume recording, press PAUSE
again.
6. Press STOP/EJECT to stop
recording.
Making Live Recordings
Follow these steps to make live re-
cordings using the built-in micro-
phone.
1. Load a blank cassette tape or
one you want to record over into
the cassette compartment.
2. Set TAPE/RADIO to TAPE.
3. Place the SCR-99 1-2 feet from
the recording source.
4. Press RECORD to begin record-
ing. PLAY, RECORD, and
MODE lock down.
Note: To temporarily stop
recording, press PAUSE. To
resume recording, press PAUSE
again.
5. Press STOP/EJECT to stop
recording.
TAPE TIPS
Recommended Tapes
Tape quality greatly affects the qual-
ity of the recording. We recommend
extended-range or low noise type 1
regular length (60-minute or 90-
minute) normal-bias cassette tapes.
We do not recommend long-play
cassette tapes such as C-120s be-
cause they are thin and easily tangle.
Recording Over or Erasing a
Cassette Tape
To record over a cassette tape, sim-
ply record as usual. The cassette
deck records over the previous re-
cording.
You can quickly erase both sides of a
cassette tape using a bulk tape eras-
er such as Cat. No. 44-232, available
at your local Radio Shack store.
14-729.fm Page 11 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

12
Preventing Accidental Erasure
Cassette tapes have two erase-pro-
tection tabs, one for each side. When
a tab is in place, you can record on
that side.
To protect a recording from being ac-
cidentally recorded over or erased,
use a screwdriver to remove one or
both of the cassette tape’s erase-
protection tabs. This prevents
RECORD from being pressed.
If you later decide to record on a tape
side after you have removed the
erase-protection tab, place a piece of
strong plastic tape over that side’s
erase-protection hole. Be sure you
cover only the hole originally covered
by the erase-protection tab.
Caution: Removing the erase-protec-
tion tabs does not prevent a bulk
eraser from erasing a cassette tape.
Restoring Tape Tension and Sound
Quality
After you play a cassette tape sever-
al times, the tape might become
tightly wound on the reels. This can
cause playback sound quality to de-
teriorate.
To restore the sound quality, fast-for-
ward the tape from the beginning to
the end of one side, then completely
rewind it. Then loosen the tape reels
by gently tapping each side of the
cassette’s outer shell on a flat sur-
face.
Caution: Be careful not to damage
the cassette when tapping it. Do not
touch the exposed tape or allow any
sharp objects near the cassette.
Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts
Dirt, dust, or particles of the tape’s
coating can accumulate on the tape
heads and other parts that the tape
touches. This can greatly reduce the
cassette player’s performance.
To prevent noise and poor high-fre-
quency response, clean the cassette
player’s tape handling parts after ev-
ery 20 hours of use. Your local Radio
Shack store sells a complete line of
cassette cleaning supplies.
1. Set TAPE/RADIO to TAPE.
14-729.fm Page 12 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

13
2. Remove the batteries or disconnect the AC power source.
3. Open the cassette compartment cover.
4. Press and hold down the erase-protection tab sensor, then press RECORD
to expose the record/playback and erase heads.
5. Use a cotton swab dipped in tape head cleaning solution or denatured alco-
hol to gently clean the capstans, pinch rollers, tape guides, and tape heads.
6. Press STOP/EJECT and close the cassette compartment cover.
14-729.fm Page 13 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

14
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
CARING FOR YOUR SCR-99
C
R-99 AM/FM Stereo Auto Reverse
o
r design and craftsmanship. The foll
o
r
SCR-99 so you can enjoy it for yea
r
he SCR-99 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it
m
ight contain minerals that can corr
o
e
the SCR-99 gently and carefully. Dr
o
boards and cases and can cause th
e
l
y.
n
d store the SCR-99 only in normal
Temperature extremes can shorte
n
s
and distort or melt plastic parts.
he SCR-99 away from dust and dirt,
w
e
wear of parts.
h
e SCR-99 with a damp cloth occasio
n
D
o not use harsh chemicals, cleaning
s
t
s to clean the SCR-99.
n
g with the SCR-99’s internal compon
e
o
ur SCR-99’s warranty, and void you
r
R-99 is not performing as it should, t
a
r
assistance.
14-729.fm Page 14 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

15
THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW
This equipment complies with the limits for a Class B digital device as specified
in Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits provide reasonable protection against radio
and TV interference in a residential area. However, your equipment might cause
radio or TV interference even when it is operating properly. To eliminate interfer-
ence, you can try one or more of the following corrective measures:
• Reorient or relocate the radio or TV’s receiving antenna.
• Increase the distance between the SCR-99 and the radio or TV.
• Connect your SCR-99 to an AC outlet that is on a different electrical circuit
from either the radio or TV.
Consult your local Radio Shack store or an experienced radio/TV technician if
the problem still exists. If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires
that you stop using your SCR-99.
14-729.fm Page 15 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

16
SPECIFICATIONS
RADIO
Frequency Range:
FM88-108 MHz
AM 530-1710 kHz
Antenna:
FMTelescoping Antenna
AM Ferrite Rod
CASSETTE PLAYER
Track System4 Track Stereo
Tape Speed17/8 inch/second
Recording SystemDC Bias, Magnet
Erase
Frequency Response (Record/Play)
at ±3 dB80-12,000 Hz
Frequency Response (Record/Play)
at ±6 dB125-6300 Hz
Wow and Flutter 0.3% (WRMS)
GENERAL
Power Requirements 120 Volts AC,
60 Hz DC 9V (6 D Batteries)
Power Consumption18W
Dimensions 51/8 × 1615/16 ×413/
16 Inches (HWD)
(130 x 430 x 122 mm)
Weight 5 lbs 1 oz
(2.3 Kg)
Specifications are typical; individual
units might vary. Specifications are
subject to change and improvement
without notice.
14-729.fm Page 16 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM

RADIO SHACK
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
7A5 Printed in Hong Kong
RADIO SHACK LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted against defects for 90 days from date of
purchase from Radio Shack company-owned stores and autho-
rized Radio Shack franchisees and dealers. Within this period,
we will repair it without charge for parts and labor. Simply bring
your Radio Shack sales slip as proof of purchase date to any
Radio Shack store. Warranty does not cover transportation costs.
Nor does it cover a product subjected to misuse or accidental
damage.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RADIO SHACK 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 war-
ranties; therefore, the aforesaid limitation(s) or exclusion(s) may
not apply to the purchaser.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also
14-729.fm Page 17 Wednesday, June 30, 1999 5:27 PM