Radio Shack PRO-404 User manual

User’s Guide 20-404/PRO-404
Thank you for purchasing your
Handheld Radio Scanner from
RadioShack. Please read this user’s
guide before installing, setting up,
and using your new scanner
Handheld Radio Scanner
www.radioshack.com
Package Contents
Scanner
Antenna
Belt Clip
User’s Guide
Quick Start Guide
Alkaline Battery Holder
Rechargeable Battery
Holder

2
3
Contents
Features................................................... 4
Understanding Your Scanner.............................5
Channel Storage Banks ...................................6
Service Banks ..................................................6
Preprogrammed Service Bank Frequencies......6
Marine Service Bank........................................6
Fire/Police Service Bank..................................8
Aircraft Service Bank .......................................9
Ham Amateur Radio Service Bank ..................9
Weather Channels...........................................9
Understanding the Keypad .............................10
Understanding the Display..............................12
Additional Display Messages ........................13
Sub Bank Messages ......................................13
Setup ..................................................... 14
Power Sources.................................................14
Using Batteries ..............................................14
Charging Rechargeable Batteries .................16
Using External Power....................................17
Connecting the Antenna.................................18
Connecting an Outdoor Antenna .................18
Connecting Headphones ................................18
Connecting an Extension Speaker ................19
Attaching/Removing the Belt Clip ................19
Basic Operation ..................................... 20
Turning on the Scanner and Setting Squelch.....20
Programming Known Frequencies into
Channels..........................................................20
Searching for Active Frequencies ...................21
Tune Search...................................................21
Service Bank Search ......................................22
Signal Stalker II Search..................................22
Storing Found Frequencies into Channels......23
Scanning the Stored Channels........................24
Turning Channel-Storage Banks On and Off .....24
Monitoring a Stored Channel..........................25
Clearing a Stored Channel............................25
Listening to the Marine Bank ..........................25
Weather Features .................................. 26
Listening to a Weather Channel......................26
Weather Alerts ................................................26
Receiving All Weather Alerts ........................26
Receiving Alerts for Specific Areas ...............27
About SAME Signals ...................................27
SAME Standby Mode..................................27
Skywarn .........................................................28
Settings.................................................. 29
Setting Delay...................................................29
Locking Out Channels and Frequencies .........29
Reviewing and Removing Lock-outs .............30
Stored Channels..........................................30
Marine Service Bank....................................30
Other Service Banks and Signal Stalker II ...30
Removing Lock-outs from All Frequencies
in a Service Bank .........................................31
Using Priority...................................................31
Using the Display Backlight.............................32
Turning the Key Tone On and Off ...................32
Using the Key Lock..........................................32
Additional Information........................... 33
Cloning the Programmed Data.......................33
Programming with a Personal Computer........33
Initializing the Scanner ....................................33
Troubleshooting ..............................................34
Birdie Frequencies...........................................35
FCC Notice......................................................35
Scanning Legally..............................................36
Care.................................................................37
Service and Repair ..........................................37
Specifications ..................................................37
Limited Warranty.............................................39

4
Features
5
Features
Key Lock – lock the scanner’s keys to help prevent
accidentally changing the scanner’s programming.
Liquid-Crystal Display – easy to view and change
programming information.
Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector – provides
good reception of strong local signals. You can also
connect an external antenna for improved reception of
distant or weak signals.
Three Power Options – power the scanner using
batteries (rechargeable or non-rechargeable), external
AC power (using an AC adapter, not supplied), or DC
power (using a DC adapter, not supplied).
Your PRO-404 scanner can receive these bands:
Frequency Range Types of Transmissions
29–54 MHz 10-Meter Ham, VHF Lo,
6-Meter Ham
108–136.9875 MHz Aircraft
137–174 MHz Military Land Mobile, 2-
Meter Ham, VHF Hi
380–512 MHz UHF Aircraft, Federal
Government, 70-cm Ham,
UHF Standard, UHF “T”
Note: See “Specifications” on page 37 for more
information about frequency steps.
Understanding Your Scanner
Once you understand a few simple terms used in this
manual and familiarize yourself with your scanner’s
features, you can put the scanner to work for you.
Simply determine the type of communications you want
to receive, then set the scanner to scan them.
A frequency is the receiving signal location (expressed
in kHz or MHz). To find active frequencies, use the
search function or consult an online resource such
as www.radioreference.com. You can also search the
Service Banks, which are preset groups of frequencies
categorized by type of service.
When you find a frequency, you can store it into a
programmable memory location called a channel,
Features
Your new PRO-404 Handheld Scanner lets you scan
conventional transmissions and is preprogrammed with
search banks of the most common frequencies used
by public service agencies. Service Banks are accessed
by pressing a one-touch search key—no complicated
programming required.
Your new scanner gives you direct access to over 25,000
frequencies, including those used by police and fire
departments, ambulance services, aircraft, and amateur
radio services.
Your PRO-404 scanner also has these special
features:
Signal Stalker II – a powerful tool to rapidly detect,
monitor, and store frequencies from nearby radio
transmissions.
Service Banks – easily locate types of calls by searching
preprogrammed frequencies in separate marine, fire/
police, aircraft, ham, and weather banks.
Display Backlight – makes the display easy to read in
low-light situations.
Lock-out Function – skip over specified channels or
frequencies when scanning or searching.
Ten Channel-Storage Banks – group and store 20
channels in each bank (200 total channels).
Tune – tune to new and unlisted frequencies starting
from a specified frequency.
SAME/FIPS Weather Alert – displays the weather
event and sounds an alert for the specific cities or
counties you choose.
Memory Backup – frequencies remain stored in
memory for an extended time even without batteries.
Scan Delay – delays scanning for two seconds before
moving to another channel in order to hear replies.
Priority Channel – set the scanner to check one
channel every two seconds while scanning.
Data Cloning – transfer the programmed data to
another PRO-404 scanner.

6
Features
7
Features
which is grouped with other channels in a channel-
storage bank. You can then scan the channel-storage
banks to see if there is activity on the frequencies stored
there. Each time the scanner finds an active frequency, it
stays on that channel until the transmission ends.
Channel Storage Banks
To make it easier to identify and select the channels you
want to listen to, your scanner divides the channels into
10 banks (1 to 10) with 20 channels each, for a total of
200 channels. You can use each channel-storage bank
to group frequencies, such as those used by the police
department, fire department, ambulance services, or
aircraft.
For example, you could program the frequencies used
by your local police department starting with Channel
1 (the first channel in bank 1) and program the fire
department frequencies starting with Channel 21 (the
first channel in bank 2).
Service Banks
The scanner is preprogrammed with the frequencies
allocated to marine, fire/police, aircraft, ham radio, and
weather services. This is handy for quickly finding active
frequencies instead of searching through an entire bank
(see “Service Bank Search” on page 22).
Preprogrammed Service Bank
Frequencies
Marine Service Bank
Channel Frequency
(MHz) Channel Frequency (MHz)
01 156.0500 63 156.1750
02 156.2500 64 156.2250
06 156.3000 160.8250
07 156.3500 65 156.2750
08 156.4000 66 156.3250
09 156.4500 67 156.3750
10 156.5000 68 156.4250
Channel Frequency
(MHz) Channel Frequency (MHz)
11 156.5500 69 156.4750
12 156.6000 70 156.5250
13 156.6500 71 156.5750
14 156.7000 72 156.6250
15 156.7500 73 156.6750
16 156.8000 74 156.7250
17 156.8500 77 156.8750
18 156.9000 78 156.9250
19 156.9500 79 156.9750
20 157.0000 80 157.0250
161.6000 81 157.0750
21 157.0500 82 157.1250
22 157.1000 83 157.1750
23 157.1500 84 157.2250
24 157.2000 161.8250
161.8000 85 157.2750
25 157.2500 161.8750
161.8500 86 157.3250
26 157.3000 161.9250
161.9000 87 157.3750
27 157.3500 161.9750
161.9500 88 157.4250
28 157.4000
162.0000
nNote: Both frequencies (transmission and reception)
are shown for marine channels used for duplex
transmission.

8
Features
9
Features
Fire/Police Service Bank
Group Frequency Range (MHz) Step (kHz)
1 33.420-33.980 20
37.020-37.420 20
39.020-39.980 20
42.020-42.940 20
44.620-45.860 40
45.880 -
45.900-46.060 40
46.080-46.500 20
2 153.770-154.130 60
154.145-154.445 15
154.650-154.950 15
155.010-155.370 60
155.415-155.700 15
155.730-156.210 60
158.730-159.210 60
166.250 -
170.150 -
3 453.0375-453.9625 12.5
458.0375-458.9625 12.5
460.0125-460.6375 12.5
465.0125-465.6375 12.5
Aircraft Service Bank
Group Frequency Range (MHz) Step (kHz)
1 108.000-118.000 12.5
2 118.0125-136.9875 12.5
Ham Amateur Radio Service Bank
Group Frequency Range (MHz) Step (kHz)
1 29.000-29.700 5
2 50.000-54.000 5
3 144.000-148.000 5
4 420.000-450.000 12.5
Weather Channels
Channel Frequency (MHz)
1 162.400
2 162.425
3 162.450
4 162.475
5 162.500
6 162.525
7 162.550

10
Features
11
Features
Understanding the Keypad
(Marine)
Search the preprogrammed marine bank.
(Fire Department/Police Department)
Search the preprogrammed fire/police bank.
(Aircraft)
Search the preprogrammed aircraft bank.
(HAM)
Search the preprogrammed amateur radio bank.
/ (Weather / Skywarn)
Search the seven preprogrammed weather channels.
Press and hold to jump to the Skywarn channel
(channel 200). You must first program your local
Skywarn frequency into channel 200 (see page 20).
-
-
0–9
Input a number when entering frequencies and
selecting banks (0selects bank 10).
The range of numbers above the key (1–20, 21–40,
41-60, etc.) indicates the channels stored in that bank.
• / DELAY
Input a decimal point when entering frequencies.
Program a two-second delay for the selected
channel.
ENT (Enter)
Complete the entry of frequencies.
-
-
-
-
SCAN / MAN (Manual)
Enter Scan mode to scan programmed channels.
Enter Manual mode to stop scanning, directly enter
a channel number, or monitor a single channel.
PRI / ALERT
Enable and disable the priority feature.
Enable and disable SAME standby mode when
monitoring a weather channel.
TUNE / CLEAR
Enter Tune search.
Clear an incorrect entry.
e d
Select the direction for searching and scanning.
L/O
/
L/O RVW
Lock-out selected channels or frequencies.
Review locked-out frequencies.
/
Turn the backlight on and off.
Press and hold to lock and unlock the keypad.
PGM
Program frequencies into channels.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(Signal Stalker II)
Activate the Signal
Stalker II function.
PSE (Pause)
Stop and restart
a search or tune.

12
Features
13
Features
Understanding the Display
Row 1
– Signal Stalker II search is active.
BANK – Appears with numbers (1–10) to indicate
the scan bank. The bar under the bank number shows
banks that are turned on for scanning.
– Keypad locked.
Row 2
WX – Searching weather channels.
MAR – Searching the marine bank.
FD/PD – Searching the fire/police bank.
AIR – Searching the aircraft bank.
HAM – Searching the amateur radio bank.
Row 3
– Skywarn channel active.
000 –Channel number the scanner is tuned to.
CH – Appears with channel number (
1 – 200 ) or P
(priority channel).
000.0000 – Frequency the scanner is tuned to.
B– Batteries are low.
L/0 – A locked out channel/frequency is manually
selected or reviewed.
Row 4
ed(Up/Down) – Search or scan direction.
SRCH – Searching a service bank.
SCAN – Scan mode.
MAN – Manual mode.
PGM – Program mode.
PRI – Priority feature is active.
DLY – Two-second delay is active.
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4
Additional Display Messages
ALL CH L-out –All channels locked out during scan
or marine band search .
b X Ch-FULL –All displayed bank channels are full.
b X StorE –Frequency programmed into displayed
bank’s channel.
CLOnE –Clone mode.
-dUPL- –Frequency is already stored in another channel.
Error –Entry error.
FLo ALL-CL –All the locked-out frequencies
removed during a FD/PD, AIRCRAFT, HAM, or Signal
Stalker II search.
L-r –Review the locked-out frequencies.
L-O Fr-FULL –Maximum of 50 frequencies already
locked out.
oFF tonE –Key tone deactivated.
On tonE –Key tone activated.
P –Scanner is tuned to the priority channel.
-t- –Tune mode.
Sub Bank Messages
Lo VHF –Sub-bank 1 of the fire/police bank.
Hi VHF –Sub-bank 2 of the fire/police bank.
UHF –Sub-bank 3 of the fire/police bank.
10 M –Sub-bank 1 of the HAM bank.
6 M –Sub-bank 2 of the HAM bank.
2 M –Sub-bank 3 of the HAM bank.
70CM –Sub-bank 4 of the HAM bank.

14
Setup
15
Setup
Setup
Power Sources
You can power your scanner from one of three sources:
• Rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries (not
supplied).
• Standard AC power using an optional AC adapter
(not supplied).
• Vehicle power using an optional DC adapter (not
supplied).
Using Batteries
You can power the scanner with four AA batteries
(not supplied). For the longest operation and best
performance, we recommend alkaline batteries. If you
use rechargeable batteries, we recommend nickel-metal
hydride (Ni-MH) batteries.
Use the black battery holder for non-rechargeable
batteries. Use the yellow holder for rechargeable
batteries.
wWarning: Never install non-rechargeable batteries
in the rechargeable yellow battery holder. Non-
rechargeable batteries can get hot or explode if you try
to recharge them.
To install batteries
1. Slide open the battery compartment cover on the
back of the scanner.
2. Place 4 AA batteries into the correct battery holder
matching polarity symbols (+ / –):
Black – Alkaline (non-rechargeable)
Yellow – Rechargeable Ni-MH or Ni-Cd
3. Place the battery holder into the battery
compartment. The battery holder fits only one way.
Do not force it.
4. Replace the cover.
Rechargeable
batteries (yellow
holder)
Alkaline or non-
rechargeable
batteries (black
holder)
bBattery Notes:
• When battery power is low, Bappears and the
scanner beeps continuously. When battery power is
depleted, the scanner turns itself off.
• You must charge rechargeable batteries before you
use them the first time.
• Do not allow any metal objects such as key rings,
necklaces, etc. to touch the (+) and (–) terminals
when the battery holder contains batteries. Do not
carry or store the battery holder with metal objects.
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and
recommended type. Do not mix old and new
batteries, different types (alkaline or rechargeable),
or rechargeable batteries of different capacities.
Doing so can damage the batteries, causing
chemicals or lead leaks, fire, or explosions.

16
Setup
17
Setup
• Always turn off the scanner when not using it.
• Remove old or weak batteries. If you will not use
the scanner with batteries for a month, remove the
batteries. Batteries can leak chemicals that destroy
electronic circuits.
• In the event that a battery leaks, shows
transformation, discoloration, or abnormal
generation of heat, stop operation and replace the
batteries.
• Always dispose of old batteries promptly and
properly. Do not bury or burn them.
Charging Rechargeable Batteries
1. Install rechargeable batteries using the yellow
battery holder.
2. Connect an external power source to the PWR DC
9V jack using a 9V 400mA AC/DC adapter (not
supplied). The average charging times are listed
below.
Battery Current Charge Time
Ni-MH 1600 mAh 16 hours
Ni-Cd 600 mAh 6 hours
Ni-Cd 850 mAh 8 hours
bRecharging Notes:
• Do not overcharge batteries. Overcharging
shortens battery life.
• Using the scanner while charging will increase
charge time.
• Rechargeable batteries last longer and deliver more
power if you let them fully discharge once a month.
To do this, use the scanner until Bappears.
Recycle Rechargeable Batteries
Placing rechargeable batteries in the trash can
be harmful to the environment. Instead, recycle
old rechargeable batteries at your local RadioShack
store free of charge. RadioShack participates in the
RBRC© battery recycling program, and is committed
to preserving the environment and conserving natural
resources. Call 1-800-THE-SHACK
(1-800-843-7422) for more information.
Using External Power
You can power your scanner using a
power source that supplies 9V DC and
delivers at least 400mA. Its center tip
must be set to positive and its plug
must fit the scanner’s PWR DC 9V jack.
To use an external power source:
1. Connect the adapter (not supplied)
to the scanner’s PWR DC 9V jack.
2. Plug the adapter into the power
source (standard AC power or your
vehicle’s power port).
3. To disconnect, unplug the adapter from the power
source first.
If you use an external power source for regular
operation, install alkaline batteries for emergencies.
Rechargeable batteries will self-discharge, even when
not used, and could have no usable power.
n Notes:
• Connecting an AC or DC adapter to the scanner
disconnects internal batteries when you use the
black non-rechargeable battery holder, but it does
not disconnect internal batteries when you use the
yellow rechargeable battery holder.
• If the scanner stops working properly after
connecting it to power, try resetting it (see
“Initializing the Scanner” on page 33).
• If you are powering from your vehicle’s power port
and your vehicle’s engine is running, you might hear
electrical noise from the engine while scanning.
This is normal.
wCaution: You must use a Class 2 power source
that supplies 9V DC and delivers at least 400mA. Its
center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit
the scanner’s PWR DC 9V jack. Using an adapter that
does not meet these specifications could damage the
scanner or the adapter.

18
Setup
19
Setup
Connecting the Antenna
To attach the supplied flexible
antenna:
1. Align the slots around the
antenna’s connector with the tabs
on the antenna jack.
2. Press the antenna down over the
jack.
3. Turn the antenna’s base clockwise
until it locks into place.
Connecting an Outdoor Antenna
To connect an external antenna,
follow the installation instructions
supplied with the antenna. Use 50-
ohm coaxial cable to connect your
scanner to the outdoor antenna.
For lengths between 50 and 100
feet, use RG-8X low-loss dielectric
coaxial cable. For lengths over 100
feet, use RG8. You also may need a
BNC adapter (available at your local
RadioShack store).
wWarning: Use extreme caution
when installing or removing an outdoor antenna. If the
antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead
power lines. If the antenna touches a power line,
touching 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.
Connecting Headphones
For private listening, you can plug an Çinch (3.5-mm)
mini-plug earphone or headphones (not supplied), into
the HEADPHONE jack
on the top of
the scanner. This
automatically
disconnects the internal
speaker.
Listening Safely
Do not wear headphones, earphones, or earbuds while
operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. This can
create a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some
areas.
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines:
• Do not listen at high volume levels. Extended high-
volume listening can lead to permanent hearing
loss.
• Set the volume to the lowest setting. Then turn
on your audio device and adjust the volume to a
comfortable level.
• Avoid increasing the volume. Your ears will adapt
to the volume level, so a level that does not cause
discomfort could still damage your hearing.
Connecting an Extension Speaker
In a noisy area, an amplified extension speaker
(available from your local RadioShack store or
www.RadioShack.com), might provide more comfortable
listening. Plug the speaker cable’s Çinch (3.5 mm)
miniplug into your scanner’s HEADPHONE jack.
nNote: Use an amplified speaker with this scanner.
Non-amplified speakers do not provide sufficient
volume for comfortable listening.
Attaching/Removing the Belt Clip
You can attach the belt clip to the back
of the scanner for hands-free carrying.
Slide the supplied belt clip down on the
back of the scanner. To remove the belt
clip, pull the tab out and slide the clip
upward.