Radio Shack 20-135 User manual

Handheld Radio Scanner
Thank you for purchasing your
200–channel Handheld Radio
Scanner from RadioShack.
20-135
PRO-135
Please read this user’s guide before installing, setting
up, and using your new scanner
www.radioshack.com
What’s Included
Scanner
Antenna
Belt Clip (2) Screws
Preprogrammed
Frequency List
User’s Guide
Quick Start Guide

2
C ontents
Scanner Setup ............................................. 4
Scanner Features ....................................................4
Connecting the Antenna.........................................6
Attaching the Belt Clip............................................6
Powering Your Scanner...........................................6
Installing Batteries..............................................7
Battery Notes....................................................8
Recycle Rechargeable Batteries.......................9
Using External Power..........................................9
Connecting Headphones.....................................10
Listening Safely................................................10
Understanding Your Scanner..............................10
Birdie Frequencies ..........................................11
Turning on the Scanner........................................12
Programming Frequencies into Channels........12
Searching .................................................. 14
Limit Search..........................................................14
Starting Limit Search......................................14
Programming Search Ranges........................14
Fine Tune................................................................15
Service Bank Search............................................ 16
Storing Frequencies Found During a Search.... 16
Search Skip Memory.............................................17
Search Speeds......................................................18
Signal Stalker I......................................................18
Using Signal Stalker I......................................18
Setting the Signal Stalker I Options..............19
Signal Stalker I Options...................................19
Scanning.................................................... 21
Scanning Stored Channels.................................. 21

3
Contents
Manually Selecting a Channel............................22
Weather Scan........................................................22
Weather Alert........................................................22
Testing the Weather Alarm.............................23
Skywarn.................................................................23
About Skywarn.................................................23
Settings ..................................................... 25
Setting Delay.........................................................25
Turning Channel-Storage Banks On or Off........25
Locking Out Channels..........................................26
Setting Priority......................................................26
Using Keylock.........................................................27
Using the Display Backlight.................................27
Setting the Auto Backlight Display.................27
Setting the Power On Backlight.....................28
Setting the Keytone .............................................28
Setting the Battery Save Function..................... 28
Advanced Programming .............................. 30
Transferring Data To or From another Scanner30
Cloning Your Scanner......................................30
Transferring Data From a PC...............................31
Wired Programming.........................................31
Additional Information................................ 32
FCC Notice.............................................................32
Scanning Legally...................................................32
Care........................................................................33
Service and Repair...........................................33
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV.......................................................34
Troubleshooting....................................................36
Resetting your Scanner....................................37

4
Scanner Setup
SCAN MAN SRCH TUNE
MENU
3
2
1
SVC MAR POL AIR
HAM
WX
PSE PRI 4
ALERT 56
L/O 789
CL 0•ENT
PGM
DELAY
KEYLOCK
Scanner Setup
Scanner Features
SCAN
/
Scan the stored channel frequencies. Press and hold to
activate Signal Stalker I.
MAN
Go to manual mode.
SRCH
Start a limit search.
TUNE
/ MENU
Operate Fine Tune. Press and hold to enter menu.
SVC
Press to put the scanner in service mode.
1/MAR (Marine)
Press after SVC to select the marine band.
2/POL (Police)
Press after SVC to select the police and fire band.
3/AIR
Press after SVC to select the air band.
4/HAM
Select the ham band in service mode.
0-9
Input a number.

5
Scanner Setup
SCAN MAN SRCH TUNE
MENU
3
2
1
SVC MAR POL AIR
HAM
WX
PSE PRI 4
ALERT 56
L/O 789
CL 0•ENT
PGM
DELAY
KEYLOCK
•
/
DELAY
Enter a decimal point. Turn delay on or off.
ENT (Enter)
/
PGM (Program)
Complete the entry of frequencies. Put the scanner in
programming mode.
WX
/
Start weather scan. Press and hold to activate Skywarn.
PSE (Pause)
Stop and resume search or scan.
S
/
T
Search up and down a selected frequency range; selects
options in menu mode.
/
KEYLOCK
Turns the display and key backlight on. Press and hold to
lock the keypad.
PRI (Priority)/ALERT
Turns the priority function on or off. Press
and hold to turn weather alert on and off.
L/O
Lockout selected channels or skip specified
frequencies during a search.
CL
Press to clear an entry.

6
Scanner Setup
Headphones
VOLUME/OFF
Turn the scanner on or off;
adjust the volume.
SQUELCH
Adjust the squelch.
Connecting the Antenna
Attach the supplied antenna
to the scanner by aligning the
slots around its base with the
tabs on the scanner, and then
slide into place.
When using an external
antenna, always connect with
50-ohm, RG-58, or RG-8,
coaxial cable. 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
variety of BNC adapters.
Attaching the Belt Clip
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver
and the supplied screws to
attach the clip to the scanner.
Powering Your Scanner
You can power your scanner with batteries or an
AC adapter.

7
Scanner Setup
Installing Batteries
1. Remove the battery compartment cover.
2. Set the Battery Switch inside the battery
compartment to the appropriate setting:
•ALKALINE when using alkaline batteries.
•Ni-MH when using rechargeable (Ni-MH)
AA batteries.
3. Insert two AA batteries (not included) into the
battery compartment and two AA batteries
into the battery compartment cover, matching
the polarity symbols (+ and -) marked inside.
4. Replace the cover.
Battery Switch
Warning: Only set the Battery Switch to Ni-
MH for use with nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH)
rechargeable batteries.
Never use non-rechargeable batteries when the
switch is set to Ni-MH.

8
Scanner Setup
To charge batteries:
1. Set the Power Switch to Ni-MH.
2. Install rechargeable batteries.
3. Connect an external power source to the
DC 9V 300mA jack.
The scanner stops charging automatically after a
maximum of 14 hours.
Warning: Do not attempt to charge batteries
if non-rechargeable batteries are installed in
the scanner and the switch is set to Ni-MH, or
if you are unsure of the switch’s position. Non-
rechargeable batteries will get hot and can explode
if you try to recharge them. The scanner displays
Er CHArg if the wrong batteries are detected.
Battery Notes
• When battery power is low, flashes and
the scanner beeps every 15 seconds. When
battery power is depleted, the scanner turns
itself off.
• Rechargeable batteries last longer and
deliver more power if you let them fully
discharge once a month. To do this, use the
scanner until flashes.
• 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.
• 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.
• Always dispose of old batteries promptly
and properly. Do not bury or burn them.

9
Scanner Setup
Recycle Rechargeable Batteries
Placing rechargeable batteries into the
trash or the municipal waste system can be
harmful to the environment. RadioShack
participates in an industry program to collect and
recycle rechargeable batteries at the end of their
useful life.
You can return your rechargeable batteries to
your local RadioShack store for recycling free of
charge. Or call 1-800-THE-SHACK (1-800-843-
7422) for information on recycling rechargeable
batteries in your area. RadioShack’s involvement
in this program is part of the company’s
commitment to preserving our environment and
conserving our natural resources.
Using External Power
You can power your scanner using a power source
that supplies 9V DC and delivers at least 300mA.
Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug
must fit the scanner’s DC 9V 300mA jack. You
can use an “Adaptaplug C”
for AC adapters. Using an
adapter that does not meet
these specifications could
damage the scanner or the
adapter.
To use an external power
source:
1. Connect the adapter (not
supplied) to the scanner’s
DC 9V jack.
2. Plug the adapter into the
power source.
3. To disconnect, unplug
the adapter from the
power source first.

10
Scanner Setup
Warning: Do not connect a charging adapter to
the scanner if non-rechargeable batteries (such as
alkaline batteries) are installed in the scanner and
the switch is set to Ni-MH, or if you are unsure of
the switch’s position.
Connecting Headphones
For private listening, you can plug headphones
(not included) into the headphone jack on top of
your scanner. This automatically disconnects the
internal speaker. Note that the sound is not in
stereo.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these earphone or
headphones guidelines:
• Do not listen at extremely high volume
levels. Extended high-volume listening can
lead to permanent hearing loss.
• Set the volume to the lowest setting before
listening. Turn on the scanner, and adjust
the volume to a comfortable level.
• After 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.
• Even though some earphones/headphones
let you hear some outside sounds when
listening at normal volume levels, they still
can present a traffic hazard.
Understanding Your Scanner
We use a few simple terms in this manual to
explain the features of the scanner. Familiarize
yourself with these terms and the scanner’s
features, and you can put the scanner to work for
you right away.