Radio Shack 20-162 User manual

Triple-Trunking
Handheld Radio Scanner
Thank you for purchasing your
RadioShack 1000-Channel Triple-
Trunking Handheld Radio Scanner from
RadioShack.
Your handheld scanner is one of a new
generation of scanners designed to
track Motorola® Type I, Type II, hybrid
analog systems, (such as Smartnet® and
Privacy Plus®) plus M/A-COM EDACS®
and EF Johnson LTR. Those systems are
extensively used in many 800 MHz, 900
MHz, and UHF communication systems.
20-162
www.radioshack.com
What’s Included
Scanner
Antenna
Belt Clip and 2 Screws
Preprogrammed
Frequency List
User’s Guide
Quick Start Guide

2
C ontents
Scanner Setup ........................................................... 6
Scanner Features ..............................................................6
Display Features................................................................8
Connecting the Antenna ............................................... 10
Attaching the Belt Clip................................................... 10
Powering Your Scanner ................................................. 10
Batteries ..................................................................... 10
Battery Notes.......................................................... 12
External Power........................................................... 12
Turning on the Scanner ................................................. 13
Connecting Headphones............................................... 14
Listening Safely ......................................................... 14
Understanding Your Scanner........................................ 14
Service Banks ............................................................ 15
Channel-Storage Banks............................................ 15
Manual Mode.................................................................. 16
Programming Frequencies into Channels.................. 16
Entering Channel Text Tags............................................17
Entering Bank Text Tags................................................ 18
Erasing All Frequencies in a Bank ............................... 18
Copying or Moving a Frequency ................................... 19
Searching ................................................................ 21
Chain Search................................................................... 21
Starting Chain Search .............................................. 21
Storing Frequencies Found During a Search......... 22
Programming Search Ranges................................. 22
Programming Search Bank Text Tags......................... 23
Fine Tune ......................................................................... 24
Service Bank Search...................................................... 25
Search Skip Memory ..................................................... 25
Search Speeds................................................................ 27

3
Contents
Signal Stalker I ............................................................... 27
Using Signal Stalker I................................................ 27
Setting the Signal Stalker I Options ....................... 28
Signal Stalker I Options............................................ 28
Log Channels ............................................................. 29
Signal Stalker I Band Meter..................................... 30
Scanning.................................................................. 31
Scanning Stored Channels............................................ 31
Manually Selecting a Channel...................................... 31
Weather Scan ................................................................. 32
Skywarn ........................................................................... 32
About Skywarn........................................................... 33
Settings ................................................................... 35
Setting Delay................................................................... 35
Turning Banks On or Off................................................ 35
Programming Scan Bank Lists ............................... 36
Locking Out Channels.................................................... 37
Skipping Data Signals ................................................... 38
Using Keylock.................................................................. 38
Using the Display Backlight.......................................... 39
Setting the Auto Backlight Display......................... 39
Setting the LCD Contrast............................................... 39
Setting the Keytone ....................................................... 40
Setting the Battery Save Function ............................... 40
Setting CTCSS/DCS........................................................ 40
Setting Priority.................................................................41
Weather Priority ............................................................. 42
Receiving NWR-SAME and Weather Alert Signals .... 43
Turning On the Digital Weather Alert Feature....... 43
Testing Digital Weather Alert Tone......................... 43
3URJUDPPLQJ$OHUWVIRUD6SHFLÀF&RXQW\............ 44
Programming FIPS ................................................ 44

4
C ontents
Trunk Scanning ........................................................ 46
Trunk Operation.............................................................. 46
Programming Trunked Frequencies ....................... 46
Using Trunk Scanning Scan Delay .......................... 49
Skipping a Trunked Bank......................................... 49
Talk Group IDs ................................................................ 49
Finding Talk Group IDs ............................................ 49
Storing Talk Group IDs.............................................. 50
Talk Group ID Text Tags ............................................ 50
Pausing on an Active Talk Group ID ....................... 51
Manually Entering a Talk Group ID ......................... 51
Locking Out Talk Group IDs ..................................... 51
Unlocking Locked-Out Talk Group IDs................. 52
Manually Programming Talk Group IDs................. 53
Motorola .................................................................. 54
EDACS...................................................................... 54
EDACS Partial Group Numbers ............................ 54
LTR ........................................................................... 55
Clearing Talk Group IDs............................................ 56
Clearing All Talk Group IDs in a Bank .................... 56
Using Talk Group ID Lists ......................................... 56
Turning a Talk Group ID List On or Off ................ 57
Scanning the Talk Group ID Lists......................... 57
Priority Scanning Talk Group IDs......................... 57
Motorola Trunking Systems.......................................... 58
Motorola Type II 800 MHz ........................................ 58
Setting the Base Frequency, Offset Channel, and
Spacing for 800 MHz Custom .............................. 59
Motorola UHF / VHF ................................................. 60
Type I and Hybrid Trunked Systems........................ 62
Selecting a Preset Fleet Map .................................. 63
Programming a Custom Fleet Map ........................ 63
Setting Control Channel Only Mode ....................... 64
Setting the Status Bit Feature (S-Bit) ..................... 65
Setting the Disconnect Tone Detect Function....... 66

5
Contents
EDACS Talk Groups ........................................................ 66
Selecting the EDACS Talk Group ID Format .......... 66
EDACS Talk Group ID Range Search ...................... 67
Advanced Programming ............................................ 68
Transferring Data To or From another Scanner or PC ......68
Cloning Your Scanner ............................................... 68
Wired Programming ................................................. 68
CTCSS/DCS ..................................................................... 69
Programming CTCSS/DCS Codes........................... 70
CTCSS Frequencies (Hz) ............................................71
DCS Codes (Octal) ......................................................71
Additional Information.............................................. 72
FCC Notice....................................................................... 72
Scanning Legally ............................................................ 72
Care.................................................................................. 73
Service and Repair.................................................... 73
6SHFLÀFDWLRQV ..................................................................74
Troubleshooting...............................................................76
Resetting your scanner............................................. 78
Appendix A: Inputting Text ............................................ 79
Text Input Chart ......................................................... 79
Appendix B: Fleet Maps................................................. 80
Preset Fleet Maps ..................................................... 80
8VHU'HÀQHG)OHHW0DSV.......................................... 80
Fleet Map Size Codes ............................................... 81
Size Code Restrictions.............................................. 82
Index ....................................................................... 83

6
Scanner Setup
Scanner Setup
Scanner Features
SCAN
/
Scan the stored channels; scan an active ID while trunking.
Press and hold to turn Signal Stalker on and off.
MAN (Manual)
/
MENU
Manually enter a channel. Press after FUNC to enter Menu
Mode.
SRCH (Search)
/
TUNE
Start a chain search; start and select a service search. Press
after FUNC to enter the Fine Tune Pause Mode and search
a specified frequency range.
TRUNK /MODE
Enter the Talk Group ID Programming Mode. Press after
FUNC to select the modulation for trunking system.
FUNC (Function)
/
A/a
Press in combination with other keys to access various
functions. Change the text input mode: lower case letters,
Upper case letters, or numbers.
PRI (Priority)
/
ALERT
Turn priority function on and off. Turn weather alert on and off.
L/O
Lock out selected channels; skip specified frequencies
during a search; lock out a selected ID while trunking.
CL
/
CTCSS/DCS
Clear an entry. Press after FUNC to turn CTCSS/DCS on
and off.
1-0
/
A-Z
Input a
number or
character

7
Scanner Setup
•
/
DELAY
/
OPEN/CLOSE
Enter a decimal point, space, or hyphen. Turn delay on or
off. Press after FUNC to change Trunk Open/Close Mode
ENT (Enter)
/
PGM (Program)
Complete the entry of frequencies and text. Put the
scanner in Programming Mode.
WX
/
Start weather search. Press and hold to activate Skywarn.
PSE (Pause)
/
TEXT
Stop and resume search or scan. Change from
Programming Mode to enter Text Tag Mode.
T
/
S
/
BANK
Select options during programming; change scan or
search direction; change the ID location number while
trunking. In Scan Mode, press after FUNC to go to select
bank menu. In Manual or Program Mode, press after
FUNC + to change bank. Hold down Tor Sto move
through the selections faster.
/
KEYLOCK
Turn on the backlight. Press and hold to lock the keypad.
Headphones
VOLUME/OFF
Turn the scanner on or off;
adjust the volume.
SQUELCH
Adjust the squelch.

8
Scanner Setup
APGM 00-01 T+ &
Police
P866.1625 FM
Scan Bank 00
CT 250.3
L/O DLY DS PRI ALT
A
A
Channel Text Tag
Police
Fire
Medical
Custom
Etc.
Priority
Channel
Bank Text Tag Frequency
Frequency Modulation
Or Trunking System
FM, AM - Conventional
MO - Motorola
ED - EDACS
LT - LTR
CTCSS or
DCS code
Signal Stalker
Display Features

9
Scanner Setup
APGM 00-01 T+ &
Police
P 866.1625 FM
Scan Bank 00
CT 250.3
L/O DLY DS PRI ALT
Text Input Mode
A- Upper case letter
a- Lower case letter
N- Numeric
Scan Direction
Bank Number
Channel Number
PAUSE displayed
during Pause Mode
Trunking Mode
T+ = Open
T– = Closed
Low Battery
Operation Mode
PGM - Programming
MAN - Manual
SCAN - Scan
SRCH - Search
SVC - Service Search
TUNE - Fine Tune
SIG-S - Signal Stalker
WX - Weather Scan
Lock Out
Delay
Data Skip Priority
Keylock
Weather Alert
P
P
P
P
P

10
Scanner Setup
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, DC
adapter, or AC adapter.
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.

11
Scanner Setup
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.
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.
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.
Battery Switch

12
Scanner Setup
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.
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.
External Power
You can power your scanner using an external
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

13
Scanner Setup
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. Always connect the adapter
(not supplied) to the scanner
first.
2. Plug the adapter into the
power source.
3. To disconnect, unplug the
adapter from the power
source first.
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.
Turning on the Scanner
1. Turn SQUELCH fully counterclockwise.
2. Turn VOLUME/OFF clockwise until it clicks
and you hear a hissing sound.
3. Turn SQUELCH clockwise until the hissing
stops.
Note: Make sure the scanner’s antenna is
connected before you turn it on.
To perform a quick check of scanner operation,
press the WX / key. If you are near a NOAA
weather station, you should hear weather
information.
POWER
DC 9V

14
Scanner Setup
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.
The scanner scans conventional frequencies and
trunked systems. A frequency, expressed in kHz
or MHz, is the tuning location of a station. To find
active frequencies, use the search function. For
more information about trunked transmissions see
“Trunk Operation” on p. 46.

15
Scanner Setup
Besides searching within a selected frequency
range, you can also search your scanner’s service
banks. Service banks are preset groups of
frequencies categorized by type of service. For
example, many amateur radio frequencies are
located in the Ham service bank.
When you search and find a desired frequency,
you can store it into a programmable memory
location called a channel. Channels are grouped
into channel-storage banks. Your scanner has 20
channel-storage banks. Each bank contains 50-
channel sets. So the scanner has 1,000 channels.
You can scan the channel-storage banks to see if
there is activity on the frequencies stored there.
Note: Search for frequencies to find
your local frequencies, after you have
programmed these frequencies into
channels, you can scan the channels.
Service Banks
The scanner is preprogrammed with all the
frequencies allocated to the Marine, CB band,
FRS/GMRS/MURS, Police (Fire/Emergency), Aircraft
and Ham band services. This helps you quickly find
active frequencies instead of doing a chain search.
Channel-Storage Banks
To make it easier to identify and select the
channels you want to listen to, all the channels are
divided into 20 banks of 50 channels. Use each
channel-storage bank to group frequencies.
For example, the police department might
use four frequencies in your town while the fire
department uses an additional four. You could
program the four police frequencies starting
with Channel 0 (the first channel in Bank 0), and
program the fire department frequencies starting
with Channel 50 (the first channel in Bank 1).

16
Scanner Setup
Manual Mode
To enter Manual Mode from any other mode,
press MAN/MENU.
Programming Frequencies into
Channels
Before the scanner can begin to scan, you must
program a frequency into at least one channel.
To locate and store specific frequencies into
channels for later use:
1. From Manual Mode, press ENT/PGM to put
the scanner in Programming Mode.
2. Press FUNC + Sor Tto select a bank.
3. Press Sor Tto select a channel
4. Use the number keys to enter the frequency,
using •for the decimal point.
5. Press ENT/PGM to store the frequency into
the channel.
6. To program the next channel in sequence, press
Sor ENT/PGM and repeat Steps 4 and 5.
Programming Notes:
• If you entered an invalid frequency in Step 5,
“Invalid Freq.” appears and the scanner beeps
error tones. Enter a valid frequency.
• If you entered a frequency in Step 5, which
already exists on another channel, the
scanner beeps an error tone and displays
that channel. Press CL to clear the display,
or press ENT/PGM to store the frequency in
both channels.
• To erase a frequency from a channel, from
Manual Mode press ENT/PGM to enter
Programming Mode and then press CL.

17
Scanner Setup
“Erase Frequency” will appear; press ENT/PGM
to erase.
• The scanner automatically rounds the
entered number to the nearest valid
frequency. For example, if you enter 151.473
(MHz), your scanner accepts it as 151.475.
• After a transmission, the scanner
automatically pauses for 2 seconds on this
channel before proceeding to the next
active transmission. Press •/DELAY to turn
the delay function on or off. The scanner
stores this setting in the channel.
• To store trunked system frequencies, see
“Programming Trunked Frequencies” on p. 46.
If you do not have a list of frequencies in your
area, use a chain, fine tune, or service search to
find a transmission (see “Searching” on p. 21). Also
refer to www.radioreference.com.
Entering Channel Text Tags
To store text tags for easy identification of channels:
1. From Manual Mode, press ENT/PGM to put
the scanner in Programming Mode.
2. Enter the channel number where you want to
store a text tag. If you make a mistake, press
CL repeatedly until the display is cleared.
3. Press MAN/MENU.
4. Press PSE/TEXT to put the scanner into
channel Text Tag Mode. The cursor appears.

18
Scanner Setup
5. Enter up to 16 letters by repeatedly pressing
the number keys. Press Sor Tto move the
cursor to the right or the left. Press [A/a] to
choose the input mode: upper case letters,
lower case letters, or numbers. (See “Appendix
A: Inputting Text on p. 79.)
6. Press ENT/PGM to store.
Entering Bank Text Tags
To store text tags for easy identification of banks:
1. From Manual Mode, press ENT/PGM to put
the scanner in Programming Mode.
2. Press FUNC + Sor Tto select the bank
where you want to store a text tag.
3. Press FUNC + ENT/PGM.“Edit Bank Tag or Erase
All Freq.” appears.
4. Press PSE/TEXT to put the scanner into Bank
Text Tag Mode. The cursor appears.
5. Press the number keys to enter up to 16
letters. Press Sor Tto move the cursor to the
right or the left. Press [A/a] to choose the input
mode: upper case letters, lower case letters, or
numbers. (See “Appendix A: Inputting Text” on p. 79.)
6. Press ENT/PGM to store.
Erasing All Frequencies in a Bank
To erase all frequencies in a bank:
1. From Manual Mode, press ENT/PGM to put
the scanner in Programming Mode.

19
Scanner Setup
2. Press FUNC + Sor Tto select the bank
where you want to erase all the frequencies.
3. Press FUNC + ENT/PGM.“Edit Bank Tag or Erase
All Freq.” appears.
4. Press FUNC + CL.
5. Press 1to erase all frequencies in the
selected bank. Press CL to cancel.
Or
1. From Manual Mode, press ENT/PGM to put
the scanner in Programming Mode.
2. Enter the number of the bank where you want
to erase all the frequencies.
3. Press FUNC + ENT/PGM.“Edit Bank Tag or Erase
All Freq.” appears.
4. Press FUNC + CL.
5. Press 1to erase all frequencies in the
selected bank. Press CL to cancel.
Note: If you entered an invalid bank
number in step 2, the scanner displays
“Invalid Bank No.” Press CL.
Copying or Moving a Frequency
To copy or move a frequency to a channel:
1. From Manual Mode, press ENT/PGM to put
the scanner in Programming Mode.
2. Select the frequency you want to copy or move.
Or, directly enter the bank and channel number
and press MAN.
3. Press and hold ENT/PGM to put the scanner
in Program Copy Mode.

20
Scanner Setup
4. Press Sor Tto select the bank where you
want to copy or move the frequency.
5. Press ENT/PGM. The smallest empty channel
number and 0.0000 appears. If there is no
empty channel, the scanner automatically
selects the first channel of the bank.
6. Press Sor Tif you want to select another
channel, then press ENT/PGM,“Delete Source
Channel?” appears.
7. If moving a frequency, press ENT/PGM to
delete the source. If copying a frequency,
press CL to keep both locations.