Radio Shack 20-427 PRO-2054 User manual

20-427 Owner’s Manual Draft
RadioShack
20-427
PRO-2054 300 Channel Mobile/Base Scanner
Please read this user’s guide before installing, setting up and using your new product
www.radioshack.com
Thank you for purchasing your Pro-2054 300 channel Mobile/Base scanner from
RadioShack. You can mount your scanner in a fixed position and use it as a base scanner or
you can use it as a mobile scanner by mounting it in a vehicle. This scanner lets you scan
conventional transmissions, and is preprogrammed with search banks for convenience. By
pressing a one touch search key, you can quickly search those frequencies most commonly
used by public service and other agencies without tedious and complicated programming.
what’s included
user’s guide quick start guide preloaded data addendum
Scanner Antenna DC cable w/fuse AC adapter
DIN sleeve and keys (2) Mounting bracket
Knob (2) Rubber washer (2) Lock washer (2)
Screw (2) Rubber foot (3)
contents
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© 2005 RadioShack Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack, RadioShack.com, Hypersearch, Hyperscan, and Adaptaplug are trademarks
used by RadioShack Corporation.
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your scanner’s keypad
WX (Weather)/(skywarn) – scans through the seven preprogrammed weather channels, or
jumps to a Skywarn channel you programmed (300 CH).
MAR (Marine) – lets you search the scanner’s preprogrammed marine band.
F/P (Fire/Police) – lets you search the scanner’s preprogrammed fire/police band.
AIR (Aircraft) – lets you search the scanner’s preprogrammed aircraft band.
HAM (Amateur radio) – lets you search the scanner’s preprogrammed amateur radio band.
FUNC (Function) – lets you use various functions by pressing this key in combination with
other keys.
PRI (Priority) – sets and turns the priority function on or off.
ATT (Attenuate) – turns attenuation on to reduce the scanner’s sensitivity and block
extremely strong signals, or turns it off to return the sensitivity to normal.
TUNE – press TUNE, PAUSE to tune to a frequency.
PAUSE – pauses search or tune operation.
SCAN/(stalker) – scans through the programmed channels, or activates the Signal Stalker
II function.
MAN (Manual) – stops scanning and lets you directly enter a channel number.
/¥ or ¥/ – selects the scan or search direction.
Number keys – press to enter a number or a character (in text mode).
•/DELAY – enters a decimal point (necessary when programming frequencies), or programs
delay time for the selected channel/search bank.
ENT (Enter) – completes the entry of frequencies.
DIM (Dimmer) – adjusts the backlight level (Light, Dark, or OFF).
L/OUT (Lock Out) – lets you lock out a selected channel, skip a specified frequency during
search, or lock out a selected ID code.
CLEAR – clears an incorrect entry.
PROG (Program) – programs frequencies in channels
PWR/VOL/SQ – long knob turns OFF/ON, and controls volume. Short knob controls
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squelch.
PC/IF – connect an optional PC interface cable here to use the scanner with your computer.
Headphone Symbol – attach headphones with 1/8” jack here.
your scanner’s rear view
ANT – connect the supplied antenna or an external antenna here.
SCREW HOLE – use to mount the scanner in a car with some hardware (screw not
supplied).
RESET – press to reset your scanner.
DC 13.8V – connect a power source here.
EXT SP – connect an external speaker here.
your scanner’s display
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install your scanner
You can mount your scanner in your vehicle, install it for mobility, or install it as a base
station.
mounting your scanner in your dashboard
If you are unsure about how to install your scanner in your vehicle, consult your automobile
manufacturer, dealer, or a qualified installer. Before installing, confirm your scanner fits in
the desired mounting area and you have all the necessary materials. Your scanner requires
a 2 x 7 1/8 x 5 5/16 inch (50 x 180 x 135 mm) mounting area.
1. Remove the four rear screws and pull off the black case before installing your scanner.
2. Install the DIN sleeve into the opening in your dashboard, lip facing out.
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3. Push out the top and bottom tabs to hold the sleeve firmly in place.
4. Slide the scanner into the sleeve until it locks in place.
Notes:
•To remove your scanner from the DIN sleeve, insert the two keys straight into the
scanner’s front panel. Then, remove the scanner by pulling front panel.
•When mounting in your dashboard, you will need to connect an external antenna and an
external speaker.
mobile mounting in your vehicle
You can mount your scanner under the dashboard, or on top of it, using the mounting
bracket.
1. Attach the three protective rubber feet to the mounting bracket when you use the
scanner on a flat surface. Do not use them when you mount the bracket with screws.
2. Use the supplied mounting bracket as a template to mark positions for the two mounting
screws.
3. At the marked positions, drill holes slightly smaller than the screws.
4. Remove the paper backing from each washer and stick one inside of each bracket’s ear,
aligning the washer’s hole with the bracket’s hole.
5. Attach the mounting bracket to your vehicle’s surface using the supplied screws and
lockwashers.
6. Slide the scanner into the bracket, aligning the scanner’s holes with the holes in the
bracket, and then screw the mounting knobs into the scanner.
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Note: When drilling holes, be sure to avoid obstructions behind the mounting surface.
Consult a qualified installer if in doubt.
using your scanner as a base station
You can place your scanner on a desk, shelf, or table to use it as a base station. Since the
speaker is on the bottom of the scanner, you may want to use the mounting bracket to
elevate your scanner off the surface for better sound. Follow the mobile vehicle mounting
instructions above to affix your scanner to a desk, shelf, table or other flat surface (except
that the bracket will be below the scanner).
power your scanner
You can power your scanner from a wall outlet, through your vehicle’s ignition, or from your
vehicle’s cigarette lighter.
from a wall outlet
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1. Connect the tip of the supplied AC adapter to the DC 13.8V jack at the rear of your
scanner.
2. Plug the AC adapter into your wall outlet.
Note: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 13.8V DC and delivers at least
600mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 13.8V
jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or
the adapter.
Warning!
To prevent electric shock, do not use the AC adapter’s polarized plug with an extension cord,
receptacle, or other outlet unless you can fully insert the blades to prevent blade exposure.
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through your vehicle’s ignition
1. Disconnect the cable from the negative (–) terminal of your vehicle’s battery.
2. Ground the black wire of the supplied DC power cord to your vehicle’s chassis.
Note: Be sure the grounding screw makes complete contact with the metal frame of your
vehicle.
3. Connect the red wire of the supplied DC power cord to a voltage source that turns on and
off with the ignition switch, such as a spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box.
4. Insert the power cord’s barrel plug into the scanner’s DC 13.8V jack.
5. Reconnect the cable to the negative (–) terminal of your vehicle’s battery.
Note: You must use a power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers at least 600mA. Its
center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 13.8V jack. The
supplied DC power cord meets these specifications. Using a power cord that does not meet
these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.
from your vehicle’s cigarette lighter
To power your scanner from a 12V power source in your vehicle, such as a cigarette-lighter
socket, you need a 12V, 600mA DC cigarette-lighter adapter (not supplied), available at
your local RadioShack store.
1. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the scanner’s DC 13.8V jack.
2. Plug the adapter’s other end into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter or power socket.
Note: When you use a cigarette-lighter adapter, you might hear electrical noise from your
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engine while scanning. This is normal.
connect the supplied antenna
Push the antenna onto your scanner’s antenna connector and rotate until it locks into
place.
Your scanner’s sensitivity to various frequencies depends on its location and the antenna’s
length. For best reception, adjust the antenna’s length as follows:
Frequency Antenna Length
28–54 MHz Extend fully
108–174 MHz Extend 4 segments
406-960 MHz Collapse fully
connect an external antenna
You will need to connect an external antenna when you mount your scanner in the
dashboard of your vehicle. You may also want to connect an external antenna if you use
your scanner as a base station.
Your local RadioShack store sells a variety of antennas. Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable,
such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect an outdoor antenna. For lengths exceeding 50 feet, use
RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If your coaxial cable does not have a BNC connector,
you will also need a BNC adapter (not supplied).
Warning!
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.
connect an external speaker or headphones
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When you mount your scanner in your dashboard, you will need to connect an external
speaker or headphones.
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listening safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use headphones.
•Adjust VOL (volume) to its lowest level before putting on headphones. With the
headphones on, adjust VOL to a comfortable level.
•Avoid increasing the volume once you set it. Over time, your sensitivity to volume
decreases, so volume levels that do not cause discomfort might damage your hearing.
•Avoid listening at high volume levels. Prolonged exposure to high volume levels can cause
permanent hearing loss.
traffic safety
Do not wear headphones while driving. This can create a traffic hazard and is illegal in
some areas. Even though some headphones let you hear outside sounds when you listen at
normal levels, they still can present a traffic hazard.
quick start
To help familiarize yourself with the scanner’s functions, keypad, and available frequencies,
you can utilize one of these three features before you begin programming the scanner.
Signal Stalker II – searches nearby strong signals quickly. See “Signal Stalker II”.
One-Touch Search Banks – allow you to listen to frequencies and decide which frequencies
you want to store when you are ready to program the scanner. See “Searching the One
Touch Banks”.
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Manual Tuning – allows you to manually move through the entire range of available
frequencies. (See “Specifications” for a list of the available frequency Ranges.)
understanding channel storage banks
Abank is a storage area for a group of channels. Channels are storage areas for frequencies.
Whereas a channel can only contain one frequency, a bank can hold numerous channels.
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) of 30 channels each, a total of 300 channels. You
can use each channel-storage bank to group frequencies.
Note: The scanner is preset so each banks is turned on (see “Turning Channel-Storage
Banks Off and On”).
setting up your scanner
turning on the scanner and setting squelch
1. To turn on the scanner, turn VOL clockwise. WELCOME appears. After about 3 seconds,
you might hear a hissing sound. Then adjust VOL to a comfortable level.
2. Turn SQ fully counterclockwise, then turn SQ clockwise until the hissing sound stops.
3. To turn off the scanner, turn VOL counterclockwise to OFF.
Notes:
•The scanner does not scan if there are no frequencies stored in channels. If the scanner
does not scan and you have already stored frequencies in channels, turn SQ further
clockwise.
•If the scanner picks up unwanted, partial, or very weak transmissions, turn SQ clockwise
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to decrease the scanner’s sensitivity to these signals. If you want to listen to a weak or
distant station, turn SQ counterclockwise.
•If SQ is adjusted so you always hear a hissing sound, the scanner will not scan properly.
•If SQ is adjusted precisely at the threshold where the hissing sound stops, the radio will
be most sensitive to very weak signals. The radio may also receive unwanted noise or
signals that are too weak to understand. Most users prefer to position the squelch control a
little bit past the point of threshold to avoid receiving noise or signals that are too weak to
understand.
storing known frequencies into channels
Good references for active frequencies are RadioShack’s Police Call, Aeronautical
Frequency Directory, and Maritime Frequency Directory. We update these directories every
year, so be sure to get a current copy.
Follow these steps to store frequencies into channels.
Note: When MAN appears on the display, you can use FUNC and the arrow keys to select
your desired bank and channel number.
1. Press MAN, channel number (1-300) where you want to store a frequency, then press
MAN again. MAN and the channel number appear at the display.
Notes:
•Press FUNC. Then press /¥ or ¥/. The bank moves in the direction of the arrow pressed.
•Press FUNC. Then hold down /¥ or ¥/. The bank moves continuously in the assigned
direction.
•Press /¥. The channel number moves upward one by one. Or, press ¥/. The channel
number moves downward one by one.
•Hold down /¥ or ¥/. The channel moves continuously in the assigned direction.
2. Press PROG. MAN changes to PGM.
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