Radio Shack 20-501 User manual

20-501
PRO-83 200 Channel
compact scanner w/sweep
search and lighted keypad
Read this user’s guide completely
before using your scanner

The Basics 2
Contents
The Basics
The FCC wants you to know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
powering your scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
using rechargeable batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
using AC power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
using vehicle battery power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
setting up your scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
connecting the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
connecting an optional antenna . . . . . . . . . . . 13
connecting an earphone/headphone . . . . . . . 14
connecting an extension speaker . . . . . . . . . . 15
attaching the belt clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
about your scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
a look at the keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
a look at the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
understanding banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
service banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
channel storage banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Beyond the Basics
operating your scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
turning on the scanner and setting squelch . . 25
storing known frequencies into channels . . . . 25
searching for and temporarily storing
active frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
service search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

3 The Basics
storing frequencies into channels during
service search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
scanning the stored channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
manually selecting a channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
signal stalker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Skywarn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
WX alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
chain search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
paging system eliminator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
storing frequencies found during chain
search into channel memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
program band select mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
direct entry search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
storing frequencies found during direct
entry search into channel memory . . . . . . . . 44
search skip memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
turning channel-storage banks on and off . . . . 48
locking out channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
using keylock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
wired programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
using the display/key backlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
frequently asked questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
©2004. RadioShack Corporation. All rights reserved.
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used by
RadioShack Corporation.

The Basics 4
The FCC wants you to know
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Consult your local RadioShack store or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
• If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop
using your scanner.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by RadioShack may
cause interference and void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
You must use shielded interface cables with this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.

5 The Basics
powering your scanner
You can power your scanner from any of three
sources:
• internal batteries (not supplied)
• standard AC power (using an optional
AC adapter)
• vehicle battery power (using an optional
DC adapter)
Before installing batteries, set the switch in the
battery compartment to match the type of batteries
you will use. Select RECHARGEABLE for all
non-alkaline battery types, including lithium, Ni-Cd
and Ni-MH.
Remove battery cover and set battery switch.

The Basics 6
Install 2 AA batteries, matching the polarity
symbols (+ -).
Replace the cover.

7 The Basics
Warning: Set ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE to
RECHARGEABLE for use only with nickel cadmium
(Ni-Cd) or nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable
batteries. Never attempt to recharge non-
rechargeable batteries. Non-rechargeable batteries
can get hot or explode if you try to recharge them.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and
recommended type.
• Do not mix batteries of different capacities or
different chemistries.
• Always remove old or weak batteries. Batteries
can leak chemicals that destroy electronic
circuits.
When flashes and the scanner beeps every 15
seconds, replace both batteries.
Warning: Always dispose of old batteries promptly
and properly. Do not bury or burn them.
using rechargeable batteries
You can also use two rechargeable batteries to
power your scanner. Before you use Ni-Cd or Ni-MH
batteries, you must charge them.
The scanner has a built-in circuit that lets you
recharge Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries while they are in
the scanner. To charge the batteries, set ALKALINE/

The Basics 8
RECHARGEABLE inside the battery compartment to
RECHARGEABLE, install the batteries in the scanner,
and connect an external AC or DC adapter to the
scanner's DC 6V jack (see “using AC power” on
Page 10 or “using vehicle battery power” on
Page 11).
Warning: Do not connect either the AC or DC
adapter to the scanner if non-rechargeable batteries
(such as alkaline batteries) are installed in the scan-
ner and ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE is set to
RECHARGEABLE, or if you are unsure of the
switch's position. Non-rechargeable batteries will
get hot and can even explode if you try to recharge
them.
Before you use Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries for the first
time, charge them for 14 hours to bring them to a
full charge.
Discharged batteries take about 14 hours to fully
recharge.
Notes:
• Ni-Cd batteries last longer and deliver more
power if you occasionally let them fully
discharge. To do this, simply use the scanner
until it beeps every 15 seconds and flashes.
• To prevent damage to Ni-Cd batteries, never
charge them in an area where the temperature is
above 113°F (40°C) or below 40°F (4°C).

9 The Basics
• If you connect an external power source to the
scanner with ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE set to
ALKALINE, CHArg appears but the scanner
does NOT charge the batteries. This is because
the scanner's microprocessor unit does not
recognize the switch position when you
incorrectly connect an external power source.
Make sure that you use the correct batteries and
set ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE to the correct
position when you connect an external power
source.
Important: The EPA certified RBRC
Battery Recycling Seal on the
rechargeable battery indicates
RadioShack is voluntarily
participating in an industry program
to collect and recycle these batteries
a the end of their useful life, when taken out of
service in the United States or Canada. The RBRC
program provides a convenient alternative to
placing used rechargeable batteries into the trash or
the municipal waste stream, which may be illegal in
your area. Please call 1-800-THE-SHACK
(1-800-843-7422) for information on rechargeable
battery recycling and disposal bans/restrictions 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.

The Basics 10
using AC power
You can power the scanner using a 6V, 300 mA AC
adapter and a size B Adaptaplug™ adapter (neither
supplied). Both are available at your local
RadioShack store.
Cautions:
• You must use a Class 2 power source that
supplies 6V DC and delivers at least 300 mA.
Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug
must fit the scanner's DC 6V jack. Using an
adapter that does not meet these specifications
could damage the scanner or the adapter.
• Always connect the AC adapter to the scanner
before you connect it to AC power. When you
finish, disconnect the adapter from AC power
before you disconnect it from the scanner.
Follow these steps to use the scanner on AC power.
 Make sure the power is turned off.
 Insert the Adaptaplug into the AC adapter's
cord so it reads TIP +. Then, insert the
Adaptaplug into the scanner's DC 6V jack.
 Plug the AC adapter into a standard AC outlet.