Radio Shack PRO-651 User manual

Digital Trunking
Handheld Radio Scanner
Thank you for purchasing your Digital Trunking
Handheld Radio Scanner from RadioShack.
PRO-651
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
Yellow (Rechargeable)
Battery Holder
Black (Non-rechargeable)
Battery Holder
V-Scanner
Preprogrammed Data
User’s Guide
Quick Start Guide

2
C ontents
3
Understanding your Scanner ...................... 6
Understanding the Keypad......................... 6
Understanding the Display ......................... 8
Understanding Object Oriented Scanning 9
Scanner Features ....................................... 13
Scanner Setup ........................................... 16
Connecting the Antenna...........................16
Attaching the Belt Clip.............................. 16
Powering Your Scanner ............................. 17
Installing Batteries ................................. 17
Setting Battery Type .............................. 18
Charging Batteries................................. 18
External Power ....................................... 21
Headphones and Speakers....................... 21
Listening Safety...................................... 22
Transferring Data To or From another Scanner
or PC .......................................................... 22
Turning on the Scanner and Setting Squelch ... 23
Squelch and Attenuator ............................ 23
Basic Settings ............................................. 24
Delay....................................................... 26
Adjusting the LCD Contrast.................. 26
Turning the Key Tone On or Off ........... 26
Turning Key and Backlight On or Off... 27
Creating Scannable Objects ..................... 28
Understanding Object Menus .................. 28
Conventional Channel Objects ................30
Essential Parameters ............................. 30
Creating a CONV Object...................... 31
Changing Text Tags ............................... 31
Trunking Talkgroup Objects (TGRP) ......... 32
Essential Parameters ............................. 33

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3
Contents
Trunking System (TSYS) Objects...........33
Duplicate (DUPE) ....................................... 37
Scanning.................................................... 38
Basic Scanning Operation......................... 38
Wildcard Scanning..................................... 38
Manual Mode............................................. 39
Organizing Objects .................................. 41
Object Numbering .................................... 41
Grouping Objects with Scan Lists ............ 42
Changing Scan List Membership ......... 43
New Objects........................................ 43
Existing Objects. ................................. 44
Naming Scan Lists ................................. 44
Enabling or Disabling Scan Lists .......... 45
While Scanning ................................... 45
From Global Settings Menu............... 45
NS (Not Scanned) Scan List .................. 46
Favorite List ............................................ 46
Setting the Default Scan List ................47
Deleting Objects........................................ 48
Searching for Objects using FIND............ 49
Filtering by Object Type............................ 50
Object Lockout .......................................... 51
Temporary Lockout................................ 51
Permanent Lockout ............................... 52
Change L/OUT Key Function................ 52
Search Lockout....................................... 53
Talkgroup Lockout ................................. 53
Object Searches........................................ 55
Limit Search Object (LMIT)........................ 55
Essential Parameters ............................. 55
Service Search Object (SRVC)................... 57

4
C ontents
5
Essential Parameters ............................. 57
Signal Stalker II Object (STLK) .................. 59
Essential Parameters ............................. 59
Dedicated Searches .................................. 61
Dedicated LMIT Search............................. 61
Dedicated SRVC Search............................ 62
Dedicated Signal Stalker II ....................... 64
Dedicated TUNE Search ........................... 65
Tune LED ................................................ 67
Weather Scanning ..................................... 68
Weather Radio Mode ................................ 68
Weather Priority Mode.............................. 69
SAME Standby Mode ................................ 69
Activating SAME Standby Mode.......... 72
Scanner Memory ....................................... 74
V-Scanner Storage ..................................... 74
Using V-Scanners ................................... 75
Saving Main Memory to a V-Scanner
Folder ..................................................... 75
Loading a V-Scanner Folder to Main
Memory .................................................. 76
Erasing V-Scanner Folders .................... 76
Cloning ...................................................... 77
Memory Report.......................................... 77
Advanced Settings.................................... 78
Priority Scan................................................ 78
Turning Object Priority On or Off......... 78
Turning Priority Scan Mode On or Off ... 78
CONV Priority Scan ............................... 79
TGRP Priority Scan................................. 79
Hit Counters ............................................... 79
Audible Alarms and the Alert LED ........... 81

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5
Contents
Multi-Site Mode On Networked Systems... 82
LTR Home Repeater AutoMove................ 85
Additional Information.............................. 86
Power-On Configuration Key Sequences ... 86
Power-On Password................................... 87
Birdie Frequencies ..................................... 88
FCC Notice................................................. 89
Scanning Legally ........................................ 89
Care............................................................. 90
Service and Repair ..................................... 91
Specifications ............................................ 91
Troubleshooting......................................... 95
Reset Global Parameters to Factory Defaults ...97
Initializing the Scanner to Factory Defaults... 98
Appendix A: Search Bands ..................... 100
All Sub Bands ........................................... 100
PubSafety Band........................................ 100
Aircraft Band............................................. 101
Ham Bands ............................................... 101
Appendix B: Detailed Menu Reference.. 102
GLOB Menu ............................................. 102
CONV Menu............................................. 108
TGRP Menu .............................................. 111
TSYS Menu ............................................... 113
LMIT Menu ............................................... 116
SRVC Menu.............................................. 119
STLK Menu ............................................... 122
Appendix C: Text Entry and QuickText ...125
Text Entry.................................................. 125
QuickText.................................................. 127
Customizing QuickText ....................... 127
Index ....................................................... 129

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7
Understanding your Scanner
Understanding the Keypad
Softkeys F1 / F2 / F3
Activates the function shown in the LCD display above the
softkey.
Five Way Pushbutton Pad
tpquNavigates while browsing objects and menus.
tuNavigates through Scan Lists.
SEL (Select)
Activates data entry fields and toggles Scan List selection
in object menus.
FUNC + SEL to activate context sensitive help menus.
Understanding your Scanner
1-0
/
A-Z
Inputs a number or character.
Use while scanning to select Scan Lists 1-10 on/off.
Press after FUNC to select Scan List 11-20 on/off.
CL (Clear)
Clears an incorrect entry.
FUNC + CL clears entire field.
Moves back to previous menu.
• / DELAY
Inputs decimal point (frequency input), space (text input)
or hyphen (Trunking ID input).
Toggles delay functions on/off.

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7
FUNC (Function)
Activates alternative key functions.
KEY/LIGHT
Activate backlight.
FUNC + KEY/LIGHT locks keypad.
MAN (Manual)
Places scanner in Manual Mode for monitoring single
objects.
SCAN /
Enters Scan Mode for scanning enabled objects.
FUNC + SCAN activates Signal Stalker II.
TUNE
Direct tuning of any valid frequency.
FUNC + TUNE loads current or most recently scanned
frequency into Tune.
SRCH (Search)
Enters Search Mode for dedicated service and frequency
searches.
ATT (Attenuator)
Toggles Attenuator on and off.
FUNC + ATT toggles Global Attenuator mode.
PRI (Priority)
Toggles Priority setting for selected or active object.
FUNC + PRI toggles Priority Mode on/off.
FAV (Favorites)
Activates Favorites Scan Mode.
FUNC + FAV adds current object to the Favorite Scan List.
WX /
Activates Weather Scan.
FUNC + WX activates Skywarn mode.
PGM (Program)
Puts scanner in Program Mode for editing radio-wide
options, adding new objects, or editing existing objects.
FUNC + PGM accesses V-Scanner Mode.
L/OUT
Toggles temporary Lockout on active or selected object.
FUNC + L/OUT applies permanent lockout (can be
changed in GLOB menu).
ENT (Enter)
PSE (Pause)
Pauses scan or search.
Understanding your Scanner

8
9
Headphones
VOLUME/OFF
Turn the scanner on or off;
adjust the volume.
SQUELCH
Adjust the squelch.
Understanding your Scanner
Understanding the Display
The LCD provides important information about
the status of the radio. The top row of icons
provide status information. Beneath this row,
there are 4 rows of 16 characters each that
provide alphanumeric information such as
frequencies and object names. The last row
usually contains softkeys for F1, F2, and F3.
The Function Key (FUNC) has been pressed.
The scanner is currently receiving trunking
control channel data.
The attenuator is set for Global mode.
The attenuator is currently active.
The radio’s squelch circuit is open.
Signal meter indicating strength of the
received signal.
Battery status indicator. Comes on solid when
battery is weak, and flashes two times each
second when battery failure is imminent.
Menu position and search direction indicators.
AlphanumericInfo
AlphanumericInfo
AlphanumericInfo
F1 F2 F3

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9
VOLUME/OFF
Turn the scanner on or off;
adjust the volume.
Understanding Object Oriented Scanning
Your PRO-651 scanner utilizes an entirely new
method of programming called Object Oriented
Scanning. In Object Oriented Scanning, all
“Scannable Objects” are treated the same.
Scannable Objects include talkgroups on
trunked radio systems, conventional non-trunked
frequencies, limit searches, service searches,
and Signal Stalker II configurations. All these
Scannable Objects are created, edited, grouped,
scanned and deleted using the same methods.
Scannable Objects can also be searched, filtered,
and locked out.
Scannable Objects are mapped to Scan Lists,
which can be named, enabled, and disabled.
There is even a Favorites Scan List. It is easy to
search for new frequencies or talkgroups and
add them to Scan List groups. It is also easy to
delete or deactivate objects and Scan Lists that
you do not want to listen to, including a powerful
temporary lockout mode that allows you to zero
in on activity associated with a specific incident,
then restore your desired configuration when the
incident is over.
Object Oriented Scanning is completely different
from any prior scanning receiver technology.
Accordingly, some users may find it difficult to
visualize and understand how Object Oriented
Scanning works. This may be especially true for
users who are familiar with more recent scanning
receiver technologies.
We suggest that you keep the following Object
Oriented Scanning Tenets in mind as you
proceed with your study of this manual.
Understanding your Scanner

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1. Memory organization is nothing more than a
large list of Scannable Objects.
2. A Scannable Object is simply “something
that can be scanned,” including conventional
channels, trunking talkgroups, limit searches,
service searches, and Signal Stalker II setups.
3. There are no “systems,” “banks,” “groups,”
“sub-groups,” or “ID lists.” There is simply
a very large collection of objects, each with
their own attributes. Scannable Objects all
exist at the same level or hierarchy within
the scanner—no single type of Scannable
Object is more important than another, and
Scannable Objects do not have dependencies
on or links to other Scannable Objects in
order for them to function properly.
4. The primary method of grouping the
collection of objects is by mapping them to
Scan Lists. Mapping a Scannable Object to
one or more Scan Lists does not change the
physical location of the object in the memory
system. When an object is mapped to one
or more Scan Lists, the object itself has
not moved nor changed from what it is—a
simple, standalone object that is part of a
larger collection.
Object abbreviations used in this manual
Object names are abbreviated so that they can
easily fit into the 16 character LCD. You should
take a moment and become familiar with these
abbreviations now.
CONV – Conventional Channel Object
A CONV object is a regular, non-trunked
frequency used for radio communications. CONV
Understanding your Scanner

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objects are used to store the parameters for
any radio channel that is not a part of a trunked
system. For example, if you want to monitor
specific VHF marine channels, they should be
programmed as CONV objects. If you want to
monitor your favorite amateur radio channel, it
should be stored as a CONV object. If your police
or fire department uses a channel, or channels
that are not trunked, but part of a “plain old radio
system,” they should be stored as CONV objects.
TGRP – Trunking Talkgroup Object
Trunking Talkgroups are “virtual” channels that
exist on a trunked radio system. A trunked radio
system is a radio system where a small group of
radio channels are automatically shared between
a larger number of users and user groups. This
sharing of channels is managed automatically by
a special computer, called a controller, or by other
specialized hardware. If you want to monitor a
talkgroup on a trunked radio system, you must
store that talkgroup’s parameters in a TGRP
object.
TSYS – Trunking System Object
A TSYS is a special object type that is used when
creating TGRP objects. A trunking talkgroup
must be associated with a specific trunked radio
system in order for it to operate. There are
parameters that are associated with trunking
systems, such as the type of trunked radio system
technology used, the frequencies that the system
uses to broadcast control data, etc. Instead of
entering these parameters over and over again
every time you create a new TGRP, you create a
TSYS object with all of the system parameters,
then specify that TSYS object for each TGRP you
create on the same trunked radio system. A TSYS
Understanding your Scanner

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cannot be scanned by itself and is not considered
a Scannable Object. It is a “configuration object”
that can be used over and over again when
adding talkgroups for a specified trunked radio
system.
LMIT – Limit Search or Search Range Object
LMIT objects contain the parameters necessary
for the radio to search a range of individual
frequencies between a lower and upper limit
frequency.
SRVC – Service Search Object
SRVC objects are further divided into Public
Safety, Aircraft, Amateur, CB, Marine, and FRS/
GMRS/MURS/DOT. SRVC objects are similar to
LMIT objects, but are preprogrammed to search
all frequencies associated with the selected
service.
STLK – Signal Stalker II Object
STLK objects contain the parameters necessary
for the radio to rapidly sweep a range of
radio spectrum for strong signals from nearby
transmitters.
Understanding your Scanner

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Scanner Features
Object Oriented User Interface is designed for
ease of use, yet is powerful enough to satisfy the
most sophisticated experts. Common data entry,
browsing and control methods are used for non-
trunked conventional channels, trunking talkgroups,
search configurations and Signal Stalker II setups.
The radio grows with you—you can start out with a
small, easy to manage configuration, then expand it
whenever you need to.
Menu Driven Programming with Context
Sensitive Help – Each menu item provides a few
lines of help text that provide assistance with
programming and using the scanner.
Scan List functionality allows you to arrange, group
and scan objects according to your preference.
Free-Form Memory Organization – Memory
is assigned as objects are created using a
sophisticated internal file management system.
You are not constrained to traditional bank or
channel scanner memory layouts. The scanner
can store over 1,800 conventional channels,
trunking talkgroups, search configurations, and
Signal Stalker II objects in any combination.
V-Scanner Technology – Allows you to save
complete radio configurations within the radio,
for recall into main memory as needed in the
field. Twenty one V-Scanner Folders are provided,
each capable of storing over 1,800 objects. Total
memory capacity of main memory combined with
V-Scanners is over 37,800 objects.
Skywarn Storm Spotter Functionality – Instant
access to frequencies used by storm spotter
networks. You can monitor storm conditions as
they occur, and become aware of dangerous
Understanding your Scanner

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conditions before the media or emergency
management officials announce them to the
general public.
SAME and All Hazards Weather Alerting – Your
scanner can alert you to severe weather and other
hazards in the specific areas that you select. Your
scanner can check your local NOAA weather
frequency periodically, even while scanning, and
alert you when an All Hazards alert occurs.
Multi-System Trunking – Scans most common
trunked radio system signaling formats, including
Motorola, EDACS, LTR and P25 trunked radio
networks. Both talkgroup and individual call
monitoring are supported.
Automatic Adaptive Digital Tracking – When
monitoring P25 digital systems, instantly adapts
the digital decoder to the digital modulation
format of the transmitted signal, then analyzes the
signal over 50 times each second and adapts to
any subtle changes caused by multipath or fading.
No cumbersome manual adjustments are required.
Digital AGC – Instantly compensates for low user
audio levels that are common on digital systems.
LTR Home Repeater AutoMove – Takes the
guesswork out of programming LTR trunking
systems when the home repeater order is not
known. Enter the LTR system frequencies in any
order, and the PRO-651 will automatically move
the frequencies to the proper home repeater
slots as transmissions are received on the system.
Subaudible Squelch Decoder – CTCSS and
DCS subaudible squelch coding is processed
by the same powerful DSP chip that is used for
P25 digital decoding. Provides fast and reliable
decoding of subaudible squelch signaling with
squelch tail elimination.
Understanding your Scanner

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Signal Stalker II – Quickly sweeps the scanner’s
frequency ranges for transmissions from nearby
sources.
P25 NAC Functionality – P25 Network Access
Code (NAC) is used to provide selective squelch
operation on conventional digital channels.
Your PRO-651 will detect the NAC that is being
used on a P25 conventional digital channel, and
allow you to program NAC codes to block
transmissions that do not have a matching NAC,
including analog traffic on the same frequency.
Alert LED – Programmable tri-color LED can be
configured to illuminate or flash when certain
objects are active. Eight user-defined colors and
brightness levels can be specified from thousands
of possible combinations.
Audible alarms – Programmable audible
alarms can be configured to sound when certain
Scannable Objects are active. Can be used in
conjunction with, or separately from, the Alert
LED described above.
High Speed PC Interface – Use a USB Scanner
programming cable for full duplex mode at 6
times the speed of previous scanner models for
PC transfer and 8 times the speed of previous
models for radio to radio cloning. High speed
scanner programming cables are available at your
local RadioShack store or RadioShack.com.
Real-time Signal Strength Indicator – Shows
relative strength of received signals.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The PRO-651 Digital
Scanner will not receive encrypted radio
communications, or radio transmissions that
utilize ProVoice digital modulation.
Understanding your Scanner

16
Scanner Setup
17
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.
To connect an external
antenna, follow the installation
instructions supplied with the
antenna. Use 50-ohm coaxial
cable, such as RG-58 or RG-
8X, to connect an 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).
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.
Attaching the Belt Clip
To carry your scanner, 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.

18
Scanner Setup
19
Warning: Never install non-rechargeable
batteries in the yellow rechargeable battery
holder. Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot or
explode if you try to recharge them.
Setting Battery Type
By default, your new scanner is configured to use
standard alkaline batteries. Specifying the proper
type of battery is necessary for proper operation
of the low battery detection feature, and also
enables the charge circuit if you are using
rechargeable batteries.
To change the battery type:
1. Press PGM.
2. Press F3 (GLOB, the Global Menu softkey).
3. Press quntil the middle line of the display
shows Battery: Alkaline.
4. Press tor uto select the battery type
installed in the radio. Use Alkaline for
standard alkaline batteries, Ni-Cd for nickel-
cadmium rechargeable batteries, and Ni-MH
for nickel-metal hydride rechargeable
batteries.
5. Press F1 (the SAVE softkey) to save your
battery settings.
Charging Batteries
1. Install rechargeable batteries using the yellow
battery holder and set the correct battery
type.
2. Connect an external power source to the
PWR DC 9V jack. The average charging
times are listed below.

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Scanner Setup
Battery Current Charge Time
Ni-MH 1600 mAh 16 hours
Ni-Cd 600 mAh 6 hours
Ni-Cd 850 mAh 8 hours
Recharging Notes:
• Do not overcharge batteries. Overcharging
shortens battery life.
• Using the scanner while charging will increase
charge time.
• Your scanner provides an indication when
the internal battery charge circuit is active.
The battery icon briefly flashes approximately
once every second.
• The battery charge indicator does not provide
positive indication that the batteries are actually
being charged. Batteries will not charge unless
the yellow battery holder is used.
• Rechargeable batteries last longer and
deliver more power if you let them fully
discharge once a month. To do this, use the
scanner until the battery icon flashes.
Battery Notes:
• The battery icon appears when battery power
is low. As a second warning, the battery
icon flashes and the scanner beeps every 30
seconds.
• Each battery holder fits only one way. Do not
force it.
• 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.

20
Scanner Setup
21
• 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.
• Always turn off the scanner when you are not
using it. If the scanner remains on until the
batteries are dead, the batteries may leak
chemicals.
• 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 with new ones.
• 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.