Radio Shack TRC-239 User manual

Cat. No. 21-1628
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
TRC-239
40-Channel, 4-Watt
CB Walkie-Talkie
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FEATURES
Your RadioShack TRC-239 40-Channel, 4-Watt CB
Walkie-Talkie is a portable, easy-to-use, two-way ra-
dio that you can carry almost anywhere. It will give
you reliable communications in many different appli-
cations.
You can use your TRC-239 around the house, in
your office, car or boat or anywhere on the go. It is
useful on fishing and camping trips. Or in your busi-
ness for security patrols, for supervisors, or ware-
house personnel.
Its features include:
Maximum Allowable Power — lets you transmit at
the maximum legal level for the best range possible.
Flex Antenna — lets you transmit conveniently in
confined quarters.
Selectable Transmit Power — lets you adjust the
output power to save battery power during short-
range transmissions.
TX/BATT (Transmit/Battery Low) Indicator —
lights when the TRC-239 transmits and when you
should replace or recharge the batteries.
Long Battery Life — reduces the need for replace-
ment or recharging. Extends your talk-time.
Built-in Charging Jack — lets you recharge option-
al nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) or nickel-metal hydride
(Ni-MH) batteries inside the TRC-239.
©2000 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and Adaptaplug are registered trademarks
used by Tandy Corporation.
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Rotary Volume and Squelch Controls —mean
faster, easier operation under virtually any condition.
Automatic Modulation Limiter — prevents over-
modulation to ensure a clear sound.
Automatic Noise Limiter — reduces noise caused
by nearby electrical equipment such as motors or au-
tomotive ignition systems.
CHARGE Indicator — lights to indicate that the
TRC-239 is charging your optional rechargeable bat-
teries.
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FCC INFORMATION
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
does not require you to have a license to operate this
CB. However, the FCC does require that you read
and know Part 95 of
FCC Rules
. These rules apply to
the operation of a Class D CB. We have provided a
copy of these regulations with your CB.
Warning: Do not open your CB to make any internal
adjustments. Any internal adjustments can be made
only by an authorized service technician.
Unauthorized internal adjustments and/or modifica-
tions can lead to illegal operation as defined by Part
95 of FCC Rules. Such illegal operation can lead to
very serious consequences. To be safe and sure:
• Never open your CB’s case.
• Never modify your CB.
Your CB might cause TV or radio interference even
when it is operating properly. To determine whether
your CB is causing the interference, turn off your CB.
If the interference goes away, your CB is causing it.
Try to eliminate the interference by either moving
your CB away from the receiver or contacting your lo-
cal RadioShack store for help. If you cannot elimi-
nate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop
using your CB.
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CONTENTS
Preparation ........................................................... 6
Powering the CB ............................................. 6
Using the POWER Jack and
NI/AL Switch ............................................ 6
Using Batteries ............................................... 7
Using Non-Rechargeable Batteries ......... 7
Using Rechargeable Batteries ................. 8
Charging Tips .......................................... 9
Using Vehicle Battery Power ........................ 10
Using AC Power ............................................ 11
Connecting the Antenna ............................... 12
Connecting an Optional Antenna .......... 13
Operation ............................................................ 15
Receiving Transmissions and
Adjusting Squelch ......................................... 15
Transmitting .................................................. 15
CB Operation Tips ............................................. 17
Typical Uses For a CB Radio ....................... 17
Business Uses ...................................... 17
Personal Uses ....................................... 17
CB Courtesy .......................................... 18
Using Common 10-Codes ................................. 19
Maximum Range .......................................... 21
Care and Maintenance ....................................... 22
Specifications .................................................... 23
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PREPARATION
POWERING THE CB
You can power your TRC-239 from any of these
sources:
• internal batteries (not supplied)
• vehicle battery power (using an optional
adapter)
• household AC power (using an optional adapter)
Using the POWER Jack and NI/AL
Switch
The POWER jack lets you connect an external power
source (such as your vehicle’s battery) or an external
AC adapter (not supplied), or an external charger
(not supplied) to charge rechargeable batteries (not
supplied) while they are in the TRC-239. Before con-
necting anything to POWER, you must set NI/AL cor-
rectly.
Follow these steps to set NI/AL.
1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direc-
tion of the arrow to remove it.
2. Remove any installed batteries.
3. Set NI/AL as follows:
• Set it to AL to use alkaline batteries.
NI
AL
R
SERIAL
NUMBER
FOR RADIOSHACK. A DIVISION OF TANDY
CUSTOM MANUFACTURED IN THAILAND
CORPORATION. FORT WORTH. TEXAS 76102
FCC ID: AAO2101678
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and including interference that may cause undesired operation. (2) this device must accept any interference received, Operation is subject to the following two conditions: This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
AA
AAAA
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•Set
NI/AL to NI to use rechargeable batteries
inside the TRC-239
Warning: To avoid injuring yourself or damaging the
TRC-239, connect a battery charger to POWER only
when using Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries.
USING BATTERIES
Your TRC-239 can use 9 AA batteries (not supplied)
for power. For the best performance and longest life,
we recommend RadioShack non-rechargeable alka-
line or rechargeable nickel-cadmium/nickel-metal hy-
dride batteries.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and
recommended type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, different types
of batteries (standard, alkaline, or recharge-
able), or rechargeable batteries of different
capacities or type.
Using Non-Rechargeable Batteries
Follow these steps to install non-rechargeable batter-
ies.
1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direc-
tion of the arrow to remove it.
2. Place the batteries in the compartment as indi-
cated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked
inside.
3. Replace the cover.
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When the TX/BATT indicator lights steadily or the
TRC-239 stops operating properly, replace the bat-
teries.
Warning: Dispose of old batteries promptly and
properly. Do not burn or bury them.
Caution: If you do not plan to use the TRC-239 with
internal batteries for several months, remove the bat-
teries. Batteries can leak chemicals that can destroy
electronic parts.
Using Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries come fully discharged. Be-
fore you use them for the first time, you must charge
them. You can charge the batteries while they are in
the battery compartment using a battery charger,
such as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-349 (not supplied).
Or you can use an optional external battery charger
(not supplied).
Warning: Do not try to charge non-rechargeable bat-
teries. They might get very hot and they could ex-
plode.
Follow these steps to charge nickel-cadmium or
nickel-metal hydride batteries in the TRC-239’s bat-
tery compartment.
1. Rotate VOLUME upward until it clicks.
2. Set the battery charger’s Ni-Cd/Ni-MH selector
switch to the appropriate position.
3. Insert the charger's barrel plug into the TRC-
239’s
POWER jack.
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4. Plug the charger's other end into a standard AC
outlet.
It takes 14–16 hours to recharge Ni-MH batter-
ies or 7–8 hours to recharge Ni-Cd batteries that
are fully discharged.
5. When the batteries are fully charged, unplug the
charger from the AC outlet, then disconnect the
charger from the CB.
Charging Tips
• Fully discharge Ni-Cd batteries occasionally by
using the TRC-239 until the TX/BATT indicator
lights, then fully recharge the batteries. This
helps restore and maintain the ability of the bat-
teries to take a maximum charge. (This does not
apply to Ni-MH batteries.)
• To prevent damage to rechargeable batteries,
never charge them in an area where the temper-
ature is above 122°F (50°C) or below 32°F
(0°C).
• Do not overcharge batteries. Overcharging can
severely reduce the batteries’ useful life.
• Always disconnect the charger's AC plug before
you disconnect the barrel plug.
Important: This CB can use nickel-
cadmium rechargeable batteries. At
the end of a nickel-cadmium bat-
tery's useful life, it must be recycled
or disposed of properly. Contact
your local, county, or state hazard-
ous waste management authorities
for information on recycling or disposal programs in
your area or call 1-800-843-7422. Some options that
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8
4
3
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7
4
2
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might be available are: municipal curbside collection,
drop-off boxes at retailers such as your local Ra-
dioShack store, recycling collection centers, and
mail-back programs.
USING VEHICLE BATTERY
POWER
You can power the TRC-239 from a vehicle’s 12V
power source (such as cigarette-lighter socket) using
a fused DC power cord that ends in a size M Adapta-
plug® adapter (neither supplied). Both are available
at your local RadioShack store.
Cautions:
You must use a power source that
supplies 13.8 volts (12-volt nominal) at
1300 mA. Its center tip must be set to
positive and its plug must fit the TRC-239's
POWER jack. Using a power source that does
not meet these specifications could damage the
TRC-239 or the power cord.
• Always connect the fused power cord to the
TRC-239 before you connect it to the power
source. When you finish, disconnect the fused
power cord from the power source before you
disconnect it from the TRC-239.
If batteries are installed, make sure NI/AL inside the
battery compartment is set to the correct position
(see “Using Batteries” on Page 7).
!
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