RCA RP-6150 User manual

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 2
THE SCANNER .................................................................... 3
FIRST THINGS FIRST ............................................................ 4
POWERING THE SCANNER .................................................... 4
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA ............................................... 7
PRIVATE LISTENING ............................................................. 7
USING THE BELT CLIP .......................................................... 8
USING THE LIGHT ............................................................... 8
BATTERY SAVER ................................................................... 8
BUTTONS AND CONTROLS .................................................... 9
THE DISPLAY ..................................................................... 10
USING THE SCANNER .......................................................... 11
ADJUSTING VOLUME AND SQUELCH ..................................... 11
PROGRAMMING FREQUENCIES ............................................... 11
MOVING AFREQUENCY FROM
MONITOR MEMORY TO ACHANNEL ................................... 14
SCANNING STORED CHANNELS ............................................. 15
USING CHANNEL STORAGE BANKS ....................................... 15
SELECTING CHANNELS MANUALLY ....................................... 16
USING DELAY ..................................................................... 16
USING KEYLOCK .................................................................. 17
USING CHANNEL LOCKOUT .................................................. 17
USING PRIORITY SCAN ........................................................ 18
USING THE AM/FM RECEIVE MODES ................................ 18
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS ...................................................... 20
RESETTING THE SCANNER ..................................................... 20
INITIALIZING THE SCANNER ................................................. 20
EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ................................................. 21
CARE AND MAINTENANCE ................................................... 22
INDEX ............................................................................... 23
LIMITED WARRANTY .......................................................... BACK COVER

2
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations! You are now the owner of a brand new RCA RP-6150
200-Channel ScanTrak AM/FM Scanning Receiver.
Your new scanner will provide for you all the excitement and action of
police in pursuit, ambulances en route and fire tracks on the scene.
You’ll know the latest changes in weather conditions, be able to warn
family and friends of the latest accidents on the highways...plus much
more!
With the capacity to scan more than 31,000 frequencies at 25 channels
per second, your new RCA ScanTrak AM/FM Scanning Receiver allows
you to be involved in your community from the comforts of your own
home. Enjoy!
SOME TERMS TO KNOW:
Signal - electrical impulses sent or received.
Transmission - a sent or received signal.
Frequency - a signal transmitted through the air.
Broadcast - to transmit a signal for public service.
Squelch - lessens the scanner’s sensitivity to weak signals.
Channel - a location to permanently store an active
frequency.
Channel Storage Bank - a place to group frequencies
with similar themes. For example, you can group all
police departments in one bank and all fire departments
in another.
Monitor Memory - provides a location to temporarily
hold active frequencies found during a search. If you
decide to permanently store a frequency held in monitor
memory, you can store it in a permanent channel.
Scan - scrolls through all stored channels, pausing on
active frequencies until the transmission ends.
Search - looks for active frequencies within a set range.

3
200 CHANNEL FM
SCANNING RECEIVER
2 31
5 64
8 97
.
0
61-60 61-100 101-120
121-140 141-160 161-180
1-20 21-40 41-60
181-200 ENTER
AM/FM PGM CLEAR
LIGHT MON
PRI MON
SCAN MANUAL
L/OUT
DELAY
KEYLOCK
THE SCANNER
Antenna
jack VOLUME
knob
SQUELCH
knob
Number keys,
ENTER button
KEYLOCK
FUNCTION
buttons
FUNCTION
buttons

4
20 CHANNEL FM
SCANNING RECEIVER
SCANMANUAL
CLEARPGM
KEYLOCKLIGHT
123
456
789
0/MON./DLY L-OUT/ENT
POWERING THE SCANNER
There are basically two ways to power your scanner -
by batteries or adapters. However, you can use
different types of batteries and different kinds of
adapters, so pay close attention to the procedures
and precautions written below for the method you
choose.
BATTERIES
It takes six batteries to operate your scanner. Alkaline
batteries offer the best results, but it is possible to use
nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries.
To install batteries:
1. Slide the battery door in the direction of the
arrow.
2. Insert six AA batteries as shown in the diagram.
3. Replace the battery door.
IMPORTANT BATTERY INFORMATION
• Using nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries
may result in shorter playing time.
It is always a good idea to let the nickel-cadmium
batteries run all the way down before charging
them. Then when you do charge them, do so to
their full potential and they will last longer and
provide more power.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
NOTE: Alkaline batteries are recommended for best
results. As they are not rechargeable, PLEASE DO NOT
ATTEMPT to plug the AC adapter into the CHG jack while
alkaline batteries are in the unit. Doing so may cause
serious damage to you or the unit.
It is always a good idea to let nickel-cadmium batteries
run all the way down before charging them. Then when
you do charge them, do so to their full potential and they
will last longer and provide more power.

5
USING ADAPTERS
This scanner is equipped with two jacks - PWR and
CHG. When an adapter is connected to the PWR
jack and an AC outlet, power from the batteries is
disconnected.
When an adapter is connected to the CHG jack, this
jack will provide power for the scanner while
recharging the batteries.
WARNING: Use the CHG jack only if you have
rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries installed. DO
NOT CONNECT AN AC OR DC ADAPTER TO THE CHG
JACK IF YOU HAVE NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
INSTALLED. If you try to recharge non-rechargeable
batteries, you may cause serious injury to yourself and/
or severely damage the scanner.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
• If you do not intend to use the unit for a month
or more, remove the batteries to avoid leakage
or subsequent damage.
• Dispose of batteries in the proper manner,
according to federal, state and local regulations.
• Any battery may leak electrolyte if mixed with a
different battery type; if inserted incorrectly; if
all batteries are not replaced at the same time; if
disposed of in fire; or if an attempt is made to
charge a battery not intended to be recharged.
• Discard leaky batteries immediately to avoid
possible skin burns or other personal injury.
AC POWER
To use the AC adapter provided, simply plug the
barrel end into the PWR jack on the side of your
scanner and the pronged module into a standard
AC outlet.

6
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Be sure to unplug the adapter from the wall outlet
before you remove the barrel from the PWR jack on
the scanner.
Charging Batteries
Should you choose to use nickel-cadmium batteries, it
is possible to recharge them while inside the scanner.
1. Install nickel-cadmium batteries as instructed
above.
2. Plug your AC adapter into the CHG jack.
Your scanner will work off the AC power from the
outlet and recharge the batteries at the same time.
DC ADAPTER
If you plan to operate the scanner in your vehicle, you
may choose to power it using a DC adapter and the
socket of the cigarette lighter. Check to make sure
the socket is attached to a 12-volt, negative-ground
electrical system.
Connect and disconnect with the scanner same as an
AC adapter.
• The adapter’s voltage switch must be set on 9V.
• Never leave the adapter plugged into the lighter
when it isn’t attached to the scanner. Always
disconnect the adapter from the lighter first,
then the scanner.
• If the scanner does not properly operate while
trying to use a DC adapter, simply unplug the adapter
from the lighter socket and clean the socket.
WARNING: The adapter you use must supply 9-volts with
the center tip set to negative.
It also must fit properly into the PWR jack and deliver at
least 300 milliamperes.

7
FIRST THINGS FIRST
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA
Your scanner comes with a flexible antenna for better
reception. To attach the antenna:
1. Line up the slots on the antenna with the knobs of
the antenna receptor on the scanner.
2. Slip the antenna over the knobs and twist until you
feel the antenna lock into place.
OPTIONAL ANTENNAS
While the flexible antenna provides satisfactory
reception for local signals, you can attach a multiband
outdoor antenna - not provided - for even better
reception.
Install the antenna according to its instructions, then
connect it to the scanner via the ANT jack.
NOTES: Do not place the cable on top of sharp edges or
near moving objects; place it as high as possible outside;
place it as far from any source of electrical noise as possible;
and make sure the antenna is vertical at all times.
Use RG58 or RG8/M for lengths under 50 feet. Use RG-8.
low-loss coaxial cable for lengths more than 50 feet.
PRIVATE LISTENING
Your scanner has been equipped with a PHONES jack
to allow for private listening. The use of headphones
or an earphone - not included - immediately suspends
audio output from the scanner’s main speaker.
WARNING: Some headphones/earphones allow you to hear
background noise while listening to your scanner at a normal
volume setting. Regardless, wearing headphones or an
earphone while riding a bike or operating a vehicle cannot
only impair your concentration, it is also dangerous and/or
illegal.

8
FIRST THINGS FIRST
• Do not operate your scanner at high volume.
Hearing experts advise against continuous extended
play.
• If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce
volume or discontinue use.
• You should use extreme caution or temporarily
discontinue use in potentially hazardous situations.
USING THE BELT CLIP
Your scanner has been equipped with
a belt clip to make it more mobile.
To use, simply slide the belt clip
over the waistband of your
pants/skirt or your belt.
USING THE LIGHT
Your scanner has been equipped with a light to help
you see better in dim or dark lit areas. Press and
hold the LIGHT button to activate this feature.
BATTERY SAVER
Your scanner has been equipped with a battery-
saving circuit. This feature sends the unit into a
standby mode, which uses only 40 percent of the
available power, if no signal is detected within a 5
second time interval. All LCD indicators remain on.
The scanner will continue to operate in the standby
mode until it receives a signal or you press a button.
HAV E ABLAST – JUST
NOT IN YOUR
EARDRUMS
Make sure you
turn down the
volume on the
unit before you
put on headphones.
Increase the volume to
the desired level only
after headphones are in
place.

9
BUTTONS AND CONTROLS
The following list is presented in alphabetical order and provides general
information about each button and control on your scanner:
AM/FM - Allows you to switch between the AM and FM modes.
CLEAR - Erases an incorrect entry; helps initialize the scanner.
DELAY - Allows you to program a two-second delay for a specific channel.
ENTER - Allows you to store a frequency in a channel.
KEYLOCK - Prevents accidental program changes by disabling the keypad. While
in this mode, the only controls that operate are LIGHT, MANUAL, SCAN, VOLUME
and SQUELCH.
L/OUT - Turns the lockout function on and off.
LIGHT - Activates the display light for increased utilization in dimly lit areas.
LIMIT - Allows you to set the frequency range.
MANUAL - Interrupts the Scan mode and allows you to enter a channel number.
MON - Allows access to the 10 Monitor Memories.
NUMBERS - Use the single digits on the face of the buttons to enter the numbers
for frequencies and channels. Use the number ranges above the buttons to
choose channels in a channel-storage bank.
PGM - Initiates the Program function and allows you to enter frequencies into
channels.
PRI - Turns the Priority function on and off.
SCAN - Activates an automatic scan of all the stored channels, except those
locked out.
- Allows you to select a search direction.
2 31
5 64
8 97
.
0
61-60 61-100 101-120
121-140 141-160 161-180
1-20 21-40 41-60
181-200 ENTER
AM/FM PGM CLEAR
LIGHT MON
PRI MON
SCAN MANUAL
L/OUT
DELAY
KEYLOCK

10
THE DISPLAY
AM or FM ---- appears constantly when the scanner selects the mode; blinks
when mode is manually selected.
CH -------------- appears when the scanner is on one of the 200 channels.
DLY ------------ appears when the scanner tunes to a channel you have
pre-programmed with delay.
L/O ------------- appears when you listen to a channel that is locked out of the
Scan mode.
SRCH ----------- appears during frequency search.
and ------ indicate the search direction.
SCAN ---------- appears when you scan channels.
MAN ----------- appears when you manually select a channel.
MON ----------- appears when you listen to a monitor memory.
PGM ------------ appears when you program a frequency into a channel.
PRI -------------- appears when the Priority feature is on.
-d- --------------- appears when you program a channel for a two-second delay
before scanning or when you listen to a channel that has been
programmed with the delay feature. See “Using Delay.”
-L- --------------- appears during a limit search.
P---------------- appears when the scanner lands on a priority channel.
The display lets you know what your unit is doing. The following is a list of
display messages you will encounter and what they mean.
SRCH SCAN MAN PGM PRI DLY L/O
AM
FM
CH
MON
BANK
12345678 109
00 000.0000
P

11
USING THE SCANNER
ADJUSTING VOLUME AND SQUELCH
1. Turn the SQUELCH knob completely clockwise.
2. Turn the VOLUME knob halfway.
REMEMBER: The scanner turns on and off via
the VOLUME knob.
3. Turn the SQUELCH knob counterclockwise until
there is a perceptible static sound.
4. Now readjust the VOLUME knob to a comfort-
able listening level.
5. Adjust the SQUELCH knob slowly until the static
sound stops.
NOTE: It may be necessary to readjust the
SQUELCH knob to block weak and intrusive
transmissions.
At this time, the unit will automatically scan
through the channels regardless of whether or not
you have programmed in any frequencies.
PROGRAMMING FREQUENCIES
There are two ways to find frequencies to program
into your scanner’s memory - manual and direct
entry.
MANUAL ENTRY
An RCA Frequency Guide has been packed with
your scanner to give you some guidance on what
frequencies are active in your area that you can
manually enter into your scanner’s memory.
Some other ways to find active frequencies:
• local amateur radio clubs;
• local electronic shops;
• local fire/police departments;
• the Internet.
SPECIAL NOTE
Your scanner can receive
frequencies that lie mainly
within its “line of sight,”
meaning you probably will
not be able to receive
communication from
beyond the visible horizon.
NOTE: The aircraft band
frequency range is 806-
960MHz and 118-136.975
MHz. Just as all frequencies
listed may not be available
in your area, your scanner
may not pick up all
frequencies listed.

12
USING THE SCANNER
STORING SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES IN CHANNELS
You scanner is capable of storing up to 200 frequen-
cies via 20 channels in each of its 10 channel storage
banks.
To program frequencies:
1. Press MANUAL and wait for MAN to appear in the
display.
2. Enter the channel (1-200) into which you want to
program a frequency.
3. Press PGM and wait for it to appear in the display.
4. Enter the frequency of your choice, remembering
to include the decimal point when necessary.
5. Press ENTER to store the frequency.
6. Repeat Steps 2-5 to program additional channels.
NOTES: Should you make an incorrect entry,
Error will show in the display. Simply press the
CLEAR button and repeat Steps 4-5.
After entering the channels of your choice, the
scanner will automatically scan the most recently
stored channel.
DIRECT ENTRY
There are two ways to directly enter frequencies into
your scanner’s memory - limit and direct search.
LIMIT SEARCH
In this mode, the scanner will search up from a
selected lower frequency limit or down from a
selected higher frequency limit.
To begin a limit search:
1. Press the PGM button and then the LIMIT button.
Lo will appear on the display.
2. Key in the lowest frequency in the search range
and press the ENTER button.

13
USING THE SCANNER
3. Press the LIMIT button. Hi will appear in the
display.
4. Key in the highest frequency in the search
range and then press the ENTER button.
5. Choose the direction you want to search in (
or ) and press the appropriate button. -L- and
SRCH will appear in the display and an indicator
will flash beneath the next available monitor
memory.
NOTE: When the scanner has exhausted the
search range, it will begin again.
DIRECT SEARCH
In this mode, the scanner begins at a specified
frequency and scans up or down.
1. Press the MANUAL or PGM button to enter the
specific frequency.
If starting from a stored channel, press the
MANUAL or PGM button, enter the specific
channel number and then press the MANUAL or
PGM button again.
2. Press either ^ or V buttons to begin the search
in the direction of your choice. - d- and SRCH will
appear in the display and an indicator will flash
beneath the next available monitor memory.
NOTE: When the scanner has exhausted the
search range, it will begin again.
TEMPORARILY SAVING ACTIVE FREQUENCIES
Your scanner has 10 temporary memory locations,
called monitor memories, where you can hold
active frequencies found during a search that you
or may not choose to later store in a permanent
channel.

14
USING THE SCANNER
NOTE: Remember that the monitor memories are not
scannable. If you decide you want to store an active
frequency, you will have to move it to one of your
scanner’s 200 permanent stored channels. (See “Moving a
Frequency From Monitor Memory to a Permanent
Channel.”)
To store a frequency:
When the scanner stops on an active frequency and
you want to temporarily save it, press the MON
button to store it in the monitor memory with the
flashing indicator beneath it.
If you do not want to save the active frequency, press
either or to continue the search.
RETRIEVING AMONITOR MEMORY
Since you cannot scan monitor memories, you must
manually select the frequency you want to hear.
1. Press the MANUAL button.
2. Press the MON button.
3. Press the number key of the monitor memory
location you want to hear.
MOVING AFREQUENCY FROM
MONITOR MEMORY TO ACHANNEL
When you decide you want to store one of the active
frequencies you have temporarily held in monitor
memory, your scanner has permanent storage
locations, called channels.
1. Press the MANUAL button and then enter the
channel number into which you want to store the
monitor frequency.
2. Press the PGM button, then the MON button and
then enter the number of the monitor memory
location that has the frequency you want to
permanently store.

15
USING THE SCANNER
3. Press ENTER to lock in your choice.
SCANNING STORED CHANNELS
To scan through all the stored, unlocked channels in
the selected banks, press the SCAN button.
Adjust the SQUELCH knob to resume scan if the
scanner stays on a frequency after the transmission
has ended.
USING CHANNEL STORAGE BANKS
Your scanner automatically groups channels into
storage banks as you enter in frequencies. For
example, if you program a frequency into Channel
3, it is automatically stored in Bank 1.
This feature enables you to group like frequencies
together, such as all police or all fire, into one bank
for easy retrieval.
You can turn specific storage banks on or off, thus
affecting the time and speed with which the unit
scans. If the bank is turned on, the unit will scan any
and all channels within the bank that you have not
locked out. If the bank is turned off, the unit will
not scan any of the channels stored within the
bank.
To turn a bank on or off, press its number key while
scanning.
NOTES: One storage bank must be active at all
times.
You can manually choose a channel within a
bank even if that bank has been turned off.
The banks are grouped
as follows:
BANK CHANNELS
1 1-20
2 21-40
3 41-60
4 61-80
5 81-100
6 101-120
7 121-140
8 141-160
9 161-180
10 181-200

16
USING THE SCANNER
SELECTING CHANNELS MANUALLY
It is possible to constantly monitor one frequency for
an unspecified amount of time without scanning.
For example, you might stumble onto an exciting
exchange between police officers in a foot pursuit.
Because there will be periods of silence between the
officers’ transmissions to one another, you will have to
manually select this frequency or risk the scanner
taking an inopportune moment of silence to start
scanning for more active frequencies.
• If the scanner is scanning and lands on the
frequency you want to monitor, quickly press the
MANUAL button.
• If the scanner is scanning and you know the channel
you want to monitor, press the MANUAL button to
stop the scan. Enter the channel number and press the
MANUAL button again.
• If the scanner is not scanning, enter the number for
the channel you want to monitor and press the
MANUAL button again.
NOTE: Do not press the MANUAL button additional
times unless you want to step through the channels.
USING DELAY
Some agencies use two-way radios that allow for pause
between transmissions. To avoid missing the reply to a
query, your scanner has been equipped with a Delay
button that allows you to pause on a specific
frequency for longer than the scanner would normally
allow.
To activate Delay for a specific channel, select the
stored channel and press DELAY until DLY appears in
the display. The scanner will now pause for two
additional seconds before resuming its scan after the
end of the transmission on that frequency.

17
USING THE SCANNER
To use Delay for an active channel found during a
scan or frequency search, press DELAY quickly while
the frequency is still active. DLY will appear in the
display.
To turn off the Delay feature, press the DELAY
button while the frequency is still active. DLY will
disappear from the display.
USING KEYLOCK
After programming your scanner, you can eliminate
accidental program or functional changes by
locking the keypad. To do so, slide the KEYLOCK
switch in the direction of the arrow. The only usable
buttons while this function is active are LIGHT,
MANUAL, SCAN, SQUELCH and VOLUME.
To turn the keylock function off, simply slide the
KEYLOCK switch in the opposite direction of the
arrow.
USING CHANNEL LOCKOUT
In the interest of speed, you can lock out channels
that you have not programmed yet or that transmit
continually. Once you do so, the scanner will
automatically skip this channel when scanning.
1. Press the MAN button. MAN will appear in the
display.
2. Enter the channel number you want to lock out.
3. Press the MANUAL button again.
4. Press the L/OUT button. L/O will appear in the
display.
If you want to hear a channel you have locked out,
simply select it manually. You cannot lockout all the
channels; at least one channel must remain active.

USING THE SCANNER
To remove a lock on a channel:
1. Manually select the channel.
2. Press L–OUT. The L/O should disappear from the
display.
USING PRIORITY SCAN
When you designate one channel as the priority, the
scanner will check it every two seconds and will
remain there if an active transmission is in progress.
A Pwill appear in the display on the left whenever
the scanner switches to the priority channel.
1. Press the PGM button.
2. Enter the channel number.
3. Press the PRI button.
To activate the priority scan, press the PRI button
while scanning. PRI will appear in the display.
To turn off the feature, press the PRI button. PRI will
disappear from the display.
USING THE AM/FM RECEIVE MODES
Your scanner is preset to the most common receive
mode for each frequency range.
FREQUENCY BAND (MHz) RECEIVE MODE
30.000 - 54.000 FM
118.000 - 136.975 AM
FREQUENCY RANGE (MHz) RECEIVER MODE
137.000 - 174.000 FM
380.000 - 512.000 FM
806.000 - 960.000 FM

USING THE SCANNER
In most instances, the preset mode is correct. But
some military, ham or government organizations do
not use the preset mode. If you are able to receive
a transmitted communication when the scanner is
not set to the correct preset mode, it may sound
distorted and weak.
To reprogram the preset mode, press the AM/FM
button. AM or FM will flash in the display to
indicate that the mode has been changed.
NOTE: If you change a frequency band’s receive
mode during a search, the scanner will not use
the preset receive modes. It will now search in
the bands in the selected mode.

20
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
RESETTING THE SCANNER
In a few instances, it may be
necessary to reset your scanner:
• the display may lock up after the
installation of new batteries or the
connection to an external power
source, or
• the scanner refuses to enter or exit
a mode.
Consider resetting the scanner only
after ruling out the possibility of low
batteries or incorrect programming.
Resetting the scanner clears all the
programmed modes and functions,
but retains any information stored in
the 10 monitor memories and/or the
200 channel memories.
To reset:
1. Make sure the scanner is ON.
2. Press RESET button on the side of
the scanner with a pointed object,
such as a straightened paper clip,
until the entire display is blank.
If the above steps fail to reset your
scanner, you may have to initialize it.
Do this only if you are sure resetting
the scanner has not worked.
INITIALIZING THE SCANNER
Initializing the scanner permanently
erases all stored programs, functions
and any information in the scanner’s
monitor or channel memories.
To initialize:
1. Make sure the scanner is ON.
2. Press and hold the CLEAR button.
3. Quickly press and release the RESET
button.
4. When the display disappears, release
the CLEAR button.