Realistic TRC-411 User manual

CUSTOM MANUFACTURED IN KOREA FOR TANDY CORPORATION
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PLEASE READ BEFORE
USING THIS EQUIPMENT
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Cat  .
21 505

Your ---
74z-/St7c---! TRC-411 40-Channel Emergency Mobile CB
Transceiver gives you security and peace of mind whenever you're on the
road! It's ultra-simple to set up and use — just connect the supplied
magnetic-mount antenna and plug the 12V DC power adapter into your
car's cigarette lighter socket. You're then ready to report accidents ... ask
for assistance ... find out about traffic conditions ... or any other commu-
nications you need. And when not in use, you can store your TRC-411
under a car seat, in the glove compartment or in the trunk — until you
need it again!
Your TRC-411 uses a built-in 40-channel PLL synthesizer circuit. The
Phase Lock Loop is a new technique for generating all the required
frequencies with a single crystal. The result is much tighter frequency
control with superior reliability.
FEATURES
•
Plug-in powerful magnetic-base antenna (for use on metal car roof or
hood)
•
Plug in 12V DC car adapter (plugs into cigarette lighter holder)
•
EMERGENCY Switch instantly selects Channel 9 for emergency use.
•
Travel case (for easy portability and storage)
•
Bright green ON THE AIR LED indicator lights when transmitting and
modulating.
•
Bright red CHANNEL 9 monitor LED indicator
•
Phase Lock Loop circuitry for precise frequency control and stability
over all 40 channels
•
Three ceramic filters for superior selectivity and freedom from adjacent
channel interference
• Bright red LED channel indicator
• Built-in Automatic Modulation Control
• Hysteresis-type squelch circuit (RECEIVING RANGE CONTROL)
automatically compensates for signal fading, to eliminate signal
"chopping" during message reception.
•
EXTernal ANTenna Jack
•
Works with negative ground 12-volt DC system
•
Built-in Automatic Noise Limiting circuit
• Uses 3 ICs, 17 Transistors, 1 FET and 16 Diodes
For your own protection, we urge you to record the Serial Number of this
unit in the space provided. You'll find the Serial Number on the back
panel of the unit.
Serial Number:

C.R.S. LICENCE (AUSTRALIA)
Before transmitting with your Transceiver, you must obtain a Depart-
ment of Communications Citizens Radio Service Licence. Obtain an
application form, from the D.O.C. Before completing the form you
should read the conditions governing the licensing and operation of the
Citizens Radio Service (Department of Communications brochure RB-
249). This brochure also can be obtained from the Department of
Communications. After completing the application form, mail it with the
appropriate fee to the Superintendent, Regulatory and Licensing in the
state or territory in which the station will be operated.
BEFORE YOU CALL FOR HELP
Our repair centers receive many returned products which are actually
working perfectly. Maybe the owner just did not read the instructions, or
overlooked something. Or perhaps the problem was a blown fuse (in the
built-in 12V DC Car Adapter) that the owner could have easily replaced.
So read this manual carefully and be sure you understand all the basic
features of this CB — and the special ones, too! And before you assume
your Transceiver needs repair, refer to the Service and Maintenance
section of this manual, to see if the problem is something
you can
eliminate.
Enjoy your Realistic TRC-411!

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SPECIFICATIONS
RECEIVER
Frequency Coverage
Sensitivity
Adjacent Channel Rejection
Intermediate Frequency
Audio Output
Frequency Response
Cross Modulation
Squelch
TRANSMITTER
: All 40 CB Channels (Class D)
26.965 to 27.405 MHz
0.5 ii N/ or better for 10dB S + N/N
: 60dB (at 10kHz)
greater than 100dB (for 20kHz)
: 1st IF = 10.695 MHz, 2nd IF = 455
kHz
: 4 watts (max.)
: 450 — 2500 Hz
: 50dB (or better)
: Adjustable from 0.5/4V to lmV
Frequency Coverage
Power Output
Emission
Modulation Capabilities
Spurious Radiation
Frequency Tolerance
Antenna Impedance
Current Drain (13.8 volt supply)
Accessories
: All 40 CB Channels (Class D)
26.965 to 27.405 MHz
4 watts (maximum)
: 8A3
: +90%, —100%
: Less than --65dB
: Better than 0.002%
: 50 ohms
: 850 mA (no modulation)
1500 mA (full modulation)
: Magnetic-Base Antenna
12V DC Adapter
Travel case

CHANNEL 9 LED (RED)
Lights when EMERGENCY switch is
at CH9 position.
Channel Selector
Use to select any one of the 40
channels available.
EMERGENCY Switch
Instantly selects
Emergency Channel 9.
Microphone
Talk here.
VOLUME ON/OFF Switch
Turn clockwise to apply power to
the Transceiver and then adjust for
desired sound level.
RECEIVING RANGE
Permits you to cut annoying back-
ground noise when no station is
being received. When properly set,
your radio will remain silent until an
audible message comes through.
PUSH TO TALK Bar
Speaker
— Press to transmit. Release to listen.
Listen
CONTROLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Front
ON THE AIR LED (GREEN)
 LED CHANNEL Display
Lights up when transmitting and

Indicates which channel you are
modulating.
 operating on.

Bottom
N
N
12V DC
POWER
PLUG
12 VOLT DC CAR ADAPTER
Inserts into car cigarette lighter (Has
polarized plug and 2 amp fuse)
12V DC JACK
EXT ANT Jack
ANTENNA PLUG
(Insert into ANT jack on
the bottom of the unit.)
MAGNETIC BASE EXTENDABLE
ANTENNA
Fully extend and place on a FLAT
AREA of metal car roof or hood.
N

USING YOUR TRANSCEIVER
Note: The magnetic-mount antenna supplied with your TRC-411 is de-
signed for use while your car is not moving. If you want to use your
TRC-411 while your vehicle is in motion, see your local Tandy for a
mobile CB antenna.
Do not transmit without a suitable antenna connected to the ANTenna
Jack.
Setting Up
1.
Remove the Antenna and Car Adapter from the Travel Case.
2.
Fully extend the antenna and place its magnetic base on the vehicle's
roof — if vinyl roof or convertible top, place magnetic base on hood of
vehicle. Insert the antenna plug into the ANTENNA Jack on the
bottom of the Transceiver.
3.
Insert the 12V DC Car Adapter into your vehicle's cigarette lighter
socket. Plug the other end into the 12V DC Jack on the bottom of
your unit.
Note: This unit is designed for operation with a 12V, negative ground
system only.
Since all cigarette lighter sockets are not identical, it may be
necessary to pull the Car Adapter out, slightly rotate it and then
re-insert for positive contact.
TO RECEIVE (listen)
1.
Set RECEIVING RANGE Control to DISTANT position (maximum
counterclockwise).
2.
Turn power ON (by rotating VOLUME clockwise).
3.
Select the desired channel by rotating Channel Selector. Or, in an
emergency, flip the EMERGENCY switch to CH9. (After communica-
tions are over, be sure to set EMERGENCY switch to "down" position
(CH1-40) so you can listen to other channels.)
4.
Adjust VOLUME for a suitable listening level.
5.
Adjust RECEIVING RANGE Control to cut out annoying background
noise when no signal is being received. To do this, set Channel
Selector to a channel where no signals are present (or wait till signals
cease on your channel). Then, rotate RECEIVING RANGE Control in
a clockwise (LOCAL) direction to the point where the background
noise just stops. Now, when a signal is present, you will hear it, but
you will not be disturbed by noise on the channel in between signals.

When properly set, RECEIVING RANGE Control will keep the receiver
"dead" until a signal comes in on that channel. Do not set RECEIVING
RANGE Control too high, or weak signals will not be able to "open" the
Squelch circuit. To receive weak signals, it is best to leave RECEIVING
RANGE Control set to DISTANT (minimum position).
NOTE: The RECEIVING RANGE Control circuit in your Transceiver is a
special advanced development. It uses two extra transistors to
accomplish a hysteresis action. The result is that when you set
RECEIVING RANGE Control for precise signal level, if that signal
level fades (decreases or increases in strength), the circuit will
follow this change. With conventional squelch circuits, often a
signal which changes strength gets "chopped" by squelch and
you lose a portion of the message; with hysteresis RECEIVING
RANGE, you get it all.
You've also got a built-in Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL) circuit which
helps to reduce or eliminate low-level impulse-type external noise. This
special circuit is always active.
TO TRANSMIT
1.
Select the desired channel (either using Channel Selector or EMER-
GENCY switch).
2.
Press the PUSH-TO-TALK bar. Hold the unit at a slight angle about
2" — 3" (5 — 7.5cm) from your mouth and speak in a normal voice.
ON THE AIR LED will light up and flicker as you talk.
3.
To Receive, release the PUSH-TO-TALK bar.
NOTES ABOUT CHANNEL 9
Channel 9 has been set aside by the DOC for emergency communications
only, and is to be used only for emergency communications involving the
safety of people and property — it is especially useful for motorists who
need assistance.
We've incorporated a special switch that puts you on Channel 9 instantly.
In an emergency you don't want to spend time turning the Channel
Selector until you reach Channel 9. Just flip up the EMERGENCY switch
and you're on Channel 9. A red LED will show you the unit is operating
on Channel 9. Be sure to flip the switch down to the CH1 - 40 position
after you're finished using Channel 9.

Many persons have CB base stations in their homes. If you need
assistance, you can try to reach a home base station, and ask the person
who responds to call your relative or friend to come to your aid. However,
DON'T USE CHANNEL 9 for this. Remember, channel
.
9 is used only for
emergencies.
SOME HINTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY YOUR CB
• Wait for a pause in transmission before asking for a break.
•
If you do not receive an answer after a second call to another station,
sign off and allow others to use the channel — waif a while, ask for a
break and try again.
•
Do not Dead Key (hold PUSH TO TALK bar in).
•
Assist callers with directions, road conditions or other requested infor-
mation.
•
Keep harassment off the air. This is unnecessary and causes problems
for everyone including you.
•
Be courteous — treat others the way you wish to be treated.

OPTIONAL ANTENNAS FOR PERMANENT
INSTALLATION
If you desire permament antenna installation for your CB Transceiver, use
an antenna especially designed for CB frequency of 27 MHz. See your
local Tandy store for appropriate antennas. To use standard CB anten-
nas, you have to use an adapter, such as our 278-208.
STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT CB
" The effective range depends on several factors:
a) the type of antenna used
b) antenna mounting height
c) terrain, city with tall building, hills or other obstructions reduces
range. Best range is over water or flat land.
d)
weather conditions and
e) number of other CB'ers on the same channel at the same time.
•
Weather and atmospheric conditions such as lightning, sun spots and
other electrical interference will result in strong static and limit TRANS-
MIT and RECEIVE range.
•
"Skip" (long distance communications) is possible when CB signal is
reflected back from ionized atmosphere.
The relative range, under normal and favorable conditions, is shown below.
This should not be taken as a minimum range of performance, but rather
as what can be expected under favorable circumstances and proper
antenna mounting.
MOBILE TO MOBILE: 2 to 8 km (1-5 mi.) on land and up to 16 km (10
mi.) across water.
BASE TO MOBILE: 8 to 16 km (5-10 mi.) on land and up to 24 km
(15 mi.) across water.
BASE TO BASE: Up to 32 km (20 mi.), depending on type of antenna,
height and terrain.

NOISE
In Mobile operation, your vehicle or boat can be the cause of much noise
interference. Since the receiver section of your transceiver is very
sensitive, it will pick up even the smallest noise signals and amplify them.
Any noise that you hear in the transceiver is almost totally from external
sources. The receiver itself is exceptionally quiet.
 If the noise is
continuous and fairly loud, it cannot be totally eliminated by the Auto-
matic Noise Limiter circuit. You must solve the problem at its source.
To find out if the noise is from your ignition system, try this simple test.
Turn off your ignition switch and set it to ACC (accessories). This turns
off the ignition, but supplies power to the Transceiver, Most of the noise
will probably disappear, indicating that the source of noise is your
vehicle's ignition or other electrical systems.
IGNITION SYSTEM
Ignition-type noise can be identified by the fact that it varies with the
speed of the engine. It consists of a series of popping sounds. There are
a number of things that can be done to reduce this type of noise.
1.
Use only the "radio suppression type" high-voltage ignition wire. Most
new cars come already equipped with this type of wire.
2.
Inspect the high voltage ignition wire and all connections made with
this wire. Old ignition wire may develop leakage, resulting in hash.
3.
If noise persists, replace the spark plugs with the spark plugs that have
suppressor resistors built-in. Be sure to use the correct type for your
vehicle.
Other sources of noise are: generator/alternator, regulator, gauges and
static discharge. Most of these types of noise can be efficiently reduced
or eliminated by using bypass capacitors at the various output voltage
points. We suggest you check your Radio Shack-store for a selection of
noise reduction accessories.
EXCESSIVE NOISE INTERFERENCE
Position antenna as far away from CB as possible.
The hissing or static received with RECEIVING RANGE control in
DISTANT position is normal.
Atmospheric conditions sometimes cause signals to "skip," resulting in
unwanted interference from distant CB transmissions.
Garbled "Donald Duck" type voice may indicate SSB (single side band)
transmission on your channel. Select an alternate clear channel.
(Common SSB channels are channel 16 and 36 through 40.)

Twist off
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Your Transceiver has been built in accordance with Radio Shack's exact-
ing quality control standards. However, it should be treated with reason-
able care accorded any electrical equipment. Avoid exposing it to severe
shock, dirt or moisture.
If you run into problems with the unit, we recommend you check the
following:
1. If trouble is experienced with receiving:
Check the VOLUME ON/OFF switch setting.
Be sure RECEIVING RANGE is adjusted properly.
Check if the unit is switched to an active channel.
2.
If trouble is experienced with transmitting:
Check if the transmission line is securely connected to the Antenna
Jack.
Check if the antenna is properly installed.
Are all transmission line connections secure and free of corrosion?
Make sure you are fully pressing the PUSH TO TALK Bar.
3.
If the Transceiver is completely inoperative:
Check the 12 VOLT DC CAR ADAPTER and in-line fuse (Replace
only with an identical 2-amp fuse).
FUSE REPLACEMENT
Twist to open 2 Amp fuse holder.
Twist on
FUSE
If these checks do not solve the trouble, do NOT attempt repairs or
adjustments yourself. The unit should be serviced only by a qualified
radio technician. Whenever possible, return the unit to the store from
which it was purchased.

WARNING
Do not open the Transceiver to make any internal adjustments.
Internal adjustment and/or modifications can lead to illegal operations
as defined by DOC Rules and Regulations. Such illegal operation can
lead to very serious consequences.
TO BE SAFE AND SURE:
1.
You should never open up the case of your Transceiver.
2.
Never change or replace anything in your Transceiver.
OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR YOUR CB
Personal and family:
Keep in touch with home while driving to work, to the store or social
activity. Let your family know you are tied up in traffic or that you will
stop by the market on the way home.
If you are a two-car (or more) family, CB is great for communication
between members of your family while they are in their cars.
Contact friends and neighbors — find out "what's happening" or plan a
get-together. You can even meet new friends this way.
Ever have car trouble or run out of gas on the highway? What an
assurance it is to be able to radio for assistance.
Camping, hunting, fishing or other sports are more fun with CB. Locate
a buddy or find out "what's cooking back at camp."

Business Uses:
Call your office or coordinate field employee activities.
Sales and Service people save valuable time and cut down on missing
contacts and appointments.
Doctors and Nurses can call their office or hospital to check on impor-
tant calls or a particular patient.
With Security Policemen 2-way radio is more than a convenience, it is a
must for both safety and efficiency.
Truckdrivers and Deliverymen learn road and traffic conditions and obtain
assistance in locating destinations. CB is also a lot of company on those
"long hauls".
In Construction Crews, CB quickly pays for itself when you are calling for
additional materials or coordinating the activities of various work crews.
CITIZENS BAND FREQUENCY CHART
CHANNEL
FREQUENCY (MHz)
CHANNEL
FREQUENCY (MHz)
1
26.965 21
27.215
2 26.975 22
27.225
3
26.985 23
27.255
4
27.005
24
27.235
5
27.015
25
27.245
6
27.025
26
27.265
7
27.035 27
27.275
8
27.055 28
27.285
9
27.065 29
27.295
10 27.075
30
27.305
11
27.085
31
27.315
12
27.105 32
27.325
13
27.115
33 27.335
14 27.125
34
27.345
15
27.135 35
27.355
16
27.155 36
27.365
17
27.165
37
27.375
18 27.175
38
27.385
19 27.185
39
27.395
20 27.205 40
27.405

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SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
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10-CODES
Citizens band radio operators have largely adopted the 10-codes for
standard questicins and answers. Its use permits faster communication
and better intelligibility in noisy areas. The following table lists some of
the more common codes and their meanings.
Code
Meaning
Code
Meaning
10-1
Receiving poorly
10-10
Standing by
10-2
Receiving well
10-13 Advise road/weather conditions.
10-3
Stop Transmitting
10-20
What is your location?
10-4
OK
10-33
Emergency traffic
10-7
Out of Service
10-36 Correct time
10-8
In Service
10-41
Switch to Channel.
10-9
Repeat
10-62 /Cannot copy you;
TANDY WARRANTY
I
This equipment is warranted against defects for 90 days from
date of purchase. Within this /period, we will repair it without
charge for parts and labor. Simply bring your sales slip
as
proof of purchase date to any TANDY store. Warranty does not
cover transportation costs.

Nor does it cover equipment
subjected to misuse or accidental damage.
This Warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also
other rights which vary from state to state.
We Service What We Sell
For service, return this set to your nearest TANDY Electronics store.
TANDY CORPORATION
Head
office 
AUSTRALIA
280-316 VICTORIA ROAD RYDALMERE. N. S. W. 2116
6A2

Printed
in Korea