Sony ICF-SC1 User manual

SONY 3-861-713-11 (1)
PLL Synthesized
Scanning Receiver
ICF-SC1/ICF-SC1PC
Operating Instructions
1
01998 by Sony Corporation

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose
the unit to rain or moisture.
To avoid electrical shock, do not open the
cabinet.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.
Owner’s record
The model and serial numbers are located at the bottom of
the receiver. Record them in the space provided below.
Refer to them whenever you call your Sony dealer
I
regarding this product.
Model No.
Serial No.
WARNING
I
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications
not expressly approved in this manual could void
your authority to operate this equipment.
Use of this scanning receiver in a motorized vehicle may
be unlawful or require a permit in certain areas. Contact
your local law enforcement authorities for more
information.
The Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act
(ECPA), as amended, prescribes intentionally listening to,
using, or disclosing the contents of a cellular or cordless
telephone transmission as illegal.
This scanning receiver excludes the cellular phone band
from its frequency range. Any modification of this
receiver to the contrary is likewise illegal by the ECPA.
Information (for ICF-SC1PC)
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.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
2
technician for help.

Welcome!
Welcome to the world of scanning reception. Here are
some of the capabilities and features you will discover
with the new I’LL Synthesized Scanning Receiver.
l I’LL (Phase Locked Loop) synthesized scanning
receiver with a frequency range of 25 - 1300 MHz
(excluding cellular phone frequencies).
l PC controllable (ICF-SC1PC only) - Connect to a
Personal Computer for total control of your scanning
receiver using the PC control software. The CD-ROM
frequency database (supplied) provides information for
station frequencies nationwide.
l Easy access to the PSBs (Public Service Bands) with
Service Scanning - Receive any one of the 9 pre-
programmed PSBs (AIR[VHF], AIRlUHF], Weather,
Police, Fire/Emergency, Marine, FM broadcast,
TV[VHF sound], and TV[UHF sound]) with just a touch
of a button.
l Variety of scanning options - Band Scanning,
Programmable Scanning, Memory Scanning, and
Intelligent Memory Scanning.
l 300 channel memory - Store the stations of your choice
(10 pages, 30 channels per page). The EEPROM retains
stored information without backup batteries.
l Priority Scanning function - Checks every 5 seconds if
there is reception in a priority frequency you have
designated.
l Direct manual tuning - Simply input the digits of the
frequency from the numeric keypad if you know the
frequency.
l SKIP function - Skips the frequencies you have
designated during scan (up to 100).
l Adjustable scanning pause time - Normal, 2 second-
delay mode, and the 5 second-pause mode.
l Adjustable frequency steps.
l Supports AM, NFM, WFM detection modes in all
frequencies.
l Backlighted Liquid Crystal Display.
l Key protection to avoid operation by inadvertent key
strokes.
3

Table of contents
Preparation
Power sources .........................................................................
5
Using the receiver on batteries .........................................
5
Using the receiver on AC power ......................................
6
Using the receiver on a car battery ..................................
6
Attaching/detaching the antenna ........................................ 7
Attaching/detaching the belt holder...................................
7
Using the earphone ................................................................
8
Reception
Various ways of reception .....................................................
9
Receiving in the Scanning Mode
Band Scanning.......................................................................
10
Frequency range of the bands ........................................
10
Adjusting the SQL control ..............................................
11
Memory Scanning.. ...............................................................
13
Programmable Scanning .....................................................
15
Defining the frequency range .........................................
15
Running Programmable Scanning .................................
16
Service Scanning ...................................................................
17
Intelligent Memory Scanning .............................................
19
Receiving in the Manual Mode
Direct Tuning ........................................................................ 20
Manual Tuning .....................................................................
21
Preset Tuning ........................................................................
22
Presetting stations
in the memory ................................. 22
Recalling a preset channel ............................................... 23
Erasing preset memory ....................................................
25
Priority Scanning
Priority Scanning .................................................................. 26
Specifying the priority frequency .................................. 26
Running Priority Scanning ............................................. 26
Other useful functions
SKIP function ........................................................................ 28
Designating a SKIP-frequency........................................ 28
Adjusting scanning pause time ..........................................
30
DELAY ...............................................................................
30
Limiting scanning pause to 5 seconds (5-second pause
mode) .................................................................................
30
Adjusting frequency step and detection mode ................
31
Adjusting the frequency step..........................................
31
Adjusting the detection mode ........................................
31
Key protection ....................................................................... 32
Turning on the light ............................................................. 32
Turning off the beep ............................................................. 32
Additional information
Troubleshooting .................................................................... 33
Precautions ............................................................................. 35
Specifications ......................................................................... 36
Supplied accessories ........................................................ 36
Optional accessories ......................................................... 36
Location and function of controls ...................................... 37
Front ................................................................................... 37
Side/rear.. ..........................................................................
38
Display ...............................................................................
39
4

Power sources
Using the receiver on batteries
Inserting the batteries
Insert four size AA (R6) batteries with correct polarity as
shown in the illustration.
Wait at least 3 seconds before turning on the power on the
receiver.
For longer battery life, we recommend the use of alkaline
batteries.
Note
*When using the receiver on batteries, unplug the AC power
adaptor or the car battery cord from the DC IN 6 V jack on the
receiver, if plugged in.
When to replace the batteries
When the batteries become weak, the sound becomes
weak and distorted. c\? will flash in the display. When the
batteries become exhausted, r_\7 will light up and the
power will go off.
Replace all four batteries with new ones when Q starts to
flash.
Notes
*Turn off the power when replacing the batteries.
*After removing the old batteries, install the new ones within 20
seconds. Otherwise, the present status (the current reception
mode) of the receiver will be lost and will return to the factory
preset. The frequencies stored in the preset memory are
unaffected.
l C\ will disappear from the display when you turn on the power
with the new batteries.
l When running the receiver on AC power or when you are not
using the receiver for an extended period of time, remove the
batteries to avoid battery discharge and damage to the receiver
from battery leakage.
Battery life
10 hours using four LR6 Sony alkaline batteries (with the
squelch open continuously for 4 hours a day).
5

Using the receiver on AC power
Plug in the supplied AC power adaptor in to the DC IN
6V jack.
to a wall outlet
Notes
*Do not twist or crumple the AC power adaptor cord forcefully.
Do not place any heavy object on the cord.
*To disconnect the AC power cord, pull it out by the plug, not the
cord.
*When you are not using the receiver for an extended period of
time, disconnect the AC power adaptor both from the wall outlet
and the receiver.
Using the receiver on a car battery
Plug in the car battery cord (not supplied) to the DC IN
6V jack.
For more information, consult the Operating Instructions
for the car battery cord.
Notes
*Turn off the power when plugging or unplugging the AC power
adaptor or the car battery cord from the DC IN 6 V jack.
Otherwise, the power may be cut off and c\7 may appear in the
display. In this case, press POWER to turn the power on again.
The display will disappear.
*When using the receiver on batteries, unplug the AC power
adaptor or the car battery cord from the DC IN 6 V jack on the
receiver. The receiver will not be powered by the batteries as
long as the DC IN 6V jack is plugged in.
If you plug in the AC power adaptor or the car battery cord to
the DC IN 6 V jack, the power will automatically switch to
external power even if the batteries are installed.
*Use only the supplied/recommended AC power adaptor and car
battery cord.
Polarity of the plug
*The display will be lit with the backlight when you are using the
AC power adaptor or the car battery cord (see “Turning on the
light”, page 32).
6

Attaching/detaching the
antenna
Fit the supplied helical antenna so that the projection on
the connector of the main unit fits the slot on the antenna.
Hold the antenna by the connector and turn it clockwise
until the connector clicks.
I I
Helical
antenna I I
To detach the antenna
Turn the antenna counterclockwise to release the lock of
the connector.
Note
When detaching the antenna, hold the antenna by the connector.
Do not hold the antenna rod itself.
Attaching/detaching the belt
holder
Place the holder so that the projection on the holder fits
the slot on the main unit. Turn the screws clockwise with
a coin.
To detach the belt holder
Turn the screws counterclockwise.
7

Using the earphone
To listen through the earphone, plug in the earphone to
the 0 jack as shown in the illustration.
-NOTICE
Be sure to adjust VOL (volume) to a moderate
level before turning on the power or plugging in
the earphone. There will be no sound when there
is no reception (squelch closed). Sudden
reception (opening of the squelch) may cause
unexpected loud sound and may cause hearing
damage.
8

>Reception
Various ways of reception
The scanning receiver offers a variety of scanning and
tuning options. Refer to the pages in the parenthesis for
details.
Scanning Mode
Band Scanning (page 10)
scans one of the predefined frequency bands
Memory Scanning (page 13)
scans the frequencies you have preset in the
memory
Programmable Scanning (page 15)
scans a frequency range that you have defined
Service Scanning (page 17)
scans one of the 9 pre-programmed Public Service
Bands of your choice
Intelligent Memory Scanning (page 19)
scans the 10 recent reception frequencies
(memorized automatically)
Manual Mode
Direct Tuning (page 20)
tune in by inputting the frequency digits
Manual Tuning (page 21)
tune in by adjusting the frequency step by step
with the t/-keys
Preset Tuning (page 22)
tune in by recalling a frequency you have preset
in the memory
Priority Scanning (page 26)
checks every 5 seconds if there is reception in a
priority frequency (works in either modes)
9

Receiving in the Scanning Mode
Band Scanning
The receiver divides its frequency range (25.0 MHz to
1300.0 MHz) into 17 bands. Band Scanning scans one of
these bands step by step.
Set the SQL control to MIN.
Press POWER to turn the receiver on.
Turn VOL to adjust the volume.
Press BAND repeatedly to choose a band.
With each press, the lowest frequency of the next
band will be displayed. Press repeatedly until the
display shows the lowest frequency of the band of
your choice.
Adjust the SQL control (see page 11).
Scanning will start.
When the receiver receives a signal, w will light
up and the receiver will go into scanning pause. When
the signal breaks off, the receiver will resume
scanning automatically.
To turn off the power
Press POWER.
Frequency range of the bands
Frequencyrange
(MHz)
25.0 ~ 29.0
29.0 ~ 54.0
Step Detection Mode
5kHz AM
5kHz
NFM
54.0 ~ 72.0
50kHz WFM
72.0 ~ 76.0 5kHz
NFM
76.0 ~ 88.0
50kHz WFM
88.0 ~ 108.0 100kHz
WFM
108.0 ~ 137.0
12.5kHz AM
137.0 ~ 148.0
5kHz NFM
148.0 ~ 174.0 5kHz
NFM
174.0 ~ 216.0
50kHz WFM
216.0 ~ 225.0 5kHz NFM
225.0 ~ 400.0
12.5kHz AM
400.0 ~ 470.0 12.5kHz NFM
470.0 ~ 512.0 12.5kHz NFM
512.0 ~ 806.0
50kHz WFM
806.0 ~ 1000.0
12.5kHz NFM
(excluding cellularphone band)
1000.0 ~ 1300.0 12.5kHz NFM
(AM: Amplitude Modulation. NFM: Narrow Band Frequency
Modulation. WFM Wide Band Frequency Modulation)
10

Note
The frequency steps and the detection modes in the list are the
default for each band. You can adjust the frequency step and the
detection mode when you are in Manual Mode. You cannot adjust
them when you are in Scanning Mode.
To resume scanning manually during scanning
pause
Press + or -.
To change scanning direction
Press + or -.
Scanning will restart in ascending direction if you press +,
and in descending direction if you press -.
Note
When you start scanning a new band, scanning will always start in
ascending direction.
To exit Scanning Mode
Press SCAN.
a will disappear from the display and the receiver
enters the Manual Mode. Press again to re-enter the
Scanning Mode.
If you press SCAN for 1 second or longer, the scanning
pause time will go into the 5-second pause mode (see
page 30).
Adjusting the SQL control
Adjustment of the SQL control applies to all modes of
reception.
What the SQL control does
The SQL (squelch) control adjusts the threshold of the
signal intensity that opens the squelch.
When the receiver receives a signal above the threshold,
the squelch will open, M will appear in the display,
and you will hear the transmission sound.
When the squelch opens during scanning, the receiver
stops scanning. This is called a “scanning pause”.
As you turn the SQL control counterclockwise to MIN, the
receiver will pause scanning on weaker signals. But this
may cause the receiver to pause scanning on unwanted
noise signals.
As you turn the SQL control clockwise to MAX, the
receiver will cut off the weaker signals and receive only
stronger signals. If it is turned too far clockwise, on the
other hand, there may be no signal strong enough to cause
a scanning pause.
Adjusting the SQL control
Start from the MIN position and turn it
clockwise towards MAX to the point the B
indication disappears in the display.
MIN MAX
SQL
When there is a signal above the squelch threshold, m
will light up and the receiver pauses scanning. Scanning
will resume automatically when the signal breaks off.
11

NOTICE
If you wish to listen to transmission continuously
(such as when listening to FM broadcast, TV
sound, or
,Weather broadcast, etc.), be sure to set
SQL to MIN so that the squelch does not close
when the signal gets weak.
12

Memory Scanning
Memory Scanning scans the frequencies you have preset
in the memory. (To preset a station in the memory, see
page 22). Choose one or more target pages to run Memory
Scanning.
1 Set the SQL control to MIN.
2 Press POWER to turn the receiver on.
3 Recall any preset channel (see “Recalling a preset
channel”, page 23).
The preset number will appear in the display.
4 Press SCAN.
The receiver will enter the Memory Scanning mode.
The page number(s) for the target page(s) will appear
in the display.
Here, the receiver is scanning page 1.
5 Adjust the SQL control (see page 11).
6 Select the target page.
With each press of the number key, the page number
will appear and disappear alternately in the display.
Here, you have pressed 2 and 6 (to add these pages),
and 1 (to discard the page). The receiver is currently
pausing scanning on preset channel number 12 of
page 6.
Notes
*The number for the current target page will flash in the display.
l When there is only one page in the display, you cannot discard
the page from the scanning target.
13

*When the current target page has no occupied channel (i.e., the
page has no channel with a preset frequency), the display will be
as follows
In this case, first add a valid target page if this is the only target
page, then, discard this page from the target page.
*If all the preset channels in a current target page are SKIP-
designated frequencies, the display will be as follows.
In this case, first add a valid page to the scanning target page if
this is the only target page, then, discard this page.
To change scanning direction
Press + or -
To resume scanning manually during scanning
pause
Press + or -
14

Programmable Scanning
Programmable Scanning scans a frequency range you
have defined step by step. You can also specify the
frequency step and the detection mode.
Defining the frequency range
Define the range by specifying the lower and the upper
limits of the range. The preset channels for the upper and
lower limits are located after channel 30 of page 10. You
cannot use any other channel for this purpose.
3
4
5
6
1Set the SQL control to MIN.
2Press POWER to turn the receiver on.
Tune in, by any way, to a frequency to be specified as
the lower limit of the range.
Adjust the frequency step and the detection mode.
Press STEP repeatedly to select a frequency step of
your choice.
Press MODE repeatedly to select a detection mode of
your choice (see “Adjusting frequency step and
detection mode”, page 31).
Skip this step to select the default step and detection
mode.
While holding down ENTER, press “10/0”, then EXE.
“PRESET” and the preset number will flash in the
display. (Do not release ENTER).
While holding down ENTER, press + or - repeatedly
until “PRESET L” appears for the preset number
display.
With each press, the preset number display will
change as follows.
“L” (“Lower limit”) comes after preset channel 30.
(Do not release ENTER).
7 While holding down ENTER, press EXE again.
The lower limit frequency has been memorized in
preset L.
8 Repeat steps 3 to 7 to memorize the upper limit
frequency in preset U. “U” (“Upper limit”) comes
after preset L.
Select the same frequency step and detection mode as
you did for the lower limit frequency.
Notes
*You can specify either frequency first.
*If
you have selected a different frequency step or detection mode
for the upper and lower limits, the one(s) memorized later will
take precedence.
*The delay setting is not saved for preset channel L or U.
15

Running Programmable Scanning
1 Hold down ENTER and press SCAN lightly (i.e., less
than 1 second).
Scanning will start from the lower limit frequency.
2 Adjust the SQL control (see page 11).
Once you have defined a scanning range, you do not need to
define it again as long as you are scanning the same frequency
range.
Notes
*Do not press SCAN for 1 second or longer while holding down
ENTER. If you do, the receiver will enter the 5-second pause
mode and the decimal point will flash in the display. See
“Adjusting scanning pause time”, (page
30).
*If
you try to run Programmable Scanning with an invalid range
definition (i.e., the specified upper and lower limits are the same
frequency, or, either or both limits have not been specified), the
receiver will display the memory content of the two frequencies
and then return to the previous status.
*During Programmable Scanning, the receiver will start scanning
from the lower of the two specified frequencies. Thus, if, for
example, the frequency memorized under PRESET L is higher
than the frequency memorized for PRESET U, scanning will start
from the frequency in PRESET U.
*Although the upper and lower limit frequencies are located after
channel 30 in page 10, they do not belong to this page; they will
not be scanned when page 10 is targeted in Memory Scanning.
To display the current scanning range
Press PAGE, then “10/0”, then EXE. Page 10 will appear
in the display.
Press PRESET, then + or - repeatedly until “PRESET L” or
“PRESET U” appears for the preset number display.
To change scanning direction
Press + or -
To resume scanning manually during scanning
pause
Press + or -
Note
When presetting or recalling a frequency in preset L or U, you can
also recall these channels by pressing “31” (for preset L) or “32”
(for preset “U”) and then EXE.
16

Service Scanning
Service Scanning scans one of the 9 pre-programmed
Public Service Bands of your choice. A button is assigned
to each of the bands for instant access.
Pre-programmed Public Service Bands
Service Band
Key number
WX (NOAA WEATHER broadcast)
1
POLICE 2
FIRE/EMG (Fire and emergency)
3
MARINE
4
AIR(V) (Aircraft[VHF])
5
AIR(U) (AircraftIUHFl)
6
FM broadcast
7
TV(V) (TV sound[VHF])
8
TV(U) (TV sound[UHF])
9
1 Set the SQL control to MIN.
2 Press POWER to turn the receiver on.
3 Press SVC.
The receiver will enter the Service Scanning mode.
“SVC SCAN” will flash in the display.
4 Press the number key for the Public Service Band of
your choice.
2 (POLICE band) is shown here as an example.
5 Adjust the SQL control (see page 11).
To exit Service Scanning
Press SVC when the “SVC SCAN” indication is flashing
in the display. The receiver will return to the previous
status.
Notes
*If you skipped step 4 (pressed EXE when the “SVC SCAN”
indication is flashing in the display), scanning will start on the
Service Band number displayed at that point.
*If the “SVC SCAN” indication is left flashing for about 5 seconds,
scanning will start on the Service Band number displayed at that
point.
17

*When the receiver pauses scanning at a NOAA WEATHER
broadcast channel, it will not resume scanning automatically,
since all NOAA WEATHER channels transmit continuously. To
resume scanning manually, press + or -.
*The NOAA WEATHER broadcast may be difficult to receive in
some areas. Try listening in a higher location.
*To run Service Scanning in the 5-second pause mode, press
SCAN for 1 second or longer in any other scanning mode (such
as Band Scanning) to enter the 5-second pause mode, and then
start Service Scanning.
To change scanning direction
Press + or -
To resume scanning manually during scanning
pause
Press + or -
18

Intelligent Memory Scanning
When the receiver receives a station continuously for 5
seconds or longer, the frequency is memorized
automatically in the Intelligent Memory. The Intelligent
Memory holds the 10 most recently received frequencies.
Intelligent Memory Scanning scans the frequencies in the
Intelligent Memory.
1 Set the SQL control to MIN.
2 Press POWER to turn the receiver on.
3 In the Scanning Mode, press INTE (Intelligent
Memory).
In the Manual Mode, press INTE, then press SCAN
“INTE” will appear in the display and the receiver
starts Intelligent Memory Scanning.
Here the receiver is pausing scanning on channel 1 of
the Intelligent Memory.
Adjust the SQL control (see page 11).
To recall the frequencies in the Intelligent
Memory one by one
Press INTE while Intelligent Memory Scanning is pausing
scanning, or in Manual Mode.
With each press, the Intelligent Memory channels will be
recalled in ascending order.
Notes
*Intelligent Memory always holds the 10 most recently received
frequencies. Thus, the older ones will be erased one by one as
there is a new reception. Store the frequency in the Preset
memory if it needs to be stored (see page 22).
*If the receiver receives a frequency that is already in the
Intelligent Memory, this will not create a second memory entry
of the same frequency but will only change the order.
*The INTE indication will disappear if you tune manually by
pressing
+ or - when the Intelligent Memory is recalled.
*You cannot change the detection mode
or frequency step when
the Intelligent Memory is recalled.
*The delay setting is not saved for the Intelligent Memory. If the
DELAY indication is present when running Intelligent Memory
Scanning, DELAY is effective for all Intelligent Memory
frequencies.
*If you try to run Intelligent Memory Scanning with all the
Intelligent Memory frequencies designated a SKIP frequency,
“ALL SKIP” will appear in the display and the receiver will
return to the previous condition.
To change scanning direction
Press + or -
To resume scanning manually during scanning
pause
Press + or -
19

Receiving in the Manual Mode
Direct Tuning
If you know the frequency of a station, tune in directly by
inputting the frequency digits on the number keys.
1 Set the SQL control to MIN.
2 Press POWER to turn the receiver on
3 If you are in the Scanning Mode, press SCAN to enter
the Manual Mode.
M will disappear from the display.
4 Tune in by pressing the number keys for the
frequency digits.
5Press EXE.
Example: to tune in directly to 128.6375 MHz
Press O~O~O~.~~~O~O~O~O~EXE
To cancel Direct Tuning input
Press ERASE before pressing EXE.
Notes
*The frequency steps and detection modes will be set to default
(see “Frequency range of the bands”, page 10). To change the
frequency step or detection mode, press STEP or MODE after
you have tuned in a frequency (see “Adjusting frequency step
and detection mode”, page 31).
*If the frequency you have input is not a step frequency, the
frequency will automatically change to a step frequency.
*If you tune in directly (i.e., input frequency digits and press EXE)
in the Scanning Mode, the receiver will go into the Manual
Mode. However, this is not the case during Memory Scanning;
pressing the number keys will add/delete scanning target pages.
*If the frequency is a round figure above the decimal point, you
do not need to input the digits below the decimal point.
Example: to tune in directly to 128.000 MHz
press @@@EXE
*If you take more than 10 seconds between key input, Direct
Tuning will be cancelled and the receiver returns to the previous
condition.
Note on band border frequencies in Direct Tuning or
Manual Tuning
The highest frequency of a band is the same as the lowest
frequency of the next band (except for that of the highest band).
For these frequencies, the default frequency steps and detection
modes are set as the lowest frequencies of the next band.
20