Uniden PRO538HHFM User manual

PRO538HHFM
Handheld CB Radio
Printed in Vietnam
U01UT433ZZA(0)
© 2022 Uniden America Corp.
Irving, Texas

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................5
FEATURES..................................................................................5
SAFETY NOTICE ........................................................................6
UNIDEN CONTACT INFORMATION...........................................6
INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE ...................................................6
PARTS OF THE RADIO..................................................................7
DEFINITIONS..............................................................................8
LCD ...............................................................................................10
SETUP...........................................................................................11
INSTALL ANTENNA ..................................................................11
Rubber Antenna.................................................................... 12
External Antenna .................................................................. 12
CONNECT TO POWER.............................................................12
Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries............................................. 13
Alkaline Batteries.................................................................. 15
In-Vehicle Adapter ................................................................ 17
CONNECT EXTERNAL SPEAKER AND MICROPHONE.........18
OPERATION .................................................................................18
BASIC OPERATION..................................................................18
EMERGENCY OPERATION......................................................22
DUAL WATCH ...........................................................................22
Programming Dual Watch Channels .................................... 22
AUTOMATIC NOISE LIMITER ..................................................22
WEATHER.................................................................................23
MAINTENANCE............................................................................23
TROUBLESHOOTING..................................................................23
CB OPERATION........................................................................24
CB Communication Codes ................................................... 24
SERVICE AND REPAIR INFORMATION...................................25

4
FREQUENCY LISTS.....................................................................26
CB CHANNEL FREQUENCY LIST............................................26
WEATHER CHANNEL FREQUENCY LIST ..............................27
SPECIFICATIONS.........................................................................28
GENERAL..................................................................................28
TRANSMITTER .........................................................................29
RECEIVER ................................................................................29
FCC PART 15 AND ISED COMPLIANCE ...................................30
FCC AND ISED STATEMENT.......................................................32
ISED ANTENNA STATEMENT ..................................................34
ÉNONCÉ D’ANTENNE ISED ....................................................34
ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ..............................................34

5
INTRODUCTION
The PRO538HHFM radio is a hand-held radio designed for use in the
Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service. It will operate on any of the 40 CB
frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). Your radio features a superheterodyne circuit with Phase
Locked Loop techniques to assure precise frequency control.
NOTE: Make sure you have read and understood part 95 of the
FCC rules and regulations before using the transmitter.
FEATURES
• 40 CB channels (AM/FM modes)
• 10 Weather channels
• AGC (Automatic Gain Control) for a constant sound level.
• Automatic Noise Limiter to reduce pulse noise.
• Backlight On/O󰀨; Dual backlight colors (Amber and White)
• Battery pack for 8 AA Ni-MH or 6 AA alkaline batteries (batteries
are not included).
• Compatible with CB MIC hanger.
• Dual Channel Watch
• External speaker jack and external MIC jack. Includes In-Vehicle
adapter.
• Full Channel Scan
• High/Low power saver switch (HI = 4W; LOW = 1W)
• Instant Channel 9/19
• Key Lock
• Portable and In-Vehicle Use
• RF Gain Control
• Rotary Channel Selector

6
SAFETY NOTICE
• Do not expose the PRO538HHFM to water or extreme
temperatures.
• Do not leave batteries installed over a long period of time as
leakage may occur and cause damage to the radio.
• Never use di󰀨erent batteries from the ones suggested.
• Never use harsh chemicals to clean this radio. Use a damp soft
cloth.
UNIDEN CONTACT INFORMATION
You can get answers 24/7 at our website: www.uniden.com.
INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE
If any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately contact
your place of purchase or www.uniden.com.
PRO538HHFM Radio
(shown with Ni-MH battery
case attached)
Rubber (Whip) Antenna
Belt Clip In-Vehicle Adapter

7
Ni-MH Battery Case Alkaline Battery Case
Not shown: Hanger MIC with Screw and Wrist Strap
PARTS OF THE RADIO
3
Key 1
2
8
6
4
J1
5
1K2K1
J2
J - Jack
K - Knob
Key - Key
None - Other
LEGEND
Key 2
Key 3
Key 4
Key 5
Key 6
7

8
DEFINITIONS
ITEM NAME PURPOSE
J1 External Microphone
jack
Attach external microphone (not
included)
J2 External Speaker jack Attach external speaker (not
included)
K1 CH/RF GAIN knob Channel: Turn knob to select
channels.
RF Gain (AM Only): Press
FUNC + GAIN key and turn this
knob to adjust receiving gain.
Color Selection mode: Press
FUNC +COLOR key and turn
this knob to change backlight
color.
Scan mode: Resume scanning
or change scan direction.
K2 Power/VOL; SQ Turns power on and o󰀨 and
adjusts volume and squelch
levels.
Key 1 9/19/DUAL Instantly recall channels 9 and
19.
Press FUNC and this key to
enter Dual Channel Watch
mode.
Press FUNC and hold this
key to program Dual Watch
Channels.
Key 2 FUNC Function key. Press this key to
unlock secondary key functions.

9
ITEM NAME PURPOSE
Key 3 ANL/GAIN Press to turn ANL on and o󰀨.
Press FUNC and this key to
access RF Gain Setting Mode.
Key 4 AM/FM (PWR H/L) Press to enter AM or FM modes.
Press FUNC and this key to set
power to high or low.
Key 5 SCAN/WX Press to start and stop
scanning.
Press FUNC. and this key to
access Weather Channels.
Key 6 /COLOR Press to turn backlight on/o󰀨.
NOTE: Backlight does not
support the orange
letters on the keys.
Press and hold to turn keylock
on/o󰀨.
Press FUNC and this key
to enter color setting mode.
Turn the CH/RF GAIN knob to
select either an amber or white
background. Press /
COLOR to set it (see page
19).
1 Antenna Location for attaching the rubber
whip antenna.
2 Push-to-Talk button Push to transmit (talk) to other
radios.
3 Battery Case Release Slide up to release battery case
from the unit.

10
ITEM NAME PURPOSE
4 Charge LED Turns red when battery begins
charging.
NOTE: The LED does not
indicate when charging is
complete.
5 Clip Location Use a carabiner clip (not
included) to attach the radio to a
belt loop, strap, etc.
6 MIC Microphone Location
7 Charging Jack (Ni-MH
battery case only)
Connect DC charge plug from
In-Vehicle adapter.
8 Battery Case Location of Ni-MH or alkaline
battery cases or In-Vehicle
adapter when connected to the
PRO538HHFM. (Ni-MH battery
case shown.)
LCD
TX F
WX DW HI
LO
SIG
PWR
1359+30
0.5 1 2 3 4
AM FM
ANL
SCAN
GAIN

11
LCD ITEM MEANING
TX Transmitting indicator
F Function indicator
AM AM mode indicator
FM FM mode indicator
ANL Automatic Noise Limiter indicator
WX Weather Channel indicator
DW Dual Watch indicator
HI TX Power indicator: HI = 4W
SCAN Scan function active
LO TX Power indicator: LO = 1W
88 Channel Number/RF Gain (0 - 10)
Battery Strength (4 levels - 3, 2, 1, and
Low Battery. Battery icon blinks in Low
Battery mode.)
Key lock function active
SIGNAL
POWER
1359
+30
0.5
1 2 3 4
S/RF meter (10 steps)
Strength of incoming signal;Strength of
transmission power.
GAIN
RF Gain Level indicator (10 steps)
SETUP
INSTALL ANTENNA
The PRO538HHFM can use either a rubber “whip” antenna or an
external antenna (not included).

12
Rubber Antenna
1 Insert the rubber antenna (included) onto the radio’s antenna jack.
2 Rotate the antenna clockwise until it clicks into place.
NOTE: If using the rubber antenna or connecting the external
antenna to the radio’s antenna terminal, the PRO538HHFM must
use either of the Ni-MH or Alkaline battery cases for power.
External Antenna
The external antenna connects to the In-Vehicle’s external antenna
jack. See the graphic on page 13 for the external antenna jack
location.
1 Remove the rubber antenna from the PRO538HHFM.
CAUTION: When the In-Vehicle adapter is attached to radio, the
radio will switch to external antenna mode. Be sure to remove the
rubber antenna from the radio’s antenna terminal.
If the rubber antenna or the external antenna stays connected to the
radio’s antenna terminal, the transmit power to the external antenna
terminal will be signicantly reduced.
2 Slide the In-Vehicle adapter onto the radio.
3 Install the external antenna according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
4 Connect the external antenna connector to the external antenna
jack on the In-Vehicle adapter.
5 Connect the 12V DC cigarette plug from the In-Vehicle adapter to
your vehicle.
CONNECT TO POWER
There are several methods to power your PRO538HHFM:
• Ni-MH batteries (case included)
• Alkaline batteries (case included)

13
• In-Vehicle adapter connects the PRO538HHFM to the vehicle’s
12V DC cigarette port
Connect to
PRO538HHFM Radio.
DC Power Plug:
Connect to DC12V Vehicle
Power (Cigarette) Jack.
External CB
Antenna Connector
Charge Plug:
Connect to Ni-MH
Battery Case.
VEHICLE ADAPTER
Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries
The PRO538HHFM comes with a battery case for 8 AA Ni-MH batteries
(batteries not included).
1 Separate the two sides of the case by pulling them in the
directions noted on the shell.
2 Insert the 8 batteries according to the directions shown inside the
NiMH battery case.
CAUTION: Do not mix charged and uncharged batteries.

14
+ + +
+ + + +
+
3 Close the case. Align the bottom sides as shown and press the
two sides together.
4 Connect the battery case to the PRO538HHFM as shown.
PRO538HHFM
Ni-MH Battery Case
CAUTION: Do not attempt to charge Alkaline batteries in the Ni-MH
battery case as they may leak or catch re.

15
Charge Ni-MH Batteries
1 Verify that the Ni-MH batteries are inserted into the case.
2 Insert the In-Vehicle adapter’s charge plug into the Ni-MH battery
case. (See page 7 for the Ni-MH case location and page 13
for the location of the In-Vehicle adapter’s charge plug.)
3 When the plug is connected, the red LED on the battery case
lights up.
The charging current is 230mA (Nominal). When the radio is o󰀨, for
example, a discharged battery with a capacity of 2300mAh requires
about 10 hours of charging. If you charge the radio with the power ON,
the charging current will be reduced to about 80mA and requires about
16 hours of charging (it changes depending of the battery capacity and
condition). If you only want to charge the battery, turn o󰀨 the radio’s
power.
You can remove the Ni-MH battery case from the radio to recharge
separately. Connect the radio to the Alkaline batteries/case or to the In-
Vehicle adapter to power the radio if needed.
CAUTION: Charging the battery for long periods of time will damage
the battery.
NOTE: The LED will not indicate when charging is complete.
NOTE: This plug is for charging only and is not intended to
power the radio. If you charge the battery while the battery case
is attached to the radio, the battery icon displayed on the radio
indicates always full while charging. The battery icon does not
indicate charging status; the charging is done directly to the
batteries without going through the radio.
Alkaline Batteries
The PRO538HHFM comes with a battery case for 6 AA Alkaline
batteries (batteries not included).

16
1 Separate the two sides of the case by pulling them in the
directions noted on the shell.
2 Insert the 6 batteries according to the directions show inside the
alkaline battery case.
+
+
+
+
+
+
3 Close the case. Align the bottom sides as shown and press the
two sides together.

17
4 Connect the battery case to the PRO538HHFM as shown.
PRO538HHFM
ALK Battery Case
CAUTION: Mixing new and used batteries will reduce performance.
Do not charge Alkaline batteries as they may leak or catch re.
NOTE: If you do not use the radio for a long time, remove the
batteries from the battery case.
In-Vehicle Adapter
The PRO538HHFM comes with an In-Vehicle adapter to connect it to
the vehicle’s 12V DC cigarette plug.
1 Connect the In-Vehicle adapter to the PRO538HHFM.
2 Connect the In-Vehicle adapter’s 12V DC cigarette plug to your
vehicle.

18
CONNECT EXTERNAL SPEAKER AND
MICROPHONE
Your radio supports an external speaker and microphone. The external
speaker and microphone are sold separately.
EXTERNAL SPEAKER
Impedance 8 Ohms
Connect to EXT.SP. jack (⅛-in/3.5 mm)
Notes The internal speaker is disabled when an external
speaker is connected.
EXTERNAL MICROPHONE
Connect to MIC jack (2.5 mm Electret type)
OPERATION
BASIC OPERATION
Turning the
radio on
Turn the VOL/SQ knob clockwise until it clicks and
the LCD display turns on.
Turning the
radio o󰀨
Turn the VOL/SQ knob counter-clockwise until it
clicks and the LCD display turns o󰀨.
Adjusting
Squelch
Turn the VOL/SQ knob counter-clockwise to open
squelch or clockwise to close it.
Select a mode Press AM/FM key to select a mode as follows:
AM → FM → AM
Turn backlight
on and o󰀨
Press the key to turn the LCD backlight on
for 10 seconds. Press it again while the backlight is
on to turn it o󰀨.
NOTE: Backlight does not support orange
letters on the keys.

19
Changing
backlight color
1 Press FUNC and COLOR key to enter
Backlight Setting mode.
2 Turn the CH/RF GAIN knob to select between
White and Amber. The LCD and keys ash.
Press FUNC or COLOR key again to set the
color and exit Backlight Setting mode.
NOTE: There is no time-out when in Backlight
Color mode.
NOTE: Backlight does not support the orange
letters on the keys.
Selecting a
channel
Turn the CH/RF GAIN knob to select a channel
(clockwise to increase the channel number or
counter-clockwise to decrease the channel
number).
Changing the
volume
After turning the radio on, turn the VOL/SQ knob
clockwise to increase the volume; turn it counter-
clockwise to decrease the volume.
Setting Key
Beep (Default
= ON)
When key beep is on (default), the radio beeps
whenever a key is pressed or a knob is turned.
1 To change the key beep status, turn o󰀨 the
PRO538HHFM.
2 Press and hold the key while turning
the radio on.
3 If the radio beeps, the key beep function is now
on. If the radio does NOT beep, the key beep
function is o󰀨.

20
Transmitting
1 Tune the radio to the channel you want to
transmit on, and listen to make sure the
channel is clear.
2 Press and hold the PTT. TX displays
3 Hold the microphone about 2 inches away from
your mouth and speak in a normal voice.
4 Release the PTT key to listen for a response.
Adjust RF
Gain
1 Press FUNC and ANL/GAIN to enter RF Gain
Setting mode. The GAIN bar blinks.
2 Turn the CH/RF GAIN knob to adjust Gain
levels (0 - 10). The selected level displays as a
7 segment number and the GAIN bar will blink.
The Gain level number reects in the number
of Gain bar boxes.
3 Press FUNC or ANL/GAIN again to store
the setting and return to the main operations
screen.
NOTE: RF Gain only applies to AM mode. No RF
Gain levels display in FM or WX modes.

21
Scanning
channels
NOTE: Before starting the scan, adjust the
position where Squelch closes on the
channel without a signal. If you turn the
knob all the way clockwise, the scan will
not stop unless the radio receives a strong
signal.
Press SCAN in AM or FM mode; the radio
scans the channels, stopping when it receives
a transmission. Scanning resumes if no signal
received for 3 seconds. Press SCAN again to stop
scanning.
Turn CH/RF GAIN knob while scanning to change
scan direction.
When stopped on a channel, turn CH/RF GAIN
knob to resume scanning.
Lock keys
to prevent
accidental
activation.
Press and hold the key to activate key lock;
the Lock icon displays. Only the PTT and
keys and the VOL/SQ knob are active.
With Key Lock activated, press and hold the
key to deactivate key lock; the Lock icon goes away
and all keys are now active.
Go to Instant
Channel 9/19
Press 9/19 from any channel (rst press): Goes to
CH 9. 9displays in the Channel Indicator.
Second press: Goes to CH 19. 19 displays in the
Channel Indicator.
Third press: Returns to original channel. That
channel number displays in the Channel Indicator.
Select
Transmit
Power Level
Press FUNC and then press PWR H/L. The power
level alternates between High and Low. The
appropriate icon displays on the screen.
Power setting cannot be changed while in WX
mode; HI and LO icons will not display.