PRO-2038 Programmable Scanner (200-0413) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 18275 MOUNTING THE SCANNER Using the Scanner as a Base Station You can place this scanner on a desk, shelf, or table, to use it as a base station. Your Scanner's front feet fold up or down. Adjust them to give you the best view of the display. Mounting The Scanner In Your Vehicle If you use this scanner in a vehicle, mount it securely to avoid damage to the scanner or vehicle or injury to anyone in the vehicle during sudden starts or stops. NOTES: Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some areas. Check the laws in your area. To mount the scanner in your vehicle, you need a mounting bracket and hardware such as Cat. No. (CMC) 20-0028 (not supplied), and a DC cigarette-lighter power cable such as Cat. No. 270-1533 (not supplied). When you choose a mounting location, be sure: You can easily reach the scanner. All wires and cables will reach their connection points. Wires and cables will not interfere with the vehicle's pedals or other moving parts. The scanner is not directly in front of any heating vents. CAUTION: The scanner is designed to work in a vehicle that has a 12-volt, negative-ground electrical system. Most vehicles have this type of system. If you are not sure about your vehicle, check with your vehicle's dealer. Follow these steps to mount the scanner in your vehicle. 1. Choose a mounting location, then use the mounting bracket as a template to mark the positions for the mounting screw holes. 2. In the marked locations, drill holes slightly smaller than the supplied screws. Take care not to drill into or damage objects behind the mounting surface. 3. Attach the mounting bracket to the mounting location using the supplied self-tapping screws and lock washers. 4. Attach the scanner to the mounting bracket using the supplied mounting knobs. CONNECTING AN ANTENNA The supplied telescoping antenna helps your scanner receive strong local signals. Follow these steps to install the supplied antenna. 1. Hold the antenna so it stands straight up. 2. Gently push the antenna's plug onto the ANT. jack on the scanner's back panel. The scanner's sensitivity depends on the antenna's length and various environmental conditions. For the best reception of the transmissions you want to hear, adjust the antenna's length. Frequency Antenna Length ____________________________________________ 29-108 MHz Extend fully ____________________________________________ 108-174 MHz Extend three segments ____________________________________________ 174-512 MHz Extend two segments ____________________________________________ 512-956 MHz Collapse all segments ____________________________________________ Instead of the supplied antenna, you can connect an outdoor base antenna or external mobile antenna (not supplied) to your scanner. Your local Radio Shack store sells a variety of antennas. Choose the one that best meets your needs. When deciding on an outdoor base or external mobile antenna and its location, consider the following: The location of the antenna should be as high as possible. The antenna and antenna cable should be as far as possible from sources of electrical noise (appliances, other radios, and so on). The antenna should be vertical for the best performance. To connect an optional antenna, always use 50-Ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8. For lengths over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. Your local Radio Shack store carries a wide variety of coaxial antenna cable. If the coaxial cable's connector does not fit in the ANT.jack, you might also need a PL-259-to-BNC antenna plug adapter, such as Cat. No. 278-120. Follow the mounting instructions supplied with the antenna. Then route the antenna cable to the scanner, and connect it to the ANT.jack on the back of the scanner. CAUTION: Do not run the cable over sharp edges or moving objects. WARNING: Use extreme caution when you install or remove an outdoor antenna. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches a power line, contact with the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause electrocution and death. Call the power company to remove the antenna. DO NOT attempt to do so yourself. CONNECTING POWER You can power your scanner from either of the following sources: Standard AC power (with the supplied AC adapter). Your vehicle's battery (using an optional DC cigarette lighter power cable, Cat. No. 270-1533). Memory Backup When you first power the scanner, the scanner displays MEMO LOSS until you program it. After you program the scanner, MEMO LOSS disappears. During a power loss, the memory backup circuit maintains the channels stored in memory for up to 3 days. If the memory backup circuit becomes too weak to save the scanner's programming, the scanner displays MEMO LOSS again when power is reapplied until you reprogram the scanner. Using the Supplied AC Adapter CAUTIONS: Use only the supplied AC adapter. Using a different adapter can damage your scanner and could present a safety hazard. To prevent electric shock, the plug's blades are polarized and fit only one way. If the plug does not fit easily, turn it over and try again. Do not force the adapter plug into the AC outlet. Always unplug the AC adapter from the AC outlet before you unplug its barrel plug from the scanner. Insert the AC adapter's barrel plug into the DC13.8V jack on the back of the scanner, then plug the AC adapter into a standard AC outlet. Using Your Vehicle's Battery Power You can power your scanner from you vehicle's battery with an optional DC cigarette lighter power cable such as Cat. No. 270-1533(not supplied). CAUTIONS: The scanner is designed to work in a vehicle that has a 12-volt, negative-ground electrical system. Most vehicles have this type of system. If you are not sure about your vehicle, check with your vehicle's dealer. If you use a DC cigarette lighter power cable with the scanner, it must supply 12 volts and deliver at least 500 milliamps. Its center tip must be set to positive, and its plug must correctly fit the DC13.8V jack on the back of the scanner. The recommended power cable meets these specifications. Using a power cable that does not meet these specifications could seriously damage the scanner or the power cable. To connect an optional DC cigarette lighter power cable, insert its barrel plug into the DC13.8V jack on the back of the scanner, then plug the power cable into your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket. CAUTIONS: Unplug the power cable from your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket when you turn off the ignition. This prevents vehicle battery drain if you leave the scanner on when you turn off the ignition. Always unplug the power cable from your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket before you unplug its barrel plug from the scanner. NOTE: If the scanner does not operate when you turn it on, remove the DC power cable from your vehicle's cigarette lighter socket and check the socket for debris. Also, check the fuse in the power cable and your vehicle's fuse block. CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL SPEAKER OR HEADPHONES You can connect an optional external speaker or pair of headphones with a 1/8-inch plug to the scanner. Use an 8-Ohm external speaker or monaural headphones capable of handling 3 watts of power (such as Cat. No. 21-549 or 20-210). Insert the speaker's or headphones' plug into the EXT SP jack on the back of the scanner. NOTE: Plugging in an external speaker or headphones disconnects the scanner's internal speaker. LISTENING SAFELY To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use headphones. Set OFF/VOL to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust the volume to a comfortable level. Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss. Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing. (CS 10/11/95)