Radio Shack 20-423 owner manual Connecting AN Antenna, Connecting the Supplied Antenna

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3.Plug the cord into the vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.

Notes:

•If you use a 12V DC cord and your vehicle's engine is running, you might hear electrical noise on the scanner caused by the engine. This is normal.

•Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some areas. Check the laws in your area.

CONNECTING AN ANTENNA

Connecting the Supplied Antenna

You must install an antenna before you can operate the scanner.

The supplied telescoping antenna helps your scanner receive strong local signals. To install the antenna, thread it clockwise into the hole on top of the scanner.

The scanner's sensitivity depends on its location and the antenna's length. For the best reception of the transmissions you want

to hear, adjust the antenna's length according to the chart below.

Frequency

Antenna Length

 

 

 

 

29–174 MHz

Extend fully

 

 

380–512 MHz

Extend 2 segments

 

 

Connecting an Outdoor Antenna

Instead of the supplied antenna, you can connect an outdoor base-station or mobile antenna (neither supplied) to your scanner. Your local RadioShack store sells a variety of antennas. Choose the one that best meets your needs.

When deciding on an outdoor antenna and its location, consider these points:

•The antenna should be located 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 base-station or mobile antenna, first remove the supplied antenna from the scanner. Always use 50 Ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect the base-station or mobile antenna. For lengths over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If the antenna cable's connector does not fit in the ANT jack on the back of the scanner, you might also need a PL-259-to-Motorola antenna plug adapter. Your local RadioShack store carries a wide variety of coaxial antenna cable and connectors.

Once you choose an antenna, follow the mounting instructions supplied with the antenna. Then route the antenna's cable to

Preparation

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Contents Channel VHF/AIR/UHF Desktop Scanner Introduction Scanning Legally FCC NoticeDual Conversion helps prevent Contents Specifications TroubleshootingGuide to the Action Bands Preparation Power SourcesUsing AC Power Using Vehicle Battery PowerConnecting the Supplied Antenna Connecting AN AntennaConnecting an Outdoor Antenna Look AT the Controls Understanding Your ScannerLook AT the Display Channel Storage Banks Understanding Service BANKS/BANKSAir Service BanksAmateur Radio Channel Frequency MHz Marine45.880 45.900 Fire/PoliceOperation Turning on the SCANNER/SETTING Volume and SquelchStoring Known Frequencies Into Channels Finding and Storing Active Frequencies Searching the Service BanksUsing Direct Search Moving a Frequency from a Monitor Memory to a Channel Using the Monitor MemoryScanning the Stored Channels Listening to a Monitor Memory FrequencyScanning Options Turning Channel Storage Banks on and OFFMonitoring a Stored Channel Clearing a Stored ChannelListening to Weather Band Weather Channel Frequency ChartUsing the Weather Alert Listening to the Marine BankLocking Out Channels Special FeaturesUsing the Delay Function Locking OUT Channels and FrequenciesRemoving All Locked-Out Tags From Frequencies Using PriorityTurning the KEY Tone on and OFF Reviewing Locked-Out FrequenciesBirdie Frequencies Using a Computer to Program the ScannerUnited States Broadcast Band VHF Band Guide to the Action BandsTypical Band Usage Primary UsageBand Allocation Abbreviations ServicesAmateur Band 50-54 MHz Government Band 406-450 MHz Frequency Conversion Avoiding Image FrequenciesRESETTING/INITIALIZING the Scanner TroubleshootingResetting the Scanner Initializing the Scanner CareChannels of Operation SpecificationsNominal Limited One-Year Warranty
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