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

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 7