User's Manual

20-496 Owner’s Manual Draft Page 17/78
To attach the supplied antenna to the antenna jack on the back of your scanner, align the slots around the
antenna’s connector with the studs on the antenna jack. Slide the antenna push over the jack and turn the
antenna’s base clockwise until it locks into place.
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
25-54 MHz Extend fully
108-174 MHz Extend 4 segments
216-225 MHz Extend 3 segments
406-1300 MHz Collapse fully
Connecting an Optional External Antenna
The antenna connector on your scanner makes it easy to use the scanner with a variety of antennas, such
as an external mobile antenna or outdoor base station antenna. Your local RadioShack store sells a variety
of antennas.
Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect an outdoor antenna. For length over
50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If your antenna’s cable does not have a BNC connector,
you will also need a BNC adapter (not supplied, available at your local RadioShack store).
WARNING: Use extreme caution when installing or removing 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, touching 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.
Follow the installation instructions supplied with the antenna, route the antenna cable to the scanner, then
connect it to the antenna jack.
PROGRAMMING YOUR SCANNER
PROGRAMMING CONVENTIONAL CHANNELS
Good references for active frequencies are RadioShack’s Police Call, Aeronautical Frequency Directory,
and Maritime Frequency Directory. We update these directories every year, so be sure to get a current
copy.
Storing Conventional Frequencies