20-197 PRO-197 Digital Trunking Desktop/Mobile Radio Scanner Thank you for purchasing your Digital Trunking Desktop/Mobile Radio Scanner from RadioShack. Please read this user’s guide before installing, setting up, and using your new scanner. What’s Included Scanner Rubber feet (3) Antenna Knob (2) Screw (2) AC adapter Mounting bracket DC cable with fuse DIN sleeve User’s Guide Keys (2) Quick Start Guide Rubber washer (2) V-Scanner Preprogrammed Data Lock washer (2) www.radioshack.
Contents Contents Understanding Your Scanner............................................................. 6 Understanding the Function Keys.....................................................................6 Understanding the Display................................................................................9 Understanding Object Oriented Scanning....................................................10 Scanner Features....................................................................................
Contents Contents Service Search Object (SRVC)..........................................................................53 Essential Parameters.....................................................................................53 Signal Stalker II Object (STLK).........................................................................55 Essential Parameters.....................................................................................55 Dedicated Searches.............................................
Understanding Your Scanner Understanding your Scanner Understanding the Function Keys Five Way Pushbutton Pad t p q u Navigates while browsing objects and menus. t u Navigates through Scan Lists. 1-0 / A-Z Inputs a number or character. Use while scanning to select Scan Lists 1-10 on/off. Press after FUNC to select Scan List 11-20 on/off. Programmable LED SEL (Select) Activates data entry fields and toggles Scan List selection in object menus. FUNC + SEL to activate context sensitive help menus.
Understanding your Scanner Understanding your Scanner Understanding the Display DC 13.8V Connect power source. The LCD provides important information about the status of the radio. The top row of icons provide status information. Beneath this row, there are 4 rows of 16 characters each that provide alphanumeric information such as frequencies and object names. The last row usually contains softkeys for F1, F2, and F3. EXT SP Connect an external speaker.
Understanding your Scanner Understanding your Scanner Understanding Object Oriented Scanning Your PRO-197 scanner utilizes an entirely new method of programming called Object Oriented Scanning. In Object Oriented Scanning, all “Scannable Objects” are treated the same. Scannable Objects include talkgroups on trunked radio systems, conventional non-trunked frequencies, limit searches, service searches, and Signal Stalker II configurations.
Understanding your Scanner managed automatically by a special computer, called a controller, or by other specialized hardware. If you want to monitor a talkgroup on a trunked radio system, you must store that talkgroup’s parameters in a TGRP object. TSYS – Trunking System Object A TSYS is a special object type that is used when creating TGRP objects. A trunking talkgroup must be associated with a specific trunked radio system in order for it to operate.
Understanding your Scanner that you select. Your scanner can check your local NOAA weather frequency periodically, even while scanning, and alert you when an All Hazards alert occurs. Multi-System Trunking – Scans most common trunked radio system signaling formats, including Motorola, EDACS, LTR and P25 trunked radio networks. Both talkgroup and individual call monitoring are supported.
Scanner Setup Scanner Setup Scanner Setup 3. Installing Your Scanner You can mount your scanner in your vehicle or use it as a base station. Setting up a Mobile Base Attach the mounting bracket to your vehicle’s surface using the supplied screws and lockwashers. Note: Do not use the rubber feet if you are mounting the bracket with screws. You can place your scanner on a desk, shelf, or table to use it as a base station.
Scanner Setup Scanner Setup To remove your scanner from the DIN sleeve, insert the two keys straight into the scanner’s front panel and pull the scanner out. Connecting the Antenna You must install an antenna before you can operate the scanner. The supplied telescopic antenna helps your scanner receive strong local signals. To install the antenna, align the antenna slots with the tabs on the scanner, and slide the antenna into place. Turn and push down until the antenna locks into place.
Scanner Setup Scanner Setup Vehicle (Direct) 1. Disconnect the cable from your vehicle battery’s negative (–) terminal. 2. Ground the black wire of the supplied DC power cord to your vehicle’s chassis. The grounding screw must make complete contact with your vehicle’s metal frame. 3. Connect the red wire of the supplied DC power cord to a voltage source that turns on and off with the ignition switch, such as a spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box. 4.
Scanner Setup Scanner Setup Squelch and Attenuator Basic Settings The squelch and attenuator control the scanner sensitivity. If squelch is set too high, the scanner may scan slowly or stop on noise or silence. If this happens, adjust squelch using the steps above, or for conventional channels, set the correct subaudible squelch mode. See “Appendix B: Detailed Menu Reference: Conv Menu” on page 101. The Global menu stores all of the radio-wide settings used by the scanner.
Scanner Setup 3. Scanner Setup Press p or q to scroll to the desired parameter. Note: Press FUNC p or FUNC q to jump to the top or bottom of the menu. 4. Press or to select options for selected field. 5. Press SAVE softkey to save new settings to radio configuration memory. Turning the Key Tone On or Off Each time you press any of the scanner’s keys, the scanner beeps. To turn the scanner’s key tone on or off: 1. Press PROG for Program Mode. 2. Press GLOB softkey to access Global menu.
Creating Scannable Objects Creating Scannable Objects Creating Scannable Objects Understanding Object Menus When you turn on your scanner for the first time, the scanner is in Program Mode for you to create your first object into memory. If you do not see this screen, press PROG. 2. For the purpose of this explanation, press F2, the CONV softkey. 3. The Conventional Channel menu opens. CONV Channel Scan Lists: Freq: Save *01 25.
Creating Scannable Objects Creating Scannable Objects • If you press the key on the bottom of the 5-way pushbutton pad, you can scroll down and see all of the parameters that can be specified for the object. Note: When MODE is set for Auto, the scanner will automatically select the default mode based on the frequency you enter. In most cases it will not be necessary to change MODE. • Pressing FUNC or FUNC will jump to the top or bottom of a menu, respectively.
Creating Scannable Objects • When you press a key, the associated letters appear on the screen. Press the corresponding number. For example, when you press ABC, A, B, and C appear on the display. To select A, press 1. To select B, press 2. To select C, press 3. • For example, to enter the tag “FIRE ”: Press 3 (DEF), then 3 to choose F Press 4 (GHI), then 3 to choose I Press 7 (PQRS), then 3 to choose R Press 3 (DEF), then 2 to choose E • To enter a number, press 1, then press the number key.
Creating Scannable Objects Creating Scannable Objects 4. Press or to scroll through the talkgroup object parameters until the cursor is at TSYS: . 5. Press SEL. 15. Press to scroll to ID:. By default, the trunking talkgroup ID is set to Wildcard . To change the ID, press the number keys to enter the specific talkgroup ID. Press ENT or DONE softkey to store the ID. See “Talkgroup Notes” below for more information about wildcard and other talkgroup configurations.
Creating Scannable Objects Scanning Wildcard Talkgroup Notes: Basic Scanning Operation • Wildcard is a special type of TGRP object that allows you to monitor all talkgroup call traffic on the associated trunked radio system. Before the scanner can begin to scan, you must have created scannable objects. Your scanner will scan any scannable objects that are members of enabled Scan Lists and are not locked out.
Scanning Scanning Manual Mode In Manual Mode, you can browse through the stored objects in your scanner and select an object to monitor. 1. Press MAN during scanning to enter Manual Mode. 2. Press or to scroll through the objects assigned to the current Scan List. 3. Press or to browse up and down through the Scan Lists. The following screen appears when the scanner is stopped on a talkgroup channel while scanning. Only Scan Lists that contain objects are shown when browsing.
Organizing Objects Organizing Objects Organizing Objects Grouping Objects with Scan Lists Object Numbering By default, new objects are automatically assigned to Scan List 01. You can divide these objects into separate Scan Lists so that you can easily enable or disable groups of objects depending on what you want to scan. Your PRO-197 is different from other types of scanners in how it stores your Scannable Objects in memory.
Organizing Objects Organizing Objects By application: You can group objects by their application. For example, you may wish to place law enforcement related objects for your area in one Scan List, fire and rescue objects in another, and business related objects in yet another Scan List. 6. Press to scroll through the Scan Lists. 7. Press SEL to select On or Off for the desired scan list item. The asterisk (*) next to the Scan List number indicates that the object is a member of that Scan List.
Organizing Objects Organizing Objects Scan List 11-20 4. Press PROG. Press FUNC, then press a number key, i.e., press FUNC 3 to toggle the status of Scan List 13. 5. Press EDIT softkey. 6. Press CURR softkey to view object menu. 7. Scroll down to Scan 8. Press to scroll through the Scan Lists. 9. Press SEL to select On or Off the desired scan list item. The asterisk (*) next to the Scan List number indicates that the object is a member of that Scan List.
Organizing Objects Organizing Objects Setting the Default Scan List To delete a TSYS using the FIND feature: By default, your scanner will store all new objects, and objects found during Search, Tune, and Stalker as mapped to Scan List 01. 1. See “Searching for Objects using FIND” below. 2. Once the TSYS has been located, press the PROG key, then press FUNC CLR. 3. Press the YES softkey at both warnings to delete the TSYS.
Organizing Objects Organizing Objects 3. Press FIND softkey. or Press MAN to begin monitoring the object in Manual Mode. 4. Press L/Out softkey. The scanner finds the first locked out object. or Press PROG to exit FIND and execute programming tasks at the selected object position. 5. Press 6. Press EXIT softkey when finished. Note: FIND keeps the last search text you specified stored for subsequent FIND operations. L/Out to toggle lockout status.
Organizing Objects Organizing Objects Temporary Lockout To unlock a permanent lockout: Temporary lockout locks out an object until the scanner is turned off. When the scanner is powered on again, all objects that have been temporarily locked out are restored. 1. In Manual Mode or Program Mode, press , , or to select an object. 2. Press FUNC, then L/OUT. To temporarily lockout an object: Change L/OUT Key Function 1. When the scanner stops on an object, press L/OUT. or 1.
Organizing Objects Object Searches 5. Scroll to an empty spot and enter any frequency you wish to manually add to the list. 6. To clear the entire list, press FUNC, then the Del softkey. Talkgroup Lockout Talkgroup lockout is similar to search lockout, as it allows you to lockout undesired talkgroups while searching for new talkgroup activity with wildcard TGRP objects.
Object Searches Object Searches See “Appendix B: Detailed Menu Reference: LMIT Menu” on page 108 for detailed menu information. To create a new LMIT object: 1. Press PROG for Program Mode. 2. Press NEW softkey. 3. Press SRCH softkey to view available Search types. 4. Press LMIT softkey. 5. Press or to select FrLo select the field. 6. Use the number keys and • to enter lower and upper search units and press ENT or the DONE softkey to save. 7. Press or to select Tag:. 8.
Object Searches Object Searches To create a new SRVC object 1. Press PROG for Program Mode. 2. Press NEW softkey, then press SRCH softkey to view the available Search types. Press the SRVC softkey. Press to scroll to the Srvc: field. Press or to select the type of search you want to define. Service types include Public Safety, Aircraft, Amateur, CB, Marine, FRS/GMRS/MURS/DOT and Railroad. Press Save softkey to store your SRVC search as an object. 3. 4. 5. 6. To activate SRVC search: 1.
Object Searches 2. 3. Dedicated Searches Press SEL to select On or Off . An asterisk (*) indicates the sub band is enabled. Press or to select Tag: to name your STLK object. 4. Use the number keys to enter a name. See “������������������������ Appendix C: Text Entry and QuickText” on page 115 for information on entering text. 5. Press Save softkey to store your STLK search as an object. To activate STLK search: 1. Press MAN during scanning to enter Manual Mode. 2.
Dedicated Searches Dedicated Searches 5. Press the FrL/O softkey to add a found frequency to the lockout list. 6. Press the STOR softkey to create a new CONV object using the found frequency. • Aircraft - Searches civilian and military air frequencies. Freq.
Dedicated Searches Dedicated Searches Dedicated Signal Stalker II Public Safety sub bands: Dedicated STLK mode lets you access and run Signal Stalker II easily and quickly. Freq. (MHz) Band 0 33.4-46.5 VHF Low Band In Manual, Program or Scan mode, press FUNC SCAN to access the Signal Stalker II dedicated mode. 1 151-170 VHF High Band 2 453-467 UHF Band Note: When a signal is being received, the Band softkey (F1) changes to FrL/O .
Dedicated Searches Dedicated Searches By default, TUNE mode is paused when first activated. 2. Press PAUSE to begin searching from the current frequency. 3. Press or to change the search direction. The following information is displayed for each trunking mode: Trunked Mode Analysis Display qq% SID:ssss Stt or Press FrL/O softkey to add a found frequency to the lockout list.
Weather Scanning Weather Scanning Weather Scanning Note: The weather alert feature is an extremely sensitive, high quality receiver of weather frequencies. However, the included antenna is optimized for general purpose scanning. If you use this scanner as your only means for receiving weather alerts, please check to be sure you are receiving a clear signal on the included antenna or switch to an external antenna that gives you clear reception of a local NOAA weather broadcast.
Weather Scanning Weather Scanning Your scanner also has a SAME wildcard feature, which allows you to set the radio to alarm on partial matches of the location code. To enter SAME Location and Event Codes 1. Press WX to enter Weather mode. 2. Press the SAME softkey to add or edit SAME entries. 3. Press p or q to scroll to the desired SAME code entry. 4. Press SEL to edit the selected SAME entry. 5. With the Entry: field selected, press to turn the entry on.
Weather Scanning Scanner Memory Activating SAME Standby Mode After you have entered your desired SAME codes, you can activate the SAME Standby Mode to begin standby operation. The radio will remain silent until a SAME transmission is received with a code that matches one that you have stored. When a matching SAME message is received, your radio will sound a siren alarm, then will play the audio message that follows the Warning Alert Tone (WAT). To activate SAME standby mode: 1. Press WX. 2.
Scanner Memory Scanner Memory Using V-Scanners Loading a V-Scanner Folder to Main Memory You can save active scanner configurations (called “working” or “main” memory) to a V-Scanner storage folder for later use. Then recall the stored scanner configurations from a V-Scanner storage folder to main memory when you want to use them.
Scanner Memory 4. Advanced Settings On the SOURCE radio, scroll to Clone Send: then press SEL when you are ready to send data from your SOURCE radio to the TARGET radio. Advanced Settings Both working memory and global settings are transferred. Priority Scan operation is available for CONV and TGRP objects. When Priority Scan is active, increased priority is given to objects that have their Priority mode set to ON.
Advanced Settings Advanced Settings CONV Priority Scan 4. Press or to select Yes or No. When Object Priority is set to Yes for one or more CONV objects, the scanner will sample the CONV objects for activity periodically while scanning and monitoring other objects. This sampling will cause a brief muting of received audio when it occurs while another object is active.
Advanced Settings Advanced Settings The menus for each type of object include various settings for LED, Backlight and Alarm. You can use these settings to design custom visual and/or audible alarms that are triggered when activity is detected on the specified Scannable Object. Notes: • The Alert LED utilizes a special tri-color Light Emitting Diode module that mixes light from red, green and blue LED elements to produce thousands of different colors.
Advanced Settings Advanced Settings To activate Multi-site mode on a Motorola or P25 networked system: You should experiment with the different Multi-site modes and the threshold settings to find a combination that works best for your location. 1. Press PROG to enter Program Mode. 2. Press , , or to navigate to a talkgroup on the networked multi-site system. • Multi-site functionality is not available in EDACS or LTR trunking. 3. Press EDIT softkey, then CURR softkey. • 4.
Additional Information Additional Information Additional Information Power-On Password Power-On Configuration Key Sequences Setting a power-on password can prevent anyone other than you from using this scanner. Power-on keypress sequences are used as shortcuts to configuration items, like attenuator settings, backlight settings and memory information. Power-on key sequences are also used to place your scanner into firmware upgrade mode for CPU and DSP firmware upgrades.
Additional Information Additional Information 4. The confirmation menu for the power-on password setting appears. Press NO softkey. 5. Enter 0000 in the password setting menu and press OK softkey. Note: In the initial password setting menu characters “0000” are always displayed. Enter 0000 while these characters “0000” are displayed If you forget the password If you forget your password, you must initialize the scanner to be able to operate it.
Additional Information Additional Information • Pager transmissions • Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions According to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), as amended, you are subject to fines and possible imprisonment for intentionally listening to, using, or divulging the contents of such a transmission unless you have the consent of a party to the communication (unless such activity is otherwise illegal).
Additional Information Additional Information 940.000-960.000 MHz....................................................... (in 6.25 kHz steps/FM) 1240.000-1300.000 MHz................................................... (in 6.25 kHz steps/FM) *Excludes frequencies utilized by the Cellular Mobile Radiotelephone Service: 824-848.9875 MHz and 869-893.9875 MHz Working Memory 1800 programmed objects using flexible “Scannable Object” system.
Additional Information Additional Information Memory backup No backup battery required, utilizes non-volatile EEPROM memory. Power Troubleshooting Problem AC Adapter (Class 2; 12V DC; 600 mA; center tip set to positive). Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications and depictions are subject to change and improvement without notice. Cause Solution Scanner won’t power on. The AC adapter or DC adapter/cable is not connected.
Additional Information Problem Poor or no reception. Additional Information Cause Solution Weak signals from distant stations. Reposition radio for best reception. Attenuator in use on weak signals. Check performance with and without attenuator activated, use setting with best reception. Strong signal overload from nearby transmitter. Check performance with and without attenuator activated, use setting with best reception. 1. Turn off the scanner, then turn it on again.
Additional Information Additional Information Initializing the Scanner to Factory Defaults If initializing the global parameters to factory defaults does not resolve your problem, you may wish to initialize the entire scanner to factory defaults. This operation will result in the clearing of your programmed data and the loss of any custom changes you have made to the radio’s global parameters.
Search Bands Search Bands Appendix A: Search Bands Aircraft Band All Sub Bands Group. Freq. (MHz) Band 0 25-54 1 108-137 VHF Low VHF Aircraft 2 137-174 VHF High 3 216-300 220 MHz Commercial/ Amateur 4 300-406 UHF Military Air 5 406-470 UHF 6 470-512 UHF-T 7 764-806 700 MHz 8 806-869 800 MHz 9 896-1300 900 MHz Band, 23 cm Amateur Searches commonly used public safety frequencies. Groups are as follows: Freq. (MHz) Band 0 33.4-46.
Detailed Menu Reference Detailed Menu Reference Appendix B: Detailed Menu Reference • Context sensitive help is available for every menu parameter. Press FUNC SEL to view help for the selected parameter. Press SEL to exit help. GLOB Parameter Options Description Contrast 1-7 Sets LCD contrast. Use keys on 5-way pushbutton pad. Owner SEL Enters sub menu to set Welcome Message text display. Clone Send SEL Press SEL to send data using clone mode.
Detailed Menu Reference GLOB Parameter Detailed Menu Reference Options Description Clear Hits SEL Press SEL to clear all hit counters. Hit Counts Yes or No Turns the hit counter feature on or off. Dflt ScanList 0-22 GLOB Parameter Options Description LCD BlinkOff 1-250 x 10 mS For alternating text displays, sets the display time for the secondary display element. Sets default destination Scan Lists for new objects and CONV Stor from Searches, Signal Stalker II, and Tune.
Detailed Menu Reference GLOB Parameter TLO=FUNC L/O Detailed Menu Reference Options On or Off Description Controls the operation of the L/OUT key. When Off, pressing L/OUT performs a Temporary Lockout of the selected object. When On, pressing L/OUT performs a Permanent Lockout of the selected object. DupeChecksSQ Yes or No If set to Yes, dupe checking will check both the stored frequency and any encoded squelch settings when checking for duplicate CONV objects.
Detailed Menu Reference CONV Parameter Detailed Menu Reference Options Description LED Mode Solid or Flash Controls whether the Alert LED flashes or remains on solid when the Alert LED is used. LED Color 0-7 Sets LED color to 0-7 as defined in the GLOB menu. By default, 0=LED Off, 1=Red, 2=Yellow, 3=Green, 4=Cyan, 5=Blue, 6=Magenta, 7=White. Latch LED On or Off CONV Parameter Options Description Atten On or Off When on, applies 20 dB of attenuation to all transmissions on the CONV channel.
Detailed Menu Reference Detailed Menu Reference TGRP Menu The TGRP menu is used when creating new Trunking Talkgroup objects, or editing existing Trunking Talkgroup objects. TGRP Parameter Scan Lists TSYS Options TGRP Parameter Options Latch LED On or Off Normally the Alert LED is active only while the object is receiving a transmission. When Latch is on, the Alert LED will remain lit after the transmission is complete, unless overridden by a subsequent object that is also using the Alert LED.
Detailed Menu Reference Detailed Menu Reference TSYS Menu The TSYS menu is used when creating new Trunking System objects, or editing existing Trunking System objects. TSYS Parameter Type Options MOT 800/900, MOT VHF/UHF, P25 MANUAL, P25 AUTO, EDACS STD, EDACS NAROW, LTR Sets the trunking system type. Choose MOT 800/900 if the system is a Motorola 800 or 900 MHz analog or digital trunked radio system that uses the 3600 baud control channel.
Detailed Menu Reference TSYS Parameter Detailed Menu Reference Options Description LMIT Parameter Options Description Threshold Lo 1-99 Available When Multi-Site is set to ROAM. Sets the control channel decode % threshold for a site to be considered out of range, which will begin the process of looking for a new site. LED Color 0-7 Sets LED color to 0-7 as defined in the GLOB menu. By default, 0=LED Off, 1=Red, 2=Yellow, 3=Green, 4=Cyan, 5=Blue, 6=Magenta, 7=White.
Detailed Menu Reference LMIT Parameter Detailed Menu Reference Options Description Zeromatic On or Of When on, enhances the scanner’s ability to lock on to the actual center frequency of a search hit instead of an adjacent frequency. Search Dir Up or Down Sets search direction used when LMIT object is active. Hit Count Numeric value Increments each time a transmission is received on the LMIT object. Global “Hit Counts” must be set to ON. Press the Dflt softkey to reset to 0.
Detailed Menu Reference SRVC Parameter Detailed Menu Reference Options Description EXPERT BELOW Modulation Auto, AM, FM, NFM Modulation setting for the SRVC search. In most cases Auto will work fine. Use AM to override and force AM modulation, FM to force FM modulation, NFM to force narrow FM modulation. Atten On or Off When on, applies 20 dB of attenuation to all hits received on the SRVC search. Useful in areas where interference from nearby strong signals is present.
Detailed Menu Reference STLK Parameters Options Text Entry Description Backlight On, Off or Flash Controls whether the backlight should be on, off or flashing while the object is active. Alarm None, Chirp, Hi-Lo, Alert, Ring, 2-Chirp, Fast Hi-Lo, DTMF# Sets the Audible Alarm for the STLK object. When an Audible Alarm is selected, the selected alarm will play anytime the scanner stops for activity on the STLK object while scanning.
Text Entry Text Entry • For punctuation, FUNC accesses a second set of punctuation marks. The shift action of FUNC remains active until it is pressed again. • Press or to move the cursor to the desired location in edit fields. Press FUNC or FUNC to move the cursor to the beginning or end of an edit field. • Use CLR as a backspace key to erase characters before the cursor, and press FUNC CLR to clear the entire field.
Text Entry Index Customizing QuickText Index To edit the QuickText words: A 1. Press PROG, then the GLOB softkey. 2. Press p or q to scroll to QTXT and find the QuickText storage location that you wish to change. 3. Press to edit the QuickText entry. 4. Use the standard text entry method to enter your desired text. Note: When you use your QTXT entry in a text field, any unused spaces will be filled with space characters.
Index Index D Dashboard................................................................................................................... 17 Dedicated Searches Defined.............................................................................................................................57 LMIT..................................................................................................................................57 Signal Stalker II............................................................
Index Index M Manual Mode.............................................................................................................. 36 Memory Object Numbering..........................................................................................................38 Report...............................................................................................................................72 Saving Main Memory.....................................................................................
Index Index Legally..............................................................................................................................83 Priority........................................................................................................................73, 98 Weather............................................................................................................................64 Wildcard.....................................................................................
Limited Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack companyowned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
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