21-1703a.fm Page 1 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM Cat. No. 21-1703 A OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
1-1703a.fm Page 2 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM FEATURES Your RadioShack TRC-503 40 Channel Mobile CB Radio is a breakthrough in CB design technology. You can mount it in a vehicle for mobile use, or in your home for use as a base station. Your CB has these advanced features: Emergency Channel Switch — lets you quickly switch to Channel 9 or Channel 19 so you can monitor or report emergency situations. TX and RX Indicators — light to show when the radio is transmitting or receiving.
21-1703a.fm Page 3 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM FCC INFORMATION The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not require you to have a license to operate this CB radio. However, you must know Part 95 of FCC Rules. It explains the proper operation of a Class D citizen’s band transceiver. We enclosed a copy of Part 95 with your CB radio. This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
21-1703a.fm Page 4 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM CONTENTS Installation ............................................................................................................... Attaching the Microphone Holder ....................................................................... Mounting the Transceiver .................................................................................... Connecting an Antenna ......................................................................................
21-1703a.fm Page 5 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM INSTALLATION ATTACHING THE MICROPHONE HOLDER You can attach the microphone holder to either side of the transceiver or to another location in your vehicle. To attach the holder to either side of the transceiver, secure the holder to the side using the supplied screws, washers, and lock washers. Note: If you cannot reach behind the mounting surface to attach the nuts on the machine screws, use the supplied 3 mm plain washers and self-tapping screws.
21-1703a.fm Page 6 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM Cautions: • If you use the CB in a vehicle, mount it securely to avoid damage to the CB or vehicle or injury to anyone in the vehicle during sudden starts or stops. • Do not mount the CB where it could damage or interfere with the operation of any passive restraint safety device (an airbag or seat belt). Follow these steps to mount the CB using the supplied hardware. 1.
21-1703a.fm Page 7 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM When you choose an antenna, keep in mind that, for the best performance, you should mount the antenna: • as high as possible on the vehicle • as far as possible from sources of electrical noise • vertically Once you choose an antenna, follow its mounting instructions. Then route the cable to the transceiver and connect the cable to the ANTENNA jack on the back of the transceiver.
21-1703a.fm Page 8 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL SPEAKER USING VEHICLE BATTERY POWER You can connect your transceiver to an external CB speaker, so you can hear an incoming call when you are outside your vehicle. Follow these steps to connect the transceiver to vehicle battery power. The external speaker you use with the transceiver should have an impedance of 8 ohms and be able to handle 3 to 10 watts of power. The speaker cable must have a 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) plug.
21-1703a.fm Page 9 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM USING THE TRANSCEIVER AS A BASE STATION Follow these steps to install the CB as a base station. Although this transceiver is designed mainly for mobile use, you can also use it as a base station with an AC power source. For base station installation, you need these items: • a 13.8-volt DC power supply that can supply at least 1.5 amps Caution: Most 13.8-volt DC power supplies plug into a standard AC outlet to produce DC power.
21-1703a.fm Page 10 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM OPERATION Before you use your CB, you should know how to use it effectively and courteously. “Operational Hints” on Page 12 contains information that will help you get more enjoyment from your CB. RECEIVING TRANSMISSIONS AND ADJUSTING SQUELCH 3. Set OUT CH9 CH19 to OUT to select a channel other than an emergency channel. 4. Rotate the channel selector until the display shows the desired channel. 1. Turn SQUELCH fully counterclockwise. 5.
21-1703a.fm Page 11 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM TRANSMITTING Note: We recommend you try receiving before you transmit. 1. Follow Steps 1–5 in “Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch” on Page 10. 2. To transmit, hold down PUSH TO TALK on the microphone. The TX indicator lights. Hold the microphone 2–3 inches from your mouth and speak in a normal tone of voice, then release PUSH TO TALK when you finish. The TX indicator turns off.
21-1703a.fm Page 12 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM OPERATIONAL HINTS Like most activities, CB radio has its customs and courtesies. The following tips will help you get the most enjoyment from your CB. COMMON USES FOR A CB Personal Uses • Keep in touch with home while driving to work, to the store, or to a social activity. Let your family know you are tied up in traffic or that you will stop by the store on the way home.
21-1703a.fm Page 13 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM USING COMMON 10-CODES Code Meaning 10-16 Reply to message. Citizen’s band operators and CB radio users have largely adopted the 10codes for standard questions and answers. These codes permit faster communication and better intelligibility in noisy areas. 10-17 En route. 10-18 Urgent. 10-19 Contact _____. 10-20 What is your location? This table lists codes adopted by the Associated Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO).
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21-1703a.fm Page 15 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM TROUBLESHOOTING If your CB is not working as it should, follow these suggestions to see if you can eliminate the problem. If you cannot, take the CB to your local RadioShack store for assistance. Symptom CB has trouble receiving. Check/Try Turn transceiver power on. Microphone connected? Secure connections. Antenna connected? Secure connections. Too much squelch? Adjust as needed. Radio not on operating channel? Switch to an active channel.
21-1703a.fm Page 16 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM REDUCING NOISE Because your CB is exceptionally quiet, any noise you hear is probably from an external source in your vehicle such as the alternator, another radio, or spark plugs. The transceiver uses an ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter) circuit to reduce noise. However, if possible, try to eliminate the noise by finding its source. You can determine the noise’s source by turning off the engine and operating the CB with your vehicle’s ignition set to ACC.
21-1703a.fm Page 17 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your RadioShack TRC-503 40 Channel Mobile CB Radio is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your CB so you can enjoy it for years. Keep the CB dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits. Use and store the CB only in normal temperature environments.
21-1703a.fm Page 18 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM REPLACING THE FUSE The TRC-503’s 2-amp in-line fuse helps protect your CB from power surges and short circuits. When replacement is required, use a 2-amp, slow-blow glass fuse, available at your local RadioShack store. Caution: Do not use a fuse with ratings other than those specified here. Doing so might damage your CB. Follow these steps to replace the fuse. 1. Make sure the power source and CB are both off. 2.
21-1703a.fm Page 19 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM SPECIFICATIONS RECEIVER Frequency Coverage ................... All 40 CB Channels (Class D) 26.965–27.405 MHz Sensitivity for 10dB S/N .................................................................................... 0.6 µV Squelch Sensitivity at Tight .................................................................... 350–2820 µV Overall Audio Fidelity for 450–2500 Hz ..............................................................
21-1703a.fm Page 20 Thursday, August 5, 1999 4:41 PM Limited Ninety-Day Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RadioShack companyowned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
