21-1650.fm Page 1 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM OWNER’S MANUAL Cat. No. 21-1650 TRC-237 40-Channel 5-Watt CB Walkie Talkie with Channel 9/19 Priority Switch Please read before using this equipment.
1-1650.fm Page 2 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM FEATURES Your RadioShack TRC-237 40-Channel 5Watt CB Walkie Talkie with Channel 9/19 Priority Switch is a portable, two-way radio you can carry almost anywhere. The channel priority switch lets you quickly switch to either Channel 9 to report emergency situations, or to Channel 19 to transmit and receive information about road and traffic conditions. You can use your TRC-237 around the house, in your office, or in your car or boat.
21-1650.fm Page 3 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM 2-Digit LED Display — lets you easily see the selected channel number. Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL) Circuit — reduces noise caused by nearby electrical equipment such as motors or automotive ignition systems. Battery Test Button and Battery Indicator — lets you check the batteries’ condition to find out if they need replacing.
21-1650.fm Page 4 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM FCC INFORMATION The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) does not require you to have a license to operate this walkie talkie. However, the FCC does require that you read and know Part 95 of FCC Rules. These rules apply to the operation of a Class D CB. We have provided a copy of these regulations with your TRC-237. Internal adjustments and/or modifications can lead to illegal operation as defined by Part 95 of FCC Rules.
21-1650.fm Page 5 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM CONTENTS Powering the CB ................................ 6 Using the POWER Jack and ALKALINE/NI-CD Switch .................. 6 Using Batteries ................................. 7 Testing the Battery Power .......... 10 Recharging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries ..................................... 10 Using Vehicle Battery Power ........... 12 Using AC Power ............................. 13 Connecting the Antenna ..................
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21-1650.fm Page 7 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM • Set it to ALKALINE before you connect an external power source (vehicle battery power or AC adapter) to the POWER jack or while you are using internal batteries (alkaline or rechargeable). • Set it to NI-CD only when you connect a battery charger to the POWER jack to charge the installed rechargeable batteries.
21-1650.fm Page 8 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Cautions: • Always use fresh, or freshly charged, batteries of the required size and recommended type. • Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries (standard, alkaline, or rechargeable nickel-cadmium), or rechargeable batteries of different capacities. Follow these steps to install the batteries. 1. If the TRC-237 is on, turn OFF/VOLUME fully counterclockwise until it clicks to turn it off. 2.
21-1650.fm Page 9 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM 4. Be sure ALKALINE/NI-CD inside the battery compartment is set to ALKALINE. 5. Put eight AA alkaline batteries and the two supplied dummy batteries, or ten AA nickel-cadmium batteries into the battery compartment, as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside. Note: Before you use the TRC-237 with nickel-cadmium batteries, you need to charge the batteries (see “Recharging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries” on Page 10). 6.
21-1650.fm Page 10 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Testing the Battery Power 1. Turn on the TRC-237 by rotating OFF/VOLUME clockwise until it clicks. 2. Hold down BATT TEST. If the indicator lights, there is enough battery power to operate the CB. If the indicator is dim or does not light, replace or recharge the batteries. Recharging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries You can use a battery charger, Cat. No.
21-1650.fm Page 11 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Follow these steps to charge nickelcadmium batteries in the TRC-237. 1. If the TRC-237 is on, turn OFF/VOLUME fully counterclockwise until it clicks to turn it off. 2. Set ALKALINE/NI-CD inside the battery compartment to NI-CD (see “Using the Power Jack and ALKALINE/ NI-CD Switch” on Page 6). 3. Connect the battery charger’s 5.5 mm outer diameter./2.
21-1650.fm Page 12 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Note: You can use an external charger (such as Cat. No. 23-134, not supplied) to recharge the nickel-cadmium batteries. After removing the batteries from the TRC-237, follow the instructions that come with the external charger. Important: Your TRC-237 is capable of using nickel-cadmium batteries. At the end of the batteries’ useful life, they must be recycled or disposed of properly.
21-1650.fm Page 13 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM • When you finish using the TRC-237, unplug the fused cord from the cigarette-lighter socket before you disconnect it from your TRC-237. 1. If the TRC-237 is on, turn OFF/VOLUME fully counterclockwise until it clicks to turn it off. 2. Be sure ALKALINE/NI-CD inside the battery compartment is set to ALKALINE. 3. Insert the power cord’s 5.5 mm outer diameter/2.1 mm inner diameter barrel plug into the POWER jack. 4.
21-1650.fm Page 14 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Cautions: • The power supply must be able to deliver 12 volts and at least 1200 milliamps of power. The recommended power supply meets these specifications. Using a power supply that does not meet these specifications could damage the TRC-237 or the power supply. • You must use a DC fused cord that supplies 12 volts and delivers at least 1200 milliamps of power.
21-1650.fm Page 15 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Note: If the TRC-237 does not operate when you use the DC fused cord, turn the power supply off, unplug the cord from the power supply’s power socket, then clean any debris from the socket. If your TRC237 still does not work, check the fuse in the DC fused cord and replace it if necessary. CONNECTING THE ANTENNA Caution: To prevent damage to your TRC-237, you must connect an antenna before you operate it.
21-1650.fm Page 16 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Connecting an Optional Antenna Your walkie talkie comes with a flexible antenna that is ideal for most applications. However, the walkie talkie’s antenna jack makes it easy to connect other types of antennas, too. For mobile or base station use, you might want to connect an optional external antenna. Your local RadioShack store carries a wide selection of external mobile or outdoor basestation antennas. Choose the one that best meets your needs.
21-1650.fm Page 17 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Follow the installation instructions supplied with the antenna, route the antenna cable to the TRC-237, then connect it to the antenna jack. Cautions: • Do not run the cable over sharp edges or moving parts. • Do not run the cable next to power cables or other CB antenna cables. • Do not run the cable through a vehicle’s engine compartment or other areas that produce extreme heat. • Follow all cautions and warnings included with the antenna.
21-1650.fm Page 18 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM OPERATION Before you use your TRC-237, we recommend you read “CB Operation Tips” on Page 21, which contains information to help you use it effectively and courteously. RECEIVING TRANSMISSIONS AND ADJUSTING SQUELCH 1. If you did not connect an external antenna, hold the TRC-237 so the antenna is vertical. 2. Turn on the TRC-237 by turning OFF/ VOLUME clockwise until you hear a click and a hissing sound. 3.
21-1650.fm Page 19 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM To redisplay the channel number for about 20 seconds, simply press and release DISPLAY. 4. If you set OUT – CH9 – CH19 to OUT, repeatedly press CH s to select higher channels, or CH t to select lower channels. To move rapidly through the channels, hold down CH s or t. 5. Adjust OFF/VOLUME to a comfortable listening level. 6. Adjust SQUELCH to cut out the background noise.
21-1650.fm Page 20 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Note: Do not turn SQUELCH too far clockwise because you might also cut out weak signals. 7. To turn off the TRC-237, turn OFF/ VOLUME toward OFF until it clicks. TRANSMITTING 1. Follow Steps 1–6 in “Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch” on Page 18. 2. Hold the TRC-237 2 to 3 inches from your mouth. Press and hold PUSH TO TALK on the side of the TRC-237. TX on the front of the TRC-237 lights. Speak into the microphone. MOD lights.
-1650.fm Page 21 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM CB OPERATION TIPS The following tips will help you get the most enjoyment from your TRC-237. COMMON USES FOR A CB RADIO Business Uses • Truck drivers and delivery personnel can learn road and traffic conditions and get assistance in locating destinations. A walkie talkie is also good company on those “long hauls.
21-1650.fm Page 22 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM • Camping, fishing, and other sports are more fun with a walkie talkie. Locate a friend or find out “what’s cooking” back at camp. USING COMMON 10-CODES Citizen’s band operators have largely adopted the 10-codes for standard questions and answers. Their use permits faster communication and better intelligibility in noisy areas. This table lists the codes adopted by the Associated Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO).
21-1650.fm Page 23 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM Code Meaning 10-15 Message delivered. 10-16 Reply to message. 10-17 En route. 10-18 Urgent. 10-19 Contact __________. 10-20 My location is __________. 10-21 Call ________ by telephone. 10-22 Cancel last message. 10-23 Arrived at the scene. 10-24 Assignment complete. 10-26 Estimated time of arrival is ____. 10-30 Use caution. 10-31 Pick up. 10-33 Emergency traffic. Clear the channel. 10-34 The time is _____.
21-1650.fm Page 24 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM CB COURTESY • Wait for a pause in someone else’s transmission before you ask for a break. • If you do not receive an answer to your call after a second attempt, sign off and wait several minutes before trying again. • Do not press and hold PUSH TO TALK when you are not talking. (This is called dead keying.) • Assist callers with directions, information about road conditions, and any other reasonable requests.
21-1650.fm Page 25 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM TROUBLESHOOTING If your TRC-237 is not working as it should, follow these suggestions to see if you can eliminate the problem. If you cannot, take it to your local RadioShack store for assistance. Symptom Suggestion Weak, bad, or no reception. Be sure the TRC-237 is turned on. Be sure the volume is turned up. Be sure the supplied flexible antenna or an external antenna is attached to the TRC237’s antenna jack.
21-1650.fm Page 26 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM MAINTENANCE Your RadioShack TRC-237 40-Channel 5-Watt CB Walkie Talkie with Channel 9/ 19 Priority Switch is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your TRC-237 so you can enjoy it for years. Keep the TRC-237 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits. Handle the TRC-237 gently and carefully.
21-1650.fm Page 27 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM SPECIFICATIONS Receiver Frequency Coverage ... 26.965 – 27.405 MHz Sensitivity (Max.) ..... 0.5 µV at 10 dB (S+N)/N Adjacent Channel Rejection ................. 45 dB Squelch ............ Adjustable from 1 µV to 1 mV Audio Output (10% THD) ................. 400 mW Current Drain ............................... 85–450 mA Transmitter Frequency Coverage ... 26.965 – 27.405 MHz Power Input (at 12V DC): High .................................................
21-1650.fm Page 28 Thursday, August 5, 1999 11:43 AM 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 company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
