UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page ii Contents Description.........................................................................................................1 Elimination of Licensing....................................................................................1 Emergency Operation .......................................................................................1 Controls and Functions .....................................................................................2 Installation..........................................................................................................4 Mobile Station Installation.............................................................................4 Mobile Station Antenna .................................................................................4 Marine Installation .........................................................................................4 Connecting the Power Cords ........................................................................5 Ground Information ......................................................................................5 Negative Ground System ...........................................................................5 Positive Ground System.............................................................................5 To Receive .........................................................................................................6 Weather Information .........................................................................................7 To Transmit........................................................................................................8 Multi-Function Meter .........................................................................................8 Preventive Maintenance ....................................................................................9 Maintenance.......................................................................................................9 Troubleshooting...............................................................................................10 Servicing Your Transceiver .............................................................................10 Radio Code Definitions ...................................................................................11 Specifications ...................................................................................................12 Two-Year Extended Warranty.........................................................................13 Unpacking Carefully unpack your PC78 Elite and check the contents against this list: I PC78 Elite CB 2-way mobile radio I Microphone I Mounting Bracket Kit I DC Power Cord I Reference Guide I Part 95 Subpart D (FCC Rules) I Product Registration Card If any items are missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase immediately. Please be sure to complete and mail your Product Registration Card. UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 1 Description Your Uniden PC78 Elite represents the highest quality communications device designed for use in the Citizens Band Radio Service. It will operate on any of the 40 AM frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Citizens Band Radio Service is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Any adjustments or alterations which would alter the performance of the transceiver's original FCC certification, or which would change the frequency determining method, are strictly prohibited. Replacement or substitution of crystal, transistors, ICs, regulator diodes, or any other part of a unique nature, with parts other than those recommend by Uniden, may cause violations of the technical regulations in Part 95 of the FCC Rules or in violation of certification requirements in Part 2 of the rules. Elimination of Licensing The FCC has ruled that CB Radio Service operators are no longer required to obtain an FCC License to operate their CB equipment. In doing so, the FCC also decided to permit CB station operation without station identification. Elimination of individual station licenses does not reduce the operating privileges or responsibilities of CB users. An operator of a CB radio station is still required to comply with the Communications Act and with the rules of Citizens Band Radio Service. Uniden is a registered trademark of Uniden America Corporation. Features, Specifications, and availability of Optional Accessories are subject to change without notice. Emergency Operation 1. Set the switch to CH9 or turn Channel Selector knob to Channel 9. 2. Press the microphone PTT switch and speak clearly. 3. If there is no response, select an active channel and ask that party to relay your emergency broadcast on Channel 9. All channels, except Channel 9 may be used for normal communication. Channel 9 is reserved by the FCC for emergency communication involving the immediate safety of individuals or protection of property. Channel 9 may also be used to render assistance to a motorist. This is an FCC rule and applies to all operators of CB radios. 1 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 2 Controls and Functions FRONT VIEW - PC78 Elite BACKLIGHTED PANEL 1. Microphone Jack 2. ON OFF - VOLUME: Turns radio on or off; adjusts speaker volume. 3. SQUELCH: Reduces background noise when there is no incoming signal. 4. RF GAIN: Improves reception in strong signal areas. 5. MIC GAIN: Adjusts microphone sensitivity. 6. DELTA TUNE: Fine tunes the receiver. 7. SWR: Calibrates the meter for Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) measurements. 8. Weather Channel Knob: Selects weather channel. 9. Channel Knob: Selects channel. 10. Channel Display: Displays current channel selection. 11. RX/TX Indicator: Red-transmitting; green-receiving. 12. ANT: Indicates a high SWR condition in antenna system. Check antenna, cable and connections. 13. Dynamic Squelch Control (DSC): Automatically sets Squelch to optimal level for stronger signals. 14. CH9/OFF: Turns Channel 9 on or off. 15. BRT/DIM: Adjusts the brightness of LED. 16. NB/ANL: Reduces external noise and interference from vehicle ignition systems. 2 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 3 17. CB/WX/PA: Selects PA (Public Address) WX (Weather Radio) or CB. Do not use PA function unless an external speaker is connected. 18. S/RF/SWR/ CAL: Selects meter function. S/RF- normal; SWR and CAL are for SWR measurements only. See page 8 for calibration procedures. 19. Multi-function Meter: Measures SWR, RF and S signal strength. REAR VIEW 20. POWER: Connects DC power to transceiver. 21. EXT. SP.: Connects optional 8-ohm 4-watt speaker to remotely monitor receiver. When the external speaker is plugged in, the internal speaker is off. 22. PA SP.: Connects external 8-ohm, 4-watt speaker. To prevent acoustic feedback, separate the microphone from the speaker when operating the PA at high output levels. 23. ANT.: Connects antenna cable to transceiver. 3 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 4 Installation MOBILE STATION INSTALLATION Plan the location of the transceiver and microphone bracket before beginning installation. 1. Select a location that is convenient for operating the radio, but does not interfere with the driver or passenger. 2. Install bracket with self-tapping screws provided. 3. Connect wiring. (See instructions for Connecting the Power Cords.) 4. Attach the microphone bracket to the side of the radio. 5. Attach radio to bracket. MOBILE STATION ANTENNA Because the maximum power output of the transmitter is limited by the FCC, the quality of your antenna is very important. To achieve the maximum transmission distance, we strongly recommend that you install only a high quality antenna. You have just purchased a superior transceiver - don't diminish its performance by installing an inferior antenna. Only a properly matched antenna system will allow maximum power transfer from the 50 ohm transmission line to the radiating element.Your Uniden dealer is qualified to help you select the proper antenna for your requirements. A whip style antenna may be used for automobile installation. A short `loaded' whip antenna is easier to install on an automobile. However, the efficiency of the short whip antenna is less than that of a full quarter-wave whip antenna. MARINE INSTALLATION Consult your dealer for information regarding marine installation. It is important to adequately ground the system and to prevent electrolysis between the fittings in the hull and the water. 4 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 5 CONNECTING THE POWER CORDS We recommend connecting the power lead to the Ignition Switch Accessory Terminal. This way, the transceiver is automatically turned off when the ignition switch is turned off. Or, the power cord may be connected to an available terminal on the fuse block, or, to a point in the wiring harness. However, caution must be taken to prevent a short circuit. If in doubt, contact your vehicle dealer for information. This transceiver may be installed and used in any 12-volt DC negative or positive ground system vehicle. GROUND INFORMATION Most newer U.S. and foreign made cars, and small trucks, use a negative ground system. Some older cars, and some new large trucks, use a positive ground system. With a negative ground system, the negative (-) battery terminal is usually connected to the vehicle motor block. If you cannot determine the polarity system of your vehicle, contact your vehicle dealer for information. Negative Ground System If you have a negative ground system, connect the red DC power cord from the transceiver to the positive (+) battery terminal or other convenient point. Then connect the black power cord to the vehicle chassis or negative (-) battery terminal. Positive Ground System If you have a positive ground system,connect the black DC power cord from the transceiver to the negative (-) battery terminal or other convenient point. Then, connect the red power cord to the vehicle chassis or the positive (+) battery terminal. 5 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 6 To Receive Be sure that the power source, antenna, and microphone are properly connected before proceeding. 1. Turn unit ON and set VOLUME Control to a comfortable level. 2. Select CHANNEL. 3. Set switch to NB/ANL. Dynamic Squelch Control automatically sets Squelch to the optimal level for stronger transmission and signal clarity. To scan for weaker signals,turn Dynamic Squelch Control off and perform the following steps: 4a. Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise so only strong signals can get through. 4b. Turn SQUELCH fully counter clockwise until you hear a hiss. Everything gets through - noise, weaksignals, and strong signals. 4c. Turn SQUELCH back clockwise until the hiss stops. Only clearer signals get through. 6 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 7 Set SQUELCH only when the radio is not receiving a strong signal. 5. Adjust RF GAIN knob (small) to optimize reception in strong signal areas. 6. Adjust DELTA knob (small) to reduce or eliminate adjacent channel interference. 7. Set meter switch to S/RF. Weather Information Your PC78 Elite combines a CB Radio with a Weather Radio and a Weather Alert System. The Weather Radio continually broadcasts weather conditions. The Weather Alert System sounds a seven-second signal in the event of severe weather. To configure your CB radio to receive weather alerts while using your CB radio: 1. Set the switch to WX. 2. Turn the Weather Channel knob to the channel with best reception. Left at this setting, you will hear only weather broadcasts and Weather Alert Signals. To use your CB radio normally while monitoring for weather alerts, set the switch to CB. When you hear a Weather Alert Signal, and desire to hear weather information, return the switch to WX. 7 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 8 To Transmit Perform a voltage Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) measurement prior to using the transmitter. A SWR ratio in excess of 2:1 may damage the transmitter. Be sure to read and understand Part 95, FCC Rules and Regulations before operating your transmitter. 1. Select a channel. 2. Adjust MIC GAIN. 3. When the channel is clear, press the microphone PTT switch and speak. Multi-Function Meter SWR Meter: Measures SWR (standing wave ratio) of antenna. Use to check antenna system or to adjust your antenna to the proper length. To measure SWR: 1. Position meter switch to CAL. 2. Press and hold microphone PTT switch. (Transmit) 3. Calibrate meter with SWR knob by adjusting the needle to the M mark. 4. Move the meter switch to the SWR position while pressing the microphone PTT switch. 5. Release the PTT switch. A reading following two is acceptable. Higher readings indicate a problem in the antenna system. Problems may be caused by humidity, vibration, or corrosion. Check both ends of the coaxial cable connector. Also check for damage to the cable or antenna. 8 UC343FH 10/23/03 2:32 PM Page 9 RF Meter: Measures ...