SC180 100-Channel Programmable Twin Turbo Hand-Held Sports Scanner OPERATING GUIDE Precautions Before you use this scanner, please read and observe the following: n WARNING! Uniden DOES NOT represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, DO NOT expose this unit to rain or moisture. IMPORTANT! Be sure to use only the supplied earphone, or a stereo headset of the proper impedance (32W ). Use of an incorrect earphone or stereo headset may be potentially hazardous to your hearing. n n WARNING: Set the Volume to a comfortable audio level coming from the speaker before plugging in the supplied earphone or a stereo headset of the proper impedance (32W ). Otherwise you might experience some discomfort or possible hearing damage if the Volume suddenly becomes too loud because of the Volume Control or Squelch Control setting. This may be particularly true of the type of earphone that is placed in the ear canal. NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERY WARNING n · This equipment contains a Nickel-Cadmium Battery. · Cadmium is a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer. · The Nickel-Cadmium Battery contained in this · Do not short circuit the battery. equipment may explode if disposed of in a fire. · Do not charge the Nickel-Cadmium Battery used in this equipment with any other AC Adapter/Charger other than the one designed to charge this battery (AD-70U). Using another charger may damage the battery, or cause the battery to explode. n Nickel-Cadmium Battery Disposal Nickel-Cadmium Batteries Must Be Disposed Of Properly. Read the Nickel-Cadmium Battery Disposal package insert for important information. Uniden® and Bearcat® are registered trademarks of Uniden America Corporation. SportcatTM is a trademark of Uniden America Corporation. ii iii Contents About Your New SportCat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 What is Scanning?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 What is Searching? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Important Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Types of Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Where to Obtain More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Feature Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Top View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Front View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Charging the Battery Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Mounting the Flexible Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Installing the Belt Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Using the Earphone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Operation Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Programming Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Programming By Manual Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Deleting a Stored Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Programming SEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Programming Channels with Alpha Characters. . . . . . 16 Alert Beep Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Bank Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Priority Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Locking Out Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Looking for "Locked Out" Channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Weather Channel Scanning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Searching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Band Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Limit Search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Search Skip Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Replacing the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Birdies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Proper Care of Your Scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Optional Accessories and Replacement Parts . . . . . . 27 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 1 About Your New SportCat The SportCatTM is a brand new state-of-the-art information radio with automatic scanning capabilities. It can store frequencies such as sporting events, police, fire/emergency, and other communications into 10 banks of 10 channels each. And you can scan all 100 channels at super fast Turbo Scan speed. With the SportCat, you can do a fast search for active frequencies on all 12 preprogrammed bands. In the VHF bands (29-54MHz and 137-174MHz) you can also use super fast Turbo Search. What is Scanning? Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications (listed below) do not transmit continuously. The SportCat scans programmed channels at the rate of nearly 100 channels per second until it finds an active frequency. Scanning stops on an active frequency, and remains on that channel as long as the transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until another transmission is received. Or, you can select an optional Delay so the scanner stays on the channel for 2 more seconds after the transmission stops, waiting for another transmission, before resuming scanning. While the SportCat is scanning channels it is in "SCAN Mode". When you stop the scanning with , it is in "MANUAL Mode". What is Searching? The SportCat can search each of 12 preprogrammed bands to find active frequencies. This is different from scanning, because you can search for frequencies that have not been programmed into your SportCat. You can also search within the range of frequencies you have programmed before. You can set the direction of searching as well as the speed. The Turbo Search feature, new for Uniden scanners, can search VHF bands at up to 3 times the normal speed. When the SportCat is searching for active frequencies, it is in "SEARCH Mode" or "TURBO SEARCH Mode". When you stop the search with , it is in "SEARCH HOLD Mode". With both Turbo Scan and Turbo Search, your SportCat is truly a Twin Turbo Scanner. 2 Important Notice n This scanning radio has been manufactured so that it will not tune to the radio frequencies assigned by the FCC for cellular telephone usage. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, as amended, makes it a federal crime to intentionally intercept cellular or cordless telephone transmissions or to market this radio when altered to receive them. n The installation, possession, or use of this scanning radio in a motor vehicle may be prohibited, regulated, or require a permit in certain states, cities, and/or local jurisdictions. Your local law enforcement officials should be able to provide you with information regarding the laws in your community. n Changes or modifications to this product not expressly approved by Uniden, or operation of this product in any way other than as detailed by this Operating Guide, could void your authority to operate this product. Types of Communication You will be able to monitor communication such as: » » » » » » » » » Automobile, boat, and marathon races Golf tournaments Traffic information Police and fire department (including rescue and paramedics) NOAA and Canadian weather broadcasts (10 preprogrammed channels) Land transportation, such as trucking firms, buses, taxis, tow trucks, and railroads Marine and amateur radio. Aircraft Public Service 800 MHz band RANGE (MHz) STEP (kHz) 5 5 5 12.5 5 5 5 12.5 12.5 12.5 And many more in the following 12 Bands: BAND NFM NFM NFM AM NFM NFM NFM NFM NFM NFM SUBJECT 10 Meter Amateur Band VHF Low Band 6 Meter Amateur Band AM Aircraft Military Land Mobile 2 Meter Amateur Band VHF High Band Federal Govt. Land Mobile 70 cm Amateur Band UHF Standard Band 29.0000-29.9950 30.0000-49.9950 50.0000-54.0000 108.0000-136.9875 137.0000-143.9950 144.0000-147.9950 148.0000-174.0000 406.0000-419.9875 420.0000-449.9875 450.0000-469.9875 3 RANGE (MHz) 470.0000-512.0000 806.0000-823.9875 849.0125-868.9875 894.0125-956.0000 STEP (kHz) 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 BAND NFM NFM NFM NFM SUBJECT UHF "T" Band Public Service "800" Band Important! The SportCat will not tune within the Cellular Telephone Band. Where to Obtain More Information The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs have publications, information on computer bulletin boards, and even contests for the radio enthusiasts. See the enclosed pamphlets for more information. Additional information is also available through your local library. Unpacking Carefully check the contents against this list: n n n n n n n n SportCat Twin Turbo Sports Scanner Rubber Antenna AC Adapter/Charger (AD-70U) Earphone Belt Clip with 2 Screws Battery (BP-180) This Operating Guide Frequency Directories Order Form and Betty Bearcat Club Information n SportCat Frequency Guide n Nickel-Cadmium Battery Disposal Notice n Product Registration Form If any items are missing or damaged, call the Uniden parts department at the number below. Please read this Operating Guide thoroughly before operating the scanner. Uniden Parts Department (800) 554-3988 Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time Monday to Friday We can also be reached on the web at www.uniden.com 4 Feature Highlights x Twin Turbo Scan & Search --This lightning-fast technology enables the SportCat to scan nearly 100 channels per second. Search speed is selectable between 100 and 300 steps per second. (300 steps per second only in bands with 5 kHz steps.) Because the frequency coverage is so large (see previous section for band listing), very fast scanning and searching are essential. That is why we combined our latest technology -- Twin Turbo -- into the SportCat. x 100 Channels You can program each of these memory channels to store one frequency. x 12 Bands, 10 Banks Includes 12 Bands, with Aircraft and 800 MHz. 10 Banks of 10 channels each are useful for storing similar frequencies in order to maintain faster scanning cycles. x 29 MHz - 956 MHz Indicates the range of frequencies that can be searched within the bands of your scanner. (Note: The frequency coverage is not totally continuous from 29.0 MHz to 956 MHz.) x 10 Priority Channels You can assign one Priority Channel in each Bank. Assigning priority channels allows you to keep track of activity on your most important channel(s) while monitoring other channels for transmissions. (Priority Channels are initially set in the first channel in each Bank.) x Weather Channels Lets your scanner function as a weather information radio. x Memory Backup The stored channels are retained in memory permanently. x Programmable Alpha Characters You can program up to 100 channels with alphabetical characters for easy reference. x Band Search You can search within the preprogrammed bands. x Limit Search You can search within a specific range of frequencies. x VFO Search You can search by using the VFO control. x Alert Beep If the SportCat finds a transmission on a channel you have preset, it beeps twice. x Auto Light The SportCat can turn on its backlight automatically when it finds a transmission if this function is activated. 5 Controls and Indicators Top View Antenna Connector Earphone Jack Connect the rubber antenna to the BNC connector and turn clockwise until it locks. Plug the supplied earphone into this jack for private listening. When the earphone is connected, the internal speaker is disconnected. Note the warning on the Inside Front Cover and on page 11. Adjust this control to set the scan threshold and to eliminate the background rushing noise heard in the absence of an incoming signal. See the Operation Overview Section for adjustment procedures. Use this control to turn the scanner on or off, and to adjust the volume. Use this control to select channels in Manual mode, select the band for Band Search, and select frequencies in Band/Limit Search mode. You can also use this to prog ...