TRC-224 (210-1642) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 6172 3-Watt 3-Channel CB Transceiver POWERING THE CB You can power your CB from any of the following sources: * Internal alkaline batteries * Rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries * 12-volt vehicle battery * Household AC power Using Internal Battery Power You can power your CB from ten rechargeable AA nickel-cadmium batteries (Radio Shack Cat. 23-125) or eight alkaline AA batteries (Cat. No. 23-552). Follow these steps to install the batteries: 1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow. 2. Install the batteries, observing proper polarity (+ and -) as shown on the label on the back of the battery compartment cover. Note: If you use eight alkaline batteries, install the two supplied dummy batteries. 3. Replace the battery compartment cover. Testing the Battery Power Follow these steps to check the batteries. 1. Rotate volume clockwise to turn on the CB. 2. Press BATT TEST. If the indicator is dim or does not light, replace the batteries with new ones. Recharging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries You can recharge nickel-cadmium batteries using a nickel-cadmium battery charger (Cat. No. 21-516, not supplied). Plug the charger's barrel plug into the CHARGING jack on the right side of the CB, and connect the charger to a standard AC outlet. Warning: Never try to recharge regular or alkaline batteries. They might explode. Notes: * Be sure to turn off the CB before you charge nickel-cadmium batteries. * Do not operate the CB while you recharge the batteries. * Nickel-cadmium batteries typically are fully discharged when they come from a store. If you use nickel-cadmium batteries, charge them before you use your CB. * Charging time is 14 to 16 hours the first time. Subsequent chargings take about 14 to 16 hours. * Nickel-cadmium batteries deliver more power if you occasionally let them completely discharge. To do this, use the CB until the BATT TEST indicator does not light when you press BATT TEST. Then fully charge the batteries. If you do not occasionally do this, the batteries can temporarily lose the ability to deliver full power. Cautions: * To prevent permanent nickel-cadmium power loss, never charge your batteries in an area where the temperature is above about 80 F. Also, if you use an external charger, follow the charger's instructions and do not overcharge the batteries. * Never use any adapter other than the recommended adapter (Cat. No. 21- 516) to charge nickel (cadmium batteries in your CB. Even adapters with the same voltage and current ratings could permanently damage your CB or the batteries. * This CB is capable of using nickel-cadmium batteries. At the end of the batteries useful life, they must be recycled or disposed of properly. Contact your local, county, or state hazardous waste management authorities for information on recycling or disposal programs in your area. Some options that might be available are municipal outside collection, drop-off boxes at retailers, recycling collection centers, and mail-back programs Using AC Power You can power your CB from household AC power using an optional 12-volt DC power supply (such as Cat. No.22-120). You need the following items to operate your CB from AC power: * One 5.5 mm barrel-type DC power plug (Cat. No. 274-1569) * One length of red wire * One length of black wire 1. Make a power cable with the plug and wire by connecting the red wire to the plug's outer barrel. If you do not know how to make such a cable, have a qualified technician make the cable for you. 2. Connect the red wire to the power supply's + terminal and connect the black wire to the power supply's - terminal. 3. Turn on the power supply, and use a volt meter to be sure the plug is wired with the tip positive, and the outer barrel negative. Then, turn off the power supply. 4. Insert the plug into the CB's POWER jack. Caution: Never insert the plug into the CB's CHARGING jack. 5. Turn on the power supply. When you finish using AC power, turn off the power supply. Then, unplug the barrel plug from the CB. Using vehicle Battery Power You can power the CB from your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket if your vehicle has a 12-volt, negative-ground electrical system. To do so, you need Radio Shack's 12-volt DC cord (Cat. No. 270-1533). Follow these steps to use the DC power cord. 1. Insert the cord's barrel plug into the CB's POWER jack. Caution: Never insert the plug into the CB's CHARGING jack. 2. Plug the other end of the cord into your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket Note: If the CB does not operate when you use the DC cord, unplug the cord from the lighter socket and clean any ashes or debris from the socket. If your CB still does not work, check the fuse in the DC cord and replace it if necessary. Use only the same size and type fuse as was originally in the cord. 3. When you finish using the CB, unplug the cord from the cigarette -lighter socket. Then, disconnect the cord from your CB. CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL ANTENNA Your CB includes a telescoping antenna that is ideal for most applications. However, for mobile or base station use, you might want to connect an external antenna. The EXT ANTENNA jack on your CB makes it easy to connect an external mobile antenna or outdoor base-station antenna. Connect the antenna lead-in cable to the EXT ANTENNA jack. Use a PL-259-to-RCA plug adapter (Cat. No. 278- 208) to adapt the antenna lead-in so it can connect to the EXT ANTENNA jack. For best performance when you use an external antenna, do not extend the telescoping antenna. WARNING When installing or removing a base station CB antenna, use extreme caution. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches the power line, contact with the antenna, mast, cable or guy wires can cause electrocution and death! Call the power company to remove the antenna. Do not attempt to do so yourself. CHANGING OR INSTALLING NEW CRYSTALS This CB comes with Channel-14 crystals installed in Position A. You can use any 3 channels of the 40 allotted to CB's. You must use crystals specifically designed for this CB. Order crystals from your local Radio Shack store. Be sure to specify the channel you want and this CB's catalog number (21-1642). 1. Remove the screw on the top of the back cover. 2. Slide the battery compartment cover off and remove the two screws in the battery compartment. 3. Remove the front cover. 4. Insert the new matched pair crystals into the sockets Each crystal is marked with the frequency. Be sure you install the receive (R) and transmit (T) crystals in their correct sockets. The RX/TX and channel (A/B/C) for each crystal are printed on the circuit board beside the crystal socket. If you reverse the crystals, the CB transmits and receives on incorrect frequencies outside the citizen's band, resulting in illegal operation. 5. Reassemble the CB. (RLR-02-25-94)