Your RadioShack TRC-401 Emer- gency CB Radio is a 40-channel citi- zen???s band radio that is specially designed for emergency situations. It contains a CB, an antenna, and a power cord ??? all in a handy, impact- resistant carrying case that lets you store all of the equipment safely out of the way and easily move it from one vehicle to another.

Its features include:

Automatic Emergency Channel 9 Selection ??? immediately switches to Channel 9 (the universal emergen- cy channel) each time the CB is turned on.

Important: REACT is a nationwide 24-hour network that monitors Chan- nel 9. Switch to Channel 9 in an emergency, and report the problem. (REACT might not be available in all areas.)

Channel 19 Switch ??? immediately switches the CB to Channel 19, used by most travelers.

PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) Fre- quency Synthesizer ??? provides re- liable and exact tuning.

Auto Squelch ??? eliminates the need to set the squelch level.

Digital Channel-Number Display

??? makes it easy to see which chan- nel is selected.

Built-In Ceramic Filters ??? provide superior selectivity and prevent adja- cent-channel interference.

Built-In Modulation Control ??? pre- vents the transmitter signal from over-modulating and distorting.

Built-In Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL) ??? reduces noise caused by nearby electrical equipment, such as motors or automotive ignition sys- tems.

Impact-Resistant Storage Case ??? stores everything you need to power the CB from your vehicle.

Note: The TRC-401 comes with a telescoping antenna on a magnet- mount base that you can attach di- rectly to the CB for use when your ve- hicle is not moving. If you plan to use the CB when your vehicle is moving, we recommend that you purchase a standard mount antenna.

We recommend you record the TRC- 401???s serial number here. The num- ber is on the CB???s back panel.

Serial Number:_________________

FCC INFORMATION

The Federal Communications Com- mission (FCC) does not require you to have a license to operate this CB. However, the FCC does require you to read and know Part 95 of FCC Rules. These rules apply to the oper- ation of a Class D CB. We have pro- vided a copy of these regulations with your CB.

Warning: Do not open your CB to make any internal adjustments. Inter- nal adjustments can be made only by authorized service personnel.

Internal adjustments and/or modifi- cations can lead to illegal operation as defined by Part 95 of FCC Rules. Such illegal operation can lead to very serious consequences.

To be safe and sure:

???Never open your CB???s case.

???Never modify your CB.

Your CB might cause TV or radio in- terference even when it is operating properly. To determine if your CB is causing the interference, turn off your CB. If the interference goes away, your CB is causing it. Try to eliminate the interference by:

???Moving your CB away from the receiver

???Contacting your local Ra- dioShack store for help

If you cannot eliminate the interfer- ence, the FCC requires that you stop using your CB.

ATTACHING THE

ANTENNA

The supplied magnet-mount antenna is designed for use only in emergen- cy or low speed, short-driving situa- tions. If you want to use the CB while driving your vehicle at highway speeds, on long-distance trips, or during periods of high, gusty winds or heavy turbulence, you need an op- tional standard-mount antenna (available at your local RadioShack store). If you use a standard-mount antenna, you also need a plug adapt- er (Cat. No. 278-208) to connect the standard antenna???s PL-259 plug to ANT on your CB.

Follow these steps to mount the sup- plied antenna.

1.Hold the antenna in an upright position and extend the antenna.

Note: Fully extend the antenna for maximum range.

2.While your vehicle is stopped, place the base as near as possi- ble to the center of your vehi- cle???s highest flat surface with pointing toward the front of your vehicle. (Do not remove the me-

tallic backing on the bottom of the magnetic base.)

Notes:

???The base should have full sur- face contact with steel for the best possible range.

???To reduce wind force, place the base toward the back win- dow.

3.Plug the magnetic base???s wire into the CB???s ANT jack.

To remove the antenna from your ve- hicle, grasp the base and then firmly ???peel??? it up and off the vehicle???s sur- face.

Caution: Never slide the antenna???s magnetic base across your vehicle???s painted surface. Dust and dirt parti- cles might scratch your vehicle???s fin- ish.

CONNECTING POWER

Follow these steps to power the CB from your vehicle???s battery.

1.Plug the barrel plug of the sup- plied power cord into DC 12V on the bottom of the CB.

2.Ensure the cigarette-lighter plug cap is tightly screwed onto the plug and insert the plug into the cigarette-lighter socket.

Notes:

???If the CB does not operate prop- erly, check that the lighter socket is clean and free of ashes or other debris.

???If the CB still does not work, check the fuse in the power cord (see ???Replacing the Power Cord???s Fuse??? on Page 14).

Before you start using your CB, we recommend you read ???CB Operation Tips??? on Page 8 which contains infor- mation that will help you use your CB effectively and courteously.

Note: Before you operate the CB, be sure it is connected to power and an antenna.

1.Turn VOLUME clockwise until it clicks to turn on the CB. The CB automatically tunes to Channel 9, the emergency channel.

2.Select another channel, if de- sired.

???To immediately select Chan- nel 19, press 19. Channel 19 is another channel used for emergencies and traveler as- sistance.

???To select any other channel,

repeatedly press (or hold down) CHANNELor.

The display shows the channel number.

3.To transmit, hold the CB 2???3 inches from your mouth, hold down PUSH TO TALK, and speak directly into MIC (the built-in microphone). The TX (transmit) indicator lights.

In an emergency, broadcast your ???CLIP???:

Call sign ??? identify yourself

Location ??? be exact

Injuries ??? number of injured, type of injuries, and so on

Problem ??? give complete de- tails. Give information calmly, clearly, and in as few words as possible

For example, ???This is John Smith at Highway 80 and Ale- meda Street. There is a two-car accident here with three injured adults needing emergency care. Please send an ambulance.???

4.When you finish transmitting, re- lease PUSH TO TALK. You now hear other transmissions on that channel (such as the response to your call). Adjust VOLUME to the desired listening level.

Note: VOLUME only affects what you hear. It has no effect on transmissions.

5.To turn off the CB, turn VOLUME counterclockwise until it clicks.

Like most activities, CB radio use has its customs and courtesies. Although this CB radio is designed for emer- gency use, it does work on all 40 CB channels and can be used for more than just emergencies. The following tips will help you get the most benefit and satisfaction from your CB.

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 at- tempt, sign off and wait several minutes before trying again.

???Do not hold down PUSH TO TALK when you are not talking. (This is called dead keying.)

???Assist callers with directions, road conditions, and any other reasonable requests.

MAXIMUM RANGE

The maximum range and quality of CB transmissions vary depending on these conditions:

???The type and quality of antenna used

???The height of the antenna???s mounting location ??? the higher the antenna, the better the sig- nal???s range

???The surrounding terrain ??? mountains and tall buildings limit the range

???Weather conditions

???The number of nearby CBs op- erating on the same channel

???Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) be- tween the antenna and the CB

You can check the SWR be- tween the CB and a mobile an- tenna using an SWR meter (Cat. No. 21-523). Follow the instruc- tions supplied with the SWR meter and the mobile antenna to change the SWR, if necessary.

Note: You cannot adjust the SWR of the supplied antenna.

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 helps prevent misunderstanding in noisy areas.

This table lists the codes adopted by the Associated Public Safety Com- munications Officers (APCO).

Note: Although this table lists the 10- codes??? meanings in the form of a statement, they can also be phrased as questions (10-6: Are you busy?, 10-20: What is your location?).

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COMMON USES FOR A

CB RADIO

Business Uses

???Truck drivers and delivery per- sonnel can learn road and traffic conditions and get assistance in locating destinations. A CB is also good company on those ???long hauls.???

???On construction crews, a CB quickly pays for itself when you are calling for additional materi- als or coordinating the activities of different work crews.

???For security officers, a CB is more than a convenience ??? it is a must for both safety and effi- ciency.

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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.

???If you are a two-car (or more) family, CBs are great for com- municating with family members while they are in their cars.

???Contact friends or neighbors ??? find out ???what???s happening??? or plan a get-together.

???Ever have car trouble or run out of gas on the highway? What a relief it is to be able to radio for assistance!

???Camping, fishing, and other sports are more fun with a CB. Locate a buddy or find out ???what???s cooking??? back at camp.

REDUCING NOISE

Because your CB is exceptionally quiet, any noise you hear is probably from an external source in your vehi- cle ??? the ignition, another radio, spark plugs, and so forth.

You can determine the source of the noise by turning off the engine and operating the CB with the ignition set to ACC. If most or all of the noise goes away, the problem is in your ve- hicle???s ignition or electrical system. Here are a few hints to help you re- duce or eliminate such noise:

???Do not route the power cord next to the antenna wire.

???Be sure the antenna???s magnetic base is securely attached to a metallic surface. If you use an antenna other than the magnet- mount type, be sure that the ve- hicle battery???s ground connec- tion is secure.

???Try replacing old ignition wires with new, high-voltage, noise- suppression ignition wires.

???Install noise suppressors on your spark plugs or install spark plugs that have built-in suppres- sors.

???If problems persist, check your alternator/generator and regula- tor gauges. Noise from these sources can be reduced or elimi- nated using bypass capacitors at the various voltage points.

Note: Your local RadioShack store has a wide selection of noise- suppression equipment.