8
PREPARATION
CONNECTING AN
ANTENNA
You must install an antenna before
you can operate the scanner. Your lo-
cal RadioShack store sells a variety of
scanner antennas for both mobile and
base-station use. Choose the one that
best meets your needs.
When deciding on a mobile or base-
station antenna and its location, con-
sider these points.
• The antenna should be as high as
possible on a vehicle or a house.
• The antenna and its cable should
be as far as possible from sources
of electrical noise (ignition sys-
tems, gauges, and so on).
• The antenna should be vertical for
the best performance.
MOUNTING AN
ANTENNA
Once you choose an antenna, follow
the mounting instructions supplied
with the antenna. Then route the an-
tenna cable to the scanner.
The antenna connector on your scan-
ner makes it easy to use the scanner
with a variety of antennas, such as an
external mobile antenna or outdoor
base station antenna.
Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable,
such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect an
outdoor antenna. For lengths over 50
feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric co-
axial cable. If your antenna’s cable
does not have a BNC connector, you
will also need a BNC adapter (avail-
able at your local RadioShack store).
Follow the installation instructions
supplied with the antenna, route the
antenna cable to the scanner, then
connect it to the
ANT
jack.
Warning:
Use extreme caution
when you install or remove an out-
door antenna. If the antenna starts to
fall, let it go! It could contact over-
head power lines. If the antenna
touches a power line, contact with
the antenna, mast, cable, or guy
wires can cause electrocution and
death. Call the power company to re-
move the antenna. DO NOT attempt
to do so yourself.
MOUNTING THE
SCANNER IN YOUR
VEHICLE
Before you mount the scanner, make
sure you have all the necessary mate-
rials. Then confirm that the scanner
fits your vehicle’s mounting area. This
scanner is a DIN-E size unit that re-
quires a 2-inch high by 6
11
/
16
-inch wide
by 5
1
/
2
-inch deep (50
×
170
×
140 mm)
mounting area.
20-196a.fm Page 8 Friday, June 2, 2000 3:48 PM
