TRX-1 Setup: Antenna, Batteries, Headphones & Power

Summary: How to fit the antenna, load batteries or use USB power, connect headphones or a speaker and attach the belt clip.

Antenna

1. Line up the slots around the antenna’s connector with the tabs on the antenna jack.
2. Press the antenna down over the jack and turn its base clockwise until it locks.

You can use other antennas: follow the antenna’s own instructions, use 50-ohm coaxial cable such as RG-58 or RG-8 (low-loss dielectric), and you may need a BNC adapter.

Safety: take extreme care installing or removing an outdoor antenna; if it starts to fall, let it go, because contact with overhead power lines can kill. Outdoor antennas must be properly grounded against static and lightning, and the scanner should be disconnected from an outdoor antenna during electrical storms. (The guide quotes US rules for grounding; follow your own local requirements.)

Batteries

The scanner takes four AA batteries. A low-battery warning sounds every 30 seconds by default.

1. Turn the scanner off.
2. Slide open the battery compartment cover.
3. Set the Battery Type Selector: ALKA for alkaline (the up position, towards the antenna) or NI-MH for rechargeable Ni-MH.
4. Fit four AA batteries, matching the + and – marks.
5. Refit the cover.

Never install alkaline batteries with the selector set to NI-MH. Alkaline batteries can get hot or explode if the scanner tries to recharge them.

• Use fresh batteries of the right size and type; don’t mix old and new, different types or different capacities.
• Remove the batteries for storage of a month or longer.
• Don’t overcharge rechargeable batteries; it shortens their life. The guide suggests an external charger where possible to keep batteries maintained.
• If the batteries fully discharge or are out for more than a few minutes, the date and time need setting again.
• With very low batteries the display can show Scanning not available: functions that write to the SD card, including scanning, are disabled to prevent data corruption. Recharge or replace the batteries.

External (USB) Power

Always turn the scanner off before connecting or disconnecting a power source. Use the supplied USB cable with a USB power source (not included); rated 5V DC, 500 mA. Some USB power adapters can interfere with reception, and an incompatible USB cable can damage the scanner. In a vehicle you may hear engine electrical noise; the guide says this is normal.

Headphones and Speakers

Plug headphones or an amplified speaker (neither supplied) with a 3.5 mm stereo mini-plug into the headphone jack on top; this disconnects the internal speaker. A non-amplified speaker may not be loud enough.

To protect your hearing: set the volume to zero before putting headphones on, don’t turn it up over time, and avoid prolonged high volume. Don’t wear headphones while driving or cycling.

Swivel Belt Clip

Align the belt clip grooves with the slots on the back of the scanner and slide the clip down until it clicks. To remove it, pull back the small tab and slide the clip up.

Removing the Micro SD Card

Turn the scanner off, unplug external power and remove the batteries. See TRX-1 Micro SD Card, EZ Scan Software & Updates.