TRX-2E Remote Head, Desktop & Mobile Installation

Summary: How the TRX-2E’s detachable head works, and how to set the radio up on a desk or in a vehicle.

Parts of the Radio

The remote head carries the display, keypad, rotary encoder, Alert LED, headphone jack, USB connector and the head latch. The base unit has the antenna and power connections, the LAN cable jack and the remote head connector; the SD card slot is reached by removing the head.

Detaching and Attaching the Head

• To detach: press and hold the release button on the left of the base unit. A gap appears; grasp the head and lift it off. If the scanner was on it carries on scanning, but you can’t make changes until you reconnect the head or the cable.
• To link them by cable: use the supplied 8P8C Type B straight cable.
• To reattach: unplug the LAN cable from both units, line up the guide pins on the right of the head with the slots on the base and press the head on, keeping your fingers out of the gap. The magnets grab and hold it. The head can also be fitted to an AMPS or Lido mount (not included).

Magnet warnings: the magnets are very powerful. Keep them well away from pacemakers and other medical devices, from magnetic media such as discs and tapes, and from sensitive equipment such as monitors and watches. Avoid heat above 80 C (175 F) such as in a parked car, which can permanently weaken the magnets.

LAN cable: RS-485 compatible, 8P8C modular plug, Type B straight cable (CAT 5 or CAT 6), supplied at 6.5 ft, and usable up to 100 feet. Use only that type; other cables, including crossover cables, may damage both the head and the base.

Desktop Operation

1. Fit the three self-adhesive rubber feet to the bottom of the bracket (don’t if you’ll screw it to a surface). The bracket under the radio makes a desk stand; above the radio it can hang the radio under a table or shelf.
2. Fit the two self-adhesive rubber washers inside the bracket sides over the side-hole positions (align the holes) to protect the case.
3. Slide the scanner into the bracket and tighten the two knurled knobs.
4. Plug the AC adapter into an easily accessible outlet and connect the coaxial power plug to the radio. The adapter should be in a vertical or floor-mount position, and its polarised plug shouldn’t be used with an extension cord unless the blades fully insert.
5. Fit the telescoping antenna.

Antenna length (as printed): 25-54 MHz extend fully; 108-174 MHz extend 4 segments; 216-225 MHz extend 3 segments; 25-406 MHz extend 2 segments; 406-1300 MHz collapse fully. (The ranges in the guide’s table overlap.) You can use an external BNC base antenna instead.

Mobile Operation

An external antenna is required for mobile use.

1. Choose a mounting location that doesn’t block your view and isn’t in the path of air bag deployment. Ask your dealer if unsure.
2. Use the bracket as a template to mark two screw positions, drill holes slightly smaller than the screws (watch for wiring behind), and fix the bracket with the screws and lock washers. Fit the rubber washers, slide the radio in and tighten the knurled knobs.
3. Disconnect the vehicle battery’s negative (-) terminal before wiring. (This may reset car audio, navigation and alarm systems.)
4. Route the supplied DC cable. Ground the black wire to the vehicle chassis using a small sheet-metal screw (with full metal contact), and connect the red wire to a supply that switches with the ignition.
5. Push the coaxial plug into the DC 13.8V jack on the rear and reconnect the battery.

The DC cord has an in-line fuse; don’t remove the holder. If it blows, replace it with a 3A slow-blow fuse, and if it blows again check the wiring for shorts and the radio for a fault.

Power requirement: 12-14.4V DC, rated for 600 mA, with the plug’s centre tip positive. Other supplies could damage the scanner.