80
Beyond the Basics
care
Keep the scanner dry; if it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. 
Use and store the scanner only in normal temperature 
environments. Handle the scanner carefully; do not drop it. 
Keep the scanner away from dust and dirt, and wipe it with a 
damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking new.
service and repair
If your scanner is not performing as it should, take it to your 
local RadioShack store for assistance. To locate your nearest 
RadioShack, use the store locator feature on RadioShack’s 
website (www.radioshack.com), or call 1-800-The Shack 
(800-843-7422) and follow the menu options. Modifying or 
tampering with the scanner’s internal components can cause 
a malfunction and might invalidate its warranty and void your 
FCC authorization to operate it.
birdie frequencies
Every scanner has birdie frequencies. Birdies are signals 
created inside the scanner’s receiver. These operating 
frequencies might interfere with transmissions on the same 
frequencies. If you program one of these frequencies, you 
hear only noise on that frequency. If the interference is not 
severe, you might be able to turn SQ clockwise to omit the 
birdie.
To fi nd the birdies in your scanner, begin by disconnecting 
the antenna and moving it away from the scanner. Make sure 
that no other nearby radio or TV sets are turned on near the 
scanner. Use the search function and scan every frequency 
range from its lowest frequency to the hghest. Occasionally, 
the searching will stop as if it had found a signal, often 
without any sound. This is a birdie. Make a list of all the 
birdies in your scanner for future reference.