EZ Scan Digital Handheld Radio Scanner OWNER’S MANUAL D R AF T WS1080 / WS1088
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ..................................................... 4 What is Object Oriented Scanning? .......................... 4 Features ......................................................................... 5 Package Contents ........................................................ 5 Scanning Legally .......................................................... 6 FCC Statement .............................................................. 7 Setup.....................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS Lock Out Objects .........................................................35 Skip Transmission ........................................................36 Rename Scanlists ........................................................36 Set Priority Objects ....................................................36 Scanlists and Scan Sets ................................ 37 Searching ....................................................... 39 AF T Using Spectrum Sweeper ............................
INTRODUCTION Introduction AF T Scanning technology has changed dramatically over the years.
FEATURES Features AF T Simple keypad and display USA/Canada RadioReference database on SD Card Quick Location based Programming (City, Zip, County) Detects and masks encrypted voice audio Decodes RadioID/TalkgroupID data Upgradeable CPU Firmware, DSP Firmware and Library USB Interface Improved P25 Functionality (Phase II, X2-TDMA) PC Software to customize your settings Signal Strength Meter 200 Scanlists Weather Radio Functions Multi–system Trunking Spectrum Sweeper Headphone/speaker jack Programmable Ale
SCANNING LEGALLY Scanning Legally AF T Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different groups including police and fire departments, ambulance services, government agencies, private companies, amateur radio services, military operations, pager services, and wireline (telephone and telegraph) service providers. It is legal to listen to almost every transmission your scanner can receive. However, there are some transmissions you should never intentionally listen to.
FCC STATEMENT FCC Statement AF T This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a scanning receiver, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
CONNECTING ANTENNA Setup Antenna AF T To connect the included antenna: 1. Align the slots around the antenna’s connector with the tabs on the antenna jack. 2. Press the antenna down over the jack and turn the antenna’s base clockwise until it locks into place. You can use a variety of antennas. To connect and external antenna, follow the installation instructions supplied with the antenna. Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable.
ACCESSORIES WARNING: Outdoor antennas must be properly grounded to prevent static buildup and lightning damage. Article 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides information about proper grounding of the antenna mast, connection of coaxial cable to an lightning arrestor, size of grounding conductors, location of the lightning arrestor and connection of grounding conductors to grounding electrodes.
BATTERIES Batteries A low battery warning sounds every 30 seconds (default setting) when the batteries are low. AF T 1. Slide open the battery compartment cover. 2. Set the Battery Type Battery Type Selector: Selector • ALKA − Alkaline • NI-MH − Rechargeable Ni-MH 3. Install four AA batteries, matching the polarity symbols (+ and –). 4. Replace the cover. WARNING: Never install alkaline batteries with the Battery Type Selector switch set to NI-MH.
EXTERNAL POWER External Power Always turn the scanner off before connecting or disconnecting power sources. Use the supplied USB cable to connect the scanner to a USB power source (not included). AF T Some USB power adapters can interfere with the scanner's reception. Using an incompatible USB cable may damage your scanner. NOTE: If your vehicle’s engine is running, you might hear electrical noise from the engine while scanning. This is normal.
KEYPAD Understanding the Keypad AF T Your scanner features an easy-to understand backlit keypad. WS1080 WS1088 Turn on Scanner and Set Squelch D R Preset squelch between 10 and 12 o’clock position. While scanning, turn the knob down (counterclockwise) until you hear noise then up (clockwise) a little past where the noise stops. The higher the squelch is set, the stronger the signal required to break the squelch. Squelch Power Press and hold to turn ON/OFF. Press briefly to toggle the backlight.
SETTING BANDPLAN AND CLOCK Setting Bandplan and Clock When you first power up your scanner it will prompt you to set the bandplan, date and time. Press the or key to select the USA or Canada bandplan, then press /II/SEL. -Bandplan- USA -Bandplan- Press SEL to Set AF T Press SEL to Set Canada The scanner will then prompt you to enter the current date and time. Press the or key to select the desired digit, then press the key.
PROGRAM METHODS Program Methods AF T There are two methods to program your scanner. To get started quickly, you can use “Set Location.” The set location method stores objects in your area automatically and puts them in Scanlists 151 and higher. These Scanlists are already named, “Multi Dispatch,” “Law Tac,” “Interop” “Fire Talk,” and so forth. This method gets you scanning in minutes, but you cannot monitor a single police or a single fire department – they will all be together in the same Scanlist.
SETTING LOCATION Setting Location AF T Your scanner can select services to scan based on your location. Press MENU and scroll to “Set Location” and press the key. You can specify your location by City, County or ZIP Code. Scroll to the desired method and press the key. If you select City or County, the scanner will prompt you for your State. Use the or key to select the first letter of your State, then press the /II/ SEL key. Scroll to your state and press the key.
SETTING LOCATION You can accept a preselected set of Default Types for your location, or you can specify Custom Types (see next section). To select the Default Service Types, press the key, then the /II/SEL key to import the Default Set of Service Types for that City or County. Wait for the Import process to end, then press the /II/SEL. -ConfirmationReally do import operation? SKIP=No AF T SEL=Yes To perform additional imports, press the /II/SEL key and proceed as before.
SETTING LOCATION These Scanlists are automatically selected for Scanning. You can select or deselect Scanlists as desired through the Scanlist item on the Main Menu. NOTE: Press or MENU to return to main menu. Objects can be backed up to the first available V-Scanner folder from the Set Location menu (See V-Scanner II section for a discussion of Folders). We recommend you back up your data to guard against accidental changes or deletions.
POWER UP PASSWORD Power up Password Set a user defined power-on password to restrict access to the radio. 1. Press MENU. 2. Scroll to Set Password and press . 3. Use the arrows to set the password. AF T 4. Use the /II/SEL key to accept the updated settings, or the MENU key to exit without saving changes. D R NOTE: Power-on password can be reset by anyone using the EZ Scan software. Password provides only limited protection from immediate unauthorized use.
DISPLAY Understanding the Display Icons A row of icons at the top of the display provides status information about the scanner. These icons are defined as follows: The attenuator is set for Global mode. When present, the attenuator is active. When present, Global attenuator is on, and the attenuator is active. The radio’s squelch circuit is open. AM mode is active. FM mode is active. Narrow FM mode is active. R G A GA S AM FM NF DG The scanner is currently receiving trunking control channel data.
DISPLAY Battery status indicator External power connected P/p Priority On/Priority Off S/s Skip On/Skip Off D/d Delay On/Delay Off L/- Lock Out On/Lock Out Off EZ Scan Library AF T Your scanner comes with an installed MicroSD card that contains the entire USA/Canadian RadioReference database as well as the EZ Scan software. Note: Make a copy of the EZ Scan software files in case the SD card is lost or damaged.
EZ Scan LIBRARY • If you use MicroSD cards larger than 2GB, format using FAT32 with 32k clusters. • Formatting the MicroSD card for other file system types may cause EZ Scan to malfunction. AF T Connecting the scanner to a computer with the supplied USB cable allows you to access the card with the EZ Scan software and update the Library, edit the configuration and stored objects, optimize the card, and reformat the card if necessary.
INSTALLING EZ Scan SOFTWARE Installing EZ Scan Software A method for programming a new scanner is using the supplied USB cable and the included software. Also www. RadioReference.com provides a range of resources to help improve your overall scanning experience.
MANUAL PROGRAMMING Manual Programming - From Library 9. R 10. From the Main Menu, select Browse Library. Select country. Select first letter of State/Province. Select State/Province. Select Counties/Cites. Select first letter of County. Select County. Select Data Type NOTE: Police/Fire and Emergency services will be in “Categories” for smaller towns, “Systems” for larger ones. Select desired agency, category or system available for the county. Select desired subcategory.
LIBRARY STRUCTURE Manual Programming - Enter Conventional Frequency AF T 1. Press Menu to access Main Menu. 2. Select “Enter Conv Freq”. 3. Simply write over the existing frequency or press “SKIP” to clear. Using the , buttons enter the desired conventional frequency. Press SEL when finished. 4. Scroll to “Save Changes” then press SEL. 5. Current Scan list and Object information is displayed in the Browser screen. Press Menu to change settings such as to change the Scan list, Tag info etc. 6.
EDITING OBJECTS MANUALLY Editing Objects Manually From the main menu, select Browse Objects, browse to an object and press Menu. Note: Not all options are available on all objects. The object name. Press or to move the cursor; press orto change the value. Set Scanlists Changes the objects Scanlists.
EDITING OBJECTS MANUALLY An alarm sounds when activity is found for a frequency or talkgroup. Press or to select an alarm sound. Light Press or to select the desired light options: Leave – use default backlight settings On – turn the backlight on Flash – flash according to the set flash pattern Flash Pattern A light pattern used to identify the channel. On Time / Off Time The backlight duration for each flash pattern step. (10 millisecond increments. 50 = 500 milliseconds = .5 seconds).
ALERT LED SETTINGS Alert LED Settings The Alert LED has been enhanced. These enhancements provide powerful new capabilities for customizing the Alert LED, giving you even more flexibility to show unique colors and flash patterns when transmissions are received on important talkgroups and channels. The following program charts are examples of how the Alert LED can be configured to produce unique and noticeable effects and colors. Press Menu. Select Browse Objects. Use the or to select a Scanlist.
ALERT LED SETTINGS On Solid - Single Color n/a n/a n/a Checked Unchecked 1 FF0000 (red) n/a n/a n/a AF T Flash Pattern On Time Off Time LED Enable LED Flash Color Count Color 1 Color 2 Color 3 Color 4 These settings will illuminate the LED with a single color, solid, no flashing when the Object is receiving traffic.
ALERT LED SETTINGS Highway Department 1 - Strobe Effect A8A8A8A8 5 9 Checked Checked 1 FFFF00 (yellow) n/a n/a n/a AF T Flash Pattern On Time Off Time LED Enable LED Flash Color Count Color 1 Color 2 Color 3 Color 4 These settings produce a rapid yellow pulsing strobe effect.
ALERT LED SETTINGS Police Department 2 - Strobe Effect AAAAAAAA 5 9 Checked Checked 1 0000FF (blue) n/a n/a n/a AF T Flash Pattern On Time Off Time LED Enable LED Flash Color Count Color 1 Color 2 Color 3 Color 4 The settings produce a rapid blue continuous strobe effect.
ALERT LED SETTINGS Fire/EMS 2 - Strobe Effect AAAAAAAA 5 9 Checked Checked 2 0000FF (blue) FF0000 (red) n/a n/a AF T Flash Pattern On Time Off Time LED Enable LED Flash Color Count Color 1 Color 2 Color 3 Color 4 These settings produce a rapid red/white strobe effect.
RECORDING AND PLAYBACK Recording and Playback AF T Your scanner features a powerful audio recording system that captures transmissions that occur on selected Objects to the MicroSD card using the high quality, industry standard .AU audio file format. For example, a 2GB MicroSD card with a very large scanning configuration (e.g.
RECORDING AND PLAYBACK When the MicroSD card is almost full, the F icon will appear in the display to indicate that recording is suspended. Delete or archive old audio files to make room for new recordings. To playback recorded audio files: R AF T 1. From the Main Menu, select Playback to enter the Playback System. 2. The Playback System will place you at the last audio file that was recorded by the radio.
USING THE IF OUTPUT Using the IF Output Your scanner can provide its IF/discriminator output signal to the headphone jack. The IF/discriminator output is unsquelched and unfiltered, making it ideal for third party signal analysis and decoding software and hardware. To activate IF Output mode: 1. Press Menu. AF T 2. Scroll to the Settings menu. Press to continue. 3. Scroll past the Expert section to the IF Out setting. 4.
SCANNING Scanning Monitoring and Scanning AF T When programmed, your scanner provides two basic functions for scanning radio transmissions: • Monitoring – Listening to a single object. • Scanning – Checking multiple saved objects, stopping when a transmission is detected. To scan more quickly, you can skip or lock out frequencies that you do not wish to scan. A skipped frequency is ignored during the current scan; a locked out frequency is ignored for all scans unless it is unlocked.
SCANNING 3. Select Locked Out and press . A checkmark ( ) indicates Lockout is selected. A square ( ) indicates Lockout is disabled. An uppercase L in the display indicates a locked out frequency. NOTE: The SKIP button can be programmed in the Settings Menu (first option under the Expert section) to perform the Lockout function. AF T To skip transmissions while scanning: 1. Wait for scanner to stop on the transmission and press SKIP. An uppercase S in the display indicates a skipped object. 2.
SCANLISTS and SCAN SETS Scanlists and Scan Sets Scan Sets are an exciting new feature with the WS1080 / WS1088. There are 20 Scan Sets that work in conjunction with Scanlists to provide additional scan object selection capability and flexibility. Each Scan Set contains a list of all 200 normal Scanlists plus the special Skywarn Scanlist.
SCANLISTS and SCAN SETS Scanlists and Scan Sets In the Main Menu’s Scan Sets function, scroll to a Scan Set that you wish to configure. Note that you can give the Scan Set a meaningful name by pressing the key, then following the onscreen instructions to change the Scan Set name. Press the SEL key to save your changes. AF T Press the MENU key to configure the Scan Set members.
SEARCHING Searching AF T You can locate active frequencies quickly and easily using one of the Scanner’s three convenient frequency search modes: • Spectrum Sweeper – sweeps rapidly through frequency ranges in 1 MHz blocks. • Service Search – searches through frequencies used by the following radio services: Public Safety, Aircraft, Railroad, Amateur, CB, Marine, and FRS/ GMRS/MURS. This is a good way to find activity on local frequencies.
SEARCHING To perform a Limit Search: 1. In the main menu, select Search, and press to enter to the search menu 2. Select Limit Search, and press . The search begins immediately. 3. To change the search range, press MENU. 4. Scroll to Lo and press . AF T 5. Press or to move the cursor; press or to change the value. 6. Press SEL to save the new value and return to the search menu. 7. Scroll to Hi and press . 8. Press or to move the cursor; press or to change the value. R 9.
SEARCH SETTINGS Search Settings To change search settings, press MENU while the search is active. Spectrum Sweeper Settings AF T • Atten – Attenuation. On or Off. • Zeromatic – On or off. • Delay – How long scanner waits after a transmission before resuming. • Special Mode – Skips 1 MHz block where you have skipped five or more frequencies. Special Mode is useful when you are close to many high-power transmitters that are close together in frequency.
SAVING FOUND CODES Saving Found CTCSS or DCS Codes When importing objects from the Library, squelch code (CTCSS or DCS subaudible) is automatically imported. If this information is missing, your scanner can quickly identify these codes during a search, if present. AF T When a conventional channel includes a CTCSS or DCS code, the code appears on the bottom line of the display, followed by an “ ”, which indicates a valid CTCSS or DCS code: CTCSS 127.3 To save the found code with the channel: 1.
WEATHER MONITORING Weather Monitoring A weather alert tone includes a digitally-encoded SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) signal, FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) code, and an event code. Before you can use SAME Standby Mode, you must program at least one FIPS code. AF T To receive severe weather broadcasts while scanning other channels, set your local NOAA channel as the Weather Priority channel. To program FIPS Codes: 1. Look up your local FIPS code(s) (located at: www.NWS.NOAA.
SKYWARN To activate SAME Standby Mode: 1. Press , and then press or to select a NOAA channel. 2. Press SKIP to enter Standby Mode. The speaker silences and SKIP = Normal appears at the bottom of the screen. 3. To return to Normal Weather Mode, press SKIP again. AF T To activate Weather Priority: 1. Press to begin scanning for weather frequencies. When scanner stops on the strongest NOAA channel, press MENU. 2. Select Priority and press or to select the channel. R 3.
V-SCANNER STORAGE Configuring Using V-Scanner Storage AF T V-Scanner II Storage System The WS1080 / WS1088 V-Scanner II (VS-II) system provides you with a way to store multiple configurations on your scanner. VS-II configurations are created, managed and copied to the SD Card using the EZ Scan software. R You can load stored VS-II configurations by selecting the V-Scanner option from the Main Menu, then scrolling to the desired VS-II configuration using the or keys.
CONFIGURATION SETTING Configuration Settings (EZ Scan) To access configuration settings, select Settings from the main menu, and press . • • • D R • • • • • • • • Default Vals – Restores default settings. Simple Display – Limits displayed information. Default SL – Sets the default Scanlist. Priority Mode – Enables Priority mode. Priority Time – Time between priority scans. Enable Record – Turns on the record feature. Search Record – when active unit records transmissions found while searching.
CONFIGURATION SETTING D R AF T • Blink Time 1-2 – Controls the amount of time each item is displayed. • Show Radio ID – Displays the Radio ID for trunked systems, if available. Tag Only. • Use RID Alert – Controls alert for Radio ID transmissions. • Show VC/CC – Displays voice and control channel. Simple Display must be unchecked. Show Radio ID will override if available. • Show TGID – Displays talkgroup ID. Simple Display must be unchecked.
CONFIGURATION SETTING D R AF T • BandPlan – Selects USA or Canada. • FlexStep - Permits using Split channel frequency. • EncMode – For encrypted voice calls: Noise, Silent, or Tone. • EncLevel – Sets the encrypted call tone level. • IF Out –Routes the IF Discriminator signal to the headphone jack. • DSPLevelAdapt – Controls how fast the DSP adjusts to varying P25 levels (default: 64). Higher values = faster rates. • ADC Gain – Controls input signal to CODEC (default: +0dB).
UPDATING EZ Scan SOFTWARE Using EZ Scan Software to update the Scanner 1. Turn off the Scanner. Disconnect the USB cable from the scanner, but keep the USB cable connected to your computer. 2. While pressing the Menu key, connect the USB cable to the Scanner. The current boot and CPU versions appear on the display, followed by the CPU SW Upgrade prompt. AF T NOTE: To exit this mode without updating press MENU again. 3. Select Check for CPU Firmware Updates in the update menu. 4.
UPDATING LIBRARY Updating the Library (PC) To update the PC library: 1. On the Library Import Tab, click the Update Channels button. A second Import screen appears. 2. Click the Update Channels button. The library will be updated to the latest version. AF T NOTE: The procedure to update the RadioReference library requires an internet connection. Updating the Library (EZ Scan) To update the EZ Scan library: In the Main Menu, select Update from Lib and press .
MAINTENANCE Maintenance 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. AF T 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.
LIBRARY COPYRIGHT NOTICE Library Copyright Notice The data contained in EZ Scan’s library is provided by special arrangement with RadioReference and is Copyright ©2014 RadioReference.com, LLC who retains sole ownership of the database. We ask that you respect this copyright by adhering to the following guidelines: AF T The library data is intended for your personal use only in conjunction with programming and using your EZ Scan. As such, RadioReference.
SPECIFICATIONS Specifications D R AF T Receiving modes ........................................... .AM, FM, FM-MOT (Motorola), LTR (EF Johnson), CTCSS, DCS, ..........................NAC on P25, EDACS wide/narrow (GE/Ericsson/HARRIS), P25-Phase I, X2-TDMA, P25-Phase II Receiving system .................................Triple conversion PLL super heterodyne WX frequencies ...................... 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, . 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 MHz Display...................................
FREQUENCY COVERAGE Frequency Coverage D R AF T 25.000-26.960 MHz ......................................... (in 10 kHz steps/AM) 26.965-27.405 MHz ......................................... (in 10 kHz steps/AM) 27.410-29.505 MHz ............................................ (in 5 kHz steps/AM) 29.510-29.700 MHz ............................................ (in 5 kHz steps/FM) 29.710-49.830 MHz .......................................... (in 10 kHz steps/FM) 49.835-54.000 MHz .................................
WARRANTY Consumer Warranty AF T This Whistler product is warranted to the original purchaser for a period of one (1) year from the date of original purchase against all defects in materials and workmanship, when purchased from an authorized Whistler retailer. This limited warranty is void if the unit is abused, misused, modified, installed improperly, or if the housing and/or serial numbers have been removed.
WARRANTY 1. Ship the unit in the original carton or in a suitable sturdy equivalent, fully insured, with return receipt requested to: Whistler Repair Dept. 1412 South 1st St. Rogers, AR. 72756 Please allow 3 weeks turnaround time. AF T IMPORTANT: Whistler will not assume responsibility for loss or damage incurred in shipping. Therefore, please ship your unit insured with return receipt requested. CODs will not be accepted! 2.
WARRANTY Service Out Of Warranty Units will be repaired at “out of warranty” service rates when: • The unit’s original warranty has expired. • A dated proof of purchase is not supplied. • The unit has been returned without its serial number. • The unit has been misused, abused, modified, installed improperly, or had its housing removed. AF T The minimum out of warranty service fee for your Whistler Scanner is $120.00 (U.S.).
AF T R D CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 1716 SW Commerce Dr. Ste. 8 PO Box 1760 Bentonville, AR 72712 Toll Free (800) 531-0004 TEL (479) 273-6012 FX (479) 273-2927 www.whistlergroup.com CUSTOMER RETURN CENTER 1412 South 1st St. Rogers, AR 72756 Customer Service Tel (866) 923-8719 Email: info@whistlergroup.com For US Patent info visit: www.whistlergroup.com/pat P/N 581004a 07Q14 ©2014 The Whistler Group, Inc.
