SCR-54 AM/FM Stereo 140-0745 Operation

SCR-54  (140-0745)               Operation             Faxback Doc. # 9914

USING HEADPHONES

You can listen to a radio program or a cassette tape, or monitor
recordings with headphones (not supplied).  The headphones must have a
1/8-inch plug.  Your local Radio Shack store sells a wide selection of
headphones.

1.  Set VOLUME to its lowest level.

2.  Insert the headphones' 1/8-inch plug into the recorder's PHONES 
    jack.

3.  Play the radio or a cassette tape or begin recording.

4.  Adjust the volume to the desired level.

LISTENING SAFELY

Do not listen at extremely high volume levels.  Extended, high volume
listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.  Follow these guidelines to
protect your hearing, especially when you are using headphones.

    Always start by setting the volume to the lowest level possible before
    you begin listening.  Put the headphones on, then gradually increase
    the volume as necessary.

    Once you set the volume, do not increase it.  Over a period of time,
    your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not
    cause discomfort might still damage your hearing.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

Do not wear headphones while operating a motor vehicle or riding a
bicycle.  This can create a traffic hazard and is illegal in some areas.

Even though some headphones are designed to let you hear some outside
sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still present a
traffic hazard.

USING THE THREE BAND FREQUENCY EQUALIZER

You can use the three band frequency equalizer to customize the sound
of your SCR-54.  Each of the three controls lets you adjust the volume for
a specific frequency range.  Slide the control up to boost, or down to
reduce the level in the indicated frequency range.  If you set the control
to the center position (0 dB), the frequency range is unaltered.

100 Hz - Adjusts the frequencies in the low range (low organ notes and
         bass drums).

 1 kHz - Adjusts the range of frequencies where the ear is most sensitive
         (vocals).

10 kHz - Adjusts high-frequency sounds (cymbals, flutes, and violins).

RADIO OPERATION

Warning:  To protect your hearing, set VOLUME to its lowest setting before
          you turn on the radio.

Follow these steps to use the radio.

1.  Set TAPE/AM/FM/FM STEREO to AM, FM, or FM STEREO to turn on the radio
    and select your desired band.

2.  Rotate TUNING to the desired station.

Notes:  The SCR-54 has two antennas.  The AM antenna is built-in.  Rotate
        the recorder to improve AM reception.  For FM reception, fully
        extend the telescoping antenna and adjust it to the position that
        provides the best reception.

        To improve reception for weak FM radio stations, set AM/FM/FM
        STEREO to FM.  The sound changes from stereo to monaural (mono),
        but the sound quality improves.

3.  Set VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.

4.  Set E-BASS to IN to emphasize bass sound.  Set it to OUT for normal
    bass sound.

5.  Set STEREO WIDE to IN to enhance the stereo separation, especially for
    large listening areas.  Set STEREO WIDE to OUT for normal stereo
    sound.

6.  Adjust BALANCE for the best speaker output levels.

7.  Adjust the equalizer as desired.  (see "Using the Three Band
    Frequency Equalizer").

8.  To turn off the radio, set TAPE/AM/FM/FM STEREO to TAPE.

CASSETTE PLAYER OPERATION

LOADING A CASSETTE TAPE

Note:  Before loading a cassette tape, use your finger or a pencil to turn
       the cassette's hub and take up any tape slack.  Do not touch the
       tape with your fingers.

1.  Press STOP-EJECT to open the cassette compartment door.

2.  Load the cassette into the guides on the door so its open edge
    faces up and the desired tape side faces you.

Note:  Be sure the cassette's full reel is on the right.  If necessary
       press REWIND to rewind the tape.  Press STOP-EJECT when the deck
       completely rewinds the tape.

3.  Close the compartment door.

PLAYING A CASSETTE TAPE

Warning:  To protect your hearing, set VOLUME to its lowest level before
          you begin playing a tape.

1.  Load a cassette tape into Tape 1 or Tape 2.

2.  Set TAPE/AM/FM/FM STEREO to TAPE.

3.  Set MODE on Tape 1 as follows:

    For one-time play, press MODE so the button locks down.  When the tape
    reaches the end of the first side, the tape direction reverses and
    play continues on the second side.  At the end of the second side,
    play automatically stops.

    For continuous play, press MODE so the button releases.  Each time
    the tape direction reverses and play continues on the other side. 
    Play continues until you press STOP-EJECT.

4.  Press PLAY.

5.  Set VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.

6.  Set E-BASS to IN to enhances the bass sound.  Set it to OUT for normal
    bass sound.

7.  Set STEREO WIDE to IN to enhance the stereo separation, especially for
    large listening areas.  Set STEREO WIDE to OUT for normal stereo
    sound.

8.  Adjust BALANCE for the best speaker output levels.

9.  Adjust the equalizer as desired (see "Using the three Band Frequency
    Equalizer").

Notes:  Press << or >> to fast-forward or rewind the tape to the desired
        location.

        Press DIRECTION to reverse the Tape 1 tape's direction and play
        the other side.  The tape direction indicator shows the current
        tape directions.

        Press PAUSE to temporarily stop play on Tape 2.  Press PAUSE again
        to resume play.

10.  Press STOP-EJECT to stop the tape.  Press STOP-EJECT again to open
     the cassette compartment, then remove the cassette tape.

CONSECUTIVE PLAY

Follow these steps to play both sides of the cassette in Tape 1 and the
first side of the cassette in Tape 2.

1.  Load cassette tapes in both cassette decks.

2.  Press MODE so the button locks down.

    Note:  If you press MODE so the button releases, the cassette tape in
           Tape 1 plays continuously.

3.  Press PLAY on Tape 1.

4.  Press PAUSE, then PLAY on Tape 2.

When Side 2 of the tape in Tape 1 reaches the end, PAUSE on Tape 2
releases and Tape 2's cassette tape plays one side to the end and stops.

RECORDING A CASSETTE TAPE

You can use the built-in microphone to make a live recording or record
from the built-in radio.

Notes:  Tape quality greatly affects the quality of the recording.  We
        recommend SuperTape Extended-range or Low Noise Type 1 tape.  Do
        not use C-120 cassettes; their tape is extremely thin and tangles
        easily.

        The recorder's Automatic Level Control (ALC) automatically adjusts
        the recording level.  Adjusting VOLUME does not affect the sound
        on the recording.

        Before you record, be sure the tape's erase-protection tabs are in
        place.  After you record, you can remove the tape's erase-
        protection tabs to prevent accidental erasure of the recording.
        For more information, see "Preventing Accidental Erasure."

        Before you load the cassette tape, turn the cassette's hub with
        your finger or a pencil to position the tape past the leader.

        To temporarily stop recording, press PAUSE.  Press PAUSE to resume
        recording.

        When the tape reaches the end, it automatically stops.  PLAY and
        RECORD release.

        For better sound at the beginning of a recording, first press
        PAUSE then press RECORD.  Press PAUSE again to begin recording.

Making Live Recordings

Follow these steps to make a live recording.

1.  Load the cassette tape you want to record on in Tape 2.

2.  Set TAPE/AM/FM/FM STEREO to TAPE.

3.  Press RECORD to begin recording.  Both PLAY and RECORD lock down.  The
    tape deck records any sound in the room.

Caution:  Do not force down RECORD.  If RECORD does not easily press down,
          be sure the cassette tape's erase-protection tabs are in place.
          See "Preventing Accidental Erasure."

4.  To stop recording, press STOP-EJECT.

Recording From the Built-In Radio

1.  Set TAPE/AM/FM/FM STEREO to AM, FM, or FM STEREO to turn on the radio
    and select your desired radio band.

    Note:  To eliminate the hum or whistling sound heard while recording
           AM broadcasts, set BEAT CUT to 1 or 2, depending on which
           setting sounds the best.

2.  Rotate TUNING to your desired station.

3.  Load the cassette tape you want to record on in Tape 2.

4.  Press RECORD to begin recording.  Both PLAY and RECORD lock down.

5.  To stop recording, press STOP-EJECT.

DUBBING CASSETTE TAPES

You can dub (copy) from one cassette tape to another.  Follow these steps
to dub a cassette tape.

1.  Load the cassette tape you want to record on in Tape 2 and the pre-
    recorded tape you want to copy in Tape 1.

2.  Set DUBBING switch to NORMAL or HIGH SPEED DUBBING.

3.   Set TAPE/AM/FM/FM STEREO to TAPE.

4.  Press PAUSE, then RECORD  on Tape 2.

5.  Press PLAY on Tape 1 to begin dubbing.  Tape 1 begins playback and
    Tape 2 automatically releases PAUSE and begin recording.

6.  To stop dubbing, press STOP-EJECT on Tape 2.  To stop playback of Tape
    1, press STOP-EJECT on Tape 1.

(LB/all-03/01/95)