WROJ674

You could try pressing the 'Scan' button on your radio (usually labeled as 'SCAN' or a similar indicator) to halt the scanning. If that doesn't work, you might need to hold down the button for a few seconds. Additionally, some radio devices allow you to stop the scanning by pressing the PTT (Push-To-Talk) button on the radio again.

It's indeed widely mentioned by many online resources and radio enthusiasts that transmitting without an antenna can cause damage to your radio, applicable to various types of radios including CB, GMRS, and Ham radio. The primary function of the antenna is to radiate the radio frequency (RF) energy generated by the transmitter into the atmosphere. Without an antenna, this energy has nowhere to go and may reflect back into the radio, leading to overheating or damage to the transmitter circuits. Regarding the qualifiers you mentioned, there indeed are discussions. For instance, some people might point out that older radio equipment may be more susceptible to the effects of transmitting without an antenna as they might lack some protective features found in modern radios. Additionally, some might mention that the damage may not occur immediately, but the risk of damage increases if transmitting without an antenna is done for extended periods or repeatedly. To protect your radio equipment, it's always advisable to ensure that an appropriate antenna is connected before transmitting.