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Publisher/Editor; H. D. Cheek, Sr. aka 'Dr. Riqornortis' V1N1 : January, 1991

Rev-f: 7-zs-?/

THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT
A Journal of VHF-UHF Scanner Technology t Engineering

INTRODUCING THE MORLD SCAMMER REPORT

Helcome to the first of what I hope will be a long history of
technical publications dedicated to scanners and scanning. All
indications are that this will be. The scanner market is growing
at an exponential rate in many world markets. Scanner technology
has literally shot through the roof since 1986 with the entry of
the Realistic™ PRO-2884 and more recently, the PRO-2085 and
PRO-2806. Scanners from AOR, distributed by ACE Coaaunications,
including the AR-3008, AR-2515 and the AR-1088, are right on the
leading edge of technology. Uniden/Bearcat/Regency seems to lag a
little, but their MR-8188 and BC-288/285XLT are top notch.

Then there are ICOM's R-9838, R-7808, R-l and R-180; Kenwood's
R2-1; Sony's ICF-PR088; and Yaesu's FRG-9600, none of which truly
belong in what I call the "scanner class" but I won't discriminate
here! A number of potentially great scanners circulate around the
European scene that haven't yet come to the USA. These include
Yupiteru (Jupiter), Fairmate and Black Jaguar, all of which sport
some interesting features and high technology.

The Hobby Radio scene has experienced an explosive growth of high
technology, but we hobbyists are always at the mercy of what the
sfgrs offer. This wasn't so bad some years ago when there wasn't
much to offer and when the market demanded very little in the way
of sophistication and performance. Today, the technology lies
within our grasp, thanks to Large Scale Integration (LSI) and
digital techniques. But the manufacturers give us only a fraction
of that technology so far! In some scanners, a greater technology
already exists, lightly buried, just waiting to be exploited,
probed and liberated; yes, freed. In these and other scanners,
the addition of a few parts or a small circuit can liberate or
augment a deeper layer of that technology.

Of course, we will graciously accept what the afgrs offer us; but
then we'll roll up our sleeves; heat up the soldering irons and
get down to liberating or adding to that technology. Thanks to a
non-critical, hobbyist oriented digital technology and thanks to a
highly developed RF/analog technology, we can jog down to the
corner Radio Shack store for $10 worth of parts and by nightfall,
have added $188-$208 to the intrinsic value of a scanner! He will
do for ourselves at a reasonable cost what maybe the mfgrs cannot
yet do. The 'MOULD SCAMMER REPORT " will work to place that high
technology in your hands so that you can be free to explore the
exciting world of radio communications to the fullest extent.

COLUMNISTS, AUTHORS & READER FEEDBACK WANTED

The 'MORLD SCAMMER REPORT ' actively seeks monthly columnists,
occasional contributors and Reader Comments/Questions. Monthly
columnists may qualify for free subscriptions. Other perks and
benefits may be available to enhance the columnist's career and/or
hobby interests. Inquire if you're interested in an adventure!

The 'MORLD SCAMMER REPORT ' welcomes and encourages YOU to
participate in its production. I do not pretend to be the sole
authority or expert on the latest technology. One of my strong
suits is that of "facilitator" or "conveyor" of information. My
38+ years of engineering experience counts for a lot, but there
are RF fc digital "gurus" out there who could make me look more
like a laborer than an engineer, and I am not kidding! This is to
say that YOUR input is needed, be it a mere question or the plans
for an exciting new modification. Questions generate answers, you
see, and answers are what we all want. Your questions force me to
look up the answers and HE BOTH learn something as a result. If
you have anything to contribute, however slight, be it a question
or a series of technical articles, please feel invited to write.
All Reader Input will be respected and seriously considered!
Questions may be answered here in the 'MORLD SCAMMER REPORT' or by
return sail. See below.

IF YOU HANT A PERSONAL REPLY to a question or problem, you MUST
include a self-addressed, stamped , business-sized envelope AND one
loose, extra postage stamp (SASE+1) with your inquiry. Expense of
reply is prohibitive without this cost-defrayal courtesy.
Business inquiries are exempt from this mandate, but an extra
stamp or two will always be appreciated. I would like to answer
most questions here in the ' MSR ' to economize on time consuming
personal replies and to make the answers available to others, as
well. He're not like the larger, slick magazines where there's a
three month delay. At the most, we'll be maybe a month behind,
and usually less than that! Deadlines for publication are
flexible and are 1-2 weeks before the 1st of each month.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION : The 'MORLD SCAMMER REPORT ' is a publication
of my business, COMMtronics Engineering. I am fortunate that my
business is also my pleasure. The 'MORLD SCAMMER REPORT ' is an
expression of my hobby pursuits, but it mingles with business
interests to an extent that cannot be helped. Time was when I
went overboard to keep pleasure from mixing with business. Talk
about the Impossible Dream! Older and smarter now, I'm just
letting you know the score so you can judge for yourself the
merits or demerits of what I am doing here.

I will always give you as many sides of an issue, project or topic
so that you can sake an intelligent decision on how to proceed. I
will not parcel out spoonfuls of information for the purpose of
creating business opportunities. You will receive ALL and as MUCH
detailed information as can be given within the space available.
If you judge a matter to be beyond your capability and want me to
handle it for you, perhaps that can be arranged. On the other
hand, the information given will be good enough for most hobbyists
to take the ball and run to success! In cases where you aren't
successful with a venture, I am always available by mail for
consultation to guide you out of trouble. The cost is a SASE and
one extra first class postage stamp. That is one way how I will
honor my commitment to YOU and to Hobby Radio. Conflicts of
interest will be managed and kept to a minimum, accordingly.

(Please turn to Page 7)

FEATURE PRESENTATION

SUBSIDIARY CARRIER AUTHORIZATION (SCA) FOR THE PRO-2004/2005/20B6
& OTHER SCANNERS WITH 88-108 MHZ It HOST FM BROADCAST RECEIVERS

SCA: FM-BRQADCAST PROGRAMMING YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE !!

CAVEATi Intercepting SCA prograas without prior authorization is
forbidden by the Electronic Conunications Privacy Act (ECPA) of
1986, You could be subject to criminal or civil prosecution !

Virtually ignored by the consumer press, by the high fidelity and
stereo industry, and by FM listeners in general, is a special
medium of broadcast communications which is available in alaost
all areas of North Aaerica. FM subcarrier broadcasting was first
deaonstrated in 1953 by its inventor, the late Major Edwin H.
Armstrong. Multiplexing of sore than one program on a carrier was
authorized to begin in the United States by the FCC in 1955. Long
eclipsed in the public eye by FM stereo, another multiplexing
developaent, SCA-FM has subsequently becoae the domain of special
interest groups and commercial ventures.

FM-SCA monitoring, however, has enjoyed a steady growth in the
last 38 years, thanks to a host of published articles that showed
how to assemble FM subcarrier adapter kits and thanks to the
companies that supply the kits, components and radios to make SCA
monitoring possible. There is a muddled distinction between
FM-SCA and FM stereo, both of which are transmitted simultaneously
on one frequency from the same FM station. FM-Stereo and FM-SCA
are both “multiplexed 8 transmissions and both can be detected by
unsophisticated equipment. It's just that an FM receiver needs a
little "extra" before it can detect SCA.

Not all FM stations sake use of subcarriers to supplement their
regular programming, but most do because of the profitable things
that can be done with this interesting medium. SCA can be
received as clearly and reliably in the local service area as the
regular FM signal, and up to four "channels 8 of information or
programming can be broadcast on one frequency! The two most
common subcarrier frequencies are 67 kHz (the original one), and
92 kHz, a newer authorized subcarrier. One FM station can send
out three programs and a data track simultaneously: a stereo
program to its regular audience and two separate music or voice
programs on SCA, such as a radio reading service for the blind at
67 kHz and foreground music at 92 kHz. A third subcarrier
channel, 57 kHz, is used exclusively for data which can include
digital highway condition alerts and digital paging. By the way,
the term B SCA M is also known as 8 SCS B , Subcarrier Communications
Service. Either abbreviation, SCS or SCA, means the same thing.
Canada has a similar service called SCMO.

SCS is a monaural signal with a bandwidth up to 7800 Hz, or
somewhat better than the very best AM stations. It is a multiplex
technology which is "readily available 8 oyer the public broadcast
spectrum. Tuning in an SCA transmission is no more complex or
sinister than operating a scanner, radar detector, FM stereo, or
color television. FM-SCA, however, is not intended for public
reception, and conventional FM detection methods will not work.
This is precisely why the “pay as you listen 8 concept of SCA
works. The conceptual intent is to provide a paid subscription
service similar to cable TV. Each FM station that offers SCA

programming rents out to its customers a special receiver that is
tuned ONLY to their frequency. When the ECFA of 1986 was being
concocted, the FM Broadcast Industry jumped on the bandwagon to
have SCA brought under protection of the Act. Apparently their
lobby was stronger and better funded than the Satellite TV
Industry's because today it's still perfectly legal to operate a
satellite dish antenna in your back yard to receive non-scrambled
network transmissions. It's still legal to copy API and UPI
teletype and other copyrighted transmissions over the HF bands.
But it is illegal to intercept SCA broadcasts, even though the
technology required to do so is much less complex than either
teletype or satellite!

The power of money never ceases to amaze me. But it is that very
power which results in laws against the monitoring of certain
radio waves that pass across your property, into and through your
home and body. Yet, other radio waves can be legally monitored
anytime. The premise of industrial and congressional wisdom,
apparently, is that certain radio waves are not "intended 8 to
carry communications for the general public; others are ok.
Hafiia. Why, then, are there not laws forbidding the eavesdropping
on two persons engaged in a whispering conversation? Obviously,
THOSE communications are not “intended 8 for the general public,
either. But then those two people don't haye the money that an
entire industry has, huh?

Apparently it is not illegal to own radio equipment that can
intercept SCA transmissions incidental to the main purpose of the
receiver. There could be some potential legal jeopardy, however,
if your radio was designed solely for reception of subcarriers.
The bottom line is that without an adaptor or the special SCS
receiver that the industry wants to rent out,' you cannot legally
detect any but the normal programming. You can, however, make
monitoring of SCA transmissions PERFECTLY LESAL by obtaining from
your local broadcaster(s) a letter of permission authorizing your
tuning of their subcarriers for noncommercial, hobby purposes.
Whether or not you will actually receive such permission is not
predictable, but it is said to have happened.

If the interesting world of SCA appeals to you, there is a readily
available, simple, low technology method of modifying your
PRO-2004/5/6 or other scanner with FM Broadcast capability and/or
regular FM Broadcast receivers to detect the SCA signals. To make
the method legal, first draft a letter to each FM Broadcast
station owner/aanager in your area. Explain that you are a radio
hobbyist and that you are interested in modifying your police
scanner to detect the subcarrier (s) of their station. Go on to
explain that if they permit you to listen to their subcarriers,
that you will not under any circumstance record or disseminate the
program material and that the interception will be solely for your
hobby use. Then explicitly ask for their permission to do this.
If and when that permission is granted, you can proceed with a
clear conscience.

SCA 's programming has considerably broadened since 1977, when the
majority of the medium was used for background music in elevators,
stores and dentist's offices. Now, radio reading services to the
blind are found in most metropolitan areas, usually on the
subcarriers of public broadcast stations (PBS). Ethnic
programming has entered major markets on either the 67 or 92 kHz

VIM - Page 2

REV-1 : 7-28-91

subcarrier. Foreground or light rock music predominates on 92
kHz, while many stations have an easy-listening SCA at 67 kHz.
With the demise of easy-listening from many FM stations, SCA may
be the only way to hear that format in some areas. In certain
regions of the country, religious programs, medical news, sports
news and special events are broadcast on the subcarriers.

You may have to use some ingenuity to receive SCA . It could be
well worth the effort to familiarize yourself with this
entertainment medium and a cost effective way to do it is with an
FM-SCS adapter kit fitted to your PRO-2004/5/6 or other scanner
with the FH Broadcast band. Installation of an SCS Adaptor into a
scanner with FH Broadcast capability not a complicated procedure
and does not require much technical expertise. The rest of this
section will highlight the minimal effort required to install SCA
in your scanner and a source to inquire about an inexpensive SCA
Adaptor Kit.

SCA FOR THE PRO-2004. PRO-2005 AND PRO-2006

After receiving permission to detect SCA signals from the
applicable FH Broadcasters, you should contact the following
company for information about SCA Adaptor kits that will work in
your scanner:

FH ATLAS - Publishing 6 Electronics
PO Box 336; Esko, HN 55733-0336

The above company offers two different easy to assemble and
install SCA Adaptor kits, the ELF-1A and the ELF-II. The best
tonal quality is available from the ELF-1A, but unfortunately, it
allows detection of only one of the three possible subcarriers,
and you have to specify which. The ELF-II has a special tuning
control that allows tuning of all subcarriers, so for the scanning
hobbyist, this is probably the best way to go. The slightly
degraded tone quality of the ELF-II is probably not noticeable in
a scanner anyway, like it could be in a high fidelity stereo.

The ELF-II SCA Adaptor kit comes complete with an etched 4 drilled
printed circuit board about an inch or so square; a 14-pin IC and
about a dozen resistors and capacitors. The kit does not include
an IC socket so I suggest you add a 14-pin DIP socket to the kit.
Radio Shack offers a couple from which to choose. The ELF-II kit
is easily assembled within a half hour or so and special
techniques are not necessary. The assembly instructions are
adequate, especially if you lay everything out and study things
first. The kit comes with a trimmer potentiometer that is
supposed to be installed on the circuit board, but it is highly
suggested that you leave it out and instead install a comparable
value ’volume control' pot mounted somewhere on the exterior of
your scanner so you can easily tune in the different subcarriers.
Host any 25k-50k pot will do.

The ELF-II Board is best installed inside the scanner away from
the power transformer and the speaker where it could pick up some
hum and interference. Otherwise, location and positioning are not
critical. The ELF-II board has four wires or external
connections: +8v ; ground; SCA-In; and SCA-Out. A DPDT switch
(toggle or slide) with five wires is required to complete the
project, so that you can switch between regular FH programming and

SCA as desired. The switch and the three-wire tuning control are
the only necessary external controls.

INSTALLATION OF THE SCA ADAPTOR

See Figure 1, Installation Diagram For Connection of the ELF-II To
The PRO-2004 and PRO-2005/2006.

PRO-2004

This procedure deviates from the instructions for the PRO-2004
that come with the ELF-11. Hount the ELF-II Board anywhere that’s
convenient and out of the way. Remember, you’ll be making lots of
modifications, and you don’t want to use up valuable ‘real estate’
without a plan. You’ll want to install a DPDT switch and a
25k-50k potentiometer somewhere, probably on the rear case of the
scanner. The SCA-IN tap in the PRO-2004 is at IC-4, Pin 2. Just
solder the wire from SCA-IN directly to Pin 2 of IC-4. Cut the
RED wire at CN-4 and wire the two cut ends to the SCA Switch as
shown in Fig-1. Wire the SCA-OUT to the SCA Switch as shown.
Power for the ELF-II Board should be tapped from the Emitter of
Q-32 and routed to the other section of the switch before going to
the ELF-II. The ground lead on the ELF-II can go to any scanner
ground point. Solder three hookup wires to the three holes on the
ELF-II that were for the supplied trimmer adjustment (not used)
and connect those three wires to the new potentiometer, pin for
pin, on the rear case of the scanner. Actually, two wires will do
nicely if you first study the foils around those three holes for
the trimmer. If it confuses you, go ahead and use three wires; no
big deal.

PRO-2005 4 PRO-2006

You guys might have it a little easier. Mount the ELF-II Board
anywhere convenient and out of the way. Remember, you’ll be
making lots of modifications, and you don’t want to use up
valuable "real estate' without a plan. You’ll want to install a
DPDT switch and a 25k-50k potentiometer somewhere, probably on the
rear case of the scanner. The critical SCA-In tap in the

PRO-2005/2006 is at a small circuit trace that comes from IC-6,
Pin 10. Just follow that trace (viewed from the top side of the
board) for about an inch to where it terminates at an 'unused
solder pad'. Solder a hookup wire from this pad to the SCA-In
terminal on the ELF-II. Power for the ELF-II is taken from the
Emitter of Q-32 and routed through one section of the switch
before going to the SCA Board. Now locate CN-5 on the left-rear
Main Board. There is a cable bundle that goes from CN-5 to the
VOLUME control on the front of the scanner. Locate the RED wire

at Pin #3 of CN-5 and cut it at a point halfway between the

connector and where the red wire disappears into the cable bundle
sheath. Strip the two cut ends and tin with solder and then
splice a hookup wire to each of the cut ends. Be sure to insulate
the splices, preferably with heat shrink tubing. Route these two
hookup wires to the vicinity of where the switch will be
installed. Solder three hookup wires to the three holes on the
ELF-II that were for the trimmer adjustment (not used) and connect
those three wires to the three lugs of the new potentiometer, pin
for pin, on the rear case of the scanner. Actually, two wires

mi - Page 3

will do nicely if you study the foils around those three holes for
the trimmer . If it confuses you, go ahead and use three wires; no
big deal. The rest of the instructions that case with the ELF-II
are clear enough and we need not go further with the® here.

OTHER SCANNERS

I suppose that the ELF-II can be successfully installed in other
scanners that have the FH Broadcast Band, such as the Regency Z-60
and the Realistic PRO-2003. There are probably others, too. Hhen
you contact the above supplier of SCA Adaptor Kits, mention the
type of scanner you have and ask if they offer explicit
installation instructions. If your scanner does not have FH
Broadcast (88 - 188 MHz ) capability, forget it, or install the SCA
Adaptor in a regular FH BC receiver per the supplier's directions.

OPERATION OF THE SCA ADAPTOR

CAVEATi Again, reaeaber that it is illegal to i onitor an SCA
transaission nithout the expressed permission of the broadcasters

Operation is quite simple. Program your scanner for an FH
Broadcast signal known to have SCA programming. Keep the SCA
switch OFF until you've tuned in the FH station.. Flip the "ATT*
switch on the rear of your scanner (PRO-2084/5/6) back and forth
between the 0 and -IBdB positions and select the position that
offers the BEST reception of the regular FH signal. Then flip the
SCA switch ON and adjust the SCA Tuning Control until a signal
pops in. Nhen in the SCA-mode, you'll hear all kinds of weird
noises and maybe even some very distorted signals as you adjust
the Tuning Control. Nhen you hit a subcarrier, though, there will
be no doubt that you've got SCA. You'll have to turn the VOLUME
up a little higher than normal.

Fine tune for the clearest reception to enjoy commercial-free
programming. If you like, flip the SCA switch ON and OFF to
ensure that you're receiving two different programs. Now and
again, especially with Muzak™ programming, there will be
periodic, silent pauses for up to 98 seconds. If you are tuning
for a subcarrier during those intervals, you'll miss it and maybe
think something is wrong. A typical pause is around 18 seconds.

Now the question arises as to HOW you are to knew which FH
stations offer SCA programming and which don't? There won't be a
program list in your local newspaper or “Entertainment Guide 3 ,
that's for sure. You can try phoning the stations in your area
and ask, though most of the people you first reach will either be
coy or they might not know about SCA! It's possible that only the
station engineering and managerial teams know anything about SCA,
so if the receptionist gives you a bland reply, ask for an
engineer or manager. Of course, as you receive replies from your
requests for permission to receive SCA signals, you'll probably
know which ones offer it.

There is another resource to draw upon if any aspect of FH
Broadcasting is ingrained into your hobby interests: the FH ATLAS
AND STATION DIRECTORY which is available from the same source
given above for the SCA Adaptor Kits. The FH ATLAS is a source
book of all known FH stations in the US, Canada and Hexico. The
stations are listed alphabetically by state and city, and again

numerically by frequency. The FH ATLAS also has detailed maps of
each state and Canadian province which show the FH stations in
each city! The FH ATLAS AND STATION DIRECTORY elucidates the
types of programming offered by each station, for both regular and
SCA program formats! The FH ATLAS , a handy reference work for the
monitoring post, is updated yearly. It will be a great addition
to your radio library if you are an FH-DX nut or an SCA freak.

SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOK CORNER

A RE6ULAR FEATURE! This column will be a monthly feature,

probably for a long time to come. Errors, changes, improvements
and upgrades to the modifications published in my books will be
kicked around right here. Your input and observations about
troubles, difficulties and successes with the mods will also
usually be discussed here. Brand new material will appear
elsewhere in the 'USA*. This column is solely to keep my Scanner
Modification Handbooks updated!

FEEDBACK It UPDATE: Except for typographical errors throughout the
text, the SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOK, Vol 1 is generally
accurate and free from technical errors. There is one significant
error in. the text that you should mark right away. Refer to page
18, the formula for line of sight between two antennas on a curved
earth is wrong as shown. The correct formula is as follows:

D(mi) = <\l 2 Ht^j + \l 2

The procedure and answer to the example given is correct, however.
Apologies tor any inconvenience this oversight may have caused.

OUTDATED MODIFICATIONS

Several mods in the SCANNER HQDIF1CATIQN HANDBOOK, Vol 1 are
outdated or not applicable anymore and should not be performed.
Better versions have been developed and will be available soon.
Cancel the following modifications:

HOD-12: An S-Heter for the PRO-2804/2885; Hethod 1
HOD-13: An S-Heter for the PRO-2004/2005; Hethod 2
HOD-17: CHT k Other Channels for the PRO-2021 [Haybe]

Huch improved replacements for HDDs 12 It 13 will be forthcoming
and the old ones just aren't worth it. Besides, HOD-13 was full
of errors and major weaknesses anyway. Stay tuned for some super
superior S-Heters soon. HOD-17 is simply not capable of yielding
the desired results as suspected anyway. There is no sense in
trying it. It won't work.

UPDATED SCANNER MODIFICATIONS - Vol 1

HOD-1: Cellular Restoration for the PRO-2804/5/6

No change for the PRO-2884, but this sight make it clearer
for the PRO-2005 It 2086: Clip diode D-502, which is

located immediately behind the numeral "3 n key on the
keyboard. All you have to remove is the top plastic cover
to find D-582. It is clearly labeled.

HOD-2: Speeding SCAN It SEARCH rates in the PRQ-2884/5; no change

V1H1 - Page 4

MQD-2c: New for PRO-2006: DO NOT install D-501 as for the 2035;
instead, clip D-533 to increase speed from 26 to 30ch/sec.
NOTE: clip D-503 ONLY in the 2006; but NOT in the 2005!

MQD-3: Speeding SCAN & SEARCH rates in the FRO-2034/5; no change

M0D-3c: New for PRO-2005: You can make your PRO-2035 run faster

by converting it to a PRO-2006 first. You only need two
or three parts: a new CPU chip; a new Clock Resonator;

and maybe a new plastic front panel, if that trips your
trigger. These are standard parts stock at Tandy National
Parts Center; 900 E. NORTHSIDE DR; FT. NORTH, TX 76136;
(800) 442-2425. Part numbers for the PRO-2086 parts to
install in your PRO-2305 are as follows: (By the way, when
you call, have a credit card handy and ask for parts for
the PRO-2806, catalog number 23-145; then mention below:)

CPU, IC-501: GRE-0918

Cerasic Resonator, CX-501: CST12.0MT

Plastic Front Panel: BA-89D-8383

You can dispense with the Cerasic Resonator, CX-501 , by
replacing it with an 18 MHz quartz microprocessor crystal
which will yield speeds up to 45 ch/sec. Otherwise, the
replacement CST12.0HT will yield stock speed of 26 ch/sec.
This mod is easier said than done, even though the 2335 &
2086 CPUs are directly interchangeable, fleiomg and the
replacing of those super-aini 72-pin chips is not easy.
He Mill coyer the a echanics of this process in a future
issue , so hold off if you're unsure .

New for PRO-2386; You can sake your PRO-2836 run such
faster, even after MOD-2 above. Replace the Cerasic Clock
Resonator with up to an IS MHz quartz microprocessor
crystal for 45 ch/sec. Reaoving and the replacing the
ceraaic resonator, CX-501, is not very easy. He Mill
cover the aechanics of this process in a future issue, so
hold off if you're unsure.

MQD-4: Improving Squelch Action: PRO-2334/2885/2306
PRO-2834: No change

PRO-2835/6: No change in principle, but added detail

sight be useful. R-152 should be resoved, but this is
easier said than done because it's on the bottom side of
the sain board just beneath IC-2. It can be accessed from
an angle through a slot in bottom side of the chassis. The
best bet is to slit the circuit trace that goes to R-152
from IC-2, Pin 14 and let it go at that. This effectively
removes R-152 fros the circuit anyway. The rest is easy
froa the top side of the main board. Solder a mini 208-k
trimmer pot directly to Pins 12 & 14 of IC-2 and adjust it
for desired squelch action; about 188k-15Bk ohms will
probably give best results.

HOD-6: Automatic Tape Recorder Switch for PRD-2884/5/6: This mod
is basically sound, but I've developed a simpler version
that will appear as MOD-33 in Vol-2 of ay book to be
published in early-mid 1991. If you haven't done MOD-6
yet, hold off and wait for MOD-33.

MQD-6: PRQ-2004/5/6 - Change 1; One thing I don't like about
MOD-6 is its DC power connection point, which conceivably
could drain the Memory Retention Battery if a power
failure occurred and if your ATRS switch were left on.
Refer to page 96, Vol-1 and try connecting the DC power
lead to the emitter of 0-32. R-5 sight need to be

jumpered out if operation is at all weird or flaky with
the new +8.3 power. Otherwise, MOD-6 is great!

MOD-9: Disabling the Beep in the PRQ-2004/5/6: Why? I dunno, but
some people have to do it. No changes here, but there is
a better approach. Why not put your Beep on a volume
control? It can be easily done by replacing a resistor
with a 5-k to 25-k potentiometer or trim pot. The
appropriate resistor to replace is:

PRO-2834: R-213

PRO-2085/6: R-223

This way, you'll be able to not only control the loudness
of the Beep, but also turn it OFF.

HQD-12: Cancelled; wait for MOD-25

MQD-13: Cancelled; wait for MQDs-25 or 26

MOD-16: 6,433 Channels For The PR0-2384/2885/2386: Much to be

discussed here, but for now, chanqe R-1,2,3 fc 4 to 47-k
ohms, RS 1271-1342 . Refer to pages 138-131, Vol 1.
Depending on the printing of Vol-1, R-1,2,3, 4 are wrong
either as 1-k or 4.7-k ohms. Change your book thusly.

MOD-17: Cancelled; not possible

MQD-19: 3,283 Channels for the PRQ-34: See comments under MOD-16

MOD-28: Restoring Cellular Freqs in the BC-953XLT: No change,

however, it has come to light that later production models
of the BC-958XLT require a different procedure than given
in MOD-20. This will be detailed in MOD-42 in the cosing
Vol 2. By the way, the Reqency R-1608 is identical to the
BC-760/950 XLT.

MOD-21: Restoring Cellular Freqs in the BC-233/205XLT: No changE,
however, it has cose to light that later production models
of the BC-288/285XLT require a different procedure than
given in MOD-21. This will be detailed in MOD-40 in the
cosing Vol 2. By the way, the Regency R-4838 is identical
to the BC-280/205XLT.

HQD-22: Restoring Cellular Freqs in the BC-768XLT: No change,

however, it has cose to light that later production models
of the BC-768XLT require a different procedure than given
in MOD-22. This will be detailed in MOD-42 in the cosing
Vol 2. By the way, the Regency R-1608 is identical to the
BC-768XLT and the BC-953 XLT.

Ok, that's the roundup of the latest developsents on the old sods.

Stay tuned for a detailed dissection of MOD-16/19 changes and

enhancements next month. Please tell about your mod experiences!

V1H1 - Page 5

DEDICATION

The 'IIMLII SCANNER REPORT' is YOURS. Much of the material here
will be instigated and developed, in part or in whole, by others.
My job is now less to create and develop and more to review,
debug, test, evaluate, interpret, translate and write; a job that
suits me well. Priaeval forces are bringing us together; we are
stepping to the beat of a priaordial drummer, You and I need each
other equally; no acre, no less. When I think of the basic act of
what we are doing here, goose buaps ripple over ay skin. To be
sure, the essential rudiaent of our autual act is a simple
manifestation of Supply and Deaand in a Free Enterprise. Oh, but
there is acre and very such to the point.

We are gathered here together, unwittingly drawn into serving a
basic, fundamental need of all life; we are hearing the primal
scream in a modern setting: COMMUNICATIONS. Don't think for a
minute that your interest in hobby radio is an attraction and
nothing more. An interest is a superficial illusion created by
the conscious mind to rationalize, to justify and to compel. The
conscious mind does not clearly interpret the genetic program
codes that silently and inexorably guide the tides and currents of
our inner longings, desires, ambitions and actions. A primeval
genetic code governs the core characteristics of Life; breathing,
metabolization, sleep, and more. As these can be termed essential
needs, so too, can be COMMUNICATIONS, for what living thing does
not communicate with another near it? So it happens, incidentally
or purposefully, the higher the intelligence of life, the sore
evolved is its communications structure. No wonder the dinosaurs,
many of which had a brain at each end, are extinct. But Man rose
from the primordial soup to become the most intricate, highly
refined communications system in Earth's 4-bi 1 1 ion+ year history.

Not only has the human body evolved an unfathomably intricate
organic communication structure, but so too has Society evolved an
artificial communication network almost as unfathomable! Consider
the networks of the telephone, transportation, sail and satellite
systems, telegraph & teletype, spoken, written and sign languages,
and RADIO COMMUNICATION ! Are these not arteries or veins for the
Life Blood of Society? Isn't COMMUNICATION that very Life Blood?
You have not wandered aimlessly and haphazardly into an interest
in radio. You were subtly, silently, inexorably drawn, guided,
directed and, in some cases, downright shoved into radio.

And so here we are, you and I, doing what the primordial soup
programmed us to do: IMPROVING OUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE. All of
us chose RADIO as a specific artery, but we might also be truck
drivers, mail handlers, telephone operators, ship captains, cooks,
construction workers, politicians, plumbers, writers, teachers,
janitors; each and every one being a link to a different artery or
capillary for COMMUNICATION. Our common bond is radio and it is
that artery in which we will improve upon that handed to us from
somewhere up stream. It is what we are supposed to do, for what
river narrows to a trickle before meeting the Sea? No; a river
begins as a trickle; then it grows, widens, deepens and develops
into its full potential before losing its identity at the End.

Ne will do no less. Somewhere, someone digs copper ore cut of the
ground; someone else melts the ore and pours it into bars. Another
draws that bar into wire. Another makes capacitors; another packs
carbon into a resistor; another turns metal into plate. Someone

else bends, trims and cuts that plate into a chassis. Then, a
manufacturer assembles all the component parts into a scanner and
breathes “life" into it. Others package that scanner and convey
it to a store shelf. A day later, you walk in and plunk down the
fruits of your labor and take it home to another shelf where it
becomes a tool that helps you tune closer to the Life Blood of
your community. The process can end right there, and it is ok if
it does, for the Primordial Purpose has been fulfilled.

Some of us are not satisfied to leave it there; not when a buck's
worth of parts and an hour's time can result in something more
suitable; functional or better performing. We are "hackers"; we
dare to modify, to change, to probe and to improve on the efforts
of those before us? And why not? There are two reasons why not:

(1) manufacturers do not want us to modify their products, partly
because they fear liability if someone gets hurt or killed; partly
for if their design is changed, they can't be responsible for the
product’s conformance to technical and legal specs, and partly
because they think you are stupid and will sake a serious mistake
and then not be able to enjoy their product. Manufacturers
universally want their customers to be happy; blindly happy.

(2) Governments don't much like for us to modify things. Not that
it's against the law in all cases, which it isn't, but governments
are not content to let things be and otherwise conform to natural
forces. If they did, they would shrink to about 12 of their size
and THAT can't be at all! Unemployment would rise because of all
the people who couldn't get a real job in a competitive market.
For example, government dramatically cautions you against opening
the case of your scanner because you sight touch something on the
A/C line and get killed. Never mind that your aether or spouse
will caution you just as well or better. The government likes you
and your tax dollars very such and it wants to protect and nurture
you and serve your best interests and have you fall at its feet in
worshipful adoration, and then gratefully give it more power
because it just proved it's smart and you're stupid.

'Bcuse me, but I had to have a little fun. I think we have a
great nation and a fine government, but just between you and me, a
little fine tuning and improving is needed, just like our
scanners.

Speaking of which, let's get down to brass tacks To those of

you who dare leap into the dark, dank, bottomless void of your
scanner with nothing more to go on than a wisp of trust in my
say-so, to hack, to cut and to chop, diligently following
excruciating detail after detail, I salute you.

YOU, who patiently and persistently follow every detail to the
success of a modification; YOU, who ride the emotional yo-yo
through the agony of defeat to the thrill of victory in your
modification efforts; and YOU who fall into the bleak depths of
despair over a tiny hidden error, before finally breaking through
to success; all of YOU will at some point in your modification
adventures, reap the ultimate reward: an experience of one of the
most exhilarating, euphoric natural highs of your Life. This will
be your badge and YOU, herewith and forever sore, shall be proudly
known and recognized among your peers as:

■’ HACKER ••

UNI - Page 6

(Continued from Page 1)

THE COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT IS ALWAYS OPEN

7 HE WORLD SCANNER REPORT' ( c ) 1 991

UNI - Page 7

But if we have your filled-in subscription blank, complaints will
be few because I will use the inforaation YOU provide to compile a
statistical profile of WHO reads the 'THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT \
Make sure we have a record of which scanners you own. THAT alone,
will tell se a lot about what you want in the 'WORLD SCANNER
REPORT "\ If the 'WSR' offers what you want, you'll be happy! The
'HSR' is so new that it is very flexible and not rigidly committed
to any single direction other than the technology of scanning, in
general. Over the next few aonths, I will use the subscription
blank data to chart a course into the future. By the way, feel
FREE at any tine to complain or to critique our subject aatter and
operations. Your opinion counts!

STEADY IMPROVEMENT AHEAD

As a new operation, we have to work with what is available. A few
years ago, this format and print style was perfectly acceptable
for a newsletter. What you see here is rather archaic for the age
of Desktop Publishing. The question for the time being is: Does
it affect the QUALITY of the inforsation? I would like to think
not. But you may rest assured that we will work constantly to
iaspleient new techniques, new ideas and proven concepts. He sill
do this on a gradual, planned basis to avoid price increases and
needless waste on our part. Available machinery consists of an
Apple system and several thousand $$$ worth of inforsation & data
handling hardware & software. For you ccaputer nuts our system
consists of an Enhanced Apple He with 3-Mb RAM; 30-Mb Hard Drive;
two Viz' drives; two 5 l / 4 " drives; 1-Mb RAM drive; 2403 baud
modes; Accelerator card; and Appleworks TH 3.0 Integrated Software
with TifieOut™ enhancesents. This system will outperform sost
anything else at triple the cost; it just doesn't look pretty. He
plan to upgrade to an IBH-386/coaipatible or saybe a Macintosh
systes, but for now we have to sake do.

Apologies for the administrative content of this first issue, but
you need to know what is happening, and there will be less and
less of it with each succeeding issue.

PRO-2004, 2005 V 2086 COMPARED

The PRO-2005 and PRO-2006 scanners are virtually identical with
only three differences. The least important distinction is the
front plastic panel. They are mechanically the sase, though, just
with different markings. The PRO-2006 runs at 26 chan/second; the
PRO-2035 at 16 chan/sec. THAT is the ONLY perforaance difference
between the two and there are only two parts differences inside
the scanners: the CPU chip (IC-581) and the Clock Oscillator or
resonator (CX-581). CX-501 in the PRO-2005 is 7.37 MHz while its
counterpart in the PRO-2006 is 12 MHz. This alone accounts for
the speed difference between them. You cannot, however, pop a 12
MHz crystal into the PRO-2005 because its CPU won't run that fast.
The PRO-2006's CPU is a pin-f or-pin and function-for-f unction copy
of the 2085 's, but it was redesigned to run at 12 MHz. Therefore,
to make a PRO-2006 out of a 2005, IC-581 and CX-501 must be
replaced with the appropriate parts for a 2886. For a finishing
touch, replace the plastic front panel, and voiia: your PRO-2895
becomes a real PRO-2086, in appearance and in perforaance!

PRO-2304 COMPARED TO THE PRQ-2005/6 : The functional difference,
other than appearance, between the PRO-2884 and 2305 is 188
channels of prograasable aeaory. The PRO-2834 case with 383
channels, while the PRO-2835/6 have 488 channels. My easy MOD-15
adds the H aissing # 188 extra channels and basically turns the 2384
into a 2895. There are aany insignificant internal differences
between the 2884 and 2835/6, but not in function or perforaance!

Therefore, the question arises: Can the PRO-2884 be converted to a
PRO-2806? Certainly NOT in looks, but lay be in performance! The
bottom line is that the PRO-2084/5/6 are all pretty such the same
radio with only minor differences! The 64-pin DIP CPU in the 2884
has the exact same functions as the 72-pin SMT CPU in the 2886!
Of the 72 pins, 3 are not functional, so that leaves 64 pins to
wire into the PRO-2804. Obviously, we would also change out the
clock oscillator in the PRO-2804 to 12 or IS MHz for Harp Speed.
As far as I can see, the process should be limited to an exchange
of the CPU and Clock Resonator! This is the general strategy,
anyway, and it is in the plan to do it soon. Some of you
ambitious hackers sight have beaten ae to the punch, and if you
have, please tell us about the experience!

CONFIDENTIAL SUBSCRIPTION ORDER: Please print dearly

V1N1

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ANT ENCLOSED

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RADIO INTERESTS? (Put YEARS OF EXPERIENCE in each block that applies!

VHF-UHF Aaateur

CB Shortwave

Professional

Scanning? . Radio?

Career/Profession
Or Occupation:

Radio? Listening?

Radio?

List the sake & model of

your scanners and other radio equipment:

List the sake It model of any computer equipment you own/operate:

81/83/91 SUBSCRIPTION RATES l ORDER BLANK
PAYABLE IN US FUNDS ONLY
DOMESTIC RATES; (CANADA +182) OTHER FOREIGN

V1N1

Check Items
Desired

Single copy, per issue $4.88 $4 surf/15 Air

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WAKE ANY REHITTAHCE PAYABLE TO: 'COHHTRONICS ENGINEERING 0
List what you want in this newsletter; subjects, topics, etc

Enclose a # 1§ S.4.S.E. and one loose extra stasp if you
need other inforsation or a personal reply/

Figure 1

INSTALLATION DIAGRAMS FOR CONNECTION OF THE ELF-II SCA ADAPTOR KIT
TO THE PRO-2004. PRO-2005 and PRO-2006

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dSMWItronics Engineering

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COMMTRONICS ENGINEERING
WORLD SCANNER REPORT
PO BOX 262478
SAN DIEGO, CA 92196-2478

n THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT" 15 DEDICATED TO

FIRST CLASS HAIL

The Hackers of the World, who take the calculated risk
for the sake of challenge; for the thrill of victory;
or maybe because someone told you not to do it
or said that it couldn't be done,
and so you did it anyway.

The Hackers of the World, who know that anything
fashioned by the hand of flan, without exception,
can be improved, and then do it.

The Hackers of the World, who are sometimes thought
to be dull and stupid, but who pay the salaries of those
who fancy themselves bright and smart.

V1N1

910103

-= The Publisher =-