REFERENCE DATA
WSR Voice/Business, 1:30pm*5:30pm, PDT
Non-holiday weekdays ONLY:....(619) 578-9247
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Weekdays & 24-hrs weekends: ..(619) 578-9247
BBS Setup: 1200-28 } 8OO-bps, 8N1> ANSI or TTY.
Index & Table of Contents to WSR always available
for free download from BBS or $5 for MS-DOS
floppy disk or S5 printed hard copy.
WORLD SCANNER REPORT
A Journal of VHF-UHF Radio Technology & Engineering
Published by COMMtronics Engineering at PO Box 262478;San Diego, CA 92196
Publisher/Editor: W. D. Cheek, Sr; aJuL n i)r. Rigormortis"
Copyright © 1991-95 <A11 Rights Reserved> ISSN 1061-9240
Volume 5, Number 3 $5.00
WE’RE BACK! |
Believe me, no rest during this past
break, which really wasn’t a break. I
used the spare time to polish off my
forthcoming new book. The Ultimate
Scanner . It’s all done now but the
shouting, final edits, and a sip of the
bubbly. I can’t tell you much more about
it at this sitting because the Publisher
still has a monumental task ahead, but I
am, however, prepared to make you dear
readers a very attractive discount offer
for advance purchases received before
the date of publication. Here’s the deal:
ULTIMATE SCANNER BOOK
The publisher has announced the list
retail price of the Ultimate Scanner to be
$29.95 effective July 1, 1995. Until
then, the publisher’s price is $24.95. For
advance orders only, I will take it one
step farther and set it at $21.95 + $4
S&H to expire on April 30, 1995.
For orders received between May 1 -
June 30, 1995, the price will be $23.95 +
$4 S&H: The price of the Ultimate
Scanner on and after July 1, 1995 will
be $29.95 + $4 S&H.
As usual, all my books sold by me will be
autographed and shipped within 1-3
days ARO, except that we cannot ship
the Ultimate Scanner until it’s been
published. That’s why we’re now
accepting advance orders for a deep
discount. Publication date and shipment
is expected to be in early May, but we’ll
formally commit to sometime in the
month of May.
mtimatt* finar mer Price List
SPECIAL: Until April 30, 1995:
$21.95 + $4 S&H
Until June 30, 1995: $24.95 + $4 S&H
After June 30, 1995: $29.95 +$4 S&H
US Funds only, remittance payable to COMMtronics
Engineering. Canada add US$3 S&H; other foreign
add enough to cover desired shipping method.
WHAT ELSE
IS COMING
DOWN?
The next month
will be a low key
period, chock full
of hundreds of
little details to
cover. Lots of
work to do and
then I’m going to
sit down for a long
think about things
and enjoy a
peaceful, relaxing
summer. I will be thinking about new
directions for both the World Scanner
Report and my next book.
I will be meditating upon and
investigating the future of scanning and
radio monitoring in general. You see, I
think we are entering the end of an era.
I think the curtain of an epoch act is
coming down as a new “scene” gathers
momentum to unfold. You deserve to
know about it, if any such is in the
works. You’re not likely to hear about it
in any other forum for the time being,
and so I will be collecting my thoughts,
observations, and facts to lay on you in
the coming months.
I do not anticipate any monumental,
earth-shaking revelations, either on the
technical scene nor out there on the
monitoring scene for these next few
months. I foresee a lengthy lull before
the storm, and I expect this lull to lazily
wander through our lives for the
remainder of 1995.
Am I being cryptic here? I’m sorry, I
don’t intend to be. It’s just that I have a
million things on my mind, and about
90% of them have a potential impact on
our future. I could be wrong on some; I
will be right about some; and some will
probably remain unproved, either way.
It’s hard to discuss the facts when you’re
not sine of the difference between fact
and fiction. That’s my dilemma, but let’s
consider some facts as we know them:
FACTS & NOTES
1. A host of easily modified, easily re¬
engineered scanners hit the market
between 1980-1994. These scanners are
earmarked by a maximum of hardware
and performance with a minimum of
firmware or software. You remove the
case of these scanners and stare down
into a maze of components in such grand
profusion that even the technical mind is
easily bewildered at first.
2. Don’t nail me down on this, but the
cellular mobile telephone industry was
conceived in the late 70’s and was a
viable embryo by 1980, give or take.
3. By 1986, the cellular telephone
industry had amassed sufficient power
and resources to ram through Congress
the nasty Electronic Communications
Privacy Act, that forbids monitoring
cellular phone conversations.
4. Last year, icing was smeared on the
cake with passage and implementation of
the Telephone Disclosure and Dispute
Resolution Act, Public Law 102-556, of
1994, a rider of which forbids the
04/04/95 21:13 -21:13 - Page 1
importation and manufacture of cellular-
capable and easily cellular-modified
receivers, effective 4/1/94.
5. With rare exception of a few older
models, all Uniden scanners are basically
empty boxes with a few chips scattered
around, controlled by a fat CPU that does
all the work. ( Firmware )
6. Several years ago, Uniden bought
out Electra-Bearcat and the Regency
scanner division, and thereby gained
ownership of a majority of all scanner
patents. Uniden promptly sued ICOM
over a patent infringement!
7. With exception of the new PRO-
2035 and a current model of the PRO-43,
all scanners released by the “giants”,
Uniden and Radio Shack, after 4/1/94
are your basic CPU-controlled empty
boxes. The PRO-2035 remains an old,
but enhanced design with new features,
most of which are CPU-firmware driven.
Nice, but the PRO-203 5’s performance
comes from its PRO-2004/5/6 heritage;
not from the firmware.
8. On a slightly offbeat note, take a
look at the new Uniden BC-9000XLT,
replacement for the BC-8500XLT. Wow!
What a whopper! Good grief, you
believe that, and I have some nice
Everglades property to sell you. Aw, the
demed thing isn’t exactly a piece of junk
though it is within my editorial rights to
call it whatever I want. But first one of
you dudes to get one.remove the case
and tell us what you see inside! Space.
That’s what will be there. Space...air.
ED Note: The thing that's wrong with
this picture is the intentional illusion of
grandeur & magnificence of the contents
of these scanners. Space age looks,
coupled with a seemingly awesome array
of features and benefits in Uniden's top
line scanners conveys an impression.
You are led to believe there is something
under the hood. You wouldn 7 expect to
find a Volkswagen Beetle engine under
the hood of a Peterbilt semi-truck, would
you? Or .22-cal bullets in a .457
magnum, eh? Or beer in a bourbon
bottle? Or rat meat hamburgers down at
McDuck 's?
I didn 't mean to editorialize this early in
the game, but I didn't want to lose
anyone this early , either. I'm just laying
out a series of facts with as little
discussion as possible for the moment.
People are sometimes offended when I
render negative opinions on scanners,
and this is not my intent. Facts and
brass tacks are my mission for the next
several months, ok? You can't get mad
over a fact. Now read on .
9. As far back as 1986, John Leavens
of CardKit Electronics was fighting
Uniden over their “flatpacking” design
techniques for CB radios, where most
everything was contained on a chip or
two. So it's not just me who will tell you
Uniden radios are hollow .I don’t
know what became of John and CardKit
over the years. We drifted out of touch
when I left the CB scene in ‘87. Anyone
know if he is still around, or maybe
wearing concrete overshoes at the bottom
of Mobile Bay??
10. The CE-232 Scanner/Computer
Interface has not been reviewed by any
leading hobby radio magazine or
periodical, even though I asked two!
11. The CE-232 Scanner/Computer
Interface was reviewed in two leading
professional trade magazines without
being asked (and won a major award in
one trade rag as the leading Reader
Service Card draw for that month ).)
12. A new publisher on the radio scene
was rudely treated in the Nov-93 issue of
“Monitoring Times ” in Larry Miller’s
(What's New column, pg 90) scathing
book review of Scanners & Secret
Frequencies by Henry Eisenson.. There
was no merit in that slam-dunk review,
especially in light of (13) below. It’s just
that both the publisher and the author
were new to the hobby radio scene, and
were unknowns at the time, apparently
ripe for a crude and rude initiation rite.
13. Good oV Boy publishers are never
rudely treated in the major hobby radio
magazines, even when their books are a
downright mess, in which case the
materials are either not reviewed at all,
or are glossed over.
14. Contest Tlmel I I want you guys to dig
up this next fact, so that I won't have to be
the one to spill the beans. It's subtle and it's
slick and if you subscribe to or can get a
copy of the Mar/Apr 1995 issue of" National
Scanning Report , then you can WIN a free
6-mo subscription or extension to your
subscription to the WSR just for reporting
the correct answer. We will make the award
to the first three most correct replies
received not later than 2400 hrs, April 30,
1995 via any form of e-mail or US Mail or
Fax as follows:
CompuServe:
74107,1176
InterNet:
bcheek@cts.com
FidoNet:
1:202/731
Hertzian BBS
(619) 578-9247 See masthead
Fax:
(6 19) 578-9247 See masthead
US Mail:
PO Box 262478
San Diego, CA92196
Ok, here’s the deal. The Mar/Apr-’95 issue
of "National Scanning Report (and a
number of preceding issues) contains a very
specific, very unique, singular fact that stands
out by omission more than visibility. Find &
report that fact to win.
Hint 1: Its whats not there. .
Hint 2: It occurs exactly twice somewhere
on pp 25-28 of the Mar/Apr-’95 issue of the
" National Scanning Report
Hint 3: This fact, while expressly related to
the Mar/Apr-’95 issue, is not limited to that
issue, but I don’t know what pages it occurs
on in other issues, nor in which issues. This
singularly oddiadi is clearly revealed in the
Mar/Apr-’95 issue and somewhat subtly so in
various back issues of the " National
Scanning Report in the section of the
magazine that advertises DX Radio Supply's
publications for sale.
CHALLENGE: State the fact in so many
words or less to qualify. Winners and their
responses will be published in a forthcoming
issue. Confidentiality is assured for those
who request it
Note: Decision of the judge (me) will be
arbitrary, capricious, and final, but I will
make the award to at least the first three
winners, except that an award will be
made to at least one winner in each of
the e-mail, fax, BBS, and US Mail
categories so as to give everyone a
chance. Therefore, I may award more
than three winners. How many more is
up to me. Arbitrary, huh? ©
15. The Information Age is upon us! It
started in an embryonic form back when
broadsides, smoke signals, and jungle
drums were the primary media of
04/04/95 2i:i3~2i:i3~ The "World Scanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 2
communications over distance. The
Information Age was bom with the
advent of the locomotive, telegraph,
telephone, and Pony Express. It entered
childhood with the invention and
implementation of radio. And now,
“Childhood’s End” gives way to
adolescence as radio becomes a less used
and less important avenue for
communications.
OK ’ that's enough for now , guys. This
gives you something to think about for
the next few months. We'll dig deeper
and perhaps have an open dialog on
what the future holds in store.
Meanwhile , your thoughts, editorials,
and predictions will make good fodder
for these pages, so fire away at me,
either about what I think or about what
you think. Or both.
UPDATE
PRQ-2004 Parts Are Gone!
Last issue, we reported that PRO-2004
parts might soon dry up at the Tandy
National Parts center. Might, hell! They
are gone, so report several of our
readers. At least the crucial stuff like EL
panels and maybe the Service Manuals
are gone. Let us take a moment to shed
a tear and lament the passing of an era.
And then, I suppose we could fight!
First, understand that the PRO-2004
went off sale back in May, 1990, about
five years ago. Most manufacturers, and
Tandy, I think, pretty well commit to
maintain a spare parts inventory for a
period of five years after a major item
leaves the shelves. Tandy more or less
fulfilled their commitment, shave a
couple of months. That could be argued
on technicalities, I suppose.
So what to do? I dunno. I laid in a
small supply of the more crucial stuff for
my PRO-2004 a couple of years ago...EL
panels, front panels, CPUs, and maybe a
couple of other things. So I am “fixed”
for a while. Those of you who would
like to replace your front panels or the
degradable EL panel, maybe should call
Tandy Parts (800) 442-2425, and place
an order. When you’re told “there ain’t
no more”, register a protest and ask to
speak to a supervisor. Plead your case
and ask WHERE can you get these
needed parts if Tandy won’t handle them
anymore. If enough of YOU do that,
your voice might have some ‘carry’ to it.
The PRO-2004 isn’t starved for
electronic parts (generic parts or PRO-
2005/6 equivalents are fine), so much as
the things that just wear out....again, EL
panels, front panels, keyboard panels,
service manuals, etc. For the most part, I
think we’re just out of luck.
There is no hope for damaged front
panels aside from a dip in solvent;
polishing, buffing and hand-lettering.
The EL panels from the PRO-2005/6,
while a bit smaller than the PRO-2004’s,
will work. Might not look good, but they
will provide a backlight for the display.
Another idea for a replacement backlight
would be a frosted glass or plastic “slide”
kind of like a microscope slide, just the
size of the old EL panel, so it can slip in
behind the display. Then a series of
small incandescent “wheat lamps” or
LEDs could illuminate the slide which
would diffuse the light enough to make
the appearance pretty good. Frosted
glass slides are probably out of the
question, but what about stiff, translucent
plastic sheets? Anyone know of a source
of “frosted plastic”?
It’s probably unreasonable to ask a
manufacturer to stock spares for an
indefinite period, so what are other
options to prolonging the life of the
PRO-2004? Anyone have any ideas?
Meanwhile, let experience be a teacher
and stock up on critical spares for your
PRO-2005’s and 2006’s if you know
what’s good for you. Same with your
other scanners from yesteryear. If
they’ve been off sale by three or more
years, you better either start planning
your spare parts inventory or peddle the
dem thing as soon as you can. Words to
the wise.
Spare parts planning involves a careful
analysis of the schematic diagram and
parts lists, noting the things that are
generic and those that are unique. In
general, you need knobs, plastic cases,
controls, belt clips, and the things that
can break or wear out. Also spare
battery holders are a good idea. ©
BANDPASS FILTERS
PRO-2004/5/6 & PRO-2035
_Explained_
Bandpass filters are a much overlooked
performance commodity in today’s
scanners. Pity only a few scanners have
them. The PRO-2004/5/6, PRO-2035
and the PRO-43 are among those that do.
The Uniden BC-8500XLT and BC-
2500XLT have mediocre excuses for
bandpass filters, but too bad they don’t
have better ones and the other things that
go to making a great receiver.
So what’s a bandpass filter, anyway?
Think of it as a switch and a specially
designed “gate” that admits a band of
frequencies while rejecting all others.
Below is a block diagram of the bandpass
filters used by the PRO-2004/5/6/2035,
which should clarify the idea:
Operation of the bandpass filters is
simple: it’s automatic, done by the CPU,
that senses the active or selected
frequency at all times, and makes sure
the “switch” is set to the proper filter.
This switching action takes place in a
few microseconds every time the
scanner’s frequency is changed, no
matter the mode: Manual, Scan or
Search. It doesn’t matter, the mix of
frequencies, the correct bandpass filter is
always active within a few millionths of
a second of the frequency being selected.
Suppose you are listening to a NOAA
weather station on 162.550 MHz. The
above bandpass filter scheme ensures
that signals no lower than 108 MHz nor
above 174 MHz can get into the RF Amp
of the receiver! This serves to minimize
04/04/95 21:13 - 21:13- The " World Scanner Report " © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 3
or eliminate interference from adjacent
bands! Only signals within the passband
of each filter can get through. All others
will be rejected. Mark that down!
Bandpass filtering before the front end of
a receiver is a mark of excellence, found
only in the better receivers.
Now let’s take a look at two of these
bandpass filters. (They all look alike at
first glance, so two will serve the
purpose for illustration. See the above
diagram and refer to your service
manual for details of the rest.)
ANALYSIS
First, let’s take a quick overview of the
front end, in general. Signals from the
antenna enter at J-l and immediately
pass coil L-l, a shunt for DC and static
buildup on the antenna, but which has no
effect on RF signals. Next, there are D-l
and D-2, a series diode safety shunt that
does nothing unless RF or surges on the
antenna are strong enough to overcome
the forward bias levels of the diodes at
about 0.6v each for 1.2v total. In other
words, these two diodes will conduct to
clamp or limit the input of RF and spikes
to not more than 1.2 volts on to the front
end. L-l and Dl-2 are safety valves.
Next the signal encounters L-2, an
adjustable matching filter, probably to set
the input impedance of 50Q. If you have
an S-meter, you can adjust L-2 for
maximum signal in mid-range of the
scanner, say around 400-500 MHz.
Then we come to the Attenuator switch,
that in one position (0-dB) is a straight-
thru path into D-3. The -10 dB position
routes the signal through R-2 to create a
10 dB loss.
D-3 is the first diode switch but it’s
turned ON anytime the scanner is on. I
suppose it is kind of a safety gate for the
RF Amp when the scanner is turned off.
The signal out of D-3 hits a “Y”, one
direction into D-4 and the other into D9,
both basically more master switches for
the bandpass filters. D4 feeds D5, the
In-Switch for the 760-1300 MHz BP
filter while D9 feeds the individual diode
switches for the remaining six BP filters,
including D10-D12, the In-Switch for
the 280-520 MHz BP filters.
Now this is where things get exciting, if
you’re into BP filters. Note the two BP
filters shown above that are enclosed
within dotted boxes for clarity. And
remember that only one BP filter can be
on at a time. This is accomplished by
the heavy gray lines that show the
switched +5v that turn on and off the
individual BP In/Out Switch diodes.
Only one of these gray lines (A or B) will
be at +5v at any given time. Let’s
assume that the CPU has placed +5v on
Line B...in which case there is Ov on
Line A. Back to Line B, that +5v is fed
to the two circled resistors, R26 & R29,
which pass the +5v to the anodes of D12
and D13, respectively. +5v on the
anodes of these diodes turns them ON
allowing a conductive path into and out
of the filter. Meanwhile, over on Line A,
there is 0-v on the anodes of D5 and D6,
which shuts them OFF, thereby
preventing signals from getting through
the 760-1300 MHz BPF.
If you can’t see it, the current path for
D12 is up from ground through R26 into
the cathode of D12; out the anode and
down through R26 & R28 to the +5v
feed at B. Likewise, the current path for
D13 is up from ground through R30 into
the cathode of D13, down through R28
to the feed at B. I won’t explain any
more of the diode current paths because
they’re all the same. Look closely at your
schematic in the service manual.
Completing the signal path analysis, a
signal that enters D12 emerges from the
filter at D13 with almost no loss
provided it is between 280-520 MHz.
Signals outside that range are highly
attenuated by the filter. The desired
signal leaves D13 and passes through
D14, D15, and D8 to pass through C95
to the base of the RF Amp for further
processing. The remaining five BPF’s
all work in the same fashion as described
here, so the next level of discovery is the
neat switching method for the bandpass
filters, the feedlines of which are the 8-
pin CN-1 (ground & 7 switch lines).
BPF SWITCHING
Following is an illustration of the switch
function for each pin/line of CN-1:
As intimated previously, the BPF
switching signals are originated by the
CPU, specifically from Pins 42, 43, &
44, a function called the RF Switch.
These three output pins form a binary
number that varies as shown below:
B.P.F. SWITCH LINES
Stt 1 B’.P.F.
l G _Brmn — 2 5-40MHz
From
Q501-Q507
On
Logic/CPU
Board
PRO-2004/5/6 Shown
PRO-2035 is similar,
but hardwired on PCB
■ 40-68 MHz
■68-108 MHz
■108-174 MHz
• 174-280 MHz
■ 280-520 MHz
■760-1300 MHz
I Ground
04/04/95 21 : 13 - 21 : 13 -The "WorldScanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 4
CPU B.P.F. CODE
CPU Pin #
FREQ RANGE 44 43 42
25-40 MHz
H
L L
40-68 MHz
L
H L
68-108 MHz
H
H L
108-174 MHz
L
L H
174-280 MHz
H
L H
280-520 MHz
L
H H
760-1300 MHz
H
H H
H= High, +5v
L=
Low, Ov
In other words, the CPU outputs logic
levels on the above pins at all times the
scanner is turned on. These binary
numbers have no real use at this stage,
but are shown and mentioned solely to
give you the big picture of how the BP
Filters are switched.
Pins 42-44 of the CPU feed a neat little
chip, IC-502 shown below, a basic
binary-to-decimal converter, where
things get a little more interesting.
Neat chip, this one. It accepts up to a 4-
bit binary input and outputs a decimal
value equal to 0 thru 9. Referring to the
BPF Switching Circuit diagram above,
we see where output Pins 1, 10, & 11
and Input Pin 12 are not used (no need),
and where output Pins 2-9 are connected
to the bases of Q501-507. In the
example, we see where IC-502 output
Pin 2 is low and Pins 3-9 are high. This
is a case where “high” signals do
nothing, and “lows” do the work.
You see, Q501-507 are PNP switching
transistors which cannot conduct until
their bases are pulled “low”. Case in
point is the above example for Q501 that
has a “low” on its base from IC-502, Pin
2. The bases of Q502-507 are all high.
The collectors of Q502-507 are all low
while the collector of Q-501 is “high”.
The “high” of Q501 goes to the bandpass
filter for 25-40 MHz through Pin 1 of
CN-1. Now “highs” do the work.
This scenario is generated by the outputs
of CPU Pins 44, 43, and 42, which for
the example shown above, are high, low,
low, respectively. This places +5v on
IC502, Pinl5, and Ov on Pins 14 & 13.
{Pin 12 is full time low, grounded.) This
particular combination of inputs causes
Output Pin 2 of IC502 to go low while
all others remain “high”. Q501 is
therefore tinned on, and the 25-40 MHz
BPF is selected (turned on).
To cement your understanding of this
process, I will take you through one more
scenario. Suppose the scanner is zipping
along at 26-ch/sec and passes ch-41
where you have programmed 868.930
MHz. As the scanner scans, its CPU
oversees the operation, inserting
programmed freqs into the display and
tuning the scanner to receive that ffeq.
In this case of 868.930 MHz, the CPU
presents high-high-high at its Pins 44,
43, & 42, respectively, for three “highs”
fed to IC502, Pins 15, 14, & 13,
respectively. IC502 “sees” a binary “7”,
and drops output Pin 7 to a low state,
where the low is fed to Q507’s base to
drive its output “high” and thereby turn
on the 760-1300 MHz Bandpass Filter.
At the same time, no other outputs of
IC502 go low, so the other six switching
transistors, Q501-506 remain turned off.
Only one BPF can be turned on at a time.
In conclusion, all this switching action is
very fast, taking place at least 26 times
per second, whether or not any RF
signals are present and whether or not
the scanner actually stops. This is a
function controlled exclusively by the
CPU, IC502, and Q501-506.
Now a word on Q501-507, specially
designed switching transistors with built-
in bias resistors. You will see a lot of
this type of transistor used in the PRO-
2004/5/6, PRO-2035, PRO-43 and other
modem scanners. These transistors are
designed for economy and for high speed
switching. There is nothing weird about
them, however.
You will notice that IC-502 is powered
by +5v at Pin 16, and yet has +8v logic
(7.4v) on its output pins. Fortunately,
IC-502 is one of those chips that can
function with different logic states
between input and output, however,
those +7.4v outputs do not come from
IC-502. Note above where +8.2v is fed
to the emitters of Q501-507 via R501.
Note the internal construction of Q501-
507 where there is a built-in emitter-base
resistor and a base resistor, thereby-
offering an internal path from the
scanner’s +8v supply to the output pins
of IC-502. The logic output of IC502 is
LOW-based, so when its output pins are
not internally driven low, the pins are
free to float to whatever may be sent to
them externally, in this case 8-volts, less
the resistor drops. Questions? ©
04/04/95 21 : 13 — 2i:i3~ The "WorldScanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 5
HOT STUFF, HACKERS!
I was impressed with last year’s Radio
Shack Multimeter with PC-Interface,
#22-182, but when I saw the new, #22-
168 version for 1995, I just had to get
one.. Both meters feature frequency
counter, capacitor tester, and an interface
for a personal computer in addition to all
the regular multimeter functions! I liked
last year’s so well that my daughter and I
each have one.
Radio Shack’s new 1995 model offers
several improvements over the 1994
version, including 20 MHz Frequency
counter and a dual displays.
And WOW! Most impressive is the new
ScopeView software that comes with this
year’s meter! It does graphing, data
acquisition & logging, and makes using
the meter much easier and a lot of fun!
I read one of the text files that came with
the new meter and saw a company name
and address at the head of the file. No,
not Radio Shack! Rather, the authors of
tlie new ScopeView program that comes
with the 1995 meter. The program was
such an improvement over last year’s
that I just had to write a note of thanks,
appreciation and congratulations.
AG A Associates
PO Box 99573
Seattle, WA 98199-0573
FAX (206) 217-9138
I received an immediate response and an
opportunity to get to know that company
a little better. I learned that the Radio
Shack PC Interface meters are made by a
Korean manufacturer named Metex,
already known for quality in parts of the
world. Metex contracts AGA Associates
to produce the “ScopeVie w” program for
the Radio Shack meters and for the
Metex meter line. AGA Associates is
also a distributor for Metex. One thing
led to another, until I became the proud
owner of their Metex M-3850, a much
more powerful relative of Radio Shack’s
1995 PC Interface Meter.
The M-3850 offers a 40-MHz frequency
counter, auto-ranging, backlighted LCD
display, 3 3 / 4 digit main display, two
thermocouple temperature functions, the
external Type K measures from -40°C to
+1200°C. The M-3850 otherwise closely
resembles the Radio Shack #22-168, on
which you can get the rest of the specs
for this fine meter from the 1995 RS
catalog, pg 118. Contact AGA Associates
for more info on their advanced Metex
meters. Radio Shack’s 22-168 is
$129.95. The Metex M-3850 is a
bargain at $179.95, but read on.
Secondary display!
Allows display of two
different parameters,
at the same time!
_ Toool
3S.5C-
1. Power Button
2. Function Button
3. Set/Reset Button
4. DC&ft/AC & Sound
5. Up Button
6. Down Button
7. Back-Light Button
8. Transistor Socket
9. Capacitor/Temp
10. Rotary Switch
11. 20 A Terminal
12. mA Terminal
13. COM Terminal
14. V/Q Terminal
15. LCD (3-3/4 digit)
16. Analog Bargraph
17. Bargraph Scale
18. Overload Indication
19. Auto-Hold
20. Data-Hold
21. Minimum
ScopeView Output
22. Maximum
23. Relative
24. Memory
25. Memory Recall
26. Range-Hold
27. Dual Display
28. Communication
29. Comparison
30. Address No. Socket
31. Diode Test
32. AC Current/ voltage
33. Continuity Test
34. Negative polarity
35. Frequency
36. Temperature
37. Capacitance
38. Transistor hFE
39. Logic Test
40. Sub-display
41. Low Battery
42 Annunciators
'9 20 21 72 M 30
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04/04/952i:i3~2i:i3~ The "World Scanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 6
Shown in the illustration on the
preceding page are the functions and
controls of the Metex M-3850, and a
couple of views of the ScopeView
software user interface, one of which is a
large meter readout for the monitor and
the other, a graphical chart of
measurements made over time which can
be printed or saved to a file! The
example of the chart output shows the
thermocouple temperature measurements
I made every few seconds with ice water,
ambient air and body warmth. The
horizontal scale is 30-sec per division for
a span of 8-mins as shown. The vertical
scale goes from -5°C to +35°C in 5°
increments. The parameters and scales
as seen in the illustration are variable
and configurable according to user
requirements. You can plot and chart a
wide range of voltage, resistance,
current, and temperature measurements
over an equally wide span of time.
Radio Shack’s digital multimeter with
PC Interface, #22-168, pg 118, 1995
Catalog, (# 22-182 was the 1994 model)
comes with AGA Associates’ ScopeView
software, just like the Metex M-3850. In
fact, the three meters are mutually
compatible with all versions of the
software! I don’t know how or if you can
get the upgrade ScopeView program for
the older meter, but a call to AGA
Associates and/or Radio Shack might be
productive! Best of all, these hot PC
Interface multimeters can be operated as
automated data loggers with a simple
connection to any IBM/PC compatible
computer, from an XT/AT through the
ultramodern Pentium90. The ScopeView
program that comes with the 1995 RS
meter and the Metex meters is strictly
for Windows but also included is a close
equivalent for MS-DOS, so if you don’t
use Windows, you’re not left out in the
cold whatsoever.
A multimeter is a multimeter, but Radio
Shack’s #22-168 ( and 22-182) and the
Metex M-3850 are so much more
because they can easily be connected to
communicate with and be controlled by a
personal computer. In fact, these meters
come with the necessary cables to fit the
common serial port of most IBM/PC-
compatible computers ever made. Also
included is the necessary software to
weld computer and meter into a very
powerful data acquisition system that’s
capable of automatically measuring and
logging voltage, resistance, current,
capacitance, frequency, and even the
gain of bipolar transistors! The
computer writes to a simple ASCII text
file whatever data at whatever
measurement interval you choose, for a
permanent record of “events”, qualities
or quantities that might be represented
by the measured parameters.
For example, the Radio Shack and Metex
meters can be connected to the Squelch
circuit of a receiver to produce a log-style
record of Squelch breaks that might later
be synchronized to a simultaneous tape
recording while you’ve been away. You
could use the A/C voltage function to
produce a 24-lir log of line voltage
measurements to show how the power
company isn’t treating you right. A
cadmium-sulfide cell (276-1657)
connected the ohmmeter can be used to
record variations of light, either sunlight
through the course of day and night or as
a detector for movement-triggered flood
lights at night. (/ see the heart and soul
of a sophisticated security system here,
don’t you?) A thermistor connected to
the ohmmeter can be a temperature
sensor. The bench technician
troubleshooting an intermittent voltage
variation in a power supply or other
circuit can connect these meters for
unattended recordings of desired voltages
while he busies himself with other
productive work. If there is a periodicity
to the voltage fluctuations, this could be
a clue to the necessary remedial
measures.
In short, the RS and Metex meters can be
connected to most any kind of sensor,
transducer, detector, or other signal
source, to serve as a hands-off, automatic
data recorder or datalogger. The
applications are limited only by the
imagination! Think of it this way,
whatever you would do with a voltmeter,
ammeter, milliammeter, ohmmeter,
capacitor meter, and/or frequency
counter can now be controlled by a low
cost computer that might otherwise ready
for the junkyard. Accumulated data is
written to the ASCII text file and saved
on the hard disk or floppy disk.
You might ask what can later be done
with the text file of data. Process it, of
course! An ASCII text file is easily
reformatted into a type of file suited for
exporting into a database manager
program such as dBase III, IV, Microsoft
ACCESS, FoxPro, Approach, Paradox,
FileExpress, PC-File, Q&A, or any of the
many others. The best universal format
for export to most all database managers
is a comma-delimited ASCII text fde.
Database managers make quick work of
data processing for human evaluation
and interpretation of the results.
The aforementioned comma-delimited
ASCII text file is not produced by the
programs that come with Radio Shack’s
and Metex PC-Interface Meters, but
their output textfiles can be manually
reprocessed to make a comma delimited
file with a text editor of choice (/ like
QEDIT). If you’re lazy...like I am....and
want it all, you are welcome to download
from my Hertzian Intercept BBS a
revised version of the 1994 meter
program that will generate the comma
delimited file, hands off! My dear friend
and associate, Brian Greer of Los
Angeles, did the necessary revisions to
the open source code and made it freely
available. The revised meter logger
program works with either RS meter and
AGA Associates Metex meters. This
revised PC-Interface control program is
named RSMETER.ZIP (about 50-kb)
and is available in the free file section of
the Hertzian Intercept BBS.
RSMETER.ZIP also contains an icon, a
PIF file and a batch file to facilitate
running the data logging program from
Windows™. Of course, it’s a natural to
run from MS-DOS as well.
Radio Shack’s newest 22-168 and the
Metex meters come with the previously
described fantastic Windows™
ScopeView datalogging and scope
program that beats anything I’ve ever
seen for ten times the cost. Utterly
awesome is that this program is
backwards compatible with RS’s older
22-182 meter, too! Now let’s polish off
with some real world applications for a
datalogger in your shop or shack.
How about a propagation analyzer? You
can get propagation charts from
Monitoring Times and other shortwave
literature, but are they accurate? Weft-
yes.if everything meets the spec under
which the charts were produced, but who
can control the weather and other
04/04&5 2 i:i3~2i:i3~ The "WorldScanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 1
variables from one locale to the next?
You might want to do your own
propagation studies. Easy with these PC-
Interface meters. Just connect the meter
to the shortwave receiver’s S-meter
circuit. Tune the receiver to a world class
station on a frequency of interest. Turn
the volume down so you’re not bothered
by the noise. Then set up the Interface
program to log S-Meter data at periodic
intervals, say once or twice a minute.
Ensure things are working, and then go
on about your business for the next 24 to
72 hours. When you return, you’ll find a
massive data file awaiting your most
exacting or cursory analysis.
How about a channel traffic analysis?
Sure, connect the meter to a scanner’s
SQuelch Gate, and set the display for a
VHF-UHF frequency of interest. Run the
program.and come back 24-72 hours
later to find a great database that can be
assessed for traffic volume and density.
If you take this business of datalogging
and data processing seriously, the output
file of these meters can be dropped into a
spreadsheet with a Y = mX + b equation
to convert raw data into meaningful
information. If you don’t know what I
mean, relax....Metex’ and Radio Shack’s
PC-Interface Meters still offer boatloads
of opportunity for personal enrichment to
the greenest neophyte as well as the
saltiest expert. Once you get started,
you’ll find yourself cruising a long
hallway of progress with one door after
another opening for you. The smallest
tilings sometimes lead us to the greatest
crossroads of Life. Thirty-seven years
ago, I got a newfangled transistor radio
for my 12th birthday. It changed my
Life. I gave my daughter one of these PC
Interface meters for her 16th birthday
last year. Q
IfromthereadersI
SCANNERS RUN24*Hrs/DAY?
From: John Huston, Harrisonville, MO
Do you have any comments about the PRO-
2006 running 24 hours per day?
ED: Well, most of my scanners see 24-hours
per day operation, day in and day out, for
years. The primary consideration is for how
much heat builds up. If appreciable, then
external DC should run the radios. We’ve
discussed this before, remember?
Number of Subscribers in A/C 815?
From: Paul Alpisen Loves Park, IL I’m
curious as to how many subscribers you have
in the Loves Park/Rockford, IL area.
ED: We show six in Area Code 815
PRQ-2004 Parts Are Gone! Help!
From: Thomas Pamin. Erie PA: Regarding
your article on parts for the PRO-2004, Radio
Shack does not have the electroluminescent
panels under either of the part #’s you
mentioned. Do you have any extra ones I
might be able to buy from you? I could use
about six, since I have three PRO-2004’s.
Please let me know if you do and what the
price would be. If you don’t have any, do you
know any other place I could get one?
ED: Try an RS Service Center? See the
relevant article in this issue. I’m afraid
we ’re out of luck, at least for the short term.
I have a very small supply sufficient to meet
my personal needs for the near future, but
none for public consumption. I think your
best bet is to lodge a protest with a
supervisor at Tandy’s National Parts Center
(800) 442-2425, and then work your way up
through the Radio Shack hierarchy into the
Headshed, if necessary. There IS a certain
liability on their part, I feel, despite the fact
that five years have lapsed since the PRO-
2004 went off sale. They should never have
designed their scanners with materials known
to wear out, and then not stock those parts.
Then there is the matter of QA problems with
the PRO-2004 early in its production cycle.
Hundreds or thousands of defective or
potentially defective PRO-2004’s were
released to the public in 1987-88. We may be
dealing with a case of “planned
obsolescence ’’ here, on which you could
make a solid case if you hollered loud and
long enough. Radio Shack has plenty of
(800) numbers to minimize costs.
BC-100XLT/BC-200XLT BATTEIES
From: Ed Vaughan, Wichita, KS: I saw
your article by Greg Strauss, in V5N2 about
the battery replacement for the BC-
100XLT/200XLT. After SV7 years, my two
battery packs on my BC-200XLT finally bit
the dust. I also checked for the Sanyo
replacement battery packs with no luck.
Even from Uniden, the only solution was to
buy the whole battery pack.
I ran across a company that sells the battery
pack-inserts. They are already shrink
wrapped together. All you have to do is
solder the red and black wires to the new
pack and put the case back together again.
Whole process took about 10-mins for both
packs. The rating is the same-60mA/h. Cost
was $15.00 ea plus shipping (about $4.00). I
used my plastic, and they arrived in five days.
They offer a higher rated pack, but I wasn’t
sure if the charger would handle it.
Item code: BP200/205I
Descr: Uniden/Bearcat BP 200/205 7.2V
600mA/h NiCd Battery Insert
Price: $15.00 each
E. H. Yost & Co.
7344 Tetiva Road
Sauk City, WI 53583
Voice: 608-643-3194
Fax: 608-643-4439
ED: Great info, Ed! Thanks! Good move on
the higher rated packs. Rechargers must be
designed for the capacity of the pack.
LAYMAN & NEOPHYTE HACKING
From: Don Alesch. Jr. Menasha, WI: Hey
Bill, It’s me again...hide the women & kids,
grab a stuff drink and let’s go...I have a
suggestion for your “ elementary ” circuit
analysis features. First, for this one I’m
going to ask you to use “layman’s terms”.
Usually, with a little research I can figure out
what you’re talking about. But sometimes
you go way over my head. I have no formal,
or for that matter practical, education in
electronics. Either it works or it don’t!
ED: Good point.... maybe. There is a limit
as to how elementary I can get and still get
the point across without taking the full 8-10
pages to nail it down. I think it would be a
good idea for the future if people would
question me on specifics of what is not
understood so that I can either clarify my
language or refer the hacker to resources.
How does one find specific areas in the
service manuals and in the units that we may
want to modify? Specifically, unlocking
blocked frequencies. What do you look for
and how do you identify such areas?
ED: Good question. In most cases, the
novice can’t identify those areas on his own.
The purpose of a service manual for the
hacker is not so he can do original research
& development on his own, though if he can,
more power to *im. Rather, it is as a road
map so we can play to the same sheet of
music when I give out tech info . I can do it
in fewer words if we 're both looking at the
same diagram. In due time, the hacker will
learn and master a lot of this stuff. I’ll do a
tech article on this subject soon, though.
As far as unmodifiable equipment, just what
makes them unmodifiable?! How can one
tell? I mean, why can’t we just find the right
area and fix this factoiy/govemment flaw.
Even to the point of changing a CPU, (is that
possible, why - why not?). I mean, a Scanner
Wizard like yourself should have come up
with a way to correct this situation by now!
You have mentioned the terms firmware and
hardware. What in the world are we talking
about here? And why can’t we change or
upgrade them?__
04/04/9521:13-21:13- The "World Scanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 8
ED: More good questions. Scanner CPU’s
are really microcomputers, self-contained
with everything they need to run alone,
including volatile and non-volatile memory
(RAM and ROM), an “operating system ”,
etc. The CPU chips are manufactured with
“open doors” so to speak. Manufacturers
buy them; load their own unique code; then
literally weld or bum the “doorway” closed
so that it cannot be accessed. In general
terms, this internal, inaccessible program
code is called firmware.
You can remove and replace a CPU so long
as it is pin-for-pin compatible with the
original and so long as it does things within
the capabilities of the hardware that’s
external to the CPU. If you were a
programmer and knew how to set up a CPU
to control a scanner, you could buy an open
CPU and “bum ” it with your own code, and
within limits of reason, make the scanner do
whatever you want it to do. This is more or
less the principle of the Optoelectronics 456
Interface. It replaces the scanner’s CPU to a
limited extent.
You can ’t always tell at a glance if a scanner
is “unmodifiable”. That may take some
experience and knowledge of the technology.
The neophyte will pretty well have to go by
what the experts say until he passes the green
stages of hacking. In my case, I am a
hardware engineer; not a software expert.
About all I know of programming is that it
appears on radio and TV. . But I can
look at a CPU circuit and tell within minutes
something of its capability. All new scanners
are unmodifiable in the CPU area. Period.
On a related matter...I’ve seen adds for the
AOR8000 megascanner. The ad states that
you can get a blocked unit, or, if you’re a
government agent, an unblocked one. What
gives?! Why can’t a person get a copy of the
service manual for both versions, find the
difference, order the parts, and correct the
problem?
ED: Maybe that is possible! More than
likely, it is a matter of replacing an entire
CPU/Logic board with another one; usually
a fairly easy task. But to determine this
requires research and development, a very
expensive proposition. So far, no one has
donated an AR-8000 for my research, and I
am not about to buy one on a lark & gamble.
Likewise with the Bearcat 2500XLT,
(Remember Uniden/Bearcat... one of your
favorite Mfg’s.), now they have a 3000XLT
model out. they look almost identical, but
advertise added bells and whistles. Again,
check the differences in the service manuals,
(if I knew where to look [again - in layman’s
terms please]), and improve on mother
nature! After all we are talking about a
“machine” here. Not the twisted ramblings
going on in the mind of a guy named Don
from Menasha!
ED: True enough, but again, we ’re talking
exhaustive research and analytical efforts.
The service manual is requisite to success of
such efforts, BUT..so is having the equipment
in hand with which to perform tests and
checks. No one has donated a BC-2500XLT
or BC-3000XLT to my research. And I am
not about to buy firmware ..
Now a short note of thanks to Greg Strauss,
V5N2P6. The battery upgrade works great!
Although the fine fellows at the local R.S.
gave me a bewildered, almost confused look,
when I tried to explain why I wanted two sets
of cordless phone batteries! The hired help
still believe that R-58 cable is the best for
scanner applications...come on guys...haven’t
you ever heard of “Dr. Rigormortis”\7
ED: It’s a Cosmic Principle to take with a
grain of salt whatever RS people tell you.
Well Bill, that’s about it for now. Eventually
you may get to a point where you’ll get
yourself a rubber stamp stating “RETURN
TO SENDER”, to use when my letters show
in your mail!! So, sober up, let the wife and
kids back out, and go back to that tremendous
job you do so well! Hugs & Kisses,
ED: Let’s dispense with the H&K’s. Cindy
and daughter Ali keep me well stocked in that
department. Sober? I used to drink like a
fish, but I’ve been sober for five years, ever
since I slithered down the stairs headfirst on
a Japanese sake ' bender while the kids were
looking on, wondering why *ol Dad was
acting so weird. As for letting wife & kids
out? THEY filter all my mail before I ever
see it, so Life is easy for me .
P.S. Regarding that full and complete copy
of the BC2500XLT Service Manual I sent
you, V5N2P7, I had that professionally
reproduced at a local printer, hi many ways
it was better than the original! And it
weren’t cheap!
ED: I expect not, but it still ain’t here. ©
HOT SCOOP ON CALLER ID
From: Michael Stams, Seattle WA: Just a
quick note to fill you in on Caller Number
Identification (CNID) or Caller-ID. Enclosed
is a copy of the CNID Frequently-Asked-
Questions (FAQ) from the telecom archives
on ftp.ics.mit.edu. The entire posting makes
for interesting reading but section 4 is of
interest. It details how the CNID data is
provided.
It is important to note that CNID is not the
same as Automatic Number Identification
(ANI) used by E911 services and 800/900
number providers. ANI cannot be blocked.
The answer to the reader question “Is caller
I.D. data transmitted by the base of a cordless
phone?” is No. The cordless handset ring is
04 / 04/95 21.13 - 2i:i3~ The " World Scanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 9
Sub&eriherNo, graft&9S SUBSCRlPttdM SLA M V5M03
|USA RATES shown: Canada add 15%; Other Foreign +25%-surf/+50%-Air
NAME:
fiACK &SUgS flteLY mm**QPY <** * *m$
STREET
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:
1991 (1st Year, Jan-Nov/Dec)~
1992 (2nd Year, Jan-Nov/Dec)-
1993 (3rd Year, Jan-Nov/Dec)-
1994 (4th Year, Jan-Nov/Dec)-
-10 ea $20.00
-10 ea $21.00
-10 ea $23.00
-10 ea $25.00
Work Ph: (.
Home Ph:(,
Career or
Profession
1991-94 (All the above)-
-40 ea $79.00 j$
WSft CURfcEBT SUBSCSlinKm
TYPE OF SCANNERS »
& Other Radios »
METHOD OF Check Cash M.O. Visa MstCard COD (+$6.50)
PAYMENT » □ □ □ □ □ _
Amount Enclosed
$
Half Year
One Year
Two Years
5ea $15.00
10 ea $25.00
20 ea $45.00
1 mum products.
Credit Card
Acct No: »
Amount Charged
$
Name of
Issuina Bank
Expiration
Date:
/ I
Signature Required (for credit card purchases)
X
■■■■I I
1
What else to tell us?
Ljmi
L JHHi:
Scanner Mod Hndbk, Vol-1: $17.95 + $4.00 S&H *
Scanner Mod Hndbk, Vol-2: $17.95 + $4.00 S&H *
Scanners & Secret Frequencies $19.95 + $4 S&H *
* Canada US$6 S&H; Other Foreign US$9 S&H; aH add extra for Air
|CE-232 Interface Kit $194.95 + $5 S4H; All Foreign add 25%-surf
Hertzian Intercept BBS Subs: $8/mo $15/3-mo $25/6-mo $40/yr $75/2-yr
HOBBY RADIO BUYER'S DIRECTORY $14.95 ppd. surf
Calif residents: Saiaa Tax - 7.0% on all ordera except WSR eube
synthesized by the base unit in a fashion
similar to all modem phones.
I am sorry CNID is not available in CA, but
remember, one person’s right is another
person’s invasion of privacy, the good of the
many outweigh the good of the few.
ED: I have this to say about that.....when
two rights are in apparent conflict, one must
give way to the greater good or the higher
right. Specifically, if we assume that callers
and callee’s have a right to privacy, then
whose is the greater right? It is far easier
for the caller to choose NOT to make a call
than it is for the callee to choose NOT to
accept a call. The caller has the instant right
to his choice while the callee must weigh and
deliberate first to exercise his. But the callee
has no data on which to base his choice,
when the phone rings.
On the other hand, the caller KNOWS whom
he is calling; the callee has no clue who is
calling. This is an unequal situation.
Therefore, CALLER-ID performs as an
equalizer without impinging on any inherent
rights of the caller. If a caller wishes to be
anonymous, CALLER-ID can reflect that,
too, thereby giving the callee at least
something in the way of equal information.
CALLER-ID cannot in any way impinge on
the rights of the caller. Callers DO,
however, impinge on the rights of callees.
CALLER-ID could go a long way to
equalizing everyone *s rights . I think.
That Frequently Asked Questions file you
mentioned is a good one, so I got on the
Internet and ftp'd it and put it up for free
access on my BBS, the Hertzian Intercept.
The following file is available in the free
download area of the BBS:
CIDFAQ.TXT 14772 03/16/1995 12:31
PRO-2027 CELLULAR RESTORE
I have no idea of where this came from, but
cellular can be restored in the PRO-2027:
Remove bottom panel ( 4 screws ). Locate
diode D35 located behind the <Enter> key.
It’s a surface mount component that
resembles a tiny black rectangle. Desolder
and remove D35. Gently pry up the
component with a pin or tweezers while
touching one leg with a soldering iron. Don't
apply too much heat for very long at a time.
MARYMAC DOWN & OUT!
Tim Dowdle of Chula Vista, CA, called to
tell us Marymac Industries of Katy, TX, is
gone! The franchise store apparently was
sold back to Radio Shack. Dowdle advised
that Ft Worth Computers, another Radio
Shack franchise store, (800-433-7283), is a
good alternate source for deep discounts on
the better PRO-line scanners. Ask for Steve.
PRO-43 TRICKS & MODS - MISC
From: Melvin Morris, Rison, AR: You
asked for ideas from readers of your books.
I use my PRO-43 for a base unit. (I am trying
to sneak up on a PRO-2004/5/6), but, that
may never take place. When I get 3 feet
away from the PRO-43 I can’t tell if it’s on or
off; when there is no activity. It needs a
small LED on the front. Second and most
important is, in the middle of a SEARCH, the
scanner can stop on a carrier, or hit the
control channel of a trunked system. Why
can’t there be a circuit to lockout these
unwanted frequencies and still search that
band of frequencies. You can lock them out
on SCAN, but not on SEARCH.
I may be wading into deep water, but can the
average person build a converter to
reincarnate a scanner that just has the 400-
500 MHz to 800 MHz? I know they make
them, but probably hard to come by now.
I have both your books and congratulate you
on them. I’m looking forward to your 3rd
book when you get enough material to
publish it. I’m scared that I won’t know
anything about it for 10 years; and by then
you will be sold out. I said that for a joke but
it really is the truth. Here in Arkansas we are
about that far behind Calif.
ED: So long as you understand that an LED
draws current and handheld scanners run
from batteries that drain at the least
opportune moment, then you can wire in an
LED pretty much where ever you want it.
First find a place for it, preferably a T-I size
or smaller, and prewire it with two color
coded wires, one for the cathode and one for
the anode. Install the LED and bind it with
superglue or hot glue. Route the wires up to
near the ON/OFF switch. Solder the cathode
wire to a nearby ground. Solder a I500C2
resistor to the switched side of the ON/OFF
switch. Solder the LED anode wire to the
free end of the resistor. Draws 5-ma or so.
There isn’t any good way to logically sense
and lockout selected freqs found in SEARCH
mode of the PRO-43. It can be easily done
with the CE-232 Interface and a PRO-
2004/5/6, but not others. Technical reasons.
Bad news on converters, but a little research
in ham literature might be productive for a
roll-your-own. Not easy for the beginner.
Commercial models are illegal to sell now.
See the front page for news of my 3rd book,
the Ultimate Scanner. You're up with the
times now. Arkansas ain't so bad after all! ©
That’s it for this month, folks. Next issue
should release in early May. Spring is here!
04/<MS952i:i3~2i:i3~ The "World Scanner Report" © 1991-95; Volume 5, No 3; Page 10
950404V5N03P10
COMMtronics ENGINEERING'S
‘fORLH SCANNER REPORT”
PO BOX 262478
m DIEGO, CA 92106-2478
IN THIS ISSUE
ISSN-10S1-9240
FIRST CLASS MAIL
+ Ultimate Scanner (Book) Announced ~ Facts & Fantasies for 1995 & Beyond
+ Contest Time: Enter & Win! ~ UPDATE: PRO-2004 Parts Are Gone!
+ PRO-2004/5/6/2035 Bandpass Filters Explained ~ Bandpass Switch Circuits
+ Hot Stuff For Hackers: PC Interface Multimeters from Radio Shack and Metex!
+ New company: AGA Associates
+ Run a scanner 24-hrs/day? ~ BC-100XLT/BC-200XLT Battery Source
+ Layman & Neophyte Hacker Concerns ~ Caller-ID Information
+ PRO-2027 Cellular Restoration ~ Marymac Industries Gone!
+ Stocking up on parts ~ Electroluminescent Panel Considerations
+ PRO-43 Impossible Tricks & Mods ~ 800 MHz Converters Now Illegal
