Category : Miscellaneous Language Source Code
Archive   : PRO43MOD.ZIP
Filename : PRO43INF.MOD

From: [email protected] (Bob Parnass, AJ9S)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.shortwave,alt.radio.scanner,rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Review - new Radio Shack PRO-43 portable scanner
Keywords: scanner radio covers 220 MHz and military areo freqs, too
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 11 Jul 92 22:10:45 GMT
Followup-To: rec.radio.shortwave
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL
Lines: 147


THE RADIO SHACK PRO-43 PORTABLE SCANNER

by Bob Parnass, AJ9S

The new Radio Shack PRO-43 is a small portable scanner made
by General Research Electronics (GRE) which lists for about
$350. Although it is a good step above other Radio Shack
portable scanners, hobbyists awaiting a portable version of
the famous PRO-2006 scanner will be disappointed.1 For
instance, the PRO-43 is an "extended coverage" and not a
continuous coverage scanner, covering these bands:


30 - 50 MHz
118 - 174
220 - 512
806 - 823.9375
896 - 899.9875

Note the omission of the 10 meter ham band, the 75 MHz band,
and the lack of coverage above 1000 MHz.

While the PRO-2006 has 400 channels, the PRO-43 has only 200
channels divided into 10 banks. Individual lockout and 2
second rescan delay may be selected for each of the memory
channels. Users may select between AM and narrow band FM on
any frequency. The PRO-2006 has 10 pairs of search limits
but the PRO-43 has only one pair and the step sizes are fac-
tory set. The PRO-2006 had selectable step sizes.

Both models have 10 "monitor" memories which can be written
manually during a search.

The HyperscanTM feature means the PRO-43 is supposed to scan
at 25 channels per second and search at 50 steps per second.
The radio does scan fast, although not measured by the
reviewer. When enabled, the priority channel is checked
every 2 seconds. As in the PRO-2006, any channel may be
designated as the priority channel.


Physical

The PRO-43 is just the right size for a portable scanner.
It is smaller than the PRO-37 and Uniden 200XLT but larger
than the tiny Icom R1.2 The gray plastic case feels about
the same as a 200XLT, neither as rugged as the Icom IC-2GAT
walkie talkie, nor as thin and chintzy as the PRO-37.
Inside, there are 3 printed circuit boards and most of the
components are of surface mount technology.

The top panel contains volume and squelch knobs, a 1/8" ear-
phone jack, and a BNC antenna connector. A plastic belt
clip of dubious strength is fastened to the rear with 2
screws.

A semirigid rubberized antenna is furnished with the PRO-43.


Performance Issues

The PRO-43 and Uniden 200XLT were tuned to the same frequen-
cies both using their stock rubberized antennas.

On 857.4375 MHz, the PRO-43 heard Joliet Police signals full
quieting which barely broke squelch on the 200XLT, due
partly to the poor 800 MHz performance of the antenna sup-
plied with the 200XLT. When the PRO-43 antenna was placed
on the 200XLT, the 200XLT reception improved noticeably, but
it was still not as good as the PRO-43.

On 146.94, 162.475, and 460.1 MHz, the PRO-43 and the 200XLT
were close in sensitivity.

When connected to an outdoor AV-801 antenna, paging
interference rendered several VHF high band channels unus-
able. The problem disappeared when using the rubberized
antenna supplied instead.

Owing to the use of up conversion, a high first intermediate
frequency, images don't appear to be a problem as they were
on other Radio Shack portable scanners like the PRO-34 and
PRO-37. The PRO-43 IF frequencies are specified at 608.005
- 611.2 MHz, 48.5 MHz, and 455 kHz.


Somewhat "Mushy" Audio

The PRO-43 uses an LM-386 audio output IC and the radio is
loud enough, but distorts severely when the volume control
is advanced too far. This is partly due to the internal
speaker as there is less distortion when using an external
Motorola lapel speaker plugged into the earphone jack.

The PRO-43 audio lacks high frequency response. By com-
parison, the Uniden 200XLT has cleaner audio and more of it,
especially when using the internal speaker.


Batteries

The PRO-43 requires 6 AA batteries, but none are included.
A battery clip slides up into the bottom of the radio case
and a separate trap door slides over it. Alkaline cells or
NiCd cells will bring the scanner to life. Like most other
Radio Shack portables, there are 2 jacks on the side, but
they are smaller than usual. An optional, AC operated "wall
wart" power supply/charger can power the radio or recharge
NiCd batteries.


Keyboard and Display

The user manual explains that the KEYLOCK slide switch "dis-
ables the keypad to prevent accidental program changes." In
truth, most of the keys are disabled. The MANUAL and SCAN
keys remain enabled.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) is a smaller version of the
display on the PRO-37. Being smaller, it is somewhat more
difficult to read than the 200XLT display. Pushing the
LIGHT button lights a single lamp behind the display. It
stays lit for only as long as you keep the button pressed
and is not latched or timed as in the 200XLT.


Summary

People who want a portable which covers both civilian and
military aircraft frequencies should check out the PRO-43.
The PRO-43 will be attractive to hobbyists who want more
frequency coverage and fewer images in a smaller package
than the PRO-37 or Uniden 200XLT and who don't want to fight
the problems of using the more feature rich AOR 1000XLT.

__________

1. See "The Realistic PRO-2006," by Bob Parnass, AJ9S, in
Monitoring Times, October 1990.

2. See "Uniden/Bearcat 200XLT Scanner Review," by Bob
Parnass, AJ9S, in the RCMA Journal, October 1988.

--
==============================================================================
Bob Parnass, AJ9S - AT&T Bell Labs - [email protected] - (708)979-5414
=============================================================================

July 22, 1992

PRO-43 800 MHZ Modification Pat Murphy Norfolk, Va.

I did the mod on the PRO-43 this morning and was very, very
happy with the results. Yes it restores all of the cellular
at the 30khz spacing and the reception on 800 MHZ is superior
to anything I've seen so far, including the ICOM R-1.

Let me caution anyone wanting to do the Modification to be
SUPER CAREFUL. This is a small unit with little working
space and unless you have a steady hand, excellent light,
don't try it.

USE THIS PROCEDURE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I can only tell you
that I did it this way and it worked very well.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRO-43 CELLULAR RESTORATION
1. Remove the battery pack and cover.

2. Remove the four screws on back and GENTLY pry apart.

3. Remove the 6 silver screws from the 1st PC Board.

4. Remove solder from the ground pad and center feed
conductor of the antenna directly under the antenna on the
PC Board heat solder on top PC Board and center feed will
loosen, this is the only really tricky part to this.

5. Disconnect the 2 plugs/wiring harness, make note of the
color scheme for re-installing. Harness has 2-metal
guides on the side....BE CAREFUL NOT TO PINCH WIRES.

6. Lift top board away from bottom, paying careful attention
the black plug near the bottom of the assembly, gently pry
this apart. DO NOT FORCE IT!

7. Remove 2-silver screws from the 2nd PC Board. (remember to
replace on re-assembly)

8. Remove solder from the four points on the large silver
shield covering the microprocessor board. Remove shield.
Make sure to replace shield on re-assembly as this serves
as protection from intermod and interference.

9. Near the bottom you will see a row of surface mount diodes
(very small and square, approx 1/32" long, black with gray
markings) These will be in locations marked D1, D2, D3,
D4, D5. Some of the locations are blank.

10.Use a very low temp iron (15-watt) and the smallest solde
wick available, remove the solder from both sides of D4.
Use hemostats or needle nose (very small) to grip while de
soldering. Remove diode D4. Another method, you could
use would be to (use magnifying glass) crush and remove D4
with the needle nose pliers. Make sure all of the pieces
are removed and nothing is touching or connecting.
11.Once D4 is removed you will have full 800 MHZ coverage and
30 KHZ spacing on cellular.

12. Carefully re-assemble unit remembering to double check
before going on to next step.

AGAIN - - USE THIS PROCEDURE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!

The 800 Mhz reception on the PRO-43 is superb.

When you've re-assembled the unit. Hit MANUAL, PROGRAM,
LIMIT, 870.00 ENTER, HIT LIMIT UNTIL "H" APPEARS AND THEN
890.00 ENTER. PUSH THE "UP" ARROW AND YOUR IN BUSINESS.

With this modification, this really is a great radio. ENJOY!

Patrick Murphy
Norfolk, Va.