PRO2004.4 Part 1/4 The Radio Shack PRO-2004 Programmable Scanner (c)1987 - Bob Parnass, AJ9S Manufactured in Japan, by General Research Electronics, the Radio Shack PRO-2004 is a 300 channel, wide coverage scanner radio, incorporating NBFM, WBFM, and AM modes. Although the catalog description doesn't do the radio justice, the microprocessor circuitry provides features not found in other scanners. This review, although admittedly subjective, focuses on three broad characteristics: feature set, basic elec- trical performance, and mechanical construction. Frequency Coverage The PRO-2004 literature states that coverage is from 25-520 and 760-1300 MHz. Radio Shack's last minute decision to remove cellular telephone frequency coverage from the PRO-2004 caused a 7 week delay in its introduction. A small card is now packed with each scanner, informing the buyer that the radio will not operate in the 825-845 and 870-890 MHz ranges. A matrix of diodes, attached to the microprocessor's input port, is often used to configure radios for sale in different markets. From recent flux on the circuit board, it appears that a diode has been added or remo- ved from my PRO-2004, and this may be how the cellular telephone coverage was yanked. Lots of Memory The PRO-2004 has the usual features that scanner buffs have come to expect: individual channel lockouts, selectable rescan delay, an external speaker jack, etc. But, the 300 channel capacity of the PRO-2004 sets an industry record! Casual scanner users may scoff at the usefulness of having so many channels, but seasoned monitorists can have those channels filled up in no time flat, especially with frequencies in the vast 225-400 MHz military air band. With so many channels to program, one dreads the thought of a power failure, which could clear memory in a hurry. Not to worry, the PRO-2004 memory is backed up by a conventional 9 volt alkaline battery (not sup- plied). The 300 channels are divided into 10 banks of 30 channels each, and one can select or deselect any channel bank from the scan list. Individual channels can be locked out in the customary way, but the PRO- 2004 provides a new feature, a LOCKOUT REVIEW. Succes- sive depressions of this key step through the locked out channels. The owner's manual refers to the ability to delete a channel by storing a 0 frequency in it, not a particu- larly useful exercise. The scanner will still spend time scanning a "deleted" channel unless it is locked out with the LOCKOUT key, which then means it appears in the lockout list when using the LOCKOUT REVIEW feature. Scanners worth their keep have a priority feature, with channel 1 usually designated the priority channel. The PRO-2004 is more flexible; any of the 300 channels may be designated the priority channel. When the PRIORITY key is depressed, that channel will be sampled every 2 seconds, and the radio will stay there if a signal is heard. The PRO-2004 has two scan speeds, although one would probably use the faster, 16 channel/second speed in most instances. This compares favorably with 14 channel/second speed of the Bearcat 800XLT. When programming a channel, the PRO-2004 firmware sets the mode automatically, based on its idea of what mode is most prevalent on that frequency. This feature saves extra keystrokes, and makes one appreciate the thought that went into the design of this radio. The default mode can be overridden easily, if need be, like to listen to a NBFM satellite in the 225-400 MHz range, which is mainly populated with AM signals.  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253