NEW ITEM ANNOUNCEMENT Radio Shack announces the PRO-43, 200-Channel Portable Scanner with HyperScan. This is the first-ever Realistic handheld scanner that features a triple-conversion superheterodyne circuit that eliminates cellular image problems on 800 MHz, and also improves image rejection across the entire reception band. The scanner also features: |-| Access to over 48,000 frequencies including 200-400 MHz military aircraft and 800-MHz public safety bands |-| HyperScan system scans at 25 frequencies per second and searches at 50 frequencies per second |-| Ten storage banks allow grouping and selection of channels by frequency or by type of service |-| Automatic and manual AM/FM mode selection |-| Monitor bank |-| Memory saver |-| Priority channel |-| Lockout function |-| Multifunction liquid-crystal display |-| Operates on 6 'AA' or rechargeable batteries, AC adapter, or DC adapter Coverage: 30 - 50 MHz (in 5 kHz steps) 118 - 136.975 MHz (in 25 kHz steps) 137 - 174 MHz (in 5 kHz steps) 220 - 225 MHz (in 5 kHz steps) 225.0125 - 400 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps) 400.0125 - 512 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps) 806 - 823.9375 Mhz (in 12.5 kHz steps) 851 - 868.9375 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps) 896 - 999.9875 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps) FM Sensitivity (20 dB S/N at 3 kHz deviation): 1 uV AM Sensitivity (20 dB S/N at 60% modulation): 2 uV Spurious Response Rejection (at 328 MHz FM except primary image): 40 dB Selectivity: +/- 10 kHz: -6 dB +/- 20 kHz: -50 dB IF Frequencies 1st: 608.005 - 611.2 MHz 2nd: 48.5 MHz 3rd: 455 kHz Audio Power: 250 mW Dimensions: 5 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 1 5/8 Inches Weight: About 8.8 oz without antenna or batteries ---------------------------------------- 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 - parnass@ihlpm.att.com - (708)979-5414