January 12, 1999

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 |                   THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT                     |
 |     A Journal of VHF-UHF Scanner Technology and Engineering    |
 |   COMMtronics Engineering; PO BOX 262478; San Diego, CA 92196  |
 |   Copyright (c) 1991-98  <All Rights Reserved>    $5.00/issue  |
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INTRODUCING THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT

The 'WORLD SCANNER REPORT' is a hard-hitting, tell-it-like-it-is, no
holds barred, monthly newsletter that started in January, 1991.  The
'WSR' runs 8 to 10 pages in a three-column format, laser printed, with
graphics and photos.  It's filled with the hottest, rarest, juiciest,
inside stuff about VHF-UHF scanner technology, engineering and
operation that you ever saw in your life! There is nothing like it!

The WORLD SCANNER REPORT is published and edited by yours truly, Bill
Cheek, the author of the SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOKs and the
ULTIMATE SCANNER. You may already own or heard about these
best-selling, do-it-yourself manuals on scanner mods, alterations,
trick-outs and soup-ups.  One objective of the 'WSR' is to supplement,
reinforce and update the material in my books and to take up where my
scanner books leave off. The SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOKs and THE
ULTIMATE SCANNER are available from me, autographed if you like.

OTHER OBJECTIVES OF 'THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT'

To Promote And Encourage:
(1) Growth of the Scanning Hobby;
(2) Incorporation of the latest technology into scanners;
(3) Dissemination of tech knowledge/info about scanners;
(4) Accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of radio communications;
(5) Pleasure and benefits of radio.

The predominant share of the WSR's material is about scanners and
scanning. Some attention may be given to Citizens Band, Amateur,
Shortwave, computers, and other areas, but scanners and scanning are 
what we're all about here.  We take our radioing very seriously, at 
a world class level, so to speak.  If you're serious about radio, 
you and I are stepping to the beat of the same drummer.

CONTENTS OF THE 'WORLD SCANNER REPORT'

The 'WSR' covers scanner technology and engineering, but not in overly
sophisticated technical lingo!  We talk a common everyday jargon that
can be grasped by radio hobbyists.  You do not have to be an engineer
or a tech to apply our info.  Some material comes from engineers,
technicians and serious hobbyists, but I edit, translate and present
that stuff in a form and on a level that is useful to most people with
basic education.  The SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOKs are legendary
examples of my ability to transfer knowledge and use of technology to
non-technical people.  Shortly after Vol 1 of my Scanner Modification 
Handbook was published, a fellow told me that he possessed only an 8th-
grade education and that he was able to successfully perform all the 
applicable modifications to his PRO-2004.  The 'WSR' follows in that 
tradition!

The 'WSR' offers guidelines, procedures and methods to extract the
ultimate in performance from VHF-UHF scanner receivers.  We focus on
the Realistic PRO-2004, -2005, -2006, and -43 scanners, because I know 
them inside and out, and because these form a major chunk of the current 
scanner market.  We are not limited to the 'best sellers', however. 
ICOM, Uniden-Regency, AOR, Cobra and others get attention, too.

The 'WSR' gets into hacking and modifying scanners, but it also digs
into theory; operation; troubleshooting, problem diagnosis, alignment
and maintenance of scanner radios.  (If you're going to rip into
yours, you might as well know something about its circuitry and what
makes it tick, right?)  We explore all areas of scanning, scanners and
technology that can benefit the scannist.

So what turns you on?  Would conversion of a 400-channel scanner into
one with 25,600 channels do it?  How about a beautiful and functional
10-segment LED S-meter?  How about a simple circuit to make your
scanner automatically resume scanning or searching after it locks up
on a data channel?  Does your scanner go too slow?  We'll speed it up.
Is your DELAY function too short?  We'll lengthen it.  How about a
CTCSS Tone Decoder for your scanner, and while you're at it, a Tone
Finder? The 'WSR' will be exploring these and much more including
automatic tape recorder switches, center tuning meters and even
computer interfaces for scanners!  The sky's our limit and when we
reach it, we'll just set a new limit and break it, too!

The 'WSR' focuses on the hardware of scanning and max performance.
This includes microscopic attention on the innards of scanner
receivers and on the stuff that bolts on or hooks up to 'em including:
antennas, coax cables, connectors, preamps, converters, computers and
computer interfaces, grounding systems and power supplies.  The 'WSR'
daringly exploits other off-areas of scanning including surveillance
and electronic countermeasures, signal detectors, frequency counters,
volt/ohm meters and other types of electronic test equipment.  The
'WSR' can help you acquire, assemble, fine-tune, maintain and operate
a HIGH PERFORMANCE monitoring station!

BACKGROUND BEHIND THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT

I have 30+ years' experience in the engineering and technology of
radio: VLF to microwave voice and data comm, amateur, CB, Land Mobile,
coastal and shipboard radio; electronic surveillance and
countermeasures, radar, audio and hi-fi, satellite comm, research,
design, development and manufacturing.  I am a former corporate CEO,
too. A piece of it all has come my way over time and I'm eminently
qualified to steer some of it your way.  I've published other
newsletters similar to this one, so your editor is no green novice at
what we're doing here.  My greatest interest is communications and my
focus is on radio with scanners at the top of the list.  I feel that
scanning offers a peephole into the heartbeat of the world.  The
'WORLD SCANNER REPORT' was born from a persistent nagging inside me to
write about what turns me on.  It turns me on to point a big ear into
the heart beat of: government, law enforcement, military, space,
business, commerce and politics: COMMUNICATIONS.  You too?

AN INVITATION TO JOIN WITH THE 'WSR'

Please see the Table of Contents for all issues of the 'WSR' to date,
so you can get a better idea of what we're all about. Also check out
the huge subject matter Index to the WSR so you can look up your favored
topics.  The filenames are:  

wsrtofc.txt      Table of Contents
wsrindex.txt     Keyword Index

If you want to subscribe to the 'WORLD SCANNER REPORT', there are
three levels to suit your budget:

Single issue    @ $ 5.00 ea
6-mos/5 issues  @ $20.00
1-yr/10 issues  @ $35.00

If you're not convinced that the 'WORLD SCANNER REPORT' is for you, 
then sample a single issue for $5.00 and later apply it to the cost 
of a subscription if you like. Payment in US FUNDS; check or money 
order preferred; cash ok, but risky.  If for any reason you are not 
satisfied with the 'WSR', you can get a prorated refund for all unsent 
issues. Canadian subscribers add 15% to the prices stated above.  
Postage to Canada costs more and envelopes are required, which 
increases our costs. Other foreign prices are quoted on the subscription 
blank in an accompanying file called ORDER.TXT

All subscriptions to the 'WSR' begin in January or June of each year
to help control admin costs.  If you subscribe in the middle of one of
these periods, back issues to the most recent starting point will be
sent to commence your sub.  We'll be happy to accommodate your needs
and desires if you don't like that arrangement.  It's just the way we
do it if you don't object and most people don't.  The 'WSR' is mailed
around the first of the month for the month of issue.  May-June and
November-December are combined issues for a total of ten issues per
year.

Authors, Columnists and Reader Feedback invited!  Monthly columnists
eligible for FREE subscriptions and other perks.  If you want to build
your writing credentials, an opportunity may exist for you here at the
'WSR'. Come one; come all for a Life Adventure!

NOTE:  Back issues of the WSR to January 1991 (V1N1) are always available, 
from single copies at $5 ea, ppd, to yearly sets, priced according to
how many you purchase at one time.  

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========================================================================

THE BELOW QUESTIONS ARE OPTIONAL BUT WILL HELP US HELP YOU!
Radio Interests? (Put YEARS OF EXPERIENCE in each block that applies)
VHF-UHF         Amateur       CB           Shortwave      Professional
Scanning?_______Radio?________Radio?_______Listening?_______Radio?____
List Computer
Equipment & Skills?  _________________________________________________
Career/Profession
Or Occupation:________________________________________________________
List makes & models of your scanners & other radio equipment:::


Describe your technical abilities & interests; use space as needed.::




======================================================================
WORLD SCANNER REPORT - 10 issues/yr
01/12/99    WSR SUBSCRIPTION RATES & ORDER BLANK     INF:WWW-5
           WSR BACK ISSUES ONLY        USA $$   Check Items
ANY  Single copy; your/our choice 1 ea $ 5.00  ______________ *
1991-8 (any one year, set  )     10 ea $30.00  ______________ *
1991-8 (any two years, set)      20 ea $50.00  ______________ *
1991-8 (any three years, set)    30 ea $65.00  ______________ *
1991-8 (any four years, set)     40 ea $75.00  ______________ *
1991-8 (any five years, set)     50 ea $84.00  ______________ *
1991-8 (any six years, set)      60 ea $92.00  ______________ *
1991-8 (any seven years, set)    70 ea $99.00  ______________ *
1991-8 ALL 8 YEARS, COMPLETE SET 80 ea$105.00  ______________ *
           WSR CURRENT SUBSCRIPTIONS ONLY
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One Year, 12-mos:                10 ea $35.00  ______________ *
* USA RATES ppd: (Canada +15%; Other Foreign +50%)
====================================================================

------------------------------------------------        --
Bill Cheek - President/CEO/Publisher            \      /
COMMtronics Engineering/World Scanner Report     \    /
Box 262478 ~ San Diego ~ CA ~ 92196-2478          \  / 
Voice: 619-578-9247 (1:30-5:30pm, PST, weekdays    \/
  Fax: 619-578-9247 (any time)                     /\ 
E-mail:  bcheek@cts.com                           /  \
ftp://ftp.cts.com/pub/bcheek                     /    \
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bcheek /      \
------------------------------------------------        --
