by Ben Saladino, KC5IRJ Ben_Saladino@compuserve.com
6/9/97
Radio Shack has recently released a
new scanner, the Pro-64. It's their first scanner that features
computer control. With Radio Manager
for Windows you can quickly upload hundreds of channels to the
sporty little handheld. The Pro-2041 is essentially the same as
a Pro-64, but in a base version. It should be available soon.
Simply, it ROCKS!
With a computer programmable scanner
you can use your computer to store, organize, share, dynamically
switch scanner profiles for events, traveling, and more!
Let's say you normally have your scanner
loaded to the max, or more realistically, you've got something
important in every bank. That might include everyday routine police,
fire, media, aviation, and traffic frequencies. Now, the big event
comes to town, say the inaugural Texas Motor Speedway
Winston Cup NASCAR race. UGH! With an ordinary scanner that means
you'll be programming racing specific frequencies on the tiny
keypad of the scanner for a long time before the race, and when
the race is over, you guessed it, more typing to get your scanner
back to its everyday configuration. (Wow, this is starting to
sound like an infomercial! I guess it really is.) Ahh!, but you
have the Radio Shack Pro-64 or Pro-2041, a computer, an interface,
and Radio Manager for Windows.
All you have to do is store your frequencies in Radio Manager
for Windows once. Then you can quickly and easily upload the "channels
of the day" to your Radio Shack Pro-64 or Pro-2041 in a matter
of minutes, or even less. If you've been using Frequency Manager for Windows,
then the work will be even less, because Radio Manager can create
bank files from your Frequency Manager list automatically.
If you travel, go to air shows, auto
races, ham fests, airport watching, from Fort Worth to Dallas,
or just want to share your channels with a friend, a computer
programmable scanner like the Radio Shack Pro-64 or Pro-2041 with
Radio Manager for Windows will make scanning even more fun.
The Pro-64 and Pro-2041 need an easy to build
(no soldering required) and inexpensive interface. Mine cost about
$8.30 after tax and only took a few minutes to assemble. Download
Radio Manager for Windows
for details.
29-50MHz VHF-lo, 50-54MHz 6m Ham, 108-136.975
MHz Air, 137-144 MHz Government, 144-148MHz 2m Ham, 148-174MHz
VHF-hi, 380-450Mhz Government and 70cm Ham, 450-470MHz UHF-lo,
470-512MHz UHF-hi, 806-824MHz, 849-869MHz, 894-960MHz
It's made by GRE, the same folks who
made the classic scanner workhorse Pro-2004. My only disappointments
are the lack of military aviation coverage and more banks would
be nice, but the computer uploading is GREAT!
The Radio Shack Pro-64 is so new that
your local store may not be familiar with it yet. You might want
to mention the part number 20-564, and as a shameless plug, if
you want to print this out and take it to your local Radio Shack,
it might help me sell more copies of Radio Manager for Windows.
The Pro-2041 should be released soon. It's catalog number 20-463.
Thanks, Ben Saladino http://www.interplaza.com/bensware/rm.htm
I have no association with Radio Shack
other than working with a couple of Radio Shack product managers
and quality assurance people who were very helpful in getting
me information so that I could add support for the Pro-64 and
test the Pro-2041 for use with Radio Manager for Windows. Thanks
Radio Shack! Cool Radio!
Return to Scanning the Dallas/Fort Worth Area
or Radio Manager for Windows
or Radio Shack
What's so great about "Computer
Programmable"?
Computer Interface
Pro-64 Features (straight off the
box, Part Number 20-564) $299.99 USD as of 5/13/97