Pro-2004: Blast from the past...

[wa8pyr]

Putting a new EL panel in my faithful Pro-2004, so I cracked it open. Forgot how much Turbo-Whopper stuff I had packed into this thing.

Way back when (pretty sure around 1990 or 1991) I installed D510 to add 100 channels for a total of 400, clipped D513 to restore cellular coverage, and installed D514 to get a 20cps scan rate. This evening, I clipped D510 to go back to 300 channels; I don’t need 400 channels in this radio, and having the keypad overlay not match the channel layout always confused the heck out of me. Way back when I also removed the power transformer to keep the heat down inside the cabinet; the transformer got built into a separate 13.8vdc power supply to power the scanner.

Took a couple of happy snaps while I was at it this evening; looking at the top of the radio:
1. Left side under the battery box is the tape recorder on-off relay and front panel carrier indicator lamp circuit.
2. Center of main board I added a perf board with the circuitry for the center tune meter and s-meter.
3. Back panel (left to right from the battery box) has jacks for the record on-off switch, 10.7 MHz IF output and discriminator tap.

Looking at the bottom of the radio:
1. To the left of the PC-3 board is an IC added with the CE-232 computer-control mod.
2. Rear panel of the radio, big black connector is a mini-DIN for the S-meter and center-tune meter box, and the DB-25 panel mount for the CE-232; I could have installed the CE-232 inside the radio, but at the time thought I might eventually want to use the CE-232 on my Pro-2006, but when the OS-456 board came out, that idea went down the drain.

And of course the finished product with a nice new EL panel, and another one with the s-meter/center tune meter box connected (the meter box has an RJ-45 panel connector on the back for connecting a TF-1 tone finder which I have around here somewhere)…

Such a fun radio, and in my opinion one of the best conventional scanners ever made. It's served me well for over 30 years!

 

[wa8pyr]

Forgot to mention... I ordered the EL panels from EL Wire Craft in the UK. They're pre-cut to fit most Radio Shack/Realistic scanners, which they do (width-wise); I did my Pro-2021 last night and the Pro-2004 this evening, and only an inch had to be trimmed off the end of the EL panel for both. They work great!

 

[wtp]

i have used mine everyday since i bought it.
the panel still is it, just not like new, but i can read it.
i did do the add cell and 100ch and speed diode things.
years ago some guy had a pic of the 400 channel stick on channel change and i just copied it and taped it on.
it had since come off after 30 years. but i don't have to see the display as i know what is in it and have not changed it in years anyway.
mil air and mutual aid that is it.
the audio died one night and i have an add on amp to drive a speaker.
if you want to see something weird only type in 24.5 (stop) now look at the display.

 

[Engine104]

Forgot to mention... I ordered the EL panels from EL Wire Craft in the UK. They're pre-cut to fit most Radio Shack/Realistic scanners, which they do (width-wise); I did my Pro-2021 last night and the Pro-2004 this evening, and only an inch had to be trimmed off the end of the EL panel for both. They work great!

I'll second that. I replaced the EL panel in my 2006 with one of those. They are great and brighter than the ones on Ebay from China.

 

[wscranston]

Somewhere, Bill Cheek is smiling.

 

[MTS2000des]

The build quality of these GRE built RS scanners from the 1980s is second to none. I still have a PRO-2020 from 1983 that refuses to die. It still has perfect sensitivity on VHF/UHF and makes a great scanner to monitor the local analog ham repeaters. Mine has never been serviced. VFD is still bright as it was when Reagan was still in office (and gas prices were under a buck a gallon).

 

[StoliRaz]

It looks like a scale 😂 I like the blue backlight. I miss when things were this simple. No trunking, digital, simulcast, just know your frequencies and go

 

[moonbounce]

The build quality of these GRE built RS scanners from the 1980s is second to none. I still have a PRO-2020 from 1983 that refuses to die. It still has perfect sensitivity on VHF/UHF and makes a great scanner to monitor the local analog ham repeaters. Mine has never been serviced. VFD is still bright as it was when Reagan was still in office (and gas prices were under a buck a gallon).

I still have my PRO-2020 that I purchased back in the day, I added the discriminator tap to it and pipe the signal to DSD+1.101 for digital decodes, works great .

 

[avendo]

will the pro 2004 pickup RISCON for rhode island 800 band?

 

[wscranston]

will the pro 2004 pickup RISCON for rhode island 800 band?

No, it's a P25 digital system.

 

[avendo]

ok,i saw one for sale at a swap shop,guess i wont buy it then..thx

 

[trentbob]

It also does not trunk but was an iconic radio made by GRE for RadioShack. The radio should not be more than $25 and if so I would buy it just to have it, I had a few of them.

You could cut a diode on them and they would pick up 800 MHz phone calls. There weren't that many cell phones then so it didn't matter if it didn't trunk track, you could still pick up both sides of the conversation. Nothing works today to pick up encrypted cell phones.

Again I wouldn't pay more than 25 or $35 but if it's in good working order I would buy one.

 

[moonbounce]

If the signal is not encrypted all you need is a discriminator tap on that 2004 and DSDPlus 1.101 on a computer and problem solved, you will be able to monitor any P25 system and other digital variations like NXDN 4800 and 9600 baud, DMR and Provoice.

 

[trentbob]

If the signal is not encrypted all you need is a discriminator tap on that 2004 and DSDPlus 1.101 on a computer and problem solved, you will be able to monitor any P25 system and other digital variations like NXDN 4800 and 9600 baud, DMR and Provoice.

I just took a harder look at the thread and enjoyed your posts regarding the modifications you made. Nice.

 

[avendo]

i dont know how to make those mods,I work in IT and if you tell me how i could probably do it..

 

[iowajm780]

Where is the panel on the EL Wire Craft Site? I may replace the display on my 2006. What a scanner the 2006 was. I bought mine in the mid 90's (don't remember when) and did the modifications to it. Did the discriminator tap so I may use that with DSD+ as well.

 

[KA1RBI]

If the signal is not encrypted all you need is a discriminator tap on that 2004, you will be able to monitor any P25 system

any P25 system EXCEPT simulcast and EXCEPT P25 phase II. Those two modes don't play well with disc. tap derived signals. There's also the problem of how to follow calls in a trunked system...

 

[PACNWDude]

Great information in this thread. I still have a Pro-2006 and two Pro-2032's running with their original back lights, but, I always kept them on the dim mode. They also get shut off from time to time.

The Pro-2006 got the 800 MHz diode mod, as I bought it just as the drama picked up, listening to cell phones and cordless phones while living in a military dorm was very interesting. Great scanners, but with much in my area being P25 Phase I and going to Phase II, I use all three more for aviation monitor receivers now. As others have said, some of the best receivers in their time, and may still be useful even today.

 

[N6TUJ]

still got mine with the mods. still have the MR 8100 also

 

[smason]

Nice! I have a 2004 with CE232 and a 2006 with OS456.
One of the best and really easy mods I made to the 2004 back in the day was putting a little sticker on the up arrow so I could feel it, and hit resume on a search in a particularly interesting section of the 800 MHZ band when it was on the bedside table in the dark.