Pro-96 Metal Belt Clip

[RexBanner]

I keep my Pro-96 attached to the sun visor in the car. Today, as I was retrieving my jacket out of the back seat, I managed to bump the scanner and split the standard plastic clip in two. This was the third clip I've gone through on this scanner.

Rather than ordering yet another plastic clip from RadioShack, can you guys recommend a metal clip for this scanner? I've searched the forum and found http://forums.radioreference.com/radio-shack-scanners/7212-metal-belt-clip-pro-96-a.html & http://forums.radioreference.com/general-scanning-discussion/2580-pro-96-metal-belt-clips.html about this - in both threads, some recommendations were made, but I just don't have any old radios or other scanners to "borrow" clips from. A replacement clip that can be purchased on eBay or elsewhere for a reasonable price would be ideal. I have a Dremel and various tools, and don't mind making modifications to make it fit.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[RexBanner]

Ideas, anyone? I'm ready to just order the plastic ones again unless you guys have a recommendation.

 

[ratboy]

Call Icom America and see if they have the belt clip for any of the radios similar to the 2AT or 24AT handheld. It will ALMOST fit tight out of the bag, but won't. You need to just take a dremel or drill and open up the holes in it a little and it will fit, and you can use the same screws as the crappy plastic one used. Put a tiny bit of blue loctite on the screws and you never have to worry about a belt clip again. I've had one on my 96 for a long time. I never trusted any of the non metal clips, they shouldn't even bother, just put screw holes a half inch apart, and give you some screws short enough to keep you from shorting anything out. Or, they could just give you a decent clip in the first place. How much can a little piece of stainless steel cost?

 

[RexBanner]

Thanks for that, ratboy. I actually called RadioShack and tried to order the RSU P/N for the replacement clip, but neither of the reps I spoke with could help me, so I've put it off for the week - I'm glad I did now that you replied.

I called ICOM today and ordered the 2AT clip. They're shipping it out tomorrow and I should have it here by next week. Do you have any photos of your setup, so that I know roughly what to expect?

 

[lost_in_maine]

I happened to have an un-used Pro-94 sitting around, and it fit on my 96..

 

[RexBanner]

Received my 2AT clip today from ICOM and was surprised to find that it doesn't even come close to fitting my Pro-96. I've attached a photo of the 2AT clip with the screw hole lined up to my scanner - as you can see, the second hole on the clip is far from where it needs to be to fit my scanner. The baggie the clip was in does show this to be a clip for the 2AT, so I don't imagine I got the wrong part, unless something went horribly wrong at ICOM when this clip was being packaged.

What do you guys make of this? I'm hoping I didn't just waste 10 bucks on a clip that won't work.

 

[lost_in_maine]

Doesn't even come close...plus the original is plastic, that looks like some alloy...
i took one from a 94 and it fit, don't think the size changed much back as far as the Pro-92...
Might be able to find one on ebay for the price of a clip

 

[RexBanner]

I appreciate your willingness to help, but if you take a look at the entire thread, you can see that another member recommended some minor modifications to an ICOM clip that should have worked with this scanner. This is not the original RadioShack plastic clip - I'm trying to avoid going with that route since I'll just have to replace it again later this year.

 

[phillydjdan]

Sir,

I have a custom made metal belt clip that I made for my Pro-96. Since my local city moved to a system the Pro-96 doesn't want to monitor, I no longer will be using the radio outside, so I would be willing to send you this clip. It was constructed out of a piece of metal banding material that I bent into shape with some pliers and drilled 2 holes in. If you want it, it's yours. Just PM me your address if you want it.

 

[Violation]

Rex, the belt clip that Icom sent you looks exactly like the belt clip on my IC-02at ht. I think this is a different clip than what is on the 2at. ( Note the difference in radio model numbers. ) I think Philly has the right idea, as it wouldn't take too much effort to make one that would fit and be heavier. I might try to make one for my Pro-97, because I bought it used, and it came with no belt clip. I've read in other places that the factory clips don't stay on, and the radio hits the ground.....something none of us wants.

 

[RexBanner]

Violation: Do you think I should pursue this with ICOM? The label on the baggie the clip shipped in reads "BELT CLIP 02AT 2AT" so I suspect it may work for both radios, and just not the way the screws are lined up on my Pro-96.

 

[Violation]

You could obtain a new clip from RS and try to glue it on, but you would be SOL if it would break in the future. I think Philly's idea would work better and still be removeable. I doubt if Icom would have any belt clip for a R/S scanner....but who knows?

 

[ratboy]

Wow, they gave you the clip for another series of radios! The 24AT and 2AT clip is totally different, and all you need to do is egg out the holes in it and put it on the radio. I don't have the radio here at work, but I will try to remember to post a pic of it. It basically looks like a stainless version of Philly's home made clip above. Tell them (Icom) they sent you the wrong clip. Hopefully they will do a swap.

 

[RexBanner]

I ended up just sending the clip back for a refund. phillydjdan's clip is on its way and it should work just fine

 

[phillydjdan]

Rex,

The clip I sent you will work great for what you need. It is rigid, yet bendable if you need to change the shape for whatever reason. It isn't pretty, but is very functional. I sent it out this morning via Priority Mail, so you should have it in a couple of days

 

[ratboy]

Glad to see it all worked out. There are so many HTs made over the years, it's not shocking Icom screwed it up. The correct clip is much narrower, and has no holes on the bottom and the holes for the screws are not "split up" like the 02AT clip they sent you. I forgot to take a pic of my 96 to post, but I will try to remember it tomorrow in case anyone else wants to get one.

 

[RexBanner]

phillydjdan's clip came in yesterday and it works perfectly. This is so simple, I wish I'd thought of just doing it myself. Thanks again!

 

[SCPD]

I used the clip from a Tape measure a while back and works great.

 

[ratboy]

I never thought of that, but I looked at one of the junk tape measures I have in a drawer and it would work with a little dremel tooling. I just wish my 106 and PSR-500 would take a normal beltclip.