RS Pro-2044 - Doesnt work as good anymore..

[RobertG27]

The Radioshack Pro-2044 scanner was my very first scanner. Right now it is about 8 or 9 years old.

It was a great scanner, always picked up good. Later on my mom got interested in scanning, so she been using it for awhile. About a year ago she started to tell me the pro-2044 doesn't work as good anymore. It was like a slow decline in scanner performance, I noticed it too.. I could clearly see what she meant..

Before it would pick up just about anything and now it only picks up very strong close signals. Right now it seems to be having a hard time just picking up the local police transmissions in this small town..

It just barely picks up anything anymore. I even tried installing a scanner antenna for it and still had the same problem, now I'm just using the telescopic screw in antenna.. It just seems like it's pickup range is severely limited..
Everything else on the pro-2044 scanner works fine, all the buttons, display, etc..

Definately there is something wrong with the scanner. Anyone have any ideas on what is wrong with it? Is this how a scanner dies? I tried doing a full reset by turning on the scanner while holding "2" and "9".. After a few resets, still no improvement..

I would like to fix this problem and keep using it. I bought a Uniden BC796D a couple weeks ago and I love it but I would just hate to throw away the RS pro-2044 since it still works alittle..

Any ideas? Help!

Thank you,

 

[RobertG27]

Anyone know where I can find a RS pro-2044 schematic?

 

[Zack08]

I dont know about the schematic, but before you get too deep into searching for info you might want to open the radio up and see if there is a broken solder connection on the antenna terminal. That may explain why you are only hearing strong signals.

Hope you can fix it!

 

[bwhite]

Does it have an ATT (attenuator) button, if so that is probably cutting the incoming signal strength to a small % of what is could be. Make sure it is not on.
I have a new 898 and the ATT button is shared with the display dimmer button.
All you have to do is touch it wrong or hold it too long and you have ATT in play;
4-5 SWR bars become 1 with a rotten signal. Hope its this simple.

 

[RobertG27]

Nope, no ATT on this one..

I opened it up, resoldered some connentions and VIOLA!! now it doesn't work at all..
It turns on but I get no response from the keypad..

Back to the original problem:
This scanner did the same thing about a month after I bought it. It won't pick up anything, so I took it back to Radioshack. They sent it for repair and they ended up replacing the whole board. Now that I opened it up, it had crappy solder on the board. Looks like someone didn't know how to solder.. I don't think they replaced the board at all now..

This time I have the same problem but now as bad as the first time, it still picked up alittle.

Whats the deal with the Pro-2044? I can't find anything on the net about it..I just wish I could find a schematic..

Anyone here have a used RS Pro-2044 scanner or just the board that they want to sell??

 

[Zack08]

I'm not familiar with this scanner but is it possible that you accidentally disconnected a ribbon cable going to the keypad?

If you are good at soldering you might want to consider reheating all of the joints because more than one of them may have gone "cold." However, if you dont feel comfortable resoldering everything, DONT do it. Trust me, I almost destroyed my first scanner that way

 

[RobertG27]

Its in pieces right now on my work table.. I resoldered alot of connections..

I did have the keypad connector plugged in good when trying but maybe one of those wires got loose in its plug in connection. Thanks for the tip/advice..

If it gives me too might trouble I'll put it back together and use it as a target for my glock..

 

[bwhite]

From what I hear, people pay good money for questionable stuff on Ebay, I never tried but I'm more and more tempted. For something like this someone may want it for parts; if they come thru with the $$ great, it would be more than you have at the moment.
If you do Ebay it let us know how it works out.
I've got a PRO-2006 that seems to be stuck in an attenuated mode, I may Ebay it too.
Works great except for that.

 

[Grog]

If you decide to junk it, I might want to buy the case from you.

Pre-Glocked of course

 

[bwhite]

I assume you are talking about the 2044, the 2006 can be purchased.

 

[Grog]

I assume you are talking about the 2044, the 2006 can be purchased.

AS the OP stated he would glock his scanner if it didn't work, yes I was reffering to him.

No intrerest in a 2006.