Discriminator tap help

[AmpedForay]

Hi all, complete noob here. I have a Radio Shack Pro 2036 that I bought in the '90's. It was upper line at the time, however it is now a glorified weather receiver. I would like to resurrect it with a discriminator tap and DSD or one of the other digital decoder software. I have searched and found only miniscule blurps about the 2036, would love some advice. I have electronics experience and can build a data slicer if necessary. I need help on how to start and what I can expect.

Thank you for the forum, and in advance of any advice that can be given.

Amped

 

[DickH]

Hi all, complete noob here. I have a Radio Shack Pro 2036 that I bought in the '90's. It was upper line at the time, however it is now a glorified weather receiver. I would like to resurrect it with a discriminator tap and DSD or one of the other digital decoder software. I have searched and found only miniscule blurps about the 2036, would love some advice. I have electronics experience and can build a data slicer if necessary. I need help on how to start and what I can expect.

Thank you for the forum, and in advance of any advice that can be given.

Amped

You might be able to get a Service Manual (NOT the Users Manual) at a company owned Radio Shack. You also need someone who knows how to use their computer system because most of them might not. You have to show them this, then they might be able to order one for you.
I have several and they are great. They have complete schematics and test and alignment info. Here are two that I have.

RADIO SHACK SERVICE MANUALS on CD. $5 or $6 plus shipping.
They can be ordered only at Radio Shack owned stores through
the RSU sales system.
PRO-160 - RSU 12470035 MANUAL SERVICE 20-0160.
PRO-162 - RSU 12464160 MANUAL SERVICE 20-0162

 

[Discriminator]

I have a Radio Shack Pro 2036 that I bought in the '90's. It was upper line at the time, however it is now a glorified weather receiver. I would like to resurrect it with a discriminator tap and DSD or one of the other digital decoder software. I have searched and found only miniscule blurps about the 2036, would love some advice. I have electronics experience and can build a data slicer if necessary. I need help on how to start and what I can expect.

Could you post a picture of the interior of the scanner? This way, I can try and help you to find the right spot.

-Rene

 

[AmpedForay]

Here is a pic of the board. The red test lead is connected to pin 10 of 3359DA. Scoping this pin, it has audio signal and 2.6V DC. I know my questions probably seem silly, but I'll ask anyway.

1. Is this the characteristic signal for correct discriminator connection?
2. Do I take this straight to a sound card or do I need a data splicer?
3. Take the signal to a sound card or a com port?

 

[AmpedForay]

More information and of course questions.... I live in Florida which it seems uses " Pro-Voice(R) radio system that cannot be monitored on any scanner." So, am I just peeing in the wind?

 

[volare]

Here is how to do the tap Utah Radio: Uniden BC890XLT Discriminator Tap

Dave

 

[AmpedForay]

Thanks Dave!
While I do understand that persons reservation about soldering straight to the IC, I don't know how they missed that big long exposed jumper wire (that is connected to the same pin as the resistor) vs the little resistor tap.
Any how, whilst the gestapo was previewing my post (searching for character assassination perhaps) I attempted the dsd build and came up with butkis.... dead and removed links. I would like to do this with linux, but can do it with windows if it is easier. Is DSD still available, or should I lean towards trunker?

 

[Discriminator]

It also looks similar to the Commtel COM-215. 2.6 V DC and a few 100 mV audio signal on pin 10 looks OK.

-Rene

 

[DickH]

More information and of course questions.... I live in Florida which it seems uses " Pro-Voice(R) radio system that cannot be monitored on any scanner." So, am I just peeing in the wind?

I understand it can be monitored with a disc. tap and the DSD program. Search RR for details.
Meanwhile, here is the info of how to tap your PRO-2039, also other mods.
mods.dk - Modifications for radioamateur

 

[AmpedForay]

Thanks Discriminator, you are spot on.... The 2036 is exactly the same as COM-215 minus that one board where the 2036 has only header pins. And thanks DickH, you give me encouragement that something may come of this.

Now, when I go to the DSD page on RR it is blank. Tried to install on windows, it needs cygwin.dll, which needs bonjour.... aye..... anyways thanks for the info...... still trying here.

{complete sidebar: Is spoofing of this website so prevalent that new posters are required to wait so long for the help that these members are so capable and willing to give? It seems a bit like killing a gnat with a grenade. Don't get me wrong, I love the site. But Seriously? 24 hours between post? And now my token has expired.....}

 

[AmpedForay]

Correction to the discriminator tie point.

Correction. In case someone comes across this in the future. The red test lead is not connected to pin 10. The correct jumper is pointed out in the photo below. Just trying to avoid confusion. I hate confusion. I'm so confused.

 

[bbrasmussen]

Thanks Dave!
While I do understand that persons reservation about soldering straight to the IC, I don't know how they missed that big long exposed jumper wire (that is connected to the same pin as the resistor) vs the little resistor tap.

I'm glad my blog post helped. I did that project not knowing where the audio was except from the IC. I had to poke around and the TP seemed to be a logical place to try. I was also very new to electronics and soldering at the time and the TP actually made for an easy solder since it held my new resistor in place as I soldered It on. Glad you figured out another location. I'll update my blog to reflect that the long wire is also connected to the IC.

Brandon

 

[AmpedForay]

Hey Brandon,
Thanks for your informative blog! Sharing information is how we all learn. I've had to pull off the project for now, but look forward to getting back to it. Yeah, that pin is tied to the opposite end of a resistor labeled TP3 and the jumper pointed out in the second pic. Sincere thanks to you for taking the time to document and share, and also to Dave, Rene and Dickh. I will update once I get the software portion going.

Thanks,
Ampe

 

[AmpedForay]

OK, back on project 2036.
I can't find the dsd tar. I am pointed to a website with all the code broken down into separate files. Each will only download as an html page. Please help, what am I missing here?

Thanks,
Ampe

 

[AmpedForay]

Just an update, Thank you all, my scanner is now a scanner again!
Thanks so much for the info.

Ampe
ampedforay@yahoo.com

 

[SCPD]

I wonder if the disciminator audio and ground are also available on a pair of the "J9 CTCSS" header pins.

 

[AmpedForay]

Hi Unitrunker,

Pin 5 of J9 CTCSS is ground. There is what appears to be an audio signal on pin 1. But DSD doesn't give any results when injected with this signal. The pin is also not electrically identical to pin 10 of the IC. If you're trying to give me a wink wink nod nod, I think I missed it. Otherwise to answer your question no. Now I must go repair my connection that I cut to test your theory.

Thanks,

Ampe
ampedforay@yahoo.com