RCA 16S150 Pocket Scanner: How to remove the outer case?

[trp2525]

I have an RCA 16S150 pocket scanner (circa 1976 4-channel VHF High and UHF) and I was wondering if anyone knows how to properly remove the outer plastic case without breaking it in the process. RCA also made a 16S100 pocket scanner (4-channel VHF High-Low) and a 16S200 pocket scanner (4-channel UHF/UHF-T) with the same exact outer case as my 16S150. The 16S150 was a later production release after the much more mainstream 16S100 and 16S200 were already in circulation.

I'd like to have a good look inside before deciding whether or not to send this in for repair. I'd like to get it in working order (for nostalgic purposes) as I still have some VHF-High and UHF analog public safety operating in my area and I have the necessary crystals in my inventory. FYI a search online shows the MSRP for the RCA 16S150 (without any crystals) was $142.95 way back in July 1976!

In their day the complete line of RCA crystal-controlled scanners were EXCELLENT performers with great audio and sensitivity. I currently have the 16S300 (base/mobile 8-channel VHF High-Low and UHF) and the 16S400 (base/mobile 10-channel VHF High-Low and UHF/UHF-T) in active use. They still perform well on my local analog frequencies even though they were engineered and manufactured 45+ years ago in the mid 1970's!

 

[trp2525]

I have an RCA 16S150 pocket scanner (circa 1976 4-channel VHF High and UHF) and I was wondering if anyone knows how to properly remove the outer plastic case without breaking it in the process...

FYI I have attached the front and back views of the RCA 16S150's case. Even after opening up the rear crystal compartment and battery compartment, I see no visible screws, fasteners or clips holding the plastic case together. Any thoughts on how to fully open this up so I can get a look at the printed circuit board(s) and mounted components?

 

[KevinC]

Just a guess. Take off the knobs and the nuts from the volume and squelch controls and see if the top panel comes off, possibly revealing a slide in chassis.

 

[pro92b]

Here is a view of the 16S200. Hope it helps.

 

[trp2525]

Thanks for the replies. I don't see anything in the exploded view that shows any screws or other fasteners holding the front and back case halves together so they must just snap together somehow. The thing is how to unsnap them without breaking them in the process.

I would be willing to bet that an old Sam's Photofact would show the proper disassembly procedure in order to service and align the radio. I know it's a very long shot but does anyone have a Sam's covering either the 16S100, 16S150 or 16S200 (same exact case on all 3 models)?

 

[tip]

They want $22.00 for it.

 

[trp2525]

They want $22.00 for it.

View attachment 143412

tip, thank you for the link/information!

 

[pro92b]

The picture I posted is from Sams SD-11. The 16S100 pages in SD-10 contain less information. In both cases there are only 10 pages or so that covers the RCA scanner. Most of it is the schematic and alignment procedure plus a PC board pictorial. There isn't anything about taking the radio apart.

 

[trp2525]

pro92b, thanks very much for the expanded 16S200 view from the Sam's SD-11 and for letting me know that neither the SD-10 (covering the 16S100) nor the SD-11 (covering the 16S200) details or shows anything about taking the radio apart. You saved me from spending an unnecessary $22.

 

[mastr]

My guess-it snaps together. And the plastic is 40+ years old and brittle. The question is not "will it break when I take it apart?", it is "how badly will it break when I take it apart?"

 

[Skypilot007]

mastr is correct, the case snaps together. Its a little tricky getting it apart without breaking it. Be careful! Oh, where would you send one of these in for repair? Just curious.

These RCA scanners were the first scanners I had as a kid, (Uncle Bob worked at RCA and liberated them). I still have one of each flavor both hand helds and base/mobile types. They're tucked away in their orginal boxes in my shack closet.

 

[trp2525]

mastr is correct, the case snaps together. Its a little tricky getting it apart without breaking it. Be careful! Oh, where would you send one of these in for repair? Just curious.

These RCA scanners were the first scanners I had as a kid, (Uncle Bob worked at RCA and liberated them). I still have one of each flavor both hand helds and base/mobile types. They're tucked away in their orginal boxes in my shack closet.

Skypilot007,

Thanks for your reply and information. Check your RR inbox for a PM.

 

[ka3aaa]

i'm pretty sure the scanner case just snaps together, you need a very small jewelers screwdriver to split the case in the seam in the middle. lift up on one side or the other until the internal clips release and slowly around the scanner.

 

[trp2525]

i'm pretty sure the scanner case just snaps together, you need a very small jewelers screwdriver to split the case in the seam in the middle. lift up on one side or the other until the internal clips release and slowly around the scanner.

@ka3aaa,
The small jewelers screwdriver did the trick! I gently pried in the seam in the middle of the case (between the front and back halves of the case) and worked my way around and the back case half came off without a problem. As an added bonus the case did not crack and none of the molded clips/tabs broke off (3 on each side and 3 on the top) during the disassembly. Pretty impressive for a plastic case that was made back in the mid to late 1970's!

After getting the back case off there is absolutely no evidence of any damage from any battery leakage over the years. (I purchased this scanner used so I don't have a complete history on it.) The printed circuit board and all mounted components appear to be in good physical condition with no top-bulging capacitors.

For nostalgic reasons I would like to get this in working condition as it currently powers on (from both batteries and the 6V DC external power jack) but it will not scan and there is no audio "rushing" sound from the speaker when you open up the squelch. All 4 LEDs light up as you manually advance through the channels and the 4 channel lockout switches are in working order. The external physical condition of the case and controls is very good to excellent. I will probably send this in for at least a repair estimate (to see if a repair is even possible) but does anyone have any thoughts beforehand based on the symptoms I am describing?

 

[Fixitt]

You can buy a working 16s100 for $20.00 on eBay

RCA 16s100 Portable Handheld Scanner GOOD WORKING CONDITION | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RCA 16s100 Portable Handheld Scanner GOOD WORKING CONDITION at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

The photos show a 16s200 ?

 

[trp2525]

@Fixitt,
Thanks for the eBay link. As you pointed out the eBay listing is incorrect as it lists a model 16S100 (VHF High-Low) for sale when it is actually a model 16S200 (UHF and UHF-T) per the multiple pictures shown.

The non-working model 16S150 that I have covers VHF-High and UHF which is what I need for what I want to use it for in my area. RCA introduced the original 16S100 and 16S200 models long before the 16S150 so those two models were much more prevalent back in the day and therefore are much more available on eBay and the second-hand market these days. The 16S150 was a "late-arriving stepchild" back in 1976 and therefore is much more difficult to locate today. Back in those days having a pocket scanner that covered both VHF and UHF was considered a technological breakthrough!

If anyone has a working RCA 16S150 in good condition that they would like to part with (or knows of an available one elsewhere), please send me a PM here on RR.