
NEW ITEM ANNOUNCEMENT

Radio Shack announces the PRO-43, 200-Channel Portable Scanner
with HyperScan. This is the first-ever Realistic handheld scanner
that features a triple-conversion superheterodyne circuit that
eliminates cellular image problems on 800 MHz, and also improves
image rejection across the entire reception band.

The scanner also features:

|-|       Access to over 48,000 frequencies including 200-400 MHz
          military aircraft and 800-MHz public safety bands


|-|       HyperScan system scans at 25 frequencies per second
          and searches at 50 frequencies per second

|-|       Ten storage banks allow grouping and selection of
          channels by frequency or by type of service

|-|       Automatic and manual AM/FM mode selection

|-|       Monitor bank    |-|  Memory saver    |-|  Priority channel

|-|       Lockout function   |-|  Multifunction liquid-crystal display

|-|       Operates on 6 'AA' or rechargeable batteries,
          AC adapter, or DC adapter

Coverage:  30 - 50 MHz (in 5 kHz steps)
           118 - 136.975 MHz (in 25 kHz steps)
           137 - 174 MHz (in 5 kHz steps)
           220 - 225 MHz (in 5 kHz steps)
           225.0125 - 400 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)
           400.0125 - 512 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)
           806 - 823.9375 Mhz (in 12.5 kHz steps)
           851 - 868.9375 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)
           896 - 999.9875 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)

FM Sensitivity (20 dB S/N at 3 kHz deviation):                     1 uV
AM Sensitivity (20 dB S/N at 60% modulation):                      2 uV
Spurious Response Rejection (at 328 MHz FM except primary image): 40 dB
Selectivity:                         +/- 10 kHz:                  -6 dB
                                     +/- 20 kHz:                 -50 dB
IF Frequencies                              1st:    608.005 - 611.2 MHz
                                            2nd:               48.5 MHz
                                            3rd:                455 kHz
Audio Power:                                                     250 mW
Dimensions:                                5 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 1 5/8 Inches
Weight:                       About 8.8 oz without antenna or batteries

----------------------------------------

          THE RADIO SHACK PRO-43 PORTABLE SCANNER

                    by Bob Parnass, AJ9S

The new Radio Shack PRO-43 is a small portable scanner  made
by  General Research Electronics (GRE) which lists for about
$350.  Although it is a good step above  other  Radio  Shack
portable  scanners, hobbyists awaiting a portable version of
the famous  PRO-2006  scanner  will  be  disappointed.1  For
instance,  the  PRO-43  is  an "extended coverage" and not a
continuous coverage scanner, covering these bands:


                       30 - 50 MHz
                       118 - 174
                       220 - 512
                       806 - 823.9375
                       896 - 899.9875

Note the omission of the 10 meter ham band, the 75 MHz band,
and the lack of coverage above 1000 MHz.

While the PRO-2006 has 400 channels, the PRO-43 has only 200
channels  divided  into  10 banks.  Individual lockout and 2
second rescan delay may be selected for each of  the  memory
channels.  Users may select between AM and narrow band FM on
any frequency.  The PRO-2006 has 10 pairs of  search  limits
but the PRO-43 has only one pair and the step sizes are fac-
tory set.  The PRO-2006 had selectable step sizes.

Both models have 10 "monitor" memories which can be  written
manually during a search.

The HyperscanTM feature means the PRO-43 is supposed to scan
at 25 channels per second and search at 50 steps per second.
The radio does scan  fast,  although  not  measured  by  the
reviewer.   When  enabled,  the  priority channel is checked
every 2 seconds.  As in the PRO-2006,  any  channel  may  be
designated as the priority channel.


                          Physical

The PRO-43 is just the right size for  a  portable  scanner.
It  is  smaller than the PRO-37 and Uniden 200XLT but larger
than the tiny Icom R1.2 The gray plastic  case  feels  about
the  same as a 200XLT, neither as rugged as the Icom IC-2GAT
walkie talkie, nor  as  thin  and  chintzy  as  the  PRO-37.
Inside,  there  are 3 printed circuit boards and most of the
components are of surface mount technology.

The top panel contains volume and squelch knobs, a 1/8" ear-
phone  jack,  and  a  BNC antenna connector.  A plastic belt
clip of dubious strength is fastened  to  the  rear  with  2
screws.

A semirigid rubberized antenna is furnished with the PRO-43.


                     Performance Issues

The PRO-43 and Uniden 200XLT were tuned to the same frequen-
cies both using their stock rubberized antennas.

On 857.4375 MHz, the PRO-43 heard Joliet Police signals full
quieting  which  barely  broke  squelch  on  the 200XLT, due
partly to the poor 800 MHz performance of the  antenna  sup-
plied  with  the 200XLT.  When the PRO-43 antenna was placed
on the 200XLT, the 200XLT reception improved noticeably, but
it was still not as good as the PRO-43.

On 146.94, 162.475, and 460.1 MHz, the PRO-43 and the 200XLT
were close in sensitivity.

When  connected  to  an  outdoor  AV-801   antenna,   paging
interference  rendered  several VHF high band channels unus-
able.  The problem disappeared  when  using  the  rubberized
antenna supplied instead.

Owing to the use of up conversion, a high first intermediate
frequency,  images don't appear to be a problem as they were
on other Radio Shack portable scanners like the  PRO-34  and
PRO-37.   The PRO-43 IF frequencies are specified at 608.005
- 611.2 MHz, 48.5 MHz, and 455 kHz.


                   Somewhat "Mushy" Audio

The PRO-43 uses an LM-386 audio output IC and the  radio  is
loud  enough,  but distorts severely when the volume control
is advanced too far.  This is partly  due  to  the  internal
speaker  as  there is less distortion when using an external
Motorola lapel speaker plugged into the earphone jack.

The PRO-43 audio lacks high  frequency  response.   By  com-
parison, the Uniden 200XLT has cleaner audio and more of it,
especially when using the internal speaker.


                         Batteries

The PRO-43 requires 6 AA batteries, but none  are  included.
A  battery  clip slides up into the bottom of the radio case
and a separate trap door slides over it.  Alkaline cells  or
NiCd  cells will bring the scanner to life.  Like most other
Radio Shack portables, there are 2 jacks on  the  side,  but
they are smaller than usual.  An optional, AC operated "wall
wart" power supply/charger can power the radio  or  recharge
NiCd batteries.


                    Keyboard and Display

The user manual explains that the KEYLOCK slide switch "dis-
ables the keypad to prevent accidental program changes."  In
truth, most of the keys are disabled.  The MANUAL  and  SCAN
keys remain enabled.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) is a smaller version of the
display  on  the PRO-37.  Being smaller, it is somewhat more
difficult to read than  the  200XLT  display.   Pushing  the
LIGHT  button  lights  a single lamp behind the display.  It
stays lit for only as long as you keep  the  button  pressed
and is not latched or timed as in the 200XLT.


                          Summary

People who want a portable which covers  both  civilian  and
military  aircraft  frequencies should check out the PRO-43.
The PRO-43 will be attractive to  hobbyists  who  want  more
frequency  coverage  and  fewer  images in a smaller package
than the PRO-37 or Uniden 200XLT and who don't want to fight
the problems of using the more feature rich AOR 1000XLT.

__________

 1. See "The Realistic PRO-2006," by Bob Parnass, AJ9S, in
    Monitoring Times, October 1990.

 2. See "Uniden/Bearcat 200XLT Scanner Review," by Bob
    Parnass, AJ9S, in the RCMA Journal, October 1988.

--
==============================================================================
Bob Parnass, AJ9S  -  AT&T Bell Labs  -  parnass@ihlpm.att.com - (708)979-5414
