PRO2004.4
Part 1/4
                    The Radio Shack PRO-2004
                      Programmable Scanner

                   (c)1987 - Bob Parnass, AJ9S

     Manufactured in Japan, by General Research Electronics,
     the  Radio  Shack  PRO-2004  is  a  300  channel,  wide
     coverage scanner radio, incorporating NBFM,  WBFM,  and
     AM modes.

     Although the catalog description doesn't do  the  radio
     justice, the microprocessor circuitry provides features
     not found in other scanners.

     This review, although admittedly subjective, focuses on
     three  broad characteristics:  feature set, basic elec-
     trical performance, and mechanical construction.


                       Frequency Coverage

     The PRO-2004 literature states that  coverage  is  from
     25-520  and  760-1300  MHz.   Radio Shack's last minute
     decision  to  remove   cellular   telephone   frequency
     coverage from the PRO-2004 caused a 7 week delay in its
     introduction.  A small card is  now  packed  with  each
     scanner,  informing  the  buyer that the radio will not
     operate in the 825-845 and 870-890 MHz ranges.

     A matrix of diodes, attached  to  the  microprocessor's
     input  port, is often used to configure radios for sale
     in different markets. From recent flux on  the  circuit
     board,  it appears that a diode has been added or remo-
     ved from my PRO-2004, and this may be how the  cellular
     telephone coverage was yanked.


                         Lots of Memory

     The PRO-2004 has the usual features that scanner  buffs
     have  come  to  expect:   individual  channel lockouts,
     selectable rescan delay, an external speaker jack, etc.
     But,  the  300 channel capacity of the PRO-2004 sets an
     industry record!  Casual scanner users may scoff at the
     usefulness  of  having  so  many channels, but seasoned
     monitorists can have those channels  filled  up  in  no
     time  flat,  especially  with  frequencies  in the vast
     225-400 MHz military air band.

CONTINUED IN PRO2004.10