From: sprouse@n3igw.pgh.pa.us (Ken Sprouse)
Newsgroups: alt.radio.scanner
Subject: New computer interface for the PRO-2xxx series
Keywords: computer interface Radio Shack PRO-2006
Date: 24 Jul 92 14:43:33 GMT
Organization: Sprouse Consulting, Oakmont, Pa.

I picked this up on GEnie in the Radio and Electronics bulletin board. 
I have no affiliation with the person or company offering these
products.  I just thought it would be of interest to this group.

 ------------
Category 4,  Topic 38
Message 104       Wed Jul 22, 1992
R.SCHAHRER [Roy [N7QYK]]     at 00:06 EDT
 
 The following message a new product announcement from Bill Cheek.  Since he
 is not active here as much as I think he would like to be, I will post it for
 him.   Please note that I have no finincial interest in the product detailed
 here other than a PRO-2006 owner that is interested in computerizing the
radio.

 Ported from the FIDONET Shortwave Echo

 From:    Bill Cheek 
 To:      All
 Date:    20-Jul-92 00:15 MST
 Subject: HB-232 Interface

 PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT ADVISORY NOTICE      July 20, 1992

 COMING SOON, the neatest and most powerful scanning tool ever created!  The
 HB-232 Scanner/ Computer Interface turns your PRO-2004, PRO-2005 or PRO-2006
 scanner into a TOTAL SYSTEM with power that equals or exceeds anything
 comparable in the most expensive World Class radios to date!  So many
 features and powerful possibilities are available that it is impossible to
 discuss them all here, but following is a brief presentation that should be
 sufficient to convince you that an awesome performance package is about to
 make an unprecedented debut!

 The HB-232 Scanner/Computer Interface connects between a PC/XT/AT /386/486
 /clone computer (512-k min) and the scanner.  A standard serial cable
 connects the HB-232 to the computer's COM port.  The HB-232 can be installed
 inside the scanner for a tidy package, or better still, in a small project
 box, with a short cable and plug to mate with a receptacle mounted on the
 scanner. A serial cable connects the computer to the box.  This latter
 method allows the HB-232 to be used with two or more scanners!  The scanner
 is not appreciably modified in either method; rather, 20-odd wires go from
 the HB-232 to various points in the scanner. Absolutely no scanner features
 or performance are altered or lost; unequivocally, there are no compromises
 for so much to be gained!  Now here is some of what the HB-232 can do!

 *  Auto-magically download (autoprogram) up to 400 frequencies at a time
 into the memory channels of your choice in the scanner, along with any
 desired custom settings such as DELAY, MODE and LOCK-OUT.  The time required
 to autoprogram the scanner with 400 custom configured channels is less than
 9-minutes!  (Try to program 400 channels by hand in any time under than an
 hour or two, and WHAT IF you find a mistake with your channels out of
 sequence back on Ch-30?)

 *  View and control every standard scanner keyboard function from the
 computer! Your computer monitor displays a facsimile of the scanner's
 keyboard and the LCD Display area.  Whatever shows in the scanner's LCD
 Display at any given time is simultaneously displayed on the Monitor.  Press
 M on the computer keyboard for MANUAL; or press S for SCAN; or press P for
 PRGM.  All 29 keys of the scanner's keyboard are active at your computer's
 keyboard!  Anything that shows in the scanner's Display also is displayed on
 your Monitor.  The scanner is operated straight from the computer keyboard
 much like it is operated from the front panel.  In fact, you can operate
 from either location alternatively or at the same time.

 *  AutoLog to a text file the particulars about every "event" that the
 scanner sees!  For instance, in the AutoLog mode, whenever the SQUELCH
 breaks (a signal comes in) the computer writes & appends a line to a text
 file that contains the channel number or SEARCH Bank; frequency; MODE
 setting(NFM, AM or WFM); DELAY status (On or Off); LOCKOUT status; SEARCH
 increment (if applicable); Date; Start Time; and Duration of transmission!
 This file is "comma-delimited" to make it exceptionally easy to load it into
 your favorite database manager for further processing & sorting as desired!

 *  Anti-Birdie Function, when activated, compares the frequency that the
 scanner stops on to a "birdie file", and instantly resumes SCANning or
 SEARCHing, if that frequency is in the file!  Thus, the scanner will never
 lock up on "birdies when you don't want it to.  Neither will it AutoLog
 momentary "birdie" stops! This superb feature is not limited to just
 "birdies"; you can put any number of other undesired frequencies into the
 "birdie file", such as for pagers, computer data channels, continuous tones,
 encrypted signals, and any other frequencies that you don't want the scanner
 to stop on or to AutoLog. In fact, there are even ways to automate the
 collection of undesirable signals for adding to the "birdie file".  Gone are
 the days of obnoxious lockups on uninteresting freqs.

 *  The HB-232 generates its AutoLog files in the same format that it needs
 for programming.  Therefore, an AutoLogged SEARCH file can be programmed
 back into memory channels for a potent SEARCH & STORE function.  There are
 ways this process can be automated, too!

 *  The HB-232 comes with a powerful "scripting" or macro feature to allow
 the automation of virtually any process that you would normally do by hand.
 The scripting feature can be used to generate a file of what's been
 programmed into the memory channels (CHANNEL DUMP); to set a time limit for
 stops on various frequencies or channels; to lockout every frequency found
 during a SEARCH session so that duplicate log entries can be avoided; and
 the possibilities just go on and on, too numerous to dwell on here!

 *  The HB-232 includes four user-definable switches that can be controlled
 from the keyboard or through a script!  These switches are useful for
 controlling any modifications that you may have added on your own, including
 extended memory blocks, automatic tape recorder switches; data/tone squelch;
 and you can even wire one of these switches to control the stock SOUND
 SQUELCH function, if you want.  Another switch can be wired to give access
 to the scanner's back-panel RESTART function!  A little work in the scanner
 could allow you to use one of these switches for the ATTenuator switch on
 the scanner's back panel, too! Possibilities are nearly endless!  Five logic
 status inputs will also be available.

 *  The HB-232 comes with an easy-to-use built-in text editor to help edit
 your AutoLogged and AutoProgram files and any other text file, for that
 matter! There's also capability to add a couple of your favorite DOS user
 tools such as LIST, PC TOOLS, XTGOLD, etc. to make life in the HB-232's
 Program easier still!

 *  The microprocessor of the HB-232 is programmed by your computer every
 time you run the HB-232 Program!  This means there's no expensive "hard
 programming" or firmware on this chip.  This means that not only can low
 cost Upgrades be done to the HB-232 Program, but also the HB-232 might
 attract outside Developers for perhaps even better programs and utilities
 than are available with this first Release!

 Now I have to tell the rest of the story ......the bad side!  Aw, shucks,
 there really isn't a bad side, unless you want to point out that it isn't
 FREE, but if anything else can be said against the HB-232, it's that it
 comes as a Kit of Parts and a Program Disk.  You have to build and install
 the HB-232 yourself or have someone to do it for you.

 The HB-232 Kit includes a professional printed circuit board, a Motorola
 microprocessor chip and special socket, six other IC's, four resistor
 networks (similar to an IC), a quartz crystal, two discrete resistors, and
 fifteen capacitors. NOT supplied are the required serial cable; five common
 IC sockets (four 14-pin DIP and one 16-pin DIP); wiring; lugs, connectors;
 tools, solder, project box (if an external installation is desired), etc.
 The functional part of the HB-232 Kit is complete, however. Depending on
 your skills and ability, it will take 2-4 hours to stuff and solder the
 board and 2-6 hours to install it.  Add to this another 1-8 hours for
 preparation and Project Planning.  Assembly of the board is straightforward
 and requires only basic soldering skills and the ability to read directions
 and to match component locations with a parts location diagram; easy enough?
 Installation, whether in a project box or inside the scanner, is a bit
 mechanical, though well within the capability of most hobbyists.  The
 finished HB-232 board measures 3-1/8"L x 2-5/8"W and the thickness of the
 board, counting all parts mounted thereon is about 9/16".

 The PRO-2004 is the easiest scanner in which to do the installation, because
 all wiring points are readily accessible and identifiable.  The PRO-2005 &
 PRO-2006 are competitive with the PRO-2004 in 15 of the wiring points, but
 five wires have to be soldered on the BACK SIDE of the Logic/CPU Board
 that's mounted in the front panel of the scanner.  This is a straight-
 forward job, but which could intimidate the scannist who has never removed
 that board before. Still, the directions are clear enough and the main
 requirements are only PATIENCE and the ability to locate five solder pads on
 the board from a picture that's provided. Frankly, the hardest overall part
 of the job is the fabrication and wiring of the PCB.  So the HB-232 Project
 is mostly time consuming, but if you are patient and can handle a soldering
 pencil and do basic mechanical work, then this project is within your scope.

 Since there is practically nothing in the scanner to modify (other than to
 solder wires to specific points), it is unlikely that serious harm will be
 done to the scanner, even if you err.  I and others who have tested the
 HB-232 made errors of one sort or another in the development of the HB-232
 and no harm came to either the HB-232 or our scanners!

 So what now?  The HB-232 will be available at a special pre-announcement
 discount for "Charlie Testers" starting in early August, 1992, for $129.95 +
 $5 S&H; (Canada/Mexico & other surface-foreign, $10 S&H)  Other foreign, add
 proportionally more for Air Mail.  All prices in US Funds.  The regular
 retail price of the HB-232 Kit will be US$169.95 + S&H, starting this coming
 Fall when it will be formally announced to the public.  My guess is that the
 limited time, pre-announcement price will be valid through the end of
 September, but prices are subject to change without notice.  Incidentally,
 "Charlie Testers" will receive no-cost software upgrades for the HB-232 from
 the File Section of my Computer BBS or at postage & handling costs if a
 floppy disk is desired. Free (or S&H) Upgrades will be available through and
 including the formal Release Version.

 I suspect there could be limited quantities of the HB-232 for a while
 because of the expensive and hard to get microprocessor chip, but advance
 reservations for the HB-232 are acceptable on the condition of a deposit of
 $25 and your willingness to wait for delivery through at least the end of
 August.  Your deposit will be confirmed and notification sent of any balance
 due and an expected shipping date.  A refund of your deposit is available
 for the asking any time before shipment is made.  After shipping has been
 made, a formal Refund Policy goes into effect, which is detailed in the
 documents that come with the HB-232 Kit.  You can also reserve an HB-232 Kit
 without a deposit, but it's first come, first served to depositors and then
 to those who are on the non-deposit reserved list.

 If you are not able or willing to build and/or install the HB-232 Kit, I can
 be available to do it for you.  An appointment can be made if interested.

 The first HB-232 units are available only for the Realistic PRO-2004,
 PRO-2005 and PRO-2006 scanners, but there is a chance that we can adapt the
 HB-232 to the Uniden BC-760/950XLT, BC-590/600XLT and the Regency R-1600.
 For the latest on this and other developments of the HB-232, contact me by
 US Mail or at my Computer BBS, the Hertzian Intercept, AFTER 6:00pm or
 BEFORE-1:00pm, PDT, at (619) 578-9247.  There is a special Message Base just
 for the HB-232 called HB-232_C where Technical support and a wide range of
 issues pertinent to the HB-232 will be the prime topics of discussion.

 If you want to reserve or order an HB-232 Kit and become a ground floor
 "Charlie Tester", you may do so by Direct NetMail, US Mail or other private
 inquiry including a visit to my BBS.  It is against the Echo and FidoNet
 Rules to use this media for commercial purposes other than for one-time
 courtesy announcements such as this one.  Please understand that I cannot
 and will not address any business aspects of the HB-232 here on the Echo.  I
 won't take or confirm orders; discuss prices or sales inducements; nor
 anything else related to the HB-232 except for its technical characteristics
 and technical assistance if you have a problem with an HB-232, and then,
 only if the matter is of general interest to the participants.

                              Bill Cheek
                       COMMtronics Engineering
                            PO Box 262478
                       San Diego, CA 92196-2478

 --- GEcho 1.00/beta
  * Origin: Hertzian Intercept (6pm-1pm) San Diego 619-578-9247 (1:202/731)

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END OF FORWARDED ARTICLE

Looks like a lot of potential to me.  Takes a big step toward the
"dream" scanner I see being discussed.  I don't have a 2006 (yet) so I
won't be able to be one of the "field testers".  Could be fun though.

73's

-- 

Ken Sprouse / N3IGW       sprouse@n3igw.pgh.pa.us      Oakmont, Pa.

GEnie mail KSPROUSE /  Packet radio n3igw@w2xo.pa.usa.noam