NJS@ibm.com (Nicholas J. Simicich) (08/20/90)
From: TELECOM Moderator <telecom%eecs.nwu.edu> > I beleive it is illegal in and of itself to make the mods in a radio > simply because having done so, the radio loses its type acceptance > from the FCC, and radios without type acceptance cannot be used. > All radios, even those that 'only' receive, such as scanners, still > none the less also transmit, even just a little, using the > intermediate frequency. That's why no mods are allowed, since you > could, if you know not what you are doing, cause the radio to transmit > in an inappropriate way ... even a scanner. My belief is that one is allowed to build receivers without government type acceptance. I know that all radios that receive using a superhetrodyne circuit also transmit (radar detectors, for example) but I don't think that the emissions are considered to be "enough" to matter. I believe this, partially, because you can commercially purchase receiver kits and build them without any sort of permission or warnings against modification. > You take a diode from one place, and set it in another place. To > merely remove it is not enough (I don't think). You have to replant it > elsewhere to do the job, and in so doing, you lose 30-50. There is a ftp site which maintains a list of mods for radio equipment, scanners, etc. A friend of mine pulled the Pro 34 mod for me. I've reproduced this file at the end of the note. I believe that it does indicate that you remove the diode, and throw it away. If you are interested in the name of the site, I've copied him on the note. Respond, and I'm sure that he will be happy to tell you the name of the site and give you FTP instructions. > I might be wrong on that, but to prove it, I'd need to open the unit > again, and pull the diode from where it is now and see if 800 still > was open in the process along with 30-50. Anyway, 30-50 is pretty much > a dead issue around here (most other places also?). No one is down > there to speak of. Around here, all of the local Fire Departments are down around 39 Mz or so. VHF Low is alive and kicking in NY. There is also some County Sheriff activity in VHF Low. Nick Simicich (NJS at WATSON, njs@ibm.com) ---SSI AOWI #3958 Date: 4 Apr 89 14:24:01 GMT Subject: PRO-34 Scanner Modifications In the May 1989 edition of Popular Communications is a "Letter to the Editor" on the Radio Shack PRO-34 Scanner. Below is the text of that letter. PRO-34 Scanner Modification In regard to the information presented (March Issue) on the handheld Radio Shack PRO-34 scanner, my own observations on the modifications have been: 1. To restore missing 800 MHz frequencies, remove D-11. 2. To add 66 to 88 MHz (European Coverage), install a diode at D-9. 3. D-10 must remain in place for full 800 MHz coverage. 4. If a diode is added at D-13 it cuts out aero band, also seems to affect 800 MHz channel spacing. 5. D-12 added dosen't seem to have any affect. 6. Only D-10 and D-11 are factory installed. I wish to thank you for a fine and informative magazine. I have had much reading enjoyment. Sam S. Jones, Rebel Antenna, Falls Church, VA Julian Macassey, n6are julian@bongo ucla-an!denwa!bongo!julian n6are@wb6ymh (Packet Radio) n6are.ampr.org [44.16.0.81] voice (213) 653-4495