parnass@ihu1h.UUCP (Bob Parnass, AJ9S) (01/21/85)
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Comquest SXP-210 Scanner Expansion Package
There was a demonstration at the Wheaton Hamfest of a new $110
software package that allows a Commodore 64 personal computer to
control a Bearcat 210XL scanner. The SXP-210 comes with software
on a 5.25" floppy diskette and a special interface cable, which
connects the 64 to a ribbon cable within the 210XL.
Uniden's hasty withdrawl of the Bearcat CompuScan 2100 leaves the
SXP-210 as the only product that will allow a personal computer to
control a VHF/UHF scanner.
Some of the more interesting features listed in the sales litera-
ture:
- Expands [stock] 18 channels to 50.
- Removes the software constraints [of the stock 210XL] that
prevented operation on the 6m and 10m amateur bands.
- Color graphics that identify type of radio service being moni-
tored. (Police, Fire, Amateur, etc.)
- With a printer you can generate a chronological log of
selected channels as they become active along with the time of
day that the transmissions were received.
- Includes 12 hour time of day clock w/AM and PM designations.
- Adds a "count" feature to the 210XL, similar to the one on
more expensive scanners.
- Edit mode allows flexible control of all channel info.
- Includes an improved search mode with a "Hold" [?] trigger
feature.
- Channel lockout/selective scan delay.
- Includes a special list function that displays freq info for
all 50 channels simultaneously on one screen.
Installation appears simple. A pliers is used to crimp a supplied
socket onto an existing ribbon cable within the 210XL. An umbili-
cal cable plugs into this socket and into the computer.
One drawback of the this 64/BC210XL setup is the scan rate rate of
only 8 channels/sec, about half the scan rate of a normal 210XL.
For more info, contact:
Comquest Company
5719 Gateway Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46254
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Bob Parnass, Bell Telephone Laboratories - ihnp4!ihu1h!parnass - (312)979-5414