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Radio
Shack Pro-2096 Trunk Tracker / 24 Hours, 5
Time Zone MFJ Clock / Alinco DJ-C7T
Pocket HT /
Scott eVest Solar Powered Jacket /
XACT Plug & Play Sirius Receiver
/ Radio-Electronics Relaunch
2003 Reviews / 2002 Reviews / 2001 Reviews / 2000 Reviews / 1999 Reviews / 1998 Reviews
Radio Shack has finally released their long awaited base/mobile scanner equivalent of the Pro-96 handheld. The Pro-2096 is a General Research of Electronics Inc (GRE) product, which was type accepted September 20. Here are the features as outlined in the Pro-2096 manual.
Features:
- 500 Channels – ten channel storage banks with 50 channels each.
- New 11-in-1 V-Scanner technology – eleven 500 channel Virtual Scanner folders. V-Scanner allows the user to build and store eleven separate configuration profiles, allowing the user to quickly reconfigure the scanner for use in different areas or applications.
- Phase 1 APCO-25 Digital Reception – automatic reception of digital voice modulation from conventional, trunked and mixed-mode networks.
- Intelligent Adaptive Digital Tracking – ensures optimal reception of digital signals.
- Digital AGC – automatically compensates for audio level variances in digital transmissions.
- Simultaneous Multi-System Trunking Operation – quickly tracks up to ten Motorola analog/digital, APCO-25 digital or M/A-COM EDACS analog trunking systems at the same time. Mix conventional channels and trunking systems in the same channel storage banks. Scan conventional frequencies and trunked systems simultaneously. Automatically detects Motorola 3600 bps or APCO-25 9600 bps control channel operation.
- Automatic Channel Tracking – automatically determines the trunking system frequencies for Motorola and APCO-25 trunking systems, using only the active system control channel.
- CTCSS and DCS Subaudible Encoded Squelch Modes – restricts conventional channel reception to transmissions using specified subaudible CTCSS tone or DCS data code when scanning or parked on a single channel. Code Search feature instantly displays the tone or code in use. Takes advantage of subaudible squelch tail elimination turn off codes when they are present.
- Ten ID List Banks – lets the user store 1500 IDs in ten ID banks, each with five ID sub-banks. 30 IDs are available in each ID sub-bank. ID text tags let you easily identify the user of a particular talkgroup ID code.
- SAME/FIPS Weather Alert – displays the weather event text for the specific cities or counties chosen by the user so you can see and hear the reason for the alert. While scanning, Weather Priority Alert automatically sounds an alarm tone when it detects the alert signal.
- Data Cloning – lets the user transfer the programmed data to another PRO-2096 (and PRO-96) scanner. Users can also upload or download the programmed data to or from a PC using an optional PC interface kit and application software.
- 12-Character, Four Line, Alphanumeric Display – shows detailed operating information clearly.
- Triple Conversion Superheterodyne Receiver – virtually eliminates any interference from intermediate frequency (IF) images.
- Preprogrammed Frequency Ranges – lets the user search for transmissions within preset frequency ranges or within ranges you set, to reduce search time and select interesting frequencies more quickly.
- Hyperscan™ and Hypersearch™ – the scanner scans at up to 60 channels per second and searches up to 75 frequencies per second.
- Scan Delay – delays scanning for about two seconds before moving to another channel in conventional mode.
- Adjustable Trunking Delay – waits for reply activity on a trunking call for the amount of time specified by the user.
- Priority Channel – allows the user to configure the scanner to check one channel every two seconds.
- Attenuator – allows the user to set, by channel or globally, a 20 dB attenuator to reduce receiver overload and interference from nearby strong signals.
- Text Input – lets the user input a text label for each channel, talkgroup ID, channel storage bank, or other memory location.
- Memory Backup – keeps the channel frequencies stored in memory for an extended time even without battery power.
- The Pro-2096 receives these frequency ranges:
MHz Step size
25.0–54.0 5 kHz
108.0–136.9875 12.5 kHz
137.0–174.0 5, 6.25 or 7.5 kHz
216.0025–225.0 5 kHz
406.0–512.0 6.25 kHz
806.0–823.9875 6.25 kHz
849.0–868.9875 6.25 kHz
894.0–960.0 6.25 kHz
1240.0–1300.0 6.25 kHz
- Audio Output Power (10% THD) 1.5 W
- Built-in Speaker 3 Inches 8-ohm Dynamic Type
- Power Requirement: 13.8 V
- Current Drain 600 mA
- Physical Dimensions (HWD) 2-1/4 × 7-1/4 × 5-5/16 inches
MFJ has announced a new, 24-hour, world time, quartz clock which gives you five time zones in a single glance! Five dials display UTC, Local, Honolulu, Tokyo, and Moscow time.
Although the dials can be set independently, they are labeled with the assumption that the largest dial face will be set to UTC time, the top inset to local time, and the three other times set to the other three major zones of interest.
The 12-inch wall clock is easy-to-read, with a black outer trim, gold inlet stripe and gold hands on black numbers. A beautiful white face makes it attractive for any hamshack or other room in your house.
All MFJ products are covered by their One year No Matter WhatTM limited warranty. The MFJ-135 is $39.95 from MFJ at 1-800-647-1800; or via the website http://www.mfjenterprises.com; or write MFJ Enterprises, Inc., 300 Industrial Park Road, Starkville, MS 39759.
Alinco is introducing the DJ-C7T 2m/70cm HT, a pocket size transceiver that succeeds its very popular Alinco DJ-C5. This new “pocket size” HT is small in size but big in added memories and modes.
One of the most noticeable improvements over the DJ-C5 is the audio quality, says the press release. With a completely redesigned internal speaker, the DJ-C7 delivers audio quality that rivals many bigger radios. The new model also offers an SMA antenna port and a two-way antenna system that allows the use of an optional earphone cable to monitor FM broadcast reception while using the SMA antenna port for the helical antenna (included) or a choice of other optional antennas.
The DJ-C7 can transmit up to 300mw output with the powerful lithium-ion battery which is included with the radio. Using optional external power, it can transmit up to 500mw output.
The new DJ-C7T has 200 memories, two way antenna systems, wide band receive including FM broadcast and AM aircraft bands, auto repeater setting, VFO, memory and scan modes and more. There are 39 CTCSS encode and decode settings (decode included as a standard feature) and four tone bursts that make the unit usable for repeater operations in many parts of the world.
The large display is easy to read and provides information to the user about a number of useful features. Alinco has added a split function and the ability to clone units by cable. Alinco DJ-C5T optional microphones/earphones are cross-compatible with the DJ-C7T.
Regular readers know my fascination with the Scott eVest line of "Technology Enabled Clothing." But, every time I'm almost ready to purchase one of their products, they come up with a new gimmick. This time, it's a solar-powered jacket designed to carry, connect and charge portable devices.
The flexible solar panels are attached to SeV’s signature all-weather jacket with removable sleeves and over 30 hidden pockets. The jacket features SeV’s patent-pending Personal Area Network (PAN), which conceals wires associated with power sources and earbuds.
Global Solar’s PowerFLEX™ solar panels consist of unique, flexible, thin-film photovoltaic material made from copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) sun-absorbing material placed onto a thin stainless steel substrate. The panels convert sunlight into electricity that charges a hidden battery pack about the size of a deck of cards. The battery pack in turn can charge any device compatible with Universal Serial Bus (USB) chargers, including cell phones, PDAs, Game Boys, MP3 players and other mobile devices. Unfortunately, it sounds like most radios draw too much power to be included in the list.
The solar panels are removable and can be used separately from the jacket. Typical charge times in direct sunlight range from two to three hours, although direct sunlight is not required. The jacket’s battery can begin powering devices almost immediately after the solar panels are exposed to sunlight. Once the battery is fully charged, the panels can be removed and portable electronic devices can tap into the stored power. When attached, the solar panels compliment the jacket’s stylish, futuristic design.
"Global Solar is excited by the potential of applying our unique lightweight, high performance solar technology to innovative consumer products such as the SeV line of jackets. SeV compliments our line of portable power products for the consumer and military markets,” said Michael S. Gering, President of Global Solar Energy.
You can order solar-powered SeV’s for $425 at http://www.SCOTTeVEST.com or by calling 866-909-8378. The jackets are currently available in black, and more options will be available in the future. SeV also plans to offer a kit to retrofit some earlier SeV models with Global Solar’s technology.
The latest innovation in satellite radio reception comes from XACT Communication. The palm-size XACT XTR1 "Stream Jockey" Sirius satellite receiver resembles a cellular phone. Like other satellite radio receivers, the Stream Jockey can be used in a variety of configurations, but unlike the others, it can also be a stand-alone receiver, connected to speakers or headphones. It also comes with an internal FM transmitter, for rebroadcast over a home or car stereo.
Other features include stereo output and headphone jack, satellite updated clock, 6-line display, remote control, program alert, 18 user presets, and parental control. The XACT Stream Jockey can search for music based on artist name, song title, or category.
When the XTR1 was introduced in September, it was available for $99.99; the universal docking station, which can be used in the car or at home, is $59.99; separate docking stations for car and home are $49.99 each. And, don't forget the subscription cost to receive the Sirius satellite radio signal.
Coming soon are three different boom boxes for use with the satellite receiver. The deluxe model will include MP3 CDs/CDRW player plus a digital AM/FM radio tuner – With all the shortwave services broadcast by WRN included in your Sirius subscription, you really can have it all in one radio!
Ian Poole, British electronics engineer and occasional writer for Monitoring Times, announces that he has relaunched his Radio-Electronics.Com website as resource of free information, data and tutorials for those in radio and electronics.
The site covers a variety of topics which currently includes: cellular telecommunications, private mobile radio (FRS in the US), wireless connectivity, radio receivers, radio propagation, test and measurement techniques, and electronics components. Further areas of coverage are planned for the future and new information is being continually added in the existing areas.
The aim of the site is to provide information about the various technologies in an easy to understand and interesting style. In this way it will be a valuable resource for those in the engineering and marketing arenas as well as anyone wanting technical radio and electronics information. Time has been spent to ensure that the site is easy to navigate or to search. The site can be reached at http://www.radio-electronics.com
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