August 10, 2000 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+ | THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT | | A Journal of VHF-UHF Scanner Technology and Engineering | | COMMtronics Engineering; PO BOX 262478; San Diego, CA 92196 | | Copyright (c) 1991-99 | +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=++=+=+ INTRODUCING THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT The 'WORLD SCANNER REPORT' is a hard-hitting, tell-it-like-it-is, no holds barred, monthly newsletter that started in January, 1991. The 'WSR' runs 8 to 10 pages in a three-column format, laser printed, with graphics and photos. It's filled with the hottest, rarest, juiciest, inside stuff about VHF-UHF scanner technology, engineering and operation that you ever saw in your life! There is nothing like it! The WORLD SCANNER REPORT was published and edited by Bill Cheek, the author of the SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOKs and the ULTIMATE SCANNER. You may already own or heard about these best-selling, do-it-yourself manuals on scanner mods, alterations, trick-outs and soup-ups. One objective of the 'WSR' is to supplement, reinforce and update the material in his books and to take up where his scanner books leave off. The SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOKs and THE ULTIMATE SCANNER are available from COMMtronics Engineering. OTHER OBJECTIVES OF 'THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT' To Promote And Encourage: (1) Growth of the Scanning Hobby; (2) Incorporation of the latest technology into scanners; (3) Dissemination of tech knowledge/info about scanners; (4) Accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of radio communications; (5) Pleasure and benefits of radio. The predominant share of the WSR's material is about scanners and scanning. Some attention may be given to Citizens Band, Amateur, Shortwave, computers, and other areas, but scanners and scanning are what we're all about here. We take our radioing very seriously, at a world class level, so to speak. If you're serious about radio, you and I are stepping to the beat of the same drummer. CONTENTS OF THE 'WORLD SCANNER REPORT' The 'WSR' covers scanner technology and engineering, but not in overly sophisticated technical lingo! We talk a common everyday jargon that can be grasped by radio hobbyists. You do not have to be an engineer or a tech to apply our info. Some material comes from engineers, technicians and serious hobbyists, but we edit, translate and present that stuff in a form and on a level that is useful to most people with basic education. The SCANNER MODIFICATION HANDBOOKs are legendary examples of Bill's ability to transfer knowledge and use of technology to non-technical people. Shortly after Vol 1 of the Scanner Modification Handbook was published, a fellow told Bil that he possessed only an 8th- grade education and that he was able to successfully perform all the applicable modifications to his PRO-2004. The 'WSR' follows in that tradition! The 'WSR' offers guidelines, procedures and methods to extract the ultimate in performance from VHF-UHF scanner receivers. We focus on the Realistic PRO-2004, -2005, -2006, and -43 scanners, because Bill knew them inside and out, and because these form a major chunk of the current scanner market. We are not limited to the 'best sellers', however. ICOM, Uniden-Regency, AOR, Cobra and others get attention, too. The 'WSR' gets into hacking and modifying scanners, but it also digs into theory; operation; troubleshooting, problem diagnosis, alignment and maintenance of scanner radios. (If you're going to rip into yours, you might as well know something about its circuitry and what makes it tick, right?) We explore all areas of scanning, scanners and technology that can benefit the scannist. So what turns you on? Would conversion of a 400-channel scanner into one with 25,600 channels do it? How about a beautiful and functional 10-segment LED S-meter? How about a simple circuit to make your scanner automatically resume scanning or searching after it locks up on a data channel? Does your scanner go too slow? We'll speed it up. Is your DELAY function too short? We'll lengthen it. The 'WSR' explores these and much more including automatic tape recorder switches, center tuning meters and even computer interfaces for scanners! The sky's our limit and when we reach it, we'll just set a new limit and break it, too! The 'WSR' focuses on the hardware of scanning and max performance. This includes microscopic attention on the innards of scanner receivers and on the stuff that bolts on or hooks up to 'em including: antennas, coax cables, connectors, preamps, converters, computers and computer interfaces, grounding systems and power supplies. The 'WSR' daringly exploits other off-areas of scanning including surveillance and electronic countermeasures, signal detectors, frequency counters, volt/ohm meters and other types of electronic test equipment. The 'WSR' can help you acquire, assemble, fine-tune, maintain and operate a HIGH PERFORMANCE monitoring station! BACKGROUND BEHIND THE WORLD SCANNER REPORT Bill had 30+ years' experience in the engineering and technology of radio: VLF to microwave voice and data comm, amateur, CB, Land Mobile, coastal and shipboard radio; electronic surveillance and countermeasures, radar, audio and hi-fi, satellite comm, research, design, development and manufacturing. He wasa former corporate CEO, too. A piece of it all has came his way over time and he was eminently qualified to steer some of it your way. He's published other newsletters similar to this one, so your editor was no green novice at what we're doing here. Bill's greatest interest was communications and his focus was on radio with scanners at the top of the list. He felt that scanning offered a peephole into the heartbeat of the world. The 'WORLD SCANNER REPORT' was born from a persistent nagging inside him to write about what turned him on. It turned him on to point a big ear into the heart beat of: government, law enforcement, military, space, business, commerce and politics: COMMUNICATIONS. You too? AN INVITATION TO JOIN WITH THE 'WSR' Please see the Table of Contents for all issues of the 'WSR' to date, so you can get a better idea of what we're all about. Also check out the huge subject matter Index to the WSR so you can look up your favored topics. The filenames are: wsrtofc.txt Table of Contents wsrindex.txt Keyword Index Payment in US FUNDS; check or money order preferred; cash ok, but risky. Canadian subscribers add 15% to the prices stated below. Other foreign prices are quoted on the subscription blank in an accompanying file called ORDER.TXT May-June and November-December are combined issues for a total of ten issues per year. NOTE: Back issues of the WSR to January 1991 (V1N1) are still available. Prices are listed below. ========================================================+============+ CONFIDENTIAL ORDER BLANK - - - - Please print clearly | INF:WWW-4 | =========================================================+============| | | NAME:____________________________________________________|____________| STREET:_______________________________________________________________ CITY:____________________________ STATE:_____________ ZIP:____________ Day PHONE:(________)_______________________ AMT ENCLOSED: $___________ NitePHONE:(________)_______________________ FORM OF PYMT: ___________ E-mail Address:____________________________ ====================================================================== WORLD SCANNER REPORT - 10 issues/yr WSR BACK ISSUE RATES & ORDER BLANK INF:WWW-2000 WSR BACK ISSUES ONLY USA $$ Check Items 1991-8 (any one year, set) 10 ea $30.00 ______________ * 1991-8 (any two years, set) 20 ea $50.00 ______________ * 1991-8 (any three years, set) 30 ea $65.00 ______________ * 1991-8 (any four years, set) 40 ea $75.00 ______________ * 1991-8 (any five years, set) 50 ea $84.00 ______________ * 1991-8 (any six years, set) 60 ea $92.00 ______________ * 1991-8 (any seven years, set) 70 ea $99.00 ______________ * 1991-8 (an eight year set) 80 ea $105.00 ______________ * 1991 thru July '99 complete set 96ea $135.00 ______________ * NOTE: $5 Shipping/Handling with any order. OR $10 Shipping/Handling for a full 96 issue set. * (Canada +15%; Other Foreign +50%) ============================================ Bill Cheek - President/CEO/Publisher COMMtronics Engineering/World Scanner Report Box 262478 ~ San Diego ~ CA ~ 92196-2478 ============================================