[Pro2006] OptoScan 456s

[Bob Whiston]

         I am looking for a pair of OptoScan 456s to replace a pair, along 
with the PRO-2006s they were mounted in, that were recently stolen.  While 
I am fortunate enough to have `salted away' a `spare' pair of PRO-2006s I 
wasn't quite as `lucky' when it came to the OS456s.  {DANG!}  The perps, 
whomever they were, apparently had a good idea as to what they wanted as 
they also got away with a PRO-2067, a RELM MS-200, and an AOR AR-2500 and 
left the BC-760xlts and BC-950xlts among others.  (Basically it seems like 
they were after anything, scanner-wise, that could be hooked up to a 
computer and could either be `loaded' or `controlled' by said 
computer.  Fortunately they didn't get any of my handhelds, other scanners, 
or the two computer controllable SW receivers.)  I already have a `line' on 
a replacement PRO-2067 and *may* have already found a replacement 
MS-200.  The AOR AR-2500 I probably won't find because if someone actually 
has a `working?' one they probably wouldn't consider selling because 
`working?' AR-2500s are few and far between.  (For those who aren't 
familiar with the AR-2500 it's an *old* AOR "Wide Range" base/mobile 
receiver that was capable of AM, WFM, and NFM from 1000KHz - 1300MHz  in 78 
banks of 62 `scan' banks with 32 "channels"/bank along with 16 `search' 
banks with 2 "channels"/bank for a `grand? total' of 2016 "channels".  It 
wasn't `blocked out' like all the receivers out there now and so they had a 
`disclaimer' that read;

         "Please be warned.  *IF* your radio should happen to intercept 
this type of call, `Cellular Phone' - IMTS phones - certain voice and tone 
pages - some radio/TV/press frequencies, you can either shut if, leave the 
room, or shoot it with an AK-47."

         Given the current `climate' I don't think that anyone who still 
happens to have an actual `working' AR-2500 would likely want to either let 
on that they do have one or let it go.  Also, again given the current 
`climate', I would think that one could add M16 right after AK-47 because 
that would probably be what would be used by `The Authorities' if they ever 
got their hands upon one.  (Before anyone suggests that `The Authorities' 
might actually *try* and put it to use I should explain that `programing' 
or trying to `control' one can be a *real* PITA and the only software that 
*I* know of only runs under plain old DOS and is *very* `cranky' to 
boot.  With that caveat said I *will* also say that once one does figure 
out how to do either, `program' or `control', and has a `working' unit it 
is a fairly good little radio for it's `time'.  I know that I am going to 
miss the one I had.)

         But...  Back on `topic'...  Like I said at the begining...  I am 
looking for at least one (1), and hopefully *maybe* two (2), OptoScan OS456 
unit(s) that someone might want to part with for a reasonable price.  (*IF* 
`push comes to shove' I might entertain purchasing said unit(s) already 
installed *IF* the price was `right' and is the only way I can get 
it/them.)  The `shack' really looks kinda bare without my `old friends' and 
Living way out in the `boonies' like I do there really isn't any suitable 
replacment available these days.  (Besides...  I'd have to go through the 
hassles of building a whole new `rack' to fit anything else and I'm kinda 
`lazy' that way.  {WAN GRIN!}  If I can just `re-fill' the empty `holes' 
pretty much I'd much rather do that.  [Oh, yeah...  I'd also have to find 
some time between all the `honey do' projects, too, if I had to build a new 
`rack'.  {WRY GRIN!}])


---
     Doleo ergo sum,
        Bob Whiston

        "Too late to work within the system, too early to shoot them all."