[Pro2006] OptoScan456 = RULES! ;-)

[Chris Underwood]

   I'm  writing  to  the  list  for  the  benefit  of  those  without the
   OptoScan456  installed  in their Pro-2006.  I had a Pro-2006 for about
   three  years, and came to understand why it is such a revered scanner,
   it  has  a  top flight radio digital tuning subsystem - even by modern
   standards.   But,  being  a "tech guy" I was feeling a bit left out of
   all  the  cool  new digital, data, trunking, etc. action possible with
   newer (albeit frequency limited) scanners out there.  THEN...I aquired
   another Pro-2006 with the OS456 card installed....OH MY!  It's taken a
   few  weeks and some considerable effort to comprehend and utilize just
   what  the  Optoscan456  can  do....Let's  just  say, given the correct
   software  (another $200  to max it out) and a data slicer (about $25),
   and  the  proper  audio-stage  modifications...let's  just  say I'm no
   longer  interested  in  getting  a WiNRADiO or ICOM IC-PCR1000.  I can
   trunk-track, decode, scan (100 c.p.s.), reaction tune, and use both of
   my  Pro-2006's  together  in  such  a  way  as  I'm  not sure could be
   replicated  with  any  other  hardware.  What I'm trying to get across
   here,  really,  is that it's a night-and-day difference - IMPROVEMENT-
   with  the  OS456...managing  your  scanner  graphicaly  on the PC with
   virtually  unlimited  scale/scope with basic sub-audible tone decoding
   is  great  (see  Spectrum  Commander software) but throw in some basic
   hardware  upgrades  and a program like SkyScan, and you just x100 what
   you  could  even  dream of  doing with a lone Pro-2006....In fact, I'm
   keeping   my  eye  out  for  another  OS456  equipped  2006...and  the
   guy asking only  $300  is being nice...they routinely go for over $400
   on ebay equipped as such - but only to those "in the know"....of which
   I'm very pleased to have recently become!

   -Chris

   Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 16:12:59 -0500
   >From: "Bill Tarkington" <k3yc at arrl.net>
   >Subject: Re: [Pro2006] Pro 2006 w/ Optoscan 456 4 Sale
   >To: "Radio Shack Pro2006 Scanner" <pro2006 at mailman.qth.net>
   >Message-ID: <00a301c5c928$65f81880$6401a8c0 at desktop>
   >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
   >
   >Hi Jay: I am very much interested in your Pro 2006 and price is not a
   >problem.  I  already  have  both a 2004 and a 2006, but never had the
   Opto scan
   >feature.  Can  you  summarize  for me just what it does.  And, is the
   display
   >on yours in good shape. Mine is working, but seems to be dimming. So,
   not
   >sure if it is trying to go out or what.  On the other hand my 2004 is
   like
   >new.  Wonder  if  the  opto  scan  board  would  install  in  it too.
   Understand the
   >opto  scan  boards  are  not longer available. Please advise. Thanks,
   Bill/K3YC