[Scan-DC] Pro-96 Parts

[Steve Thompson]

Just received an order of parts to refurbish a friend's Pro-96.  If you 
have one of these radios, it might be a good idea to order some 
spares.  The radio is getting older every day, the parts seem to get more 
expensive and, eventually, the inventory at Radio Shack will run out.

The most common part to replace is the rear cover.  This is RS Part No. 
12410809 and it now sells for $17.69.  The rubber hand grips eventually 
fall off and, should you drop the radio, the dinky little tabs that hold 
the battery door in place will crack.  At that point, you'll find yourself 
taping the door closed.

While you're at it, order a spare battery compartment door, because its 
bigger (but still dinky) tab will eventually break off, too.  Solutions are 
to (1) keep spare parts around; (2) stop dropping the radio or (3) upgrade 
to a Pro-106, for which the battery door problem has been cured by the 
designers.

You can order the front panel, too (RS Part No. 12410791) for $28, but, 
while this panel gets dirty, it seldom breaks.  Also, replacing it involves 
removing the speaker, which is glued to the old front panel, and glueing it 
to the new one.  I decided not to do this because the front panel wasn't 
bad and I didn't want to risk screwing up the speaker.

Unfortunately, you can't order parts online.  You must go to a RS store, 
give them the part numbers (which they may have trouble finding by 
themselves--expect a blank stare) and RS will send the parts direct to your 
address in less than a week.

Steve, N4TX