Radio Shack Pro 2006 Scanner Back-light Repair

[@cliffbriggs8180]

I’ve just come across this video,because I am changing the back light strip. Changed the strip and it works,if I was to do it again I think I would go with a white strip because the blue is a bit dim. Thank you for this video.

[@dhdaniel1]

I did the same job.Same results not very bright. I did more shopping on Ebay and found light blue and white. These both worked much better than the dark blue. Worked well. GREAT tutorial. Thank you

[@BillyLapTop]

I like how you totally reassembled the unit and then turned it on. Now, that is real confidence. FBOM

[@mrflashport]

The build quality of these older scanners is amazing. Noticed all the RF sections were well shielded. Radios, especially consumer gear, is just not made that good anymore. That will last another 25 years. The junk coming from China is disposable as toilet paper. Nice work as always, your videos are very enjoyable.

[@christophersmith1155]

bought my PRO 2006 in 1990. still use it . before cell phones went digital i could hear way too much !

[@glennchristie2316]

You and me both. Cordless phones were far more interesting. I had all 11 frequencies in my scanner and I lived smack dab in the middle of a big Mobilehome park and I had a really good antenna on my roof. I knew more about my neighbors than they knew about themselves. Scanners were so exciting. Right now I have 4 operating at the same time - kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and shed.. I also have 2 pocket scanners that don’t work anymore.. My All Time Favorite was the Bearcat 210..

[@HaskellMoore]

Thanks for taking time to create this video. After watching the video, and even though I have a pristine scanner with the correct backlight, I decided I could live without the backlight rather than lose my patience and drop kick the radio across the room! 🙂 Update: Thanks to your excellent video, I was able to run through the same process and have the scanner up and functioning again in less than an hour. Thanks again for posting this video!

[@JnJTrueOutdoorAdventures]

Good job Rob!! I would of been scared to death to take all that apart!! But seeing you do it, I guess if I had something with the backlight out I could give it a try! Thanks for sharing! Juddie WD8WV

[@richardcarlson127]

The display lighting going dim or out altogether was a huge problem with the PRO2004/5/6 type scanners. I had 8 altogether and eventually all were either really dim or out. There was a guy down in FL who did these repairs so I sent the whole batch to him at once and he did all 8 with new EL panels. I finally sold off my last one about 10 years later and it still shined brightly.

[@glennchristie2316]

Who did your repairs? I have a couple radios I’d like to get repaired. Glenn in Highlands Co.

[@richardcarlson127]

@@glennchristie2316 It was at least 15 or even 20 years ago, I am pretty sure he has passed on or moved on. I don't have his info anymore, some guy on the east coast of Florida

[@markthundercliffe3725]

I can't believe that none other than Paul Simon would help me look to repair the backlight to my PRO2006!! In my case the backlight has gone very dim but not totally dead. Can I still assume it's still a duff strip. Thanks from England!!

[@SevenFortyOne]

More than likely, yes

[@markthundercliffe3725]

@@SevenFortyOne Thanks

[@TheRadiogeek]

Nice repair and video! $5 for that scanner is a nice score 👍

[@simoncroft9792]

Useful video, thanks mr 741. I tried your eBay link and couldn’t find anything useful there or google. Instead I took an LED backlight from a 20x2 display I had in the drawer unused since 20years! The part is labelled LTM-8904 on 5v it takes 66mA via an 11ohm current limit resistor. I picked up a 5v supply on the front PCB at the trace connected to pin 16 of the 74LS145 decoder chip. The display size is 80mm by 23mm x 4mm thick. It works great , I didn’t bother with a dimmer circuit it’s not that bright but better than the video. I couldn’t find the LTM backlight though online. I did find a white LED backlight that should work in stock at Pimoroni for 2€ Part is Lucky light KWB-R7923W/1W it also looks like it could be cut down shorter, mine is over length but just fits between PCB mounting pillars. Note you will have to remove the metal screen to get at the 5v rail. With mine I also had to slide out the grey solid LCD support bits. Being old plastic the locating pegs just broke easy. The transformer T501 was not needed , had to remove it to slide out the left support. Obviously the LCD must not be strained in any way when you remove the supports. I also removed the SMD resistor feeding Q508 in case it got upset by the missing transformer. Anti static precautions used too. Few spares available if zapped!

[@just_in_time5518]

Great video as always, glad the repair worked. Better then it was.... great how to once again. Nice touch with the 80’s music in the background ! 😂 enjoyed it.

[@dfmayes]

Thanks for the video. I just recently did what you did and had the same result: a dim backlight. I looked around and found and LED backlight on Digi-Key (look for Adafruit #1622 only $2.50). You just have to wire it up to 12V with:a 470 ohm resistor. It fits the LCD pretty well and is very bright. Being an LED, it has some flare on one side but I still like it. The only trick is you have to remove the plastic supports behind the glass because the unit is too thick to slide in. I didn't bother figuring out how the light switch works so mine is always on, but I don't mind.

[@SevenFortyOne]

Great tip...thanks!

[@daytona1212]

Does your button next to the Sound Squelch say 'light' or 'Dimmer'? My Realistic pro 2006 400 channel Hyperscan scanner has a 'Dimmer' button, instead of a 'Light' button.

[@SuperMeganw]

very well done and a good video from Gary in the UK.

[@dandearman2871]

5$? That's a deal. The back light went out on mine many years ago. Good information what I have to look forward to.

[@jafinch78]

Awesome detail. Neat watching, very awesome. Glad KZbin recommended the video. Inspiration to work on mine this winter. Have you considered doing the mod for the computer interface to control the scanner? That would be a sweet series. I started reading into and last left off planing to etch a CE-232 PCB board... though hadn't got around to working on. Went into a bus pirate and MCU rabbit hole of research.

[@MarvinParnell]

Dude, You stole that scanner for $5.00 lol. I've replaced the EL Strip in mine 4 times, so Literally Yesterday I modified it with LED strip instead. It is by no means perfect, but it works and I shouldn't have to worry about the backlight for quite some time now. These things have an amazing receiver in them, and can be modified to be pretty much completely open too. Very impressive scanners for their time. Wish they still made them this good. Great job. Thanks for the video. 73's

[@JamesSmith123456789]

I have one I would love to mod it.

[@chrishackett9820]

Where did you power the led strip from

[@SevenFortyOne]

I thought I showed it in the video but if not I don't remember....

[@MarvinParnell]

@@chrishackett9820 The LED strip I bought was a 12v green strip. I used a 1K resistor and just pulled power from the on/off switch. I used thick white printer paper about 4 layers to make a diffuser though the leds are bright enough to still see them, If I go back in to fix that issue I would start by finding a spot on the board with around 8 volts and still using the 1k resistor to help dim them down a bit. but for now at least I can see the display.

[@fo4mm209]

I tryed this with eBay Backlight system but the inverter was so noisy and generating so much QRM in reception that i gave up . I installed the bill cheek led system idea and its all ok now althought light is not as diffused as original .

[@SevenFortyOne]

I thre away the inverter that came with the strip and used to one that's built in the radio for the original display and it works OK aside from being a bit dimmer then the original. I'm considering swapping over to LEDs though

[@joewaldner6986]

Well done video thank you!!! 73s.

[@DavidGarside]

Hello. Just watched your video and I'm ready to go ahead and repair mine. Just a query, on the EL site they give options of.... Backing, None, Sticky, Magnetic or Velcro. I assume the 'None' is the correct one. The other option is for the inverter. None, 3volt, 6v, 9v, 12v or 12v chip. I'm in the Uk , could you advise which one please. Thank you for this great video.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I agree the backing should be none. I think the inverter should be none as well since the radio has one built in but I'm not 100 percent sure on that since I don't really know what you are looking at

[@DavidGarside]

@SevenFortyOne . Wow, thank you for coming back to me so quickly. It's the Pro 2006 but I'll go for the 'none' option. On mine, the lcd writing is visible when it's daylight, but there's no blue backlight so can't be seen easily when it's darker. Thankyou very much, I really appreciate your help.

[@hamrad88]

Awesome job. Thumbs up.

[@glennchristie2316]

Question: Did your display work at all - meaning - if you shined a light on it you could see the frequency? When I shine a light on mine - I can see the frequency but not without using a light. What’s really disappointing is that everything I use to listen to is encrypted in Highlands Co. Florida. Thankfully I can still get the pager frequency. I’ve had this Radio Shack 2022 ever since it came into the store and it still works great. I would like my pocket scanner working again. Do you repair on the side? Glenn

[@SevenFortyOne]

Yes, the display worked, just no backlight

[@ribamarbento4049]

I have a realistic sculpture for 2023 the digits are erasing could help me. I would also like to know if you can increase the frequency rager?

[@Keith_455]

Nice job. But why didn't you order the direct replacement from Uniden?

[@SevenFortyOne]

This scanner wasn't made by Uniden. Regardless, I don't think the exact replacement is available any more.

[@kiddbrother3]

I found that the voltage on the electro strip is only 3.6vdc needs to be hardwired to the main power supply manualslib.com has the Realistic PRO-2006 Service Manual

[@SevenFortyOne]

The electro strip runs off of ac. If you are seeing any dc voltage it may just be an artifact of you meter rectifying the measured ac.

[@kiddbrother3]

@@SevenFortyOne no! I didn't check! 3.6vdc per RS schematic I one on ebay & one side is white & other is green! greenside faces from the display & the white side faces the display & dimmer switch works too paid around $8.00 bought 2 just in case!

[@douglasbollinger3626]

Can't beat $5.00 for that scanner! Great video! Do you have any idea where I can get a replacement power transformer for a PRO-2006? The 12 VDC works, but not the 110 AC.

[@TheDarthSmietan]

job done thanks!

[@glennchristie2316]

I’ll drop mine off at your workshop in the morning. The display on mine doesn’t work either.

[@chrishackett9820]

What voltage did you have on the board I bought a replacement EL display and it is rated at 12v AC. I have around 64v ac sat at the board connection points but the EL display doesn't light up.

[@SevenFortyOne]

I don't remember exactly but I thought it was more than 12v. It might show in the service manual/schematic what the voltage should be

[@chrishackett9820]

I tried a replacement EL display from Ebay but it wasn't bright enough so I ended up taking it out and replacing it with a piece of white paper

[@edp9821]

Is there anyway to fix these? A woman I know owns one. The display lights but there's no digits. If I turn the squelch, I do get the noise but not sure if the unit is functioning. Would like to attempt to get it running.

[@SevenFortyOne]

Search for the manual and see if there is a factory reset...

[@bbboemertje]

if I replace the light foil, I also have light during the day or only in the evening

[@tecladistadelrancho7276]

good morning friend, a question what is the measure of the backlight that you used???

[@Vickmann]

Excelent!!!

[@f5pxfdenis123]

Hello everyone, where can I find this product? I did this, but I damaged the tape when cutting Where can I buy this tape? Thank you Denis F5PXF.

[@SevenFortyOne]

eBay

[@fansalarmslightingetc]

0:00 - 0:08 I saw your cat :)

[@SevenFortyOne]

She likes to make cameo appearances in my videos sometimes

[@fansalarmslightingetc]

SevenFortyOne What’s your cat’s name? I have a cat too! And if you wanna know what my cat’s name is, tell me your cat’s name. Sound good?

[@SevenFortyOne]

My cat's name is Maple. She is named after a tree in my back yard.

[@fansalarmslightingetc]

SevenFortyOne Awesome name for a cat! Are you ready to know what my cats name is?

[@SevenFortyOne]

@@fansalarmslightingetc Sure - what is your cat's name?

[@rmbrikha]

Hi I love your channel.. quick question I was looking at buying a used pro 106 handheld scanner goes up1300 mghz model I-7253 digtal trunking what would you value it at today price?

[@SevenFortyOne]

Sorry, I really don't know....

[@daytona1212]

Strange to see your Realistic Pro 2006 has a 'Light' button next to the sound Squelch. I also have a Realistic pro 2006 400 channel Hyperscan scanner, but on mine that button says 'Dimmer" and I can dim the electro-luminescent display with it. On my scanner the electro-luminescent display is always on when I turn the scanner on. For the rest it look 100% the same as yours.

[@SevenFortyOne]

My display was burned out...missing actually. I made a video on fixing it..

[@daytona1212]

@@SevenFortyOne I know, I watched the video. 😁 I was writing about the difference in buttons 'Light' vs 'Dimmer' on the same type of Realistic 2006.

[@dennisrackett3139]

@@SevenFortyOne Yes. Default on the Dmmer is just that - Switches on to full brightness and you dim by pressing that switch.There is no backlight off option.

[@brianberthold3118]

you got the wrong color you want a bright blue not dark blue .. i found ice blue is the closest to OG

[@curtbilyeu8701]

i have a pro 2022. looks just like your scanner. same problem except no light button.. just no backlight. kinda sucks.

[@glennchristie2316]

I also have the exact same scanner “Pro 2022” but has no light button..

[@daal1977]

Nice!!