I replaced the EL module on my old PRO-2006 and probably bought from the same seller on Ebay. That old PRO-2004 was one of the finest scanners Radio Shack ever sold and I remember there was even a seller on Ebay at one point who sold an adhesive overlay you would place over top the original keypad that displayed the "upgraded" 400 channel configuration, provided you did the mod to your scanner, so the keypad showed the proper corresponding number of channels and banks to that of the original unmodified configuration.
Thank you for the mod information. I purchased a 12 inch EL strip from 'glow-hut' company. The mod worked fantastic! The display is like new. I also blew compressed air (with cabinet still open) around the volume/squelch pots internal, and now they both work much better! There is no more 'crackle' and 'pop' sounds in speaker, when I turn the scanner on!. Keep up the good work. My best regards, Don.
I repaired some of these units for friends a while back and even have post on eHam of my comparison of the 2004 and 2006. one thing I did was to change the dimmer switch to on and off. The dimmer switch switches between two resistors for high and low. I removed the low R so I could switch between bright and no backlight. 99% of the tie I was listening to 2004 without looking at it. This GREATLY expanded the life of the backlight, in fact, I have not replaced one that I modded at least 15 years ago and when it's on, it's still just as bright. I am guessing you must be from 9 land, maybe WI or Il, with your slight accent. I am in 4 land.. 73, Glenn WA4AOS
Hi Glenn, I am from 1 land. New Hampster or Cow Hampshire. But have spent extensive time traveling. Lived a year in Texas and then traveled all over the world. Some time in Asia and a little time in Europe. Folks here tell me I don' t sound like a local any more.
Neat repair. I've got one of those sitting on shelf somewhere with a bad EL panel. Haven't used it since cellphones went digital. On the micrprocessor board, there are a few unpopulated diodes that will open up some features in the radio. D510 - Reconfigures memory - expands to 400 channels D512 In - gives 30 Khz step between 825-845 & 870-890 Mhz D512 Out - gives 12.5 Khz step between 825-845 & 870-890 Mhz D513 - Opens up 825-845 & 870-890 Mhz D514 - Ups scan rate to 20 chans/sec from 16 chans/sec
Mine is used for monitoring aircraft and fire. Police are all scrambled in my area and cell phone conversations were as interesting as watching paint dry. Also monitors .52 and .58 simplex. Nice to have the backlight working again. Cool screen name.
Any reason not to use scissors? on the new light source I bought my Pro 2004 in the 80s new....like you mainly for airband....stunning performance. Going to try this on my 2004. Having probs with the freq digits not properly displaying sometimes......any ideas? And thankyou so much for showing us how simple this job looks.....going on ebay now to find a back light strip.
I am looking to make this repair to my Realistic pro-2021. All of these EL panels I see say they need an "inverter" to work. I see that you did not use one. Can you tell me if I will need one or if I can just cut the panel to size and connect the lead from the new EL panel to the existing wires from the scanner circuit board ? Thank you.
Hi Michael, the inverter is already there in the unit. Buy that panel and have at it. Just connect the wires from the old panel to the new one and your in business.
That unit in digikey is LED and .4" thick. The one in the unit is Electroluminescent and only 0.03" thick. Don't think I could get it to fit. I would have to take it all apart and measure everything. But the panel is cheap and easy.
That was a long long time ago. Do a search for Electroluminescent display on e-bay. There were a least a dozen vendors selling them. Nothing special about them except you need one big enough to trim to size.
