RadioShack PRO-90

It didn't take RadioShack long to hop on the TrunkTracker bandwagon. With a little help from its main scanner supplier Uniden and some big bucks, I imagine, RadioShack was able to offer the PRO-90 to those who had heard that TrunkTracking was the wave of the future. This, in no way, should be viewed as an endorsement to purchase this radio nor is it intended to discourage anyone from buying it. I have no personal or business relations with Uniden or Tandy Corporations. These are simply thoughts offered to my fellow hobbyists who may be interested in purchasing this particular radio or simply want to know more about it. Thank you and enjoy! Rich Wells N2MCA Strong Signals web site

What You Get

PRO-90

Antenna

Belt clip

BP-180 4.8V 800mAh ni-cad

AC adapter 12V 200mA

Owner's manual

National Public Safety Trunked System Frequency Guide

Model Tested

Serial # : 750167xx

Dated : 10A7 (October 1997)

Basic Specs

Channels	300
Banks	10
Coverage	29-54 108-174 406-512 806-956 MHz
Scan	100 channels/second
Search	100/300 freqs/second
Steps	5, 12.5 & 25 kHz
Modes	AM & FM
Sensitivity	VHF FM : 0.25uv VHF AM : 0.6 - 0.8uv UHF FM : 0.2 - 0.4uv
Conversion	Triple
IFs	1=254.4 2=10.85 3=0.450 MHz
Priority	10 channels
Search skip	20 frequencies
S-meter	No
Delay	Programmable 2 second
Lockout	Per channel
Attenuator	No
Lock	Keypad
Tone codes	None
Rotary control	No
Channel count	No
Data skip	Yes
Weather	Pre-programmed
Weather Alert	No
Light	Display
Power	4.8V ni-cad or 12V DC
Audio	180mW
Memory	volatile

Introduction

For those who may not know, the PRO-90 is made by Uniden for RadioShack like many of their scanners.

As for the scanners it does make for RadioShack, Uniden doesn't usually let the RadioShack versions have the same exact set of features. But RadioShack usually gets a few added features that help hide its Uniden ancestry.

The PRO-90, and its base version, the PRO-2050 are exceptions to these long-standing rules. Nothing about the radios themselves has been changed when it comes to features. Run down the feature list of both and you will find them identical.

Instruction Manual

Very well written and comprehensive

Table of Contents is very well done and informative

Since it is largely a copy of the BC235XLT manual, the specifications page is sadly lacking

While Uniden supplies its radios with a starter frequency guide, RadioShack includes a 5 or 6 pages to help the new user get acquianted with the frequency bandplan and in what frequency ranges various agencies can be found.

Trunked System Frequency Guide

Very complete and useful

Also mentions www.trunkscanner.com?

Construction and Physical

The case is almost identical to the BC235XLT with just a few minor tweaks

The top edge is less rounded giving it a "squarer" appearance. The right side and bottom edges are bevelled giving it a bit more character. The left-hand column of keys are on a portion of the front face which is sloped more dramatically toward the edge while the keys themselves are contained in elongated depressions.

The top panel has volume and squelch controls with nice white stripes. As usual, the lettering here is upside-down so that it can be read when viewed from above while attached to your belt.

Both are cast in the same color gray plastic

The speaker grill is composed of smaller, more numerous holes and is a bit wider.

The number of keys, their layout and function is identical. They are, however, differently shaped.

The key lettering is a bit larger and white making them easier to read. Also some of the text is above the buttons rather than on them which helps readability.

The left side panel houses the same solitary connector for the AC adapter.

The belt clip is the same except it is molded in pure black and does not carry the 'uniden' logo of course.

Both radios use the same proprietary ni-cad, the BP-180, with the same dinky connector interfacing the radio and battery.

Antenna

Looks to be the same one used on the BC235XLT but it is hard to be sure since there are no distinguishing markings

If it is, be aware that these antennas have a bad reputation for dropping the center pins inside the BNC. If you suddenly have poor reception or are unable to plug the antenna into the connector, check this for a cause and have Radio Shack replace it if so.

If this antenna is anything like the AT-218 is found on most of their handhelds, it is only an average performer and you would do well to upgrade it promptly. See my Handheld Antenna Review for some good choices.

This antenna may not be the AT-218 exactly as its 800MHz reception seems quite poor compared to the AT-218. This seems to be a common complaint amongst those who own one of the TrunkTracker handhelds.

Many users seem to be flocking to RadioShack to pick up a cellular phone antenna as a replacement along with an adapter to match the BNC connector on the radio.

Features

We'll start by saying this radio is functionally identical to its BC235XLT sibling

The slightly increased speaker grill makes no difference as it still sounds just like the BC235XLT

The display is identical, indicators and all, to the BC235XLT

Seems as thought the keypad has been changed slightly in terms of feel. The presses seem a bit stiffer and they don't push in as far(shorter throw). While the BC235XLT keypad is no real joy, this makes the PRO-90 a tad worse off

Both are triple conversion

Both have the same frequency coverage

Both have 300 channels in 10 banks

Both have 50 trunk scan lists with each bank having 5 scan lists of 10 channels each

Both have 10 priority channels

Both have scan and search lockout

Both have five service scan banks(police, fire/EMS, aircraft, marine & weather)

Both scan and search at the same rates

Both have 2 second scan/search delay

Both have data skip

Both have keypad locks

Both have identical backlights

Both have belt clips

Both have low battery voltage alerts

Both have battery saver

Both have duplicate frequency alert

Both cover 5 & 12.5kHz steps and AM/FM modes

Both have 20 search-skip frequencies

Both have 1 search limit

Both are rated at 180mW

While the BC235XLT manual mentions the duplicate frequency alert, the PRO-90 manual does not. This is an error in the PRO-90 manual. The same goes for the 20 frequency maximum lockout in service scan

While the PRO-90 manual mentions that the battery can not be over-charged, the BC235XLT manual does not. Is this really the case? Did the BC235XLT manual leave this out accidentally (I do have a VERY early copy of the BC235XLT manual) or is the PRO-90 manual fabricating?

The differences : the BC235XLT comes with an extra ni-cad, a CRX120 charging cradle and an earphone

Programming

Same as the BC235XLT

Scanning

Same as the BC235XLT

Searching

Same as the BC235XLT

Priority

Same as the BC235XLT

VHF/UHF performance

Found 17 birdies compared to the 28 listed in the manual

11 of these match up exactly with the BC235XLT

No difference can be detected between these two receivers. They appear to have the same sensitivity, selectivity and interference rejection

Things I Like

TrunkTracking

Sensitivity

Interference rejection

Scan/search speed

Service search with multiple agencies

Trunked System Frequency Guide

And I prefer the PRO-90 faceplate to the BC235's. The 235 was borrowed from the BC230 which is really a BC220 which dates back to 1995 and is showing its age

Things I Would Change

I miss 'lo' and 'hi' search limits

Tighten up the squelch tail

Need more lockouts for service scan. With over 1000 frequencies for police, 20 just doesn't cut the mustard

Lower price

Comments

Very nice radio even if you don't consider its TrunkTracking abilities. Lots of channels, great sensitivity and interference rejection

RadioShack's price of $300 is, as usual, absurd. Catch it when it's on sale for $250 or pick up the BC235XLT which is running about $240 these days and comes with an extra ni-cad and charging cradle

Other Info

Be sure to check out my BC235XLT First Impressions for a more indepth analysis of this radio which will tell you more about the PRO-90 as well

Copyright © 2010 by Richard J. Wells