Optoelectronics Scout

[CoastGuardJon]

Is there anyone out there using this handy little tool with a PC, AOR 8000, Icom IC-R7000, Realistic 2005 or JRC NRD545.    If you wonder where this is going - I'm after the pin outs for the data transfer for Reaction Tuning (tight old git that I am, I don't want to spend out buying the proprietary leads).    I've just bought one of the older ones s/h.

[Minou]

Which model have you bought? I have got a Optoelectronics Scout 40 (1994)

Boris

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Boris, errrr, I'll phone a friend on that one, here's a link to it

http://www.radioworld.co.uk/~radio/catalog/second-hand-scout-optoelectronics-frequency-counterfinder-p-6020.html?osCsid=7368aad444b84a1532947c18cdf86579

I nearly bought one years ago, but funds (ie justification to she who must be obeyed - the long haired general!) were more limited.

Radioworld contacted AOR on my behalf with reference to the connections, and AOR provided this link for AOR8000 owners, so now I won't need to purchase the cable, just need to work out how to do the same with a PC, Realistic 2005, IC-R7000 and the NRD545.

http://www.aoruk.com/archive/8000mods.htm#opto

[Minou]

I'll guess it is a Scout 25 or 40. I can sent you (by private e-mail) a copy of the instruction booklet if you need one.
As for the AR8000 connection: There is a FFC Adapter specially made by Optoelectronics for the AR8000. Put the flexibel adapter into the AR8000 at the bottom and off you go. No soldering required. I can sent you a diagram of this adapter if you like.
To use the Scout with a R7000, PC etc you will need a CX12AR RS-232C interface converter. I have got the diagram of this interface as well.

Greetings Boris

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Boris, many thanks for that. I'll let you know when it arrives.

[boblister]

Did you have any luck with this.  I have an AR8000 and Scout.  But I have lost the lead.  The AR8000 was modified by Lowe Electronics with a 3.5 jack socket for the Scout lead.  If I knew the connections I would have a chance.

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Bob, if you go to this link, look at the Opto mod. centre tip of jack carries data, outer is common/earth.   A heck of a lot cheaper than the proprietary leads.

http://www.aoruk.com/archive/8000mods.htm#opto

Boris and Bob, a couple of questions - what sort of range will the Scout pick up aircraft and does it detect/log digital signals?   I'm wondering whether to go for the Digital Scout, in view of the way everything's going digital, but if they don't detect more than 1/2 mile range, may not be worth going for.    Your advice will be appreciated.

[boblister]

It's a long long time since I used it but as far as I remember the range isn't very good.  Probably ok at an airshow for getting the frequencies of nearby stuff.  It stores/logs 400 different frequencies and up to 255 occurrences of each frequency. 

Thank's for the pinout.  All I need is to find my charger next.

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Bob, thanks for the response, I was hoping to use it to catch the frequencies in use as A/C as come in over the UK but if they're above a couple of thousand feet (which they are of course) and call in on VHF, I'm not catching them on my scanners.

[boblister]

I would say no chance for that sort of thing.  I seem to remember when I sat mine on the desk  here it would get the occasional taxi or police car passing but aircraft thousands of feet up. No chance.