RS PRO-2006 illumination

[jta]

Does anyone know of a replacement readout back light assembly for this baby? As I recall, they were getting scarce the last time I had one, but I gotta ask. I don't care if it isn't the OEM panel, certainly a few LEDs should work. Any info appreciated. 73, jta

[aurora]

jta, I successfully changed my backlight strip and it has ran beautifully for 5 years now.

Here are links to a couple backlight replacement instructions that I used for reference:
http://www.2manytoyz.com/newel
http://www.webaugur.com/ham-radio/51-realistic-pro-2006-hardware-modifications.html

All Electronics (https://www.allelectronics.com/category/213/electroluminescent-strips/1.html) did not have the correct size back then but you might check with them anyways since the prices are right. I ended up purchasing a kit from Miller Engineering (https://www.microstru.com/Experimenter-Kits.html) and cutting the strip to size. It wasn't that difficult to do and the results are fantastic.

Good luck.

[jta]

Thx, Aurora! I may wind up going with Miller myself as the job doesn't look too difficult.

BTW, the 2manytoyz URL keeps reporting Not Found... But the other one works fine.

I see you use a Pro3 - I also have one (doesn't xmit); it replaced a somewhat modified R-75. The only thing it lacks is a waterfall display!

Thanks again and 73, jta

[aurora]

BTW, the 2manytoyz URL keeps reporting Not Found... But the other one works fine.

Not sure why it would not open. I tried it again and it opened quickly in both Chrome and IE 11 browsers. When I tried to open it in Firefox it took forever but it eventually did open. It is a nice web page with many step-by-step photo instructions.

http://www.2manytoyz.com/newel

(Yes, I feel the Pro3 is the best receiver I ever owned - but it is amazing what others are doing with these AirSpy  / SDR systems.)

[jta]

Very strange; both links worked fine this morning...

Thanks again! 73, jta

[Davep]

Thanks for the links. I need new illumination for a DX 394 .   Im a little confused on the voltage . Just skimming over it one said 120 v  and the other shows it running on some AAAs.
Without taking it apart or looking for a schematic does anyone know if these are universal ?

[jta]

I'll guess and say that most luminescent panels would run off very low DC voltage, perhaps 3VDC or less. They certainly wouldn't handle 120V (for more than about one nanosecond!)...

[aurora]

It may be both. My Realistic PRO-2004 scanner uses an Electro Luminescence (EL) strip to backlight the LED display. The EL strip runs on 70-100 V rms, 300 hz A.C. generated by the display board.

Most EL Experimenter kits come packaged with an inverter to power the strip. The inverter is requires 3v DC (usually a couple AA cells) and in turn the inverter outputs 100VAC to the EL strip.

[Davep]

Thanks for your help Aurora.  Its on my bucket list