Here is some information that has been posted on Usenet and in the SCAN-L mailing list regarding Radio Shack's reason for its sudden refusal to sell Service Manuals for its scanners. Further corroboration by J.T. Ward appears after the MT information. No editing has been done, not even to correct typos.
After Bill Cheek's announcement, the controversy continued. Amateur Radio Newsline, an online and on-air news bulletin service for ham radio operators, aired their Report #1058. (The report is available at www.newsline.org as a RealAudio file.) It appears that Newsline's declaration of victory for scanner users is at best premature. According to their report, one Radio Shack customer was able to get a service manual for his scanner. As you can see in this SCAN-L message, one manual does not a victory make.
In December, the saga continued. The new mystery was where the email boxes went. Then, after a few false starts, Tandy evidently thought better of their policy and made service manuals available once again. It probably didn't hurt that Uniden was still selling their service manuals all along!
This is a copyrighted story that appeared in the December 1997 issue of Monitoring Times. It can be retransmitted/reprinted by permission of the author (copyright holder) as long as full credit is given to Monitoring Times and the author. Full text of Rep Billy Tauzin's "Dear Collegue" letter follows in Part 2. Media can contact Monitoring Times at 704-837-9200 for interviews. Updates on our website http://www.grove.net
MT Special Report: Communication Column December 1997 By Larry Van Horn
Service Manuals No Longer Available for Scanners
Uniden, the largest manufacturer of scanner radios, and Radio Shack, the largest dealer of scanners in the United States, have discontinued selling scanner service manuals and schematics to the general public.
During a recent phone conversation with Tony Magulos, Radio Shack public relations, he confirmed that the company had stopped selling all of their scanner manuals/schematics to their customers. Magulos said that this was done at the request of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
Monitoring Times contacted several officials inside the FCC and was told that they had not asked the two scanner industry giants to withhold any of their scanner schematics or service manuals from public sale.
Industry insiders have told MT that in March 1997, following the Cellular Privacy: Is Anyone Listening? You Betcha! hearing conducted by Rep. Billy Tauzin's (R-LA) House Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade and Consumer Protection, officials from Radio Shack, Uniden and the FCC met, and the two companies voluntarily offered to ban the sale of the technical scanner publications.
Shortly after the Tauzin hearing, Uniden filed a petition with the FCC to stiffen scanner image rejection specifications (to stop the interception of cellular telephone conversations via the image reception method). Part of this petition included a provision to voluntarily stop producing double conversion scanners which are highly prone to image reception.
Also in this petition, Uniden requested that all future scanner certification applications to the FCC remain confidential. This would keep the general public from being able to obtain technical information on new scanners during the FCC certification process. According to one government official, "This move by Uniden was done to slow down the illegal modifications being made to their scanners to receive cellular telephone calls."
According to one press account, the FCC initially turned down Uniden's request to make the technical information private, citing the fact that service manuals and schematics were sold to the general public by the companies themselves. That is when the decision was made and offered by both companies to withdraw the material from the public domain.
Radio Shack is one of the largest retail dealers of Uniden scanners in the United States. Most of the scanners in Radio Shack's "Pro" line are made for them by Uniden. In order for any ban of scanner technical information to be effective, Radio Shack's technical support system would have to be involved. For the record, it should be noted that both companies have large retail interest in the cellular telephone market and are members of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).
The FCC and scanner manufacturers have been under great pressure from Congress to crack down on illegal modifications to scanners to receive cellular telephone conversations. Some see these overtures to the FCC being offered by Uniden as an attempt to slow down the tide of anti-scanner legislation now pending before Congress.
In a related story, Rep Tauzin, author of H.R. 2369 The Wireless Privacy Act of 1997, sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to all the members of Congress on September 30. In this extraordinary document Tauzin said that H.R. 2369 "would not restrict citizens from listening to noncommercial (amateur and public safety) transmissions."
"The Wireless Privacy Act is not intended to prohibit scanners from intercepting noncommercial mobile radio services, like those in the emergency service or public safety bands. It is designed to protect users of commercial radio services - such as cellular telephone and personal communications services - from having their privacy revealed by electronic interception."
Tauzin also stated in his letter that he was working with the amateur radio community and the FCC to ensure that the legislation narrowly targets its prohibitions to reflect these goals. At presstime, MT has been told that H.R. 2369 was going to be marked up by Tauzin's subcommittee sometime in November. Our sources indicate that most CMRS or commercial mobile radio service listening prohibitions will still be in the bill (see the September and October issues of MT).
Shortly after Tauzin's letter was sent to all the members of Congress, three more congressman signed up to cosponsor this legislation, making a total of nine cosponsors for H.R. 2369. These congressman have joined the Tauzin anti-scanner band wagon: Markey (D-MA), Oxley (R-OH), Gillmor (R-OH), Eshoo (D-CA), K. McCarthy (D-MO), Manton (D-NY), Wynn (D-MD), C. Peterson (D-MN), and Deal (R-GA). [Emphasis added by NF2G for New York residents.]
MT's assistant editor, Larry Van Horn, has been following legislative developments closely on Capitol Hill since the February 5 Tauzin hearings and offers this advice to MT readers:
"Industry officials I have been in contact with have told me that most Congressman are not getting any mail on this anti-scanning bill. Please do not write Rep. Tauzin's office, but instead write your local congressman and send a copy. They need to hear from you today if we are going to preserve the scanning hobby."
"It is quite obvious to me that our law makers in Washington don't have a clue what frequencies in this bill they are censoring. A simple request to your local reps should be, 'Show me in writing what frequencies will be banned in hobby scanners if H.R. 2369 becomes law.'
"If H.R. 2369 becomes law, the United States will have the most restrictive monitoring laws in the world. Volunteer firefighters, NASCAR racing fans, satellite monitoring enthusiasts, shortwave radio listeners, the media, and many more will be effected by this bill. No one will be exempt from its tentacles. You must act today by writing your elected officials."
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 09:55:51 -0400
From: John T. Ward <JTWard01@AOL.COM>
After several weeks of digging, I have uncovered the following information regarding the decision by RadioShack to stop selling service manuals and other scanner technical information to the general public. The following is my own opinion, and does not reflect the position of any business or publication with which I am affiliated.
In a move that has angered radio hobbyists nationwide, Tandy Corp. (dba nationwide as RadioShack) has stopped selling service manuals and schematics for scanners to the general public, citing a request from the Federal Communications Commission.
Customers attempting to order service manuals and schematics from Radio Shack were either told by the sales clerk that the material was "restricted," or if they tried to mail order the information, they received the following message:
"The FCC has requested that all vendors and scanner manufacturers not release schematics for scanner products that are offered. Radio Shack is complying with this request. We regret we are unable to assist you with your request. Thank you, TANDY PRODUCT SUPPORT CENTER."
This move is apparently an outgrowth of a new Uniden of America policy to submit all scanner certification applications to the FCC under various rules of confidentiality. Uniden, which builds and sells the Bearcat line of scanners under the Uniden name, also manufactures many of the scanners sold at RadioShack stores.
Jim Haynes, Uniden's vice-president for engineering and legislative affairs, said the FCC "suggested" in early 1997 that Uniden submit its scanner certification applications under confidentiality rules so that "hackers" would no longer be able to obtain copies of the schematics and details of the operating software from FCC files.
The FCC hopes to slow down the illegal modification of scanners - primarily to receive cellular telephone calls - by keeping schematics, block diagrams and details of the operating software secret, Haynes said.
The thing is, the FCC denies it made such a suggestion.
Julius Knapp, chief of the FCC's Policies and Plans Division of the Office of Engineering & Technology, confirmed that Uniden has filed a petition with the FCC asking that all of its future scanner certification applications be treated with confidentiality - a request that is routinely granted - but Knapp said the FCC had not suggested such a move.
So far, neither Uniden or Tandy have produced a copy of any written request from the FCC, nor will they say who at the FCC made the alleged request or suggestion.
Larry Van Horn of Monitoring Times has confirmed from two sources that the suggestion did come from the manufacturers - not the FCC - following congressional hearings earlier this year.
The FCC has been under great pressure from Congress to crack down on the scanner industry to help safeguard the privacy of cellphone and PCS users. Maneuvering to restrict the flow of technical information to the scanning public could be seen by some as a step in the right direction.
It's also possible this is a preparatory step to enforcing H.R. 2369, should it become law. Briefly, H.R. 2369 will require the FCC to deny certification to scanners unless the frequencies used by Commercial Mobile Radio Service licensees are blocked, much like cellular frequencies are blocked in new scanners today. The CMRS includes hundreds of frequencies, scattered across the radio spectrum. Restrictions on service manuals and other technical information could be an attempt to prevent hobbyists from unlocking the prohibited CMRS frequencies in future scanners.
Scannist and radio hacker guru Bill Cheek posted a Usenet article in the rec.radio.scanner newsgroup stating that he had gotten a promise from a Radio Shack official to rescind their new policy. However, other Internet users are still being told that the policy stands. Here is some of the most recent information:
Date: Sat, 1 Nov 1997 11:55:27 -0800
From: Bill Cheek <bcheek@SAN.RR.COM>
Subject: Re: RS Service Manuals NOT Available Again !!
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Norton [SMTP:rnorton@unm.edu]
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 1997 10:55 AM
Subject: RS Service Manuals NOT Available Again !!
> As of 1100 MST, Nov 1, Radio Shack will still not accept orders for PRO-2006
> shop manuals. I talked to several people at the 1-800-THE-SHACK number (which
> is the one the stores use to order the manuals) and was told that it was
> restricted proprietary information and that the FCC was involved. I went up
> through the entire chain of command available at that number and got the same
> reply at all levels. "NO CHANGE IN POLICY".
> Who at Radio Shack told you the policy would be revoked, Bill? Names, please.
> These people wanted names from me.
-----Reply-----
Damn! Damn! Damn! I was assured there would be a public announcement of the change.....first "this week", and then "on Friday". I was also assured that they would call me yesterday to advise of the announcement. I was not called.........
So.....here is the best source for information AND the registering of complaints. I'm sorry that I don't have an 800 number, but since you have to pay for the call, it may be more seriously treated:
Tandy Media Relations Tony Magoulas (817) 415-4852
Date sent: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 15:53:28 -0600
From: Mike Miller <mlmiller@EXCEL.NET>
Subject: Radio Shack scanner manuals still not available
I got my new PRO-26 from Grove Enterprises on Friday, so I went to the local RS to order a service manual. Guess what they are still not available. The computer says restricted and discontinued. The salesman (they are a pretty good bunch here in FDL) called national parts to find out why. The party line is still that the FCC has restricted the sales. So much for truth from Tandy Corp.
As mentioned in the reports above, Uniden had supposedly initiated the suggestion to the FCC that certain technical information be kept confidential. They then reportedly withdrew their scanner service manuals from public circulation, and influenced Tandy to do the same.
As of the beginning of December, either those reports were inaccurate or Uniden has backed away from their decision. Take a look at what's being said in SCAN-L now:
Date sent: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 14:05:11 -0500
From: "SPANN.J.C-" <SPANN.J.C-@POSTAL.ESSD.NORTHGRUM.COM>
Subject: Re: Service Manuals
I purchased a BC3000 service manual from Uniden Corp. directly in the last month. The cost was $29.95+ S&H. The manual was shipped within 7 days. The manual is pretty good for service or modification work. The microprocessor data is skimpy but usable. If you want a manual order directly from Uniden web site on line.
Date sent: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 11:15:04 -0800
From: Clark E Rennie <cerennie@GTE.NET>
Subject: Re: Service Manuals
Yes, I ordered and received a service manual for the BC 9000XLT around the first of October '97.
Date sent: Sat, 6 Dec 1997 14:53:03 -0500
From: "James F. Boehner, MD" <jboehner@SCESCAPE.NET>
Subject: Guess who changed their e-mail addresses?
Well, looks like a bunch at Tandy changed their e-mail addresses:
----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<fmcghe1@tandy.com>
<shareholder.relations@tandy.com>
<lblay1@tandy.com>
<rs.customer.relations@tandy.com>
Perhaps they were tired of getting e-mail?
Time to visit the Tandy site!
Jim N2ZZ
In response to numerous requests for clarification, and demands for retraction, of their service manual policy, Tandy has decided to make most of its service manuals available again. The terms and conditions are described in the message reproduced below.
Date sent: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 11:47:10 -0500
From: "James F. Boehner, MD" <jboehner@SCESCAPE.NET>
Subject: Fw: SCANNER POLICY MEMO
To all, Here is the official statement by Tandy regarding their decision not to provide scanner service manuals to the general public. This is forwarded FYI.
'73 Jim N2ZZ
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Opitz <popitz1@Tandy.com>
To:'jboehner@scescape.net' <jboehner@scescape.net>
Date: Saturday, December 13, 1997 11:25 AM
Subject: SCANNER POLICY MEMO
>> Early in 1997, representatives from industry, including RadioShack,
>> met informally with the FCC to discuss current problems in the
>> scanning hobby. Identified as a major problem was the ability of
>> some scanner hobbyists to develop illegal modifications that allow
>> scanners to receive cellular telephone transmissions. Among the
>> possibilities discussed for eliminating this problem were the total
>> epoxying of all circuit boards, which would render scanners both
>> unmodifiable and unserviceable, or the restriction of technical
>> information regarding scanner circuit design.
>>
>> As a result of this meeting, Tandy limited the availability of
>> scanner service manuals to Tandy Service Centers only.
>>
>> While Tandy understands the desire of the do-it-yourself community
>> to have easy access to service information, we feel the interests of
>> the scanning hobby as a whole are best served by making it more
>> difficult to develop illegal modifications by restricting access to
>> some service manuals containing schematics. Therefore, in response
>> to industry concerns, Tandy is implementing the following policy in
>> regards to the release of service information and the servicing of
>> scanners.
>>
>> * Tandy (RadioShack and TechAmerica) will withhold schematics
>> (service manuals) for all scanners that can receive 800 MHz or above
>> which were submitted for FCC certification after April, 1997. As of
>> December 12, 1997, this means that service manuals for the following
>> RadioShack scanners will not be available: 20-417 (PRO-2048), 20-430
>> (PRO-2050), 20-512 (PRO-67), and 20-520 (PRO-90), along with all
>> future service manuals within the stated criteria.
>>
>> * To the extent that service manuals exist and are in stock,
>> schematics (service manuals) for scanners that can receive 800 MHz
>> or above that were submitted for FCC certification before May, 1997
>> will continue to be available to customers and others.
>>
>> * To the extent that service manuals exist and are in stock,
>> schematics (service manuals) for scanners that cannot receive 800
>> MHz or above will continue to be available to customers and others.
>>
>> * Modified scanners (regardless of frequency or date of
>> manufacture) will not be serviced by Tandy. These scanners will be
>> returned to the customer with a notice indicating that the unit
>> appears to have been modified and if the scanner is returned to its
>> original specifications, Tandy will use reasonable efforts to repair
>> it.
>>
>> * To the extent that scanner parts are available and in stock,
>> scanner replacement parts will continue to be available regardless
>> of the scanner's frequency range or date of manufacture.
>>
It seems as though Tandy may have stuck their corporate neck out a bit farther than necessary on this "illegal modification" issue. Here is a SCAN-L message comparing Uniden's actions during the service manual controversy.
Date sent: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 23:04:19 -0500
From: "James F. Boehner, MD" <jboehner@SCESCAPE.NET>
Subject: Re: Radio Shack policies.
Bob, just FYI ----
Uniden makes apparently MOST of the Radio Shack scanners, most notably the PRO-90 which is a clone of the BC-235XLT.
Uniden took the quiet approach. They actually have had the above policy in effect (Although you can't prove it!!) If you call their parts number (800) 554-3988 and ask for a service manual for the BC-235XLT or the BC-895XLT, they will tell you that is not available YET, but to check back later. They always seem surprised that it is not available as of the date you call, especially the 235XLT, which has been out since May. They will, however, sell you manuals for all previous scanners (such as the BC-9000XLT).
It's fairly obvious that they will NEVER be available, at least not to the general public.
Tandy's big mistake was pulling all of their scanner manuals off the market prior to making a policy that is probably the exact same as Uniden's. They ended up catching all of the heat because of that mistake.
Well folks, the scanner service manual controversy score so far is :
Uniden/Bearcat/Radio Shack - 2
Scannists - 0
Any ideas?
'73 de JIM
It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the dust to settle.
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