My 26-year-old police scanner

This is a quick demonstration of my Realistic PRO-38 10-Channel Direct Entry Programmable Scanner. The activity you hear is traffic from Des Moines PD on Sept. 14, 2013. I bought this radio new 26 years ago from the Radio Shack at Crossroads Mall in Fort Dodge. It still works perfectly.



Manufactured by Uniden and sold exclusively at Radio Shack, the Pro-38 was released on Sept. 22, 1987 and retailed for $139.95. From the catalog:

Ten Channels and 10-Band Coverage
139.95 [NEW FOR 88]
Low as $15 Per Month*
Available Sept. 22, 1987

29-29.7 Mhz 10-Meter Ham
29.7-50 Mhz VHF-Lo Band
50-54 and 144-148 Mhz Ham
136-144 Military Mobile
148-174 Mhz VHF-Hi Band
406-420 Mhz Government
420-450 Mhz Ham Band
450-470 Mhz UHF-Lo Band
470-512 Mhz UHF-Hi ("T")

Realistic Pro-38. High quality and extended coverage at a break-through low price! Features LCD channel display, review key to display frequencies, keyboard-lock switch, audible low-battery indicator. Built-in speaker, 1/8" jack for ear phone. Beltclip. Includes flexible antenna. 7 x 2-5/8 x 1-3/8. Requires 5 "AA" or rechargeable batteries, AC adaptor/charger or DC adaptor #270-1533. 20-139. .........139.95

It didn't come with one, but I found that a common US 12V DC power supply intended for a CCTV security camera is inexpensive and more than adequate. The manual suggests obtaining the Cat. No. 273-1652A adaptor, but they're quadruple the price. The unit will charge 5 NiCad AA cells with the proper dip switch setting inside the battery compartment.

Manual: http://support.radioshack.com/support_electronics/19817.htm
Ad found here: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/radio_shac_recepteur_a_balayage_scanner_pro_38_catno20.html
Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=Realistic+Pro-38

Cherry Oh-My Pie

8 oz pkg Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese
8 oz can Borden Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/3 C ReaLemon Lemon Juice
1 t. Mccormick Pure Vanilla Extract
6-oz Keebler Ready Crust Graham Cracker Pie Crust
21 oz can Comstock More Fruit Cherry Pie Filling

Beat one 8-oz package softened Philadelphia brand cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add one can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk until combined. Stir in 1/3 cup ReaLemon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour into a 6-oz prepared graham cracker pie crust. Cover and refrigerate for four hours. Top with a 21-oz can of pre-chilled cherry pie filling.

The letter that won't die.

An "open letter" writer apparently named "Jim" has lifted this, directly or indirectly, from a letter Kent Ashcroft actually wrote to Dr. Laura (ca 2000), which has been passed around and copied -- and sometimes claimed as columnists' own words -- for many years.

The spiel was countered last year by Des Moines radio talk show host Jan Mickelson.