Memory Load Software for the PRO-2006 ? (old school revival)

[Finman]

Back in the day, (early 80's) I had several Radio Shack Pro-2006 scanners. There were/are several great modification books published by Bill Cheek aimed at the Pro-2006. I installed many of these useful mods including one that added a custom RS232 interface that allowed you to load memories from a simple ASCII text file. This was the "HB-232" sold by Comtronics. Of course, no longer available, unobtainium.

The software was run on a PC running MS-DOS. The installation involved making connections between the HB-232 PCB and the front panel row and column button connection points on the Pro-2006. The programmed micro controller translated the RS232 commands to basically button pushes to program the scanners memories. It worked great!

Fast forward to today. I wanted to try and implement that same concept today for my current PRO-2006. (programming the scanner memories from a PC). The closest thing I could find is a program called "Programit" which is still downloadable but the components for the interface are no longer available. The interface uses a CMOS switch IC and a custom programmed serial to parallel IC. After doing some research (lots) I came to the conclusion that it might me possible but would most likely require coding some sort of micro controller, perhaps a Pic processor?. It's been many years since I've done any programming (quick basic, some C) so I might just have to throw in the towel on this one. It's a shame because the PRO-2006 is such a great scanner but I just can't see myself programing 400 memories with manual button pushes today.

Yes, I know about the Opto interface (won't program scanner memories) and I am fully aware of the SDR world, but I like  running receivers without depending on PC's for control.

An suggestions? comments?... all appreciated.

Thanks

[Teotwaki]

I have limited experience with Arduinos but your idea sounds like something they could handle. I have 3 of the Pro-2004's and one Pro-2006 that could benefit from PC programming.

[Finman]

I have limited experience with Arduinos but your idea sounds like something they could handle. I have 3 of the Pro-2004's and one Pro-2006 that could benefit from PC programming.

Yes, I thought about the Arduino or possibly the Raspberry Pi but like you, I have very limited experience with programming them. To mimic keyboard row and column button pushes on the 2006, you would need a 4x8 switch matrix output from these devices in addition to writing code to read text file/serial data and convert that.... a challenging goal to say the least...