My Very Rare
Electra Bearcat CompuScan CP2100
Computer Controlled Scanner
One of the very first computer controlled scanners ever made. This model entered the market in the early 1980's.
Note: For a detailed write-up about the beginnings of this scanner, go to the bottom of this page.
Here is a 10 minute video of my CP2100 working.
Here is a link to the 20 minute version showing the complete computer setup and then the above video.
>Longer Version (35MB .wmv file)<
This one is a collector's "once-in-a-lifetime-find".
I have all original boxes, owners manual, software and interfaces for IBM computer (DOS mode/basic programming) and Commodore 64 computer, and... as a special bonus... copies of the original design notes and programmers manual used during the development stage of this scanner.
The only controls on the unit. Everything else is controlled by the software via the computer.
Bottom view
A few pages from the design notes and programmers guide.
Below is a write-up I found on the internet:
The Bearcat Electra Compuscan Computer controlled Scanning receiver
was original designed for the US Government/Military when they
approached Bearcat to design a "State of the Art Surveillance
scanning communications receiver for the standard "FM" mode
bands 29 to 512 MHz" in the late 1970's or early 80's that
could be externally controlled and log useful information.
It was to be used for Military and Police Surveillance with
"Block Box Technology".
The US Government came to Bearcat because they were innovators
in Scanning receivers (one of the first to make a
programmable "Crystal less scanner"). Bearcat agreed but they
also wanted to make it available to the general public. The
Government wanted it exclusive for official use and that slowly
soured the deal. Most people agree that it was years ahead of
it's time as shown by the ICOM PCR1000 and Winradio External
series radios today. Also the US military NOW use the ICOM
receivers in there remote control drones in Iraq and other
applications.
Only a few were manufactured between 1983 and 1984 mainly for
Consumer shows including the prototypes but some were sold to
the general public. They were planning to add the 800 MHz band
and include more PC control interfaces/software. The Apple,
C64 and last the IBM PC interfaces did make it in production. It was
Rumored that it cost more to make the CP2100 then they were
selling it for (they were taking a BIG loss to promote new technology).
The US government dropped out of the deal leaving Bearcat in a
hard spot with a lot of money gone into R&D and no interest in both
government and public sectors. For a short time Bearcat advertised the
Radio to the general public but people were wondering what to do with
computers and didn't see the need for tying up an expensive computer
to run an expensive radio at home. It was like something out of SETI.
People at this time still didn't know what role computers would play
in the future.
Some Advanced Features the Compuscan Had:
* 200 Channels - load or save 200 at a time from disk, Virtual Unlimited.
* Alpha/numerical Info displayed with Frequency to ID Station/channel.
* Search and store between any frequency range.
* Channel activity counter.
* Everything controlled via software except Volume & Squelch but had
Auto Squelch like the NEW ICOM R3 Receivers.
* Squelch had Auto/Manual
* Software controlled external relays to control optional devices
like tape recorders, alarms, selectable by channel.
* Unlimited Possibilities with new software.
* Even the Volume control could be external mounted for complete
remote control. Place radio in trunk of car, rack room in radio
station, etc.
The Bearcat CP2100 is now a highly prized collectors item to
collectors of early scanner technology or communications receivers.
While prices are slowly increasing it is the hardest PLL scanning
receiver to find & collect. For such an old scanner it's still useful
to use especially with a GRE Super Converter to receive the 800MHz
band. I have had several people only recently seen it say they
thought it was a NEW product. While you find just about anything
on the web, very little on this radio can be found. I don't know
if a service manual was ever made for this radio but I've only
seen manuals for operation and software/Interface setup. I know of
at least 2 different versions/redesigns of this radio with different
DIP switch configurations. Control commands are not well documented.
Sadly the Compuscan was not meant to be and when Uniden took over
Bearcat they dropped several models including the Compuscan 2100.
Even a Bearcat employee said it was something designed for the
21st century not the 20th Century. "We made something that you
would see on the Jetsons or James Bond and not what most people
think a radio should look like or function as in the real world".
Uniden Corporation acquired the Bearcat division of Electra
Company on May 28, 1984. According to an article in
Monitoring Times (July 1984, pg. 2)