0016 is a programmable 16-channel microprocessor-controlled
FMscanning receiver, introduced in 1978 by
Handic in Frölunda (Sweden).
The device is suitable for the VHF-M, VHF-H and UHF bands and has 16 presets.
The same unit was also sold by Realistic 1 as the PRO-2001.
The device was used by radio amateurs,
scanner listeners and by various
law enforcement agencies.
The device was one of the first freely program–mable scanners on the market,
which means that each of the 16 channels could be programmed
from the keypad. It is therefore also known as a computer scanner.
Each channel has an LED and a button by which it can be disabled
temporarily.
Alternatively, the 0016 can be programmed to scan a specific band segment,
by specifying the upper and lower limits. Scanning can be automatic (at
fixed speed) or manual. Furthermore, a frequency can be
entered on the keypad, allowing it to be used as a general purpose receiver.
At its introduced in 1978, the 0016 was one of the first programmable
computer scanners. In contrast: most of the available scanners in those
days needed a crystal for each frequency,
and if they were programmable at all,
it usually required special programming cards. Although it was considerably
more expensive than a regular scanner, it soon found its way into the homes
of many amateur radio operators
and scanner enthusiasts, who monitored the police day and night.
Apart from amateurs, the 0016 was also popular amoung
law enforcement agencies, for example for
monitoring two-way radio traffic.
A good example of a law enforcement agency that used the 0016
is the Radio Monitoring Service in the Netherlands
(RCD), where it became a permanent item in number of
intercept vehicles in the late 1970s
and early 1980s.
The front panel and the colour of the buttons of the PRO-2001
are slightly different.
Realistic is a brandname used by Tandy/Radio Shack.
This is the initial version of the 0016, released in 1978.
The channel selector panel has an orange background and white
buttons. Furthermore, the keypad has white, orange,
red and blue buttons. The case is white.
Note that this version suffers from ~ 35 spurious signals, also
known as 'birdies' — unwanted signals that originate in the
device itself.
Handic 0016 Mark 2
This is an upgraded version of the 0016, released in 1979, in which
most birdies are gone. The channel selection panel no longer has an
orange background but rather an orange outline and black buttons.
All buttons on the keypad are also black. The white case was
later changed to black.
The device featured here is of this type.
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Crypto Museum. Created: Thursday 15 December 2016. Last changed: Saturday, 18 April 2026 - 13:58 CET.
![Front view of a Handic 0016 scanner. Image via RigReference [1].](img/handic_0016.jpg)
