New Radio Shack remote: 15-100

underquark · Post by **underquark** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:53 pm

Your 6-pin looks neater than my JP1.2 interface.

What would UEI do if you sent one to them for an upgrade? Solder on some pads?

Is there space at the butt end to cut a hole and to shoehorn in a 8P8C, RJ45, Firewire or other common socket?

JP1.x-ing it looks like a lot of effort for a fairly average-looking remote. I suppose if one were to go to the trouble of cutting holes and inserting sockets it would be worth going the extra inch and modding the coloured LEDs.

Post by **The Robman** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:03 pm

underquark wrote:Is there space at the butt end to cut a hole and to shoehorn in a 8P8C, RJ45, Firewire or other common socket?

Probably not at the bottom of the remote, but maybe in it's mid-section.

I agree, this is not a remote for JP1 use, which is a pity as it seems to be a pretty good remote. Hopefully, we can give them enough constructive critism that the next OFA remotes will be perfect!

As to the other question, UEI doesn't upgrade RS remotes.

underquark · Post by **underquark** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:42 pm

The Robman wrote:As to the other question, UEI doesn't upgrade RS remotes.

My original post started off as "If they did it...would they..." but I lacked the linguistic ability - at the time - to complete such a sentence given that the kids were playing up (it's virtually 24h day here at present and we're going on holiday [vacation] tomorrow). Incidentally, since acquiring a couple more 8910s the oldest brat has suddenly decided he prefers my 8820 on account of he now knows the keys and I've put input-changing macros on the device keys. Said macros run like an LKP when placed on the device keys of the 8820 but seem to operate more rapidly when placed on [Shift]-Device Key. 8820 looking good, so far; but I still keep looking at that 3K or so "wasted" learning memory space and yearning for an extender (of sorts).

jherrick · Post by **jherrick** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 8:32 pm

mr_d_p_gumby wrote:
The Robman wrote:2) It has the same backlight characteristic as the URC-8910, etc where the light turns off while you hold a button down.
But not to be overlooked here is the fact that this non-Kameleon remote actually has a backlight!

Here, here! YES! Finally a remote with all of the PVR buttons in the right place, AND it's backlit, AND more devices than my 6131! I think I'll be picking up one of these and playing with it VERY soon.
Rob, based solely on your pics, it looks possible to make something of a header that would go in the battery compartment, but we'll soon see.
Man, if this is what it appears to be, the WAF will absolutely skyrocket! A dedicated live tv button, backlighting, and great PVR oriented button positioning. Awesome.

speaker.guy · Post by **speaker.guy** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:26 pm

Layout not that different from the Atlas....

Post by **The Robman** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 10:39 pm

jherrick wrote:Rob, based solely on your pics, it looks possible to make something of a header that would go in the battery compartment, but we'll soon see.

The holes are not the "punch thru" type, so in addition to cutting a hole in the casing inside the battery compartment, you would need to solder something in to make pads that connects thru to the traces on the other side, with the intent being that you would use a pogo-pin adapter. However, you wouldn't be able to leave the batteries because they would be in the way of the adapter, and with JP1.x remote you need to have power in the remote in order for the JP1.x cable to work.

Tommy's idea is to leave just two batteries in and hold something in place to complete the circuit. He says that 3v should be enough to power the flash for this purpose (but we haven't tried it). A more practical solution would be to power the remote using a 4-battery holder connected to the two terminals.

All in all, there isn't a good JP1 solution for this remote, which is a pity.

Wesley Hester · Post by **Wesley Hester** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:24 am

Great information. I only just learned about this remote from a Radio Shack sales paper I just read today that I got this weekend. Came here first of course and couldn't believe alll the information and pictures ALREADY posted!

"I think Tommy Tyler is going to try to come up with a more elegant solution for the masses."

I hope someone can because I would really like to give this remote a go.

Post by **The Robman** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:35 pm

I think the only possible solution that we can come up with is something like this...

1) find some small nails where the pin part of the nail is small enough to fit into the holes and the head is large enough to form a pad, but not so large that it will touch the nail next to it. Then trim these nails so that the length of the pin that's visible on the other side of the PCB is about the same as it would be if you were sticking a regular 6-pin into the hole. Then finally, solder these shortened nails into the 6 holes.

2) cut a hole in the casing inside the battery compartment so that the 6-pad JP1 connector is visible.

3) build a pogo-pin adapter like this:

4) buy a 4-cell battery holder like this:

and maybe add alligator clips on the ends of the wires like this:

5) Then, to program the remote using JP1, you would remove the batteries and hook up the 4-cell holder instead, by cliping the leads onto the 2 battery terminals. Then you would connect the pogo-pin adapter to your JP1.x (or JP1.2) cable and you're all set.

As an alternative to step 4, you could get some sort of metal clip that you could use to hold 2 batteries in the remote and complete the circuit and then use the pogo-pin adapter to connect to the remote. The trouble with this method is that you need 3 hands, one to hold the clip, one to hold the pogo and another to work the mouse.

xnappo · Post by **xnappo** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:15 pm

Hmm, I do like it

Does it have the HTPro/1994 rubberized backing?

Thanks,
xnappo

Post by **The Robman** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:15 pm

No, it's spray painted silver like the URC-8810 that Walmart used to sell.

xnappo · Post by **xnappo** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:51 am

The Robman wrote:No, it's spray painted silver like the URC-8810 that Walmart used to sell.

Hmmm, I dunno then. There is just something about that texture. I remember the first time I held a 1994...

okay, now I am scaring myself

xnappo

jherrick · Post by **jherrick** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:52 pm

The Robman wrote:I think the only possible solution that we can come up with is something like this...

Maybe not...

I am still working on the right cable, but I have preliminary success with that shown in the pics below. I have two of the linked cables on order.

If one were to purchase this cable (part number HF06U-06-ND) from Digikey, and this receptacle (part number 65801-006) and this plug (part number 66226-006), one could make the following modification.

Make the cuts to the battery cover as shown in this pic:

If you cut to the base of the fin, it snaps out easily with regular flat-nose pliers.

Pull back off remote, and scrape the protective coating residue from the pads where the cable will be soldered. It makes soldering a lot easier.

Route your cable under the battery clips. Note the protective electrical tape to guard against wear.

Place back on the remote and solder on your receptacle.

It will now sit comfortably in the battery cover until you need it.

Grab your handy-dandy jp1-to-FCI adapter...

and a-jp1-ing we will go, a-jp1-ing we will go!

Of course, when you are done, you will want a tidy little package for family use...

Post by **The Robman** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:56 pm

Interesting ideas Jim. Good going.

jherrick wrote:If one were to purchase this cable from Digikey, and this receptacle and this plug, one could make the following modification.

Only one of those links work, maybe you should post the part numbers instead as I'm curious to see what the parts cost. I see the cable is $3.15 or $2.62 if you buy 10. Obviously, I'm thinking about the feasibility of one of us offer these ready modded.

Capn Trips · Post by **Capn Trips** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:35 pm

That's sheer genius! 8)

How come Tommy didn't come up with it?

The number of creative minds that hang out here is impressive.

So, When is Rob gonna have these modded remotes stocked up in his store?

jherrick · Post by **jherrick** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:05 am

The Robman wrote:Only one of those links work, maybe you should post the part numbers instead as I'm curious to see what the parts cost. I see the cable is $3.15 or $2.62 if you buy 10. Obviously, I'm thinking about the feasibility of one of us offer these ready modded.

Rob,
Try the links now. Also, I have added the part numbers. Looking at about $6-7 for parts in quantity 1 ea, and Digikey slaps a $5.00 handling fee on if you don't have more than $25.00, so after shipping, probably about $15.00 for the DIY'er to get it done.
I would think of offering these as a kit, or offering the remote fully modded, or of you doing the same.
Jim