Make a Franks Box / Hack Shack / Ghost Box Older Model 12-587

[sacramento91628]

!!someone needs to figure out how to hack the new model, I also bought one..didnt need just a am fm radio!! lol

[69stargazer96]

Hello, It has unfortunely become all but impossible to find the older model of this radio. I am doing some research and will post it as soon as I find out positive or negative results of where this type of older unit can be purchased. Or of a different type of radio that is on the market that is comparable. Thanks for the question.

[azerty800]

the chance! in france we don't have this type of radio .... i want to buy one from the USA but who i can find one site? thanks

[RIPghosthunters]

If you are unluck enough to have purchased Radio Shack's newest mode 12-587 it appears to be un-hackable as of this time. If you are considering purchasing one be sure to ask their sales rep if they can find the manufacturing date. As far as we know most if not all units manufactured before 2009 should be hackable. You are rolling the dice for any unit manufactured on or after 2010.

[RIPghosthunters]

As of 12/2012 no one has been able to hack the New Production Models of the Radio Shack 12-587 ... that we are aware of at this time. Due to the new circutry I do not believe it will be possible to hack the newer model. More than likely they changed the schematics to reduce cost, and it probably does. However, they will be losing money because other than us "Ghost Hunters" who else would use a radio of this nature in todays world and technology. Not many!

[scouser2511]

is this riobbon version hackable please really getting angry with it now lol

[garfld2006]

I just bought the newer version & it has no pins only soldered. How do I modify this one? Can you scratch the soldered piece & it work that way??

[RIPghosthunters]

Sorry, but as of this date hacking the newer Model 12-587 is non-hackable.

[tracehd1]

I have a Philips DCM250 Ipod Dock. The kids have broken the dock for the Iphone so I can't use it anymore and I'm having a HARD time finding a radio at the shack or anywhere that has autoTune. My philips does. Could I covert that? I would SOOOO Appreciate and LOVE you for any help given. If you don't think it can be done then point me in the direction to just buy a ghost box... It's been a year that I've tried to find a radio to convert....I'm quite sick of waiting. ThanX

[RIPghosthunters]

Sorry, but am unaware of any hack for this instrument.

[51Youngatheart]

when investigating do you have the antenna out or pushed down all the way? I found several of these radio's that have the pins. I converted and added gigaware mp3 speaker . Works GREAT! Have to have it on AM deffinately. So it cost me $54.23 tax and all.

[RIPghosthunters]

Thanks for this very important question! We never extend the antenna. Why? Because we are looking to receive answers from the immediate environment. If you extend the antenna all you will do is to possible extend the range of the instrument thus bringing in stations that could contaminate your findings.

[RIPghosthunters]

Sad that Radio Shack has changed 12-587 to a ribbon wire; it would have been nice if they had changed the model number on the newer models. I guess we (we have purchased several & 2 very recently all had pins) and other teams we have helped convert the 12-587 have been lucky getting the pin model. At this point the best thing to do is to ask the salesperson before buying is the radio the older or newer model before purchasing. I am doing some research and will post findings asap.

[servall1]

You cant. I tried everything. doesnt work. unless you can find old 12-587

[RIPghosthunters]

Agreed!

[ruviecita]

same here, just got the radio today and there are no pins, but a ribbon wire.. so now what? how do i make it scan?

[servall1]

They changed the circuits. No pins! ribbon wire,I replaced ribbon wire with 10 seperate wires, took 6 hrs to do right. Cut one by one, resoildering each one if it didnt scan. got it so i thought. 3 wire from right. well radio wont turn on without wire connected. no prob installed a switch. ok turn on, yea!! so i thought! radio on switch switch to open wire, hit scan. cool radio scanning, So i thought! well display scanning not radio. 60 bucks for 2 radios and im sol!!!!

[RIPghosthunters]

I agree with your last statement. We are experimenting but as of yet to no avail.

[thmrichards]

I just bought a new 12-587 and it also has the ribbon cable versus two rows of pins. If someone could identify what signal is on that pin I might be able to isolate it with my ohm meter but I don't know what signal line I am looking for? Please help!

[RIPghosthunters]

I do not beileve it is a dedicated signal line per se. I tend to believe the pin being modified has more to do with the functioning of the radio itself.

[lolagail]

I, too have just purchased a newer model, I guess...there are no pins.....How do we convert this kind??? Please help!!!  :o)

[RIPghosthunters]

Sorry, but the newer modeld appears to be un-hackable at this time

[77lostgirl]

please help me no-one on here has the new 12-587 which has a 10 wire ribbon i need to modify this help please

[RIPghosthunters]

Sorry, but the newer modeld appears to be un-hackable at this time

[RIPghosthunters]

People from all over the US of A are finding and performing my conversion and they are working fine. Check with your area Radio Shack Stores and ask for Model 12-587. Make sure it looks like this one, follow the directions in the video, and you should be just fine. I heard there is a newer model out. Not sure about that, but everyone so far has had no problem converting. Good Hunting!