A portable instrument incorporates an electro-optical assembly for reading indicia during a reading mode, and for projecting a bit-mapped color image during a display mode. Changes in the power levels of the EDGE-modulated signal are permitted when closed-loop power control is done on nonamplitude-modulated component portions of the signal. The active hole removal is faster than passively allowing holes to be removed, which can take milliseconds. The inkjet printer mounts the inkjet head.