Oh, my -- what have I done?

[Avery93]

Originally Posted by KE5TLF

While what Avery states is 100% accurate, as is all the help he provides, and is very much appreciated, and very well done, it is also the hard way to do it.

As usual, leave it to me to make something difficult and tedious, even more difficult and tedious. Oh well, at least PhilY has now programmed his scanner in the most exhausting way possible, and will know that it can only get easier

While I'm not the greatest at Type II trunking, I'm fairly certain that the custom tables have to be manually entered (through the keypad or through software) to properly track a rebanded 800 MHz Type II system like Lee County's. The "Default" setting uses the older pre-rebanding tables, and as such, will tune to the old frequencies when attempting to follow channel grants.

[KE5TLF]

I really felt little bad throwing that out there after you put so much work into that, and did such a fine job doing it. Sorry for that.

Putting in the custom tables certainly isn't going to hurt anything, as long as it's done accurately. It really only applies if 851-854 MHz freqs are in use though, and I THINK even then that only applies some older scanners. Never really been around any system that uses those freqs. but I THINK all the modern day scanners work just fine without having to enter custom tables for 800 MHz.

That big rebanding banner is more confusing than helpful in most cases around here. It really should only be used on systems that it actually matters on.

[bama9999]

I'm also in the northeast part of MS too, and will be glad to help you if I can. I have a Pro197, which as you know is the base/mobile version of the Pro106. I have all the area frequencies as well as the PL tones programmed, and if you get a programming cable and download PSREdit500 software, I can send you a file by email that has all the frequencies, tones and alpha tags and all you'll have to do is upload it to your scanner and you'll have most everything you'd want to listen to.

Or, if you'd prefer, I can create a file in PSREdit500 of just certain areas if you'd prefer that instead of having everything I've got. However, you may rather just program it all yourself, and that's fine too, and I would suggest doing that some too, in order to learn as much as you can about the radio.

[PhilY]

Originally Posted by KE5TLF

You don't have to do any of that Trunking Tables stuff. This is a 800 MHz system and a modern scanner. (and there's no 851-852 MHz freqs either and pretty sure even that doesn't matter)

Just TUNE the CC and hit F3, then start F3ing TG's as they're active. (A GRP: Wildcard is automatically generated.) That's all you have to do.

You can go in after storing it all and rename/edit things to your liking. (system/site names, TG aliases, Scanlists, etc) Now as for the naming of stuff that is a tedious chore via keypad, and highly suggest software for mananging that.

While what Avery states is 100% accurate, as is all the help he provides, and is very much appreciated, and very well done, it is also the hard way to do it.

Also if you are normally in range of, and store, both site's CC's in the same TSYS be sure to set the Multi-Site mode to STAT
MAN > left/right to scroll to system > PROG > F2 > F2 > scroll down and use left/right to change.

I agree, KE5TLF, that his way was fairly long and tedious but you know what -- it got the job done.

A totally different issue has now come to light -- these scanners are no longer made, the Chinese have closed the plant, and they have even been removed from the Radio Shack site. NOW what to do!?!?!?

I called the store where purchased and they were surprised to see them gone but looked on the corporate site and, sure enough, they are history. The guy at the stores is being *very* helpful and offered to take it back, Well, no -- I want a scanner.

Now I would like to ask you experienced users -- what would you do? Keep the now obsolete Pro 106 and run into the potentiality of no parts available or swap out for a Bearcat BCD396XT or the BCD996XT? If swapping out, which would you swap for?

Dang -- why does EVERYTHING have to be so difficult.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice offered. It will be greatly appreciated!

[PhilY]

Originally Posted by bama9999

I'm also in the northeast part of MS too, and will be glad to help you if I can. I have a Pro197, which as you know is the base/mobile version of the Pro106. I have all the area frequencies as well as the PL tones programmed, and if you get a programming cable and download PSREdit500 software, I can send you a file by email that has all the frequencies, tones and alpha tags and all you'll have to do is upload it to your scanner and you'll have most everything you'd want to listen to.

Or, if you'd prefer, I can create a file in PSREdit500 of just certain areas if you'd prefer that instead of having everything I've got. However, you may rather just program it all yourself, and that's fine too, and I would suggest doing that some too, in order to learn as much as you can about the radio.

Thanks for the offer, bama9999 -- I may just take you up on it. However, a new potentially serious issue has arisen that may affect us both. Please read my response just posted and give me your thoughts.

Thank you!

[NHdave]

Originally Posted by PhilY

A totally different issue has now come to light -- these scanners are no longer made, the Chinese have closed the plant, and they have even been removed from the Radio Shack site. NOW what to do!?!?!?

I called the store where purchased and they were surprised to see them gone but looked on the corporate site and, sure enough, they are history. The guy at the stores is being *very* helpful and offered to take it back, Well, no -- I want a scanner.

Now I would like to ask you experienced users -- what would you do? Keep the now obsolete Pro 106 and run into the potentiality of no parts available or swap out for a Bearcat BCD396XT or the BCD996XT? If swapping out, which would you swap for?

Personally I would keep it, it's still covered buy the original warranty, and there aren't any big issues that you need to worry about running in to. The radio is not obsolete, just not currently in production, if GRE gets their ducks back in a row you can bet they'll be building more of them.
I'm currently mulling over getting a base unit, and I would have no qualms about picking up a Pro-197, which is also made by GRE.

[PhilY]

Originally Posted by NHdave

Personally I would keep it, it's still covered buy the original warranty, and there aren't any big issues that you need to worry about running in to. The radio is not obsolete, just not currently in production, if GRE gets their ducks back in a row you can bet they'll be building more of them.
I'm currently mulling over getting a base unit, and I would have no qualms about picking up a Pro-197, which is also made by GRE.

Thanks for your post, NHDave. I have almost decided to keep the unit since it is so well respected and pick up a top Uniden a little later. Yes, it *is* under warranty (it's only 3 days old) but if there is no GRE, who is going to cover it? I understand RS is taking responsibility for the warranty but my history with RS and repairs has never been very good -- and THAT'S an understatement.

[NHdave]

Originally Posted by PhilY

Thanks for your post, NHDave. I have almost decided to keep the unit since it is so well respected and pick up a top Uniden a little later. Yes, it *is* under warranty (it's only 3 days old) but if there is no GRE, who is going to cover it? I understand RS is taking responsibility for the warranty but my history with RS and repairs has never been very good -- and THAT'S an understatement.

Well, with it being an RS and not a GRE technically, you'd have to go to RS anyway even if GRE were still up and running, so their current situation doesn't have much effect on you either way. I've probably had 15 or so RS scanners in my 30 years in the hobby, never had an issue with any of them, so I can't speak for their warranty service. I think by returning it though you'd be denying yourself a great receiver.

[PhilY]

Originally Posted by NHdave

Well, with it being an RS and not a GRE technically, you'd have to go to RS anyway even if GRE were still up and running, so their current situation doesn't have much effect on you either way. I've probably had 15 or so RS scanners in my 30 years in the hobby, never had an issue with any of them, so I can't speak for their warranty service. I think by returning it though you'd be denying yourself a great receiver.

I'm probably keeping it for the reasons stated. Thanks.

Now -- the warranty -- I know the store instructions -- any 106 or 197 returned for warranty work got sent to GRC for repair -- until today. Now they have instructions to send them to the RS shops for work. Go figure!

[NHdave]

The last I heard GRE was still supporting their products, another thread had a phone number for contact, unless something has changed in the last few days that I don't know about, which isn't out of the realm of possibilities.

[amick614]

I am understanding the RS twin will not decode tdma phase 2.....only the 800????

[NHdave]

Originally Posted by amick614

I am understanding the RS twin will not decode tdma phase 2.....only the 800????

Not really on topic for this discussion, any questions about the 800 should be posted in the GRE forum.

GRE Scanners - The RadioReference.com Forums

[PhilY]

Originally Posted by NHdave

The last I heard GRE was still supporting their products, another thread had a phone number for contact, unless something has changed in the last few days that I don't know about, which isn't out of the realm of possibilities.

That's just the thing -- the change was *today*. I just happened to be looking for something else and simply stumbled onto the information. That's when I called RS to confirm.

[NHdave]

Originally Posted by PhilY

That's just the thing -- the change was *today*. I just happened to be looking for something else and simply stumbled onto the information. That's when I called RS to confirm.

Hmmmm, Last I knew they were maybe looking for a new place to set up shop, hopefully they aren't out of the game altogether. I looked on the GRE forum and there hasn't been anything new posted about it.

[bama9999]

Originally Posted by PhilY

Thanks for the offer, bama9999 -- I may just take you up on it. However, a new potentially serious issue has arisen that may affect us both. Please read my response just posted and give me your thoughts.

Thank you!

Phil, I read your posts regarding the Pro106. I had one for a few years, and it performed flawlessly. As I mentioned earlier, I have a Pro197 currently and have had it for a couple of years now, and have had zero problems with it and it has ran almost 24/7 since I've had it. So, I'm not too worried about it just up and quitting, although of course it could happen. However, yours being a brand new recent purchase, I can see where you'd be concerned. If you like the Pro106, I believe it will give you years of dependable service... just don't put too much faith into the belt clip! Mine broke shortly after I bought the scanner, but that was the only problem I had, other than a noisy volume control, which seems to be a very common occurance.

In regards to your question about swapping for one of the Uniden radios or keeping the Pro106... personally, "I" would trade for the 996XT, simply because I like the looks and a couple of the functions of the 996XT better. Also, I have a BCT15X and the 996XT would make for a nicer match for it. So, if someone were to offer to trade me a BCD996XT for my Pro197, I would do it. There are some things I would miss about the Pro197 that the Uniden doesn't have, such as the V-folders, etc... but, as they say, you can't have everything.

[bee]

Does the Homepatrol, receive Lee county very good?

[bama9999]

Originally Posted by bee

Does the Homepatrol, receive Lee county very good?

Although I haven't tried a Home Patrol scanner myself, I can't imagine why it wouldn't do a good job on the Lee County system. All the other Uniden scanners I've ever scanned it with did a great job of it. The only complaints that I've heard about the Uniden scanners was that they didn't do P25 as well as the GRE/Radio Shack scanners, but no complaints on analog systems.

One thing that "might" be an issue with that particular system is that all of the talkgroups on the Lee County system aren't listed in the RR database, which the Home Patrol uses. Using the wildcard search on my Pro197, I have found more active talkgroups on that system, but haven't submitted them to the database yet because I haven't been able to identify exactly who the users are so far. But, running the Home Patrol in ID search instead of ID scan, if it has that option like the XT radios do, then it shouldn't be a problem for a Home Patrol owner to add them to their programming if they happen to receive them.

[milf]

In regaurds Lee Co TRS... I know for a fact there are at least 3 TPD, 4 TFD, 4 DPW, 2 LCSO, and possibly 4 LCVFD TG's out there we have not ID'ed yet, possibly others as well.