Love the Pro-106

dwylie · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2012, 2:34 AM

I had the 106 giving to me as a gift. At first I had trouble programing till
till I read the manual 3 times.

So far no problems with it.

marine_hm · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwylie

I had the 106 giving to me as a gift. At first I had trouble programing till
till I read the manual 3 times.

So far no problems with it.

I've had mine for two years now and love it too. I use the ARC500 software and the RS pc-scanner cable. I programmed all the freq's via my laptop and then uploaded it to a V-folder. Awesome and easy. I think I remember looking up cvs tables for my county. I just cut and pasted them and it worked.

So much easier than the Pro-164, which I think sucks in my opinion. (Neighbor asked me to program it). Could be because I don't have a clue even after reading the manual three times.

So glad I have the Pro-106

dwylie · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marine_hm

I've had mine for two years now and love it too. I use the ARC500 software and the RS pc-scanner cable. I programmed all the freq's via my laptop and then uploaded it to a V-folder. Awesome and easy. I think I remember looking up cvs tables for my county. I just cut and pasted them and it worked.

So much easier than the Pro-164, which I think sucks in my opinion. (Neighbor asked me to program it). Could be because I don't have a clue even after reading the manual three times.

So glad I have the Pro-106

Can't argue that

)

KC0CSE · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2012, 10:15 PM

M e g a .....d i t t ooooos..........

Pro 106
pro 197

cherubim · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2012, 2:12 AM

I'm pleased with my Pro-106 except for the following issues:

- Speaker audio is a bit tinny and not as crisp as my Pro-96
- Some of the buttons are too small and in awkward positions (SCAN and MAN especially)
- More prone to signal overload and intermod than my Pro-96

Other than those complaints it's a fine scanner

dwylie · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2012, 2:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherubim

I'm pleased with my Pro-106 except for the following issues:

- Speaker audio is a bit tinny and not as crisp as my Pro-96
- Some of the buttons are too small and in awkward positions (SCAN and MAN especially)
- More prone to signal overload and intermod than my Pro-96

Other than those complaints it's a fine scanner

Thank you for sharing that. My opinion on the Pro-96 is that it was a royal pain to setup the Edacs channels.
I also had trouble with the display. The 106 from what I read was that it was an upgrade from the 96 according to RadioShack. Like the Pro-2096 base I have, I read what one person said of how the front display was not working. Your 96 is a classic don't get me wrong.
But you have as I'm concerned 2 good scanners.

N1BHH · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2012, 9:43 AM

There is a little bit of a learning curve, but once you start programming, it's like riding a bike, you never forget how to do it. I was programming it right out of the box when I got mine.

kj4axu · #8 (**permalink**) 10-28-2012, 10:33 AM

I love the 106 for digital and for the folder capability. I was wondering about the experience of others when it comes to military air and civilian air. I have several analog scanners which receive these bands well using both the rubber duck and the discone antenna. I have interchanged antennas and tested things side by side, and the 106 seems mostly deaf on these bands. A friend suggested it is an overload problem with the GREs (I have both the handheld and mobile units with the same result).
Thoughts? Confirmations?

Many thanks!
Robert AK3Q

wizardb · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2012, 10:35 AM

I agree, I really like the Pro 106. I had a Pro 197 which I had programmed using Arc500. Sold it and bought the 106 because I wanted a handheld. When I received the 106, which is used, I did a master reset, checked that the firmware was current and connected it to my computer and transferred the 197 file. It took about 5 minutes and all is well. I'm using the RS center load antenna and it works as good as the 197. I receive signals from as far away as 30 to 35 miles.

The only thing I noticed is that one community I usually monitor, I no longer receive. Its about 25 miles away and they transmit in the 800 range, Received it well on the 197 but I don't pick it up on the 106. Not a big deal, I have plenty else to listen to.

dwylie · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2012, 1:35 AM

Can't argue that because from my years of listening to scanners
I learned that it mostly depends on location and terain
followed by (WX) conditions. Also from what I see it as
there are birdies [unwanted signals]. We all know of that

Also the 106 & 197 was MAYBE made to filter out unwanted
static noises but filters are NOT 100% effective either way.

KE4RWS · #11 (**permalink**) 11-01-2012, 10:50 AM

If I had a choice between the Pro-106 and PSR-500 I'd definitely take the 106. Although they're really the same scanner I believe the 106 just *looks* better than the 500. I normally don't care for things that bear the Radio Shack name but in this case I'd go with the 106 for sure

I own numerous scanners, the PSR-600 being one of them and I love GRE products.

dwylie · #12 (**permalink**) 11-05-2012, 6:27 AM

Well everyone has their own taste

KE4RWS · #13 (**permalink**) 11-05-2012, 12:17 PM

Indeed . . .

marine_hm · #14 (**permalink**) 11-09-2012, 8:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizardb

I agree, I really like the Pro 106. I had a Pro 197 which I had programmed using Arc500. Sold it and bought the 106 because I wanted a handheld. When I received the 106, which is used, I did a master reset, checked that the firmware was current and connected it to my computer and transferred the 197 file. It took about 5 minutes and all is well. I'm using the RS center load antenna and it works as good as the 197. I receive signals from as far away as 30 to 35 miles.

The only thing I noticed is that one community I usually monitor, I no longer receive. Its about 25 miles away and they transmit in the 800 range, Received it well on the 197 but I don't pick it up on the 106. Not a big deal, I have plenty else to listen to.

I just ordered a Diamond RH-77CA antenna. When it gets here and if I remember. I'll let you know how it does.

Nothing more rewarding than fixing it yourself! !980 Sportster XLH with Service Manual.

KE4RWS · #15 (**permalink**) 11-09-2012, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kj4axu

I love the 106 for digital and for the folder capability. I was wondering about the experience of others when it comes to military air and civilian air. I have several analog scanners which receive these bands well using both the rubber duck and the discone antenna. I have interchanged antennas and tested things side by side, and the 106 seems mostly deaf on these bands. A friend suggested it is an overload problem with the GREs (I have both the handheld and mobile units with the same result).
Thoughts? Confirmations?

Many thanks!
Robert AK3Q

I too have read this about some GRE products. I have a PSR-600 and love it but I have noticed when I attach *certain* antenna's I must enable the Attenuator to clear up certain signals (mainly on conventional, analog frequencies).

While using the stock telescoping whip that came with the PSR-600 I never have to enable the attenuator, but in cases where I use a gain type antenna I find I must enable it in order to clear up the signal or to even receive it at ALL. Odd as it may sound that's my experience. However, I also have a Uniden 996XT and I NEVER have to use the attentuator. I realize these are two completely different scanner manufacturers altogether but this is the very first scanner I've ever owned where enabling the attentuator cleared up poor receive issues, as normally it's the other way around

I've read this is completely normal for some GRE models, including the PSR-600, PSR-500 and Pro-197 & Pro-106, not to mention other models that use the same architecture as these models. I have other much older conventional, analog GRE made scanner and the ATT does not have this affect. In fact, it works the way you would think ATT would work

As different as it is I still love my PSR-600, and it does an exceptional job on all the P25 systems where I live. I do monitor civilian aircraft and it received reasonably well in this range (118-136 MHz) but I'm afraid I don't have any real experience with military aircraft reception using the PSR-600 or even my Bearcat 996XT, as there just doesn't seem to be any traffic where I live. I also have a nice Icom R8500 receiver which I frequently use to listen in to the military aircraft band, but once again there just doesn't seem to be any where I live, as if it were present I would surely hear it using this receiver

Bubba1661 · #16 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 1:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marine_hm

I just ordered a Diamond RH-77CA antenna. When it gets here and if I remember. I'll let you know how it does.

Nothing more rewarding than fixing it yourself! !980 Sportster XLH with Service Manual.

I use the RH-77CA on my Pro-106 and the SRH-77CA on my Wouxum UV6D v2. They are the best in my opinion.

Terri1 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 7:33 PM

Just picked up a PRO-106 and love it so far! I had picked up a PRO-164 by mistake not realizing it was only analog. RS was good about doing an exchange, but after all they should have after telling me the analog would pickup my local police dept who are digital and RACOM-EDACS

Fuzy_GSXR1000 · #18 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 9:29 PM

Glad they did that for you now you can have fun!!

Terri1 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-11-2012, 7:50 PM

I know right? It is fun so far!

marine_hm · #20 (**permalink**) 11-11-2012, 9:40 PM

Diamond antenna just in. Used it over the weekend. Hometown signal picked from over 20 miles out. Yeah, BIG difference! I bought it for picking up MIL air traffic. The sky has been free of air traffic so far, Marine Corps birthday and federal holiday! Lets see what the week brings.

Nick

Nothing more rewarding than fixing it yourself! !980 Sportster XLH with Service Manual.