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| Radio Shack Scanners A forum for the discussion of all Radio Shack scanning radios and receivers. |
12-12-2012, 4:54 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
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I Am Totally Dumb!!!
Just got my first digital scanner. It is a Radio Shack Pro 197. I can't figure the dang thing out. I am stumped as to the manual programming. I know our area went to P25 and was told at the store this scanner would work. I have only had analog basic scanners in the past. I do not know anything about trunking or anything. I am in Dixon, Illinois. Can anyone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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12-12-2012, 10:34 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Posts: 60
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Evernear...I will help you, you need to send me a e-mail at panther@bex.net. I will send you a phone number so you can call me and i will walk you threw the steps. Jim in Toledo |
12-12-2012, 10:47 PM
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You should take a deep breath and relax a little. Digital and object oriented scanning are almost completely different from most older analog scanners and will definitely take some learning and getting used to. Many people simply buy programming cables, software, and subscriptions because programming manually takes a lot of work. Try reading the Easier to Read manual for the Pro-197, I practically followed it like a bible when I first started programming the Pro-106.
Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual
Last edited by Spitfire8520; 12-12-2012 at 10:50 PM..
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12-13-2012, 12:04 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
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Thank you! I sent you an email
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12-13-2012, 1:03 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evernear
Just got my first digital scanner. It is a Radio Shack Pro 197. I can't figure the dang thing out. I am stumped as to the manual programming. I know our area went to P25 and was told at the store this scanner would work. I have only had analog basic scanners in the past. I do not know anything about trunking or anything. I am in Dixon, Illinois. Can anyone help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I see jimbolie1 is going to help you, let us know how it works out  Just to Add your not Dumb, Object Oriented Scanners are quite a bit tricky, I know you will figure it out  LOVE AND BLESSINGS |
12-13-2012, 1:44 PM
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No, you are NOT dumb! It used to be a simple as plugging in a new crystal, then we all got excited when we could 'just punch in the numbers' on the scanner's keyboard. Now, between dynamic memories and the vast array of radios systems in use, this really upped the ante to a whole different level. That is great that Jimbolie1 is willing to help you out. It is refreshing to see people helping each other here. Good luck and enjoy your new radio!
__________________
Dave Knapp
"An undependable radio and/or system is unsafer than having no radio at all"....
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12-13-2012, 2:37 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdknapp
No, you are NOT dumb! It used to be a simple as plugging in a new crystal, then we all got excited when we could 'just punch in the numbers' on the scanner's keyboard. Now, between dynamic memories and the vast array of radios systems in use, this really upped the ante to a whole different level. That is great that Jimbolie1 is willing to help you out. It is refreshing to see people helping each other here. Good luck and enjoy your new radio!
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I agree with all this, I do also LOVE to see our fellow Earthlings help eachother, its what life is really all about. I really lets me see Humanity for what we really are, it gives me great hope and a KNOWING that are Future will be GGGRRRRRRREAT Beyond Belief 
LOVE AND BLESSINGS |
12-13-2012, 2:51 PM
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No way I'm buying that you are dumb! New systems can be very complicated and Lee County (Dixon) is now on STARCOM21, one of the more complicated systems in the country. I'm with cdknapp on how nice "simple" used to be.
I don't know how to program that model, but here's the webpage where the information is:
StarCom21 Statewide Illinois P25 Trunking System, Statewide, Illinois - Scanner Frequencies
If you get a handle on the instructions, or if you can get software (I've had good results with Don Starr's software): PRO-197 Scanner Software for Data Management, Monitoring, and Control I would first start with programming in the Ashton site on that big list (do a Ctrl-F and then put Lee in the box), then programming in the Lee County Sheriff's talkgroup (hit Next in that box that popped up with you Ctrl-F).
I would be lost if I had to punch all that in through the keypad.
Good luck and welcome to RR! Looking forward to seeing your number of posts go up! |
12-13-2012, 4:09 PM
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another little help point is go to youtube and watch vids on how to program that scanner i learned to program them by hand before i even touched any software so i can program on the run and i dont have to wait till i get home to program...
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BCT-15
BC-72xlt
Pro-106
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12-13-2012, 4:18 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
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I thank everyone that has responded. I am waiting to hear from Jim. I messed with it for awhile today and am still stumped. I realize most of you are very knowelgable on scanners but just the termonology is confusing to me. When it stated it was a trunking system I thought that meant it could be mounted in the trunk of your car. Now that I just wrote that you are probably thinking....Dang she is dumb!!!!!!!! LMAO
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12-13-2012, 6:48 PM
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Ever don't sweat bit it took me days to begin to understand what this thing can do!! I'm still learning!! Get your self a premium subscription to RR,then buy some software to build a working scanner file you can customize!! I still have no clue as howvtomprogram a trunked system other than maybe get lucky and put the control channels in?!! I had a member I still owe a steak dinner here create me a file that to this day allows me to hear everything except the Starship Enterprise!!......Spock?!
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Michael KD2CUD
Radio Shack Pro 197
Kenwood TH-F6A
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12-14-2012, 10:15 AM
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Premium Subscriber
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Davenport,Fl.- home to me and the gators and the skeeters.
Posts: 548
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Reconrider8 gave you a great lead!
If for no other reason for YouTube, it does have some really informative vids. Look at this page of their site and you'll see some help for ya:
Radio Shack Pro 197 - YouTube
Glad that there were so many to help you out lady; and there'll be others to follow and chime in with more info for you.
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Freedom, a beautiful way of life. Roger
Old scanners like me:
Pro-107, Pro-44, Pro-94, Pro-2006, DX-440
Last edited by rafdav; 12-14-2012 at 10:17 AM..
Reason: change sir to "lady"
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12-14-2012, 11:23 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evernear
I am waiting to hear from Jim. I messed with it for awhile today and am still stumped. I realize most of you are very knowelgable on scanners but just the termonology is confusing to me. When it stated it was a trunking system I thought that meant it could be mounted in the trunk of your car. Now that I just wrote that you are probably thinking....Dang she is dumb!!!!!!!! LMAO
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No problem, we will always provide help where it is needed I agree the terminology is confusing, but after a while when I first started scanning 10 years ago you will get it, but I was lost also for a while. I had the exact same thought when I first heard about Trunking No I dont think your dumb, honestly I dont look at anyone as dumb, people focus on subjects they like or are involved in, so they become very understanding of the subject at hand, so to some they seem smart, but its because they studied it or was involved in it for periods of time, so you come to know it.
Its kinda like, would you look at a 2nd Grader if they couldnt multiply 100 times 100, and say there Dumb, No you wouldnt because they have not learned and focused on it yet, so they dont understand it, same in your situation. I look at your sitiuation and anyone else learning, your not gonna be Einstein at it in a week or even a year or 2, it takes time, it took me a few years to Start to understand it good To me Einstein isnt smarter than you or anyones else, he just focused on physics is whole life, so you would tend to know alot about it, and therefore people label you smart. To me there is no smart or dumb, its just a matter of focus
You will get it for sure, I know you will
LOVE AND BLESSINGS Sister
Last edited by wingmaker; 12-14-2012 at 11:25 AM..
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12-14-2012, 1:42 PM
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Amateur Radio
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Northern NJ - Bergen County - Fair Lawn N.J.
Posts: 33
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Basic Trunking and Scanner Set-Up ...
Yes ... You should acquaint yourself with Trunking principles ... there's a simple RadioReference Wiki on this website ... but the idea is that with Trunking (analog and / or digital) the services (handi-talkies) do not sit on one frequency anymore ... they are told real-time (by a control signal) where to tune for a short talk interval (seconds) ... this is time-sharing of frequencies ... the control signal tells a whole group/ team of radios where to tune dynamically ... the group / team are usually doing the same job ... like a police precint, a fire squad, a mainenence crew etc. That is called a TalkGroup ... so the control signal address a whole talkgroup at once and all their radios simultanously tune to a frequency for a short interval (seconds) ... The next time that group communicates they may be commanded to use a different frequency ... So you can see if you leave your scanner "parked" on one (1) frequency you won't hear the whole converstation ... You have to move (re-tune) with a particular TalkGroup ... Now the new generation of scanners (including the one you bought PRO-197) have the same circuitry / logic to "read" these control signal tuning commands and also follows along / follows the tuning / re-tuning instructions ... This is needed so you can follow the conversation for a particular TalkGroup ... OK so that's the idea - Got It ...
Now , you have to tell your scanner you to treat a setup as a Trunked RAdio system and to follow various TalkGroups ... but it's not too hard ... You have to mainly tell the scanner the frequency of the control signals (the ones that give the tune / re-tune commands) and what type of trunk system it is ...
Scanners / Scanner designs make it easier now because they can also use Control Channel Only to listen and follow the real-time tuning / re-tuning commands
First find in RadioReference your state, county, town that you want ... if it is P25 (Digital Trunked) look / scroll down to the frequencies and look for the RED ones ... those are the control / command / re-tuning commanding signals / frequencies ... write those down for the service(s) you want ...
Since you know how to just park / tune and sit on one channel ...
Try this (just once) ... put in one of the RED signal (control channel) frequencies (just park on it) and listen to it ... It will sound like a loud buzz / motorboat ... that's what the real-time tuning commands sound like - digital buzz ...
OK Now to Program :
1) Press Program PGM
2) Press F1 "New"
3) Press F1 "TGRP" (Talkgroup)\
Note: F2 "CONV" (Convential for a parked set or one frequency - like the old days !)
4) Scanlist: Set a "Bank (of scanner memory) 01, 02, 03, etc. --- enter / set one up
5) TSYS: (System Type) ... This is where you tell it what type of Trunking system / logic it is ...
P25 Auto (if it is a P25 (meaning Digital P25 ) system)
Note: under TSYS is ID : Set to Wildcard (Default) ...
This will follow all / every single / any TalkGroups (simpliest way) ...
Otherwise if you know of particular TalkGroups you want (Maintenance, Parks, etc) you can
enter them / specify them ...
6) Tag: Give it a Name if you want to
7) Frequencies: Press Select : Put in all frequencies ... especially the RED Control Channels
8) "Save"
9) Now to Scan: Press "Scan" button ...
That's It !!!
How To Program the PRO-106 Digital Trunking Scanner - YouTube
All OK ... Hope that helps ! ...
Victor L. Miller - The Electrical Engineer
E-Mail: vicmiller1@aol.com
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12-15-2012, 10:44 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
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Everyone here is so helpful! I have spoken with Jim and he is walking me thru things. He is doing a great job and I am very thankful that there are great people who take time from their lives to help others. A HUGE Thank You to everyone!
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12-16-2012, 8:00 PM
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Amateur Radio
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: King, N.C.
Posts: 16
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Hang in there. I remember when I first got the 197 a couple of years ago. It took some time to get the hang of programming it. It's easy to get frustrated and discouraged, but if you stay with it you'll start understanding how it works and it gets much easier.
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K4JTX
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12-16-2012, 9:57 PM
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So glad to hear your up and running! Watch it scan as it hits a trunked system it's like a turbo thingy!!!....LOL
__________________
Michael KD2CUD
Radio Shack Pro 197
Kenwood TH-F6A
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12-17-2012, 11:53 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evernear
Everyone here is so helpful! I have spoken with Jim and he is walking me thru things. He is doing a great job and I am very thankful that there are great people who take time from their lives to help others. A HUGE Thank You to everyone!
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YOUR WELCOME Its what LIFE is really ALL ABOUT. Happy Scanning LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU AND ALL |
01-04-2013, 11:11 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Posts: 60
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Would like everyone to know that evernear is up on all three systems and enjoying her pro-197. She is far from being dumb, it was a great pleasure to help such a wonderful person. I made it clear i do not charge for my time, the Good Lord has given me plenty, but received a gift card in the mail from this wonderful human being that i would like to thank once again. God Bless & good luck!
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