Purchasing a RadioShack Pro-197

[revclstoner]

Hey. I'm thinking about purchasing a RadioShack Pro-197 in the future. Before I actually purchase it, how good is the Pro-197?

[gewecke]

Originally Posted by revclstoner

Hey. I'm thinking about purchasing a RadioShack Pro-197 in the future. Before I actually purchase it, how good is the Pro-197?

Excellent choice! I've owned one for 2 years now.

73,
n9zas

[revclstoner]

Originally Posted by gewecke

Excellent choice! I've owned one for 2 years now.

73,
n9zas

Well, alrighty!!! Guess I'll plan to purchase it! Thanks for your response!

[davidzimmerman]

i was useing the GRE-800 in the car was tired of the scanner being to small so its my base scanner i did get the PRO-197 from my friend so now its a mobile scanner it works great i use to have the PRO-2096 sold that a few years ago also was a great scanner now i'm very happy to own the PRO-197 i use ARC500 to program the scanner was a little hard but gets easy to use and program the scanner.

[sadman3]

I've had mine for going on 3 years great scanner it can be a little tricky to program at first but other than that i have had no troubles with mine good choice

[cherubim]

The Pro-197 (and PSR-600 equivalent) are outstanding digital scanners with excellent sensitivity and highly flexible programming models. To get the best use out of them requires the use of programming software which makes setup a lot quicker and easier.

[revclstoner]

Thanks for all your responses! Guess the Pro-197 is a winner!

[thomasbillman1]

Hold on there question, Do you need a digital scanner for your area? If not dont pay for something you wont need. But if you need digital then yes go for it. I just whish the p25 digial would pick up better in my area, we hear every other word sometimes. I like how you can set up the color lights for certain police and fire, I like how you can set the weather alert up and still scann. The stalker works great in my area.

[lazierfan]

Originally Posted by thomasbillman1

Hold on there question, Do you need a digital scanner for your area? If not dont pay for something you wont need. But if you need digital then yes go for it. I just whish the p25 digial would pick up better in my area, we hear every other word sometimes. I like how you can set up the color lights for certain police and fire, I like how you can set the weather alert up and still scann. The stalker works great in my area.

BUT... *Do* pay for something you might use over the life of the scanner. I really have found the virtual files section useful. Once you get the hunger for more advanced baby steps in programming, save the favorites to your PC, then save virtuals of surrounding areas, then, load the ones on the trail toward your destination, as long as Texas is a legal portable scanner state.

I loaded all the virtual v-files for a trip from Denver to Durango then up to Grand Junction, then back. I never missed a beat from agency to agency, and had all local towers for CSP as I went.
It's the most versatile scanner yet.

[revclstoner]

The system I monitor with my Pro-2096 is both analog and digital. Primarily digital. I'll be using the 197 as a base scanner.

[ka3jjz]

Cedric, this article from our wiki should give you the heads-up on programming these object oriented scanners (note that anything in blue is a link)

Getting Started with your GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

2 things to be aware of from the outset;

a. You must buy the USB cable separately - the GRE radios come with their own
b. There is no freeware for programming these radios, but the 3 biggies - ARC500, PSREdit500 and Win500 - all come with 30 day trial periods.

HTH...Mike

[revclstoner]

Thanks, Mike!

I do have a programming cable for my 2096. Will that work for the Pro-197?

[hiegtx]

Originally Posted by revclstoner

Thanks, Mike!

I do have a programming cable for my 2096. Will that work for the Pro-197?

The cable will only work if it's the USB cable. If it is the serial cable version (connects to Com1 on your pc), it will not work.

Generally, unless they are on sale at Radio Shack, which is often once a month, the PSR-600 is usually cheaper than the Pro-197. As already noted, the two scanners are identical, other than the nameplate. But GRE does include the USB pc cable, whereas it's an extra cost option ($30 to $35) at Radio Shack.

[revclstoner]

The cable I have has a USB connection! I guess I'm sort of ahead...

[K5PO]

I've been mulling the purchase for a while. Stuck between the Pro-197 and a Uniden 996. Both seems to very very fine rigs from what many say. Hard decision!

[04Z1V6]

Cedric, I have three 197's and a pro-106, I also have a Uniden 396XT. I use a 90° BNC with a 800MHz rubber duck on my radios and the same on the portables without the 90. If you need a exterior antenna I also use the RS Discone on my feed's. I can notice no change on my local stuff but the discone helps with towers far away.

[revclstoner]

I was also thinking about getting an external antenna, too. I'll be looking into these listed.

[revclstoner]

Originally Posted by K5PO

I've been mulling the purchase for a while. Stuck between the Pro-197 and a Uniden 996. Both seems to very very fine rigs from what many say. Hard decision!

I didn't look too much into the Uniden BCD996XT, but I viewed many reviews of the unt, and it is a beautiful rig!!! Since I have a Pro-2096, I'm leaning more towards the Pro-197.

[K5PO]

Originally Posted by revclstoner

I didn't look too much into the Uniden BCD996XT, but I viewed many reviews of the unt, and it is a beautiful rig!!! Since I have a Pro-2096, I'm leaning more towards the Pro-197.

Makes absolute sense to stay in the same scanner family. I don't have a scanner at all, so fresh start for me.

[revclstoner]

Originally Posted by K5PO

Makes absolute sense to stay in the same scanner family. I don't have a scanner at all, so fresh start for me.

No way!! I hope you're able to make a decision; maybe they'll go on sale soon!