FREE Low Band Skip File for GRE PSR 500/600 PRO-197/106!

SOFA_KING · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 12:29 AM

Here is a FREE V Folder File for GRE PSR 500/600 and Radio Shack PRO-197/106 owners using Win500. This one file covers all of the low band state channels, as well as the local police and fire channels. But this is not just another open search program. Can you say automatic identification? Read below for details.

I love low band skip!, and I spend hours listening to it, but looking up everything I hear on the state frequencies gets old. After looking on the RR database for frequencies and tones I picked up many times, it struck me that there is a better way to do this. What about creating a file for my GRE/RS PRO-197 that has all of the state frequencies, PL/DPL tones and name tags for the stations I'm hearing. And that is what I did. I went through all fifty states and entered the data for all HP and SP low band systems (for states that still use low band) listed in RR to this date. I also added my open scan list (code searching) for all low band police and fire freqs with name tags for known HP/SP low band states as another scanning option. I even added a general "all low band" search to search the whole band. I put each in it's own scan list. Here is what you get in each list:

# 1 MISSOURI (CLOSED PL)
# 2 TENNESSEE (CLOSED PL)
# 3 W. VIRGINIA (CLOSED PL)
# 4 OKLAHOMA (CLOSED PL)
# 5 NEBRASKA (CLOSED DPL)
# 6 MISSISSIPPI (CLOSED PL)
# 7 N. CAROLINA (CLOSED PL)
# 8 MASS. OLD (CLOSED PL)
# 9 MARYLAND (CLOSED PL)
#10 CALIFORNIA (CLOSED PL)
#11 SC (NO PL)
#12 IN (NO PL)
#13 KS (NO PL)
#14 WY (NO PL)
#15 33 MHZ FIRE OPEN
#16 POLICE OPEN
#17 46 MHZ FIRE OPEN
#18 HAM 10m/6m
#19 CB RADIO 9 & 19
#20 ALL LOW BAND SEARCH

The first ten lists are all closed with PL/DPL, and as you receive each "tower" you get an instant identification on your display! Cool, huh? If you use logging in Win500 you can see what you picked up each day with station and location ID. I tested it out today and is was so cool to see each state and location pop up on the display. No more guessing! (good day...got about 8 states!) No more "looking it up" because it is all programmed. Plus you get quiet operation with PL/DPL and reverse burst. You can still do open scanning on low band police channels (list 16) or fire channels (lists 15 & 17) if you want to hear other stuff like sheriff depts or local police, but you have the choice to filter the "noise" and bag the big boys with ID. I also through in some 10m and 6m ham freqs (and even CB) to really keep an eye on low band DX. Scan delays were set to take advantage of different system use (like base/mobile/repeaters with long tails etc). It is the complete low band scanner file for the latest GRE line of scanners.

CA, NE, and DE took real effort to follow and program. I know things change on radio systems, but at least it is up to date for now. So load this file in and watch the automatic ID for each state and location. States I thought left low band where still using it (MA for one). I would not have taken the time to look up the PL tone and would not have know they were still active on low band. This program is cool!

Low band is not dead yet, so get 'em while you can. Enjoy!

Phil

PS - I did my best to be accurate with the data provided on the RR database. Corrections or updates are welcome. I will make new files if substantial changes are needed. NOTE: Some states use the same tones on a couple of frequencies. MO and NC both use 173.8 on 42.38. Sorry, I can't help that.

awasser1 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOFA_KING

Here is a FREE V Folder File for GRE PSR 500/600 and Radio Shack PRO-197/106 owners using Win500. This one file covers all of the low band state channels, as well as the local police and fire channels. But this is not just another open search program. Can you say automatic identification? Read below for details.

I love low band skip!, and I spend hours listening to it, but looking up everything I hear on the state frequencies gets old. After looking on the RR database for frequencies and tones I picked up many times, it struck me that there is a better way to do this. What about creating a file for my GRE/RS PRO-197 that has all of the state frequencies, PL/DPL tones and name tags for the stations I'm hearing. And that is what I did. I went through all fifty states and entered the data for all HP and SP low band systems (for states that still use low band) listed in RR to this date. I also added my open scan list (code searching) for all low band police and fire freqs with name tags for known HP/SP low band states as another scanning option. I even added a general "all low band" search to search the whole band. I put each in it's own scan list. Here is what you get in each list:

# 1 MISSOURI (CLOSED PL)
# 2 TENNESSEE (CLOSED PL)
# 3 W. VIRGINIA (CLOSED PL)
# 4 OKLAHOMA (CLOSED PL)
# 5 NEBRASKA (CLOSED DPL)
# 6 MISSISSIPPI (CLOSED PL)
# 7 N. CAROLINA (CLOSED PL)
# 8 MASS. OLD (CLOSED PL)
# 9 MARYLAND (CLOSED PL)
#10 CALIFORNIA (CLOSED PL)
#11 SC (NO PL)
#12 IN (NO PL)
#13 KS (NO PL)
#14 WY (NO PL)
#15 33 MHZ FIRE OPEN
#16 POLICE OPEN
#17 46 MHZ FIRE OPEN
#18 HAM 10m/6m
#19 CB RADIO 9 & 19
#20 ALL LOW BAND SEARCH

The first ten lists are all closed with PL/DPL, and as you receive each "tower" you get an instant identification on your display! Cool, huh? If you use logging in Win500 you can see what you picked up each day with station and location ID. I tested it out today and is was so cool to see each state and location pop up on the display. No more guessing! (good day...got about 8 states!) No more "looking it up" because it is all programmed. Plus you get quiet operation with PL/DPL and reverse burst. You can still do open scanning on low band police channels (list 16) or fire channels (lists 15 & 17) if you want to hear other stuff like sheriff depts or local police, but you have the choice to filter the "noise" and bag the big boys with ID. I also through in some 10m and 6m ham freqs (and even CB) to really keep an eye on low band DX. Scan delays were set to take advantage of different system use (like base/mobile/repeaters with long tails etc). It is the complete low band scanner file for the latest GRE line of scanners.

CA, NE, and DE took real effort to follow and program. I know things change on radio systems, but at least it is up to date for now. So load this file in and watch the automatic ID for each state and location. States I thought left low band where still using it (MA for one). I would not have taken the time to look up the PL tone and would not have know they were still active on low band. This program is cool!

Low band is not dead yet, so get 'em while you can. Enjoy!

Phil

PS - I did my best to be accurate with the data provided on the RR database. Corrections or updates are welcome. I will make new files if substantial changes are needed. NOTE: Some states use the same tones on a couple of frequencies. MO and NC both use 173.8 on 42.38. Sorry, I can't help that.

Yep the CHP is hard to follow even when I lived there. U do know the base and mobiles are diff freq?

SOFA_KING · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awasser1

Yep the CHP is hard to follow even when I lived there. U do know the base and mobiles are diff freq?

Yes. I programmed them all just like it was listed in the RR database. The only thing that confused me was the "statewide" channel tone(s). The RR data says they use a different tone in each division. I just put it all in like it was listed. Looks like south CA uses repeaters now instead of semi-duplex. Well I put the mobile inputs in as well (after the base or repeater freqs).

Phil

SOFA_KING · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 08:48 AM

If anyone knows any PL tones that were used on low band state systems for IN, KS, or WY, please let me know. I will update the file!

Phil

PS - The band is exploding and it is only 8:00 am here! I'm seeing NC, TN, MA, MO, WV, and MD right now! TN is the strongest at this time.

uniden278 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 08:52 AM

Interested in what Lowband frequencies you are hearing from Massachusetts... as I never hear anything. Then again, my antenna location isn't exactly ideal.

SOFA_KING · #6 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uniden278

Interested in what Lowband frequencies you are hearing from Massachusetts... as I never hear anything. Then again, my antenna location isn't exactly idea.

42.46 - CH. 6 - PL 141.3

Here is a sample of what I logged in just the first hour of this morning (MA is in there). I had to shut down MD because it just jams my scanner all day. Again...this is just the first hour!

02:06:54, 0703, CONV , 10M RPT 62 CSQ , 29.620000
08:13:33, 0248, CONV , MD N-ROCKVILLE , 39.320000, CTCSS, 110.9
08:13:46, 0248, CONV , MD N-ROCKVILLE , 39.320000, CTCSS, 110.9
08:21:05, 0243, CONV , MD H-LaPLATA , 39.060000, CTCSS, 110.9
08:21:43, 0254, CONV , MD T-LEONARDTOWN, 39.380000, CTCSS, 110.9
08:22:28, 0458, CONV , 33 MHZ FIRE , 33.980000, CTCSS, 100.0
08:27:27, 0202, CONV , NC CH 2 BASE , 42.620000, CTCSS, 173.8
08:27:39, 0202, CONV , NC CH 2 BASE , 42.620000, CTCSS, 173.8
08:28:35, 0046, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 1 , 42.360000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:29:07, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:29:20, 0214, CONV , NC CH 14 BASE , 42.380000, CTCSS, 173.8
08:35:30, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:36:51, 0001, CONV , MO ROLLA , 42.580000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:37:59, 0226, CONV , MA CHANNEL 6 , 42.460000, CTCSS, 141.3
08:41:43, 0064, CONV , TN COOKEVILLE , 42.420000, CTCSS, 151.4
08:42:43, 0064, CONV , TN COOKEVILLE , 42.420000, CTCSS, 151.4
08:42:51, 0068, CONV , TN LAWRANCEBG , 42.420000, CTCSS, 162.2
08:43:26, 0046, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 1 , 42.360000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:44:06, 0046, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 1 , 42.360000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:44:40, 0017, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD rurl, 42.140000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:44:56, 0017, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD rurl, 42.140000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:45:33, 0046, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 1 , 42.360000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:45:45, 0068, CONV , TN LAWRANCEBG , 42.420000, CTCSS, 162.2
08:46:08, 0017, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD rurl, 42.140000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:46:53, 0086, CONV , WV TRP 2 NE 2 , 42.100000, CTCSS, 151.4
08:47:15, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:47:25, 0023, CONV , MO SPRINGFLD no , 42.060000, CTCSS, 203.5
08:47:33, 0046, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 1 , 42.360000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:47:38, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:47:57, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:49:03, 0029, CONV , MO JEFF CITY , 42.640000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:49:32, 0188, CONV , NE CAR TO CAR , 42.020000
08:50:20, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:50:42, 0031, CONV , MO WILLOW SPGS. , 42.380000, CTCSS, 173.8
08:51:18, 0029, CONV , MO JEFF CITY , 42.640000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:51:51, 0034, CONV , TN KNOXVILLE , 42.560000, CTCSS, 107.2
08:52:11, 0633, CONV , 46 MHZ FIRE , 46.360000
08:52:26, 0053, CONV , TN MEMPHIS , 42.560000, CTCSS, 131.8
08:52:41, 0188, CONV , NE CAR TO CAR , 42.020000
08:52:49, 0017, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD rurl, 42.140000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:53:02, 0019, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD met , 42.100000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:53:24, 0023, CONV , MO SPRINGFLD no , 42.060000, CTCSS, 203.5
08:53:31, 0029, CONV , MO JEFF CITY , 42.640000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:54:42, 0019, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD met , 42.100000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:55:00, 0189, CONV , NE INVESTIGATE , 42.200000
08:55:19, 0029, CONV , MO JEFF CITY , 42.640000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:55:36, 0034, CONV , TN KNOXVILLE , 42.560000, CTCSS, 107.2
08:56:05, 0017, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD rurl, 42.140000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:56:12, 0021, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD sth , 42.120000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:56:25, 0039, CONV , TN CHATTANOOG 1 , 42.420000, CTCSS, 114.8
08:56:46, 0637, CONV , 46 MHZ FIRE , 46.440000, CTCSS, 136.5
08:57:01, 0005, CONV , MO POPLAR BLUFFs, 42.940000, CTCSS, 173.8
08:57:29, 0017, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD rurl, 42.140000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:58:07, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:58:30, 0039, CONV , TN CHATTANOOG 1 , 42.420000, CTCSS, 114.8
08:59:01, 0068, CONV , TN LAWRANCEBG , 42.420000, CTCSS, 162.2
08:59:12, 0015, CONV , MO MACON , 42.820000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:59:19, 0017, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD rurl, 42.140000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:59:26, 0019, CONV , MO KIRKWOOD met , 42.100000, CTCSS, 186.2
08:59:34, 0047, CONV , TN NASHVILLE 2 , 42.560000, CTCSS, 123.0
08:59:52, 0001, CONV , MO ROLLA , 42.580000, CTCSS, 186.2

This is going to be a good day!

Phil

nd5y · #7 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOFA_KING

If anyone knows any PL tones that were used on low band state systems for IN, KS, or WY, please let me know. I will update the file!

As far as I know Indiana and Kansas were always CSQ.

SOFA_KING · #8 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nd5y

As far as I know Indiana and Kansas were always CSQ.

Noted! Thank you for that.

How they ever operated that way is beyond me.

I'm also looking for statewide channels and DPL (or PL) info for NE. I have all the towers with DPL, but do not know what tone or code they use on any car to car or statewide channels. The sooner I know this stuff, the sooner I can close any open channels on the file and make a new version.

Phil

SOFA_KING · #9 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 10:06 AM

I'm also looking for the PL tone for the old Florida 45.06 (if one was ever used).

Now that I think of it...any PL tone for Gorgia 42.02?

Thanks!

Hearing mobiles in TN during the last hour!

Phil

SOFA_KING · #10 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 11:28 AM

I was getting more NC and MO cross reporting due to that PL of 173.8, so I did a full cross check of all common freqs and between the two states. Here is the problem list:

42.92 MO Poplar Bluff North base and NC CH.1 base
42.22 MO Poplar Bluff mobile and NC CH.19
42.94 MO Poplar Bluff South base and NC CH.16 base
42.38 MO Willow Springs base and NC CH.14 base
42.78 MO St. Joe mobile and NC CH.1 mobile

Looks like someone did not do their homework. How can these two states live with each other. I have been in NC and heard MO come in on skip, so the inteference potential is there. Of all the PL tones to choose, why 173.8? Who can move (synth radios) and who can not (reed radios or non-programmable PL)?

Maybe I should send a letter to both suggesting a PL tone that is NOT in use anywhere. This just makes no sense!

Phil

kkn50 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 12:12 PM

That's similar to what I did on my 396 except that I entered all public safety, business and military freqs but only tagged them after I logged activity. This allows me to quickly see if a new (not previously logged) station pops up.

>What about creating a file for my GRE/RS PRO-197 that has all of the state frequencies

SOFA_KING · #12 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkn50

That's similar to what I did on my 396 except that I entered all public safety, business and military freqs but only tagged them after I logged activity. This allows me to quickly see if a new (not previously logged) station pops up.

>What about creating a file for my GRE/RS PRO-197 that has all of the state frequencies

That sounds like a good idea too. I am thinking of adding EVERYTHING for police and fire, but I doubt there will be enough memory for all of the fire channels much less any sheriff or local police. It would be nice though. I will have to think about if it is even possible. It will take alot of research!

Phil

PS - I know it is early, but I am looking for feedback from anyone who has used this file.

Forts · #13 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 06:24 PM

Thanks very much for the file! I typically don't get much low band skip here in Southern Ontario but quite a few have been popping in the past few days. As I type this I'm receiving someone being sent out for an MVA on 33.4400. Looking foreward to using your file and seeing what I can pull in.

Chauffeur6 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 07:15 PM

Well, I don't have any of the scanners that file works with, but I was able to open it up and import the data into Excel. This will come in very handy for those late nights and early morning I get bored and put the scanner in search mode, I'll have something to reference when I get a hit pop up! Great effort in building this file, much appreciated!

ab2ms · #15 (**permalink**) 07-29-2009, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the new "toy" to play with! You must have a little time on your hands

Along with IDing catches can you make it mute encryption too?

(I just couldn't resist)

SOFA_KING · #16 (**permalink**) 07-30-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forts

Thanks very much for the file! I typically don't get much low band skip here in Southern Ontario but quite a few have been popping in the past few days. As I type this I'm receiving someone being sent out for an MVA on 33.4400. Looking foreward to using your file and seeing what I can pull in.

Forts - You are welcome! Make a simple dipole and hang it anywhere outside. (72" per leg). You will get tons of low band skip. Or use a Diamond discone like I do and you will get plenty. A few good states are within your range.

res6cue_dot_com - Glad you were able to extract the data! I was asked by someone to do the same. I will have to do it fast. I'm going to have to fix a bad fan in my laptop soon or risk a meltdown, so I will be down for part of the day.

ab2ms - Yeah, a little too much time on my hands. I need a job! And I need one soon!! NO JOKE!!! My company had a layoff a few months back and got rid of the more experienced (top paid) people.

They are spending the money on TV adds and Internet adds. They just want to sell and screw the service end of it. I guess all of the experience and skill they required me to have, to hire me ten years ago, is no longer required for that job because they kept the guys who have no background, training or skills, and work cheap...just card swapping monkeys. Wait until the network starts failing everywhere because no one who knows how to really fix the tough problems is there anymore. They know how to jumper out alarms and cheat making it "look" like they are doing their jobs. Sad really. The whole lot of them is now working for a contractor and is about to undergo a massive pay cut and another layoff in a year without severance benefits. Nice, huh? Another American nightmare story. What happened to the American dream?

Oh...And I have not heard encryption yet...but nothing would surprise me though.

Phil

PS - I will be down fixing my computer (I hope...may need parts) for part of the day. Be back soon. And I just got my first skip of the morning. 33.90 fire dispatch from OH. It is 7:25 AM here.

SOFA_KING · #17 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 09:57 AM

I'm back!

Any corrections from anyone?

Any additional information?

The bands are dead here at the moment.

Phil

trashman43 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 09:14 PM

Thanks Phil for another very useful file. I am hplanning on picking up a 197 in the next few weeks and will run this file on it and the fed file on the 106....
Thanks again

SOFA_KING · #19 (**permalink**) 07-31-2009, 11:04 PM

You're welcome. I'm not sure how much skip is left this summer, but I bet we get some good days yet. This is fun to watch on a good day. Enjoy the 197 and 106...and the file.

Phil

SOFA_KING · #20 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 10:27 AM

I have been asking questions in the regional forums about some odds and ends on low band usage and coded squelch usage. There have been some minor corrections. I have also found a couple of minor operational things I did that are now fixed. I also fixed a couple of name tags that were sloppy mistakes...nothing major. I have not heard from anyone about additional corrections up till this time, so I made a new file. This may be the final version unless someone has major additional info to add/change. Keep checking back for newer files just in case.

Just a note: MO and NC share 5 frequencies that use the same PL tone of 173.8. Someone did not do their homework when they chose that PL (MO?). These two areas DO skip into one another. Sorry there is no way to fix that unless one of these states changes their PL tone.

See below for the latest file.

Phil