New to Pro 96

[daniellerobinette]

Hi! Boy an I glad I found this web site. My husband just bought me the Pro 96, Radio Shack said that is was programed for our area but I know I am not getting everything as I can hear sirens and my scanner says nothing. I did get the information off this site for my state & county (Chippewa County, Michigan) but even after reading the manual from cover to cover I do not feel confident to start programing things. I have bought the programming cable so I can program things with my computer but I am not sure what software is the best, I think the Win96 but I am not sure about that either. I took the scanner back to Radio Shack & the guy that sold it to me and stated it was completely programmed then changed his attitude and said he didnt know much about programming the scanner...go figure! I would appreciate any help or advice given. I am just worried I am going to mess something up. You all seem to know what all these frequesncy's mean. I feel I need a degree in math to even attempt programming. It just does not seem to make much sense to me. I would be eternally greatful for any peice of advice. If I were to purchase the software, let's say the Win96, do I then enter the frequency's into the software and then download it to the scanner? How far away will this scanner go, in miles. I have no outside antena but I did purchase the bigger antena for the scanner.
Thanks in advance to anyone that responds to this.
Danielle Robinette

 

[seamusg]

Hi! Boy an I glad I found this web site. My husband just bought me the Pro 96, Radio Shack said that is was programed for our area but I know I am not getting everything as I can hear sirens and my scanner says nothing. I did get the information off this site for my state & county (Chippewa County, Michigan) but even after reading the manual from cover to cover I do not feel confident to start programing things. I have bought the programming cable so I can program things with my computer but I am not sure what software is the best, I think the Win96 but I am not sure about that either. I took the scanner back to Radio Shack & the guy that sold it to me and stated it was completely programmed then changed his attitude and said he didnt know much about programming the scanner...go figure! I would appreciate any help or advice given. I am just worried I am going to mess something up. You all seem to know what all these frequesncy's mean. I feel I need a degree in math to even attempt programming. It just does not seem to make much sense to me. I would be eternally greatful for any peice of advice. If I were to purchase the software, let's say the Win96, do I then enter the frequency's into the software and then download it to the scanner? How far away will this scanner go, in miles. I have no outside antena but I did purchase the bigger antena for the scanner.
Thanks in advance to anyone that responds to this.
Danielle Robinette

Win96 is the best software for the Pro96. Per the database most of your area is on the MPSCS system. You can download and try Win96 free for thirty days. The best antenna I've found for the PRO96 on the MPSCS system is the 800Mhz 'Rubber Duckie' one from RS (part number 20-283), it's only about 7 inches long. Also if you're a donating member to this site, you can use Win96 to import the data from here. The best thing to do is see which sites on the MPSCS system you can get and go with them. The PRO96 only needs the control channel to receive a site. The people at Radio Shack usually don't know anything. Just get the Win96 and start programing the scanner. Also welcome to the site and happy scanning.

 

[jimsokol]

I live in SW Michigan, but have visited your county a few times and have used a pro-96 successfully in your area. I only had MPSCS, the digital system programmed, so I only heard mostly law enforcement, and DNR. I think they are simulcasting some of the fire and ems onto the trunked system now, but am not sure. If that's not the case you should be able to use most of what in the database for Chippewa county on this site.

Also be aware that I believe the Police in your area (as in mine) make use of MDT's, where some calls are dispatched to computers in the cars, so you may not hear some types of calls being dispatched.

The scanner comes with preprogrammed v-scanners you can load from it stored memory. Load the one that covers michigan. One of the banks it will load is "michigan SPD upper peninsula". That should get you started for the trunked stuff, but be aware the some freqs in there may have been added since then. You may want to check the sites closest to you in the database here and make sure the primary and alternate control channels exist in the bank.

I also agree that win96 is the way to go for a good programming tool. You will have to buy a programming cable from RS . Part number is in the pro-96 manual.

 

[fmon]

This shortcut from Wiki has the manual condensed to a couple of pages for programming.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Programming_Shortcut_Pro-96

However, Win96 is a must.

 

[Shackman]

Win96 is a great program. You are also going to need a programming cable to go with it. Radioshack sells a couple of cables that will work one is a usb cable stock number 20-047. the other is a serial cable which unfortunately I cannot recall the stock number of. Once you get win96 download and save a copy of your scanner programming before you upload anything to the scanner, so if you do make a mistake all you have to do is upload the original programming and you are back in business. Have fun with your scanner, it is a lot easier to program than the manual makes it seem like.

 

[seamusg]

Win96 is a great program. You are also going to need a programming cable to go with it. Radioshack sells a couple of cables that will work one is a usb cable stock number 20-047. the other is a serial cable which unfortunately I cannot recall the stock number of. Once you get win96 download and save a copy of your scanner programming before you upload anything to the scanner, so if you do make a mistake all you have to do is upload the original programming and you are back in business. Have fun with your scanner, it is a lot easier to program than the manual makes it seem like.

It woulg help if you read the origional post. I have bought the programming cable so I can program things.

 

[Shackman]

my apologies I sure blew it on that one.

 

[fmon]

Daniell,

Other then Sault Ste. Marie, which site(s) of the MPSCS system can you receive?

 

[bigbluemsp]

She should be able to pick up 2 counties away with the 800 rubber duckie antenna..

Then again I can pic up the entire MSP 2nd district and most of the 3rd and 2 posts from the 1st and all the locals in that area with the exception of a few like Detroit

 

[fmon]

Danielle,

This p96 should work for Chippewa CO.

 

[daniellerobinette]

Thanks for your reply to my post and for sending me that information. Unfortunatly when I tried to open it , it told me it could not be opened without knowing what program created it. Can you tell me how I should open it, please?
Thanks, Danielle

 

[daniellerobinette]

I do have the bigger anntenna but have yet to find out if I programed the scanner right. I am waiting to hear something, I live in a very small town and not a lot goes on so I will have to wait until we get some action!
Thanks, Danielle

 

[daniellerobinette]

At this point I am not conserned with other towns I would just like to be able to get the public safety for my town. If at some point I get something else I will let you know.
Danielle

 

[bigbluemsp]

Thanks for your reply to my post and for sending me that information. Unfortunatly when I tried to open it , it told me it could not be opened without knowing what program created it. Can you tell me how I should open it, please?
Thanks, Danielle

It was created in Win96. If you open Win96 then go to file then open and open the zip file he sent you if will open it automaticly

 

[daniellerobinette]

I dont know what MPSCS system is, could you explain it to me?
Danielle

 

[daniellerobinette]

Could you explasZin to me how to install the michigan SPD upper peninsula into my scanner, please? I would greastly appreciate it.

Danielle

 

[seamusg]

I dont know what MPSCS system is, could you explain it to me?
Danielle

MPSCS is the state of MIchigan's state wide radio system. To see it go here:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=100

 

[seamusg]

Could you explasZin to me how to install the michigan SPD upper peninsula into my scanner, please? I would greastly appreciate it.

Danielle

Have you gotten Win96 yet?

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Subscription

 

[fmon]

I dont know what MPSCS system is, could you explain it to me?
Danielle

The state has a trunked statewide system interlocked with most counties. the system also includes State Police. Bank 0 has the MPSCS towers in your area and bank 1 has the conventional freqs in your area.

Discard my zip previous and use this file instead in Win96. This file has a dummy freq between the tower sets in the MPSCS trunking system. This will allow the scanner to function a little better when changing towers.

Edit: redundant word deleted.

 

[mmartinfan]

I love the Soo. I always spend one night there then head over to the Newberry area and up to Muskallonge Lake State Park. I need to get back up there soon, I am sure its changed since I was last there in Aug of 2001. If you want a real adventure head out to the Crisp Point Lighthouse, then spend the night there!


Good luck with your programming. I hope to use my Uniden 396T there someday soon.

Kevin