PRO-2055 USB Help

[w6ghz]

Hello Group,

Pardon my newbie questions, but I need help.

Question 1:
I have a PRO-2055, the 20-546 programming cable, and the Win97 software from Don Star. The software loaded fine, the programming cable was found by my computer, I have the correct COM port set on the software (COM4). But when I upload to scanner, an error message appears on the scanner saying 'Incorrect Model!'. Of course nothing is uploaded to the computer.

Question 2:
My local PD (Shelby,NC) has moved to an 800Mhz system (I think). I have manually programmed these frequencies into the PRO-2055, but I'm only hearing the loud buzzing noise.....no voice. What am I doing wrong? Are these 800Mhz frequencies data channels only?

Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

Rich

 

[ka3jjz]

I can help, I think, with the 2nd question - if your local sheriff went to this system...

Cleveland County Public Safety System Trunking System, Shelby, North Carolina - Scanner Frequencies

then the PRO-97 won't copy it (which accounts for all the buzzing you are reporting). You will need a digital trunktracker for this system. Since we're in the RS forum, that would be the PRO-96, 2096, 106 and 197, along with the newer PRO-18

73 Mike

 

[w6ghz]

Thanks Mike. Is the PRO-2055 like the PRO-97? I guess I have the incorrect model scanner.

Thanks, Rich

 

[gmclam]

Win97

Be aware that there are several "upload to scanner" options; and the difference has to do with the firmware version of the scanner and/or model of the scanner. WIN97 now supports scanners like PRO-164 and PSR-300 and apparently there was a change in the transfer protocol.

Also, make sure you are using the correct WINXX.DLL file. What you need to do is download the program and its files and put them all into their own directory. I've run into both of these issues in the past.

 

[ka3jjz]

Thanks Mike. Is the PRO-2055 like the PRO-97? I guess I have the incorrect model scanner.

Thanks, Rich

No, I goofed, but the answer is no different - you need a digital trunktracker if that system I had in my message is the one you're concerned with

73 Mike

 

[w6ghz]

Mike I appreciate the reply.

Gmclam: The 'upload to scanner' option I chose did not have a scanner model number assigned to it. Can you elaborate in more detail about the WINXX.DLL file. How do I know if I'm using the right one? When you say "download the program and its files and put them all into their own directory", I'm not clear on exactly what you mean. When I downloaded the application, I let the installer do the work. Are you suggesting that I relocate certain files?

Thanks, Rich

 

[gmclam]

Pro-97 & win97

Gmclam: The 'upload to scanner' option I chose did not have a scanner model number assigned to it. Can you elaborate in more detail about the WINXX.DLL file. How do I know if I'm using the right one?

I ran into a problem over the past year where I was using the wrong version WINX.DLL file with WIN97/etc. I use each of the WINxx programs; WIN92, WIN93, WIN95, WIN97 & WIN500; and learned that they all use a DLL with the same name, but they are not always compatible. In the (distant) past I had all of these programs installed in the same directory, but had to separate them for this reason.

As of this moment I am running WIN97 v01.30 dated 12/28/2009. It is using WINXXCommon.DLL dated 9/3/2009. As I recall I had problems when I installed WIN500 because it is using WINXXCommon.DLL dated 4/5/2010. It appears the most recent version of WIN97 is v01.34; so the issue you're running into would depend on the version you are trying to run. If you have the latest, and you're using the DLL that came with WIN97, you should not have this problem.

When you say "download the program and its files and put them all into their own directory", I'm not clear on exactly what you mean. When I downloaded the application, I let the installer do the work. Are you suggesting that I relocate certain files?

No. But you do have some control over where files go in the first place. I ran into problems because I installed another WINxx program after installing WIN97. If you did too, that could be a clue. If you didn't, then we'll have to dig deeper to figure out what is happening (or not happening) for you.

 

[w6ghz]

Pro-97 & win97

gmclam, Thanks for the info. The version I downloaded is V01.34. This is the first and only instance of this application I downloaded . There are no other versions on this computer. There are two .DLL files in my Win97 directory: msvcr71.dll and WinXXCommon.dll

For whatever it's worth, My OS is Windows7 Pro 64 bit. Is it possible there is a compatibility issue with my OS?

Thanks in Advance, Rich

 

[w6ghz]

After installing Win97 (again), and PSRedit300 and Scan-cat Lite, I have come to the conclusion that my problem with programming my PRO-2055 may not be software related. All applications I have tried so far yield the same 'Incorrect Mode1' error message on the scanner. Apparently, my RS 20-546 cable driver is current and Radio Shack no longer stocks the 20-047. I understand the 20-546 is pretty much the same as the 20-047 with regard to function.

What am I doing wrong?

Rich

 

[KC5EIB]

After installing Win97 (again), and PSRedit300 and Scan-cat Lite, I have come to the conclusion that my problem with programming my PRO-2055 may not be software related. All applications I have tried so far yield the same 'Incorrect Mode1' error message on the scanner. Apparently, my RS 20-546 cable driver is current and Radio Shack no longer stocks the 20-047. I understand the 20-546 is pretty much the same as the 20-047 with regard to function.

What am I doing wrong?

Rich

Can you read from the scanner? Are you using the mono adapter on the cable?

 

[N1BHH]

You should just use the drop down that says Scanner>Upload To Scanner for the Pro-2055 and also the MONO 1/8, not the stereo plug. Be sure you test the comport prior to upload or download and you may have to select Configuration>Serial Port>Enable Readback Tests. The built in Help Files are very thorough in Win97.There may be some fits with Windows 7, I don't have it here, but some others have been reporting problems interfacing with older software programs.

In looking at the Cleveland County system, it is digital and you'll need a digital capable scanner for that.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=6122

 

[w6ghz]

Thanks for both of your replies.

I'm using the 1/8 mono connector (not using the short adaptor). When the readback test is enabled, the upload to the scanner fails at the software end. When I uncheck the readback test, the upload proceeds and the green LED on the cable lights up, but the 'Incorrect Mode1' error message appears on the scanner.

Maybe Windows 7 Pro 64bit OS is not compatible with this scanner. I think my choices now are to manually program the scanner or get a newer scanner that might be compatible with my computer and receives the 800Mhz system.

Thanks guys....

Rich

 

[KC5EIB]

Thanks for both of your replies.

I'm using the 1/8 mono connector (not using the short adaptor).

I have not looked at the new cable but if it is like the older one, the cable has a STEREO connector on it and the adapter cable converts it to a MONO connector. You should use the adapter.

If you have not done so, try enabling "Extra Write Time"

 

[gmclam]

More thoughts

After installing Win97 (again), and PSRedit300 and Scan-cat Lite, I have come to the conclusion that my problem with programming my PRO-2055 may not be software related. All applications I have tried so far yield the same 'Incorrect Mode1' error message on the scanner.

What this means is that the data getting to the scanner is not in the format that the scanner wants to see it in. Is there any chance that someone changed the firmware (or guts) in your scanner and it is not the model you think it is? Have you tried displaying the firmware version of the scanner at power on?

While the suggestions provided about checking read-back are on the correct track, your problem has to do with SENDING data TO the scanner, not reading it back. Yes they can be related, but that does not appear to be the problem to me.

Apparently, my RS 20-546 cable driver is current and Radio Shack no longer stocks the 20-047. I understand the 20-546 is pretty much the same as the 20-047 with regard to function.

The older scanners like you supposedly have use a MONO connection. Data is sent and received on the same connection. The old COM version cable only had a mono plug (so no confusion). The newer GRE scanners (such as PRO-164/PSR-300) use a STEREO connection because they receive and transmit on separate connections. HOWEVER, in order for the USB (such as 20-047) cable to work with older scanners, it transmits on both connections. I explain all of this because it is a subtle difference in comparison to using the short pigtail.

Do not use the short pigtail with GRE-made scanners, even though it appears to convert a stereo connection to a mono connection. When using the 20-047 cable it will only affect what the computer receives. The scanner will receive data either way (because the cable transmits on both connections). And your problem is not the lack of data, it is that the data is in the wrong format/protocol.

You should be able to power down the scanner and then power it on. When you see the sign-on message, press 3 and it should display the firmware version. That MIGHT lead us to knowing what you've got there.

The other possible scenario is that there is an "electrical problem" with the serial signal within the scanner. It pretty much goes direct from the PC/IF jack to the CPU, but that does not mean it could not have an issue. Perhaps someone connected it to a high voltage at one point and damaged it.

 

[w6ghz]

Firmware version is 1.01 and yes I've also tried using the 'extra write time' feature with no success. I've tried using both the stereo connector as it comes out of the converter and with the pigtail cord also with no success. Perhaps this why the scanner was on sale at RS for so cheap. It seems odd that all software applications I've used so far have failed. I'm starting to think it's a scanner issue.

Thanks again for all your support. I appreciate it.

Rich

 

[KC5EIB]

Just to confirm some information:

On the back of the scanner there is a label with a catalog number on it, what is that number?

Have you tried to read (import) the information from the scanner to the computer?

 

[w6ghz]

confirm some information

Catalog No.: 20-428. I have not imported anything from the scanner because I have nothing programmed. Will it just download 0's if I try to import data?

R.

 

[KC5EIB]

Catalog No.: 20-428. I have not imported anything from the scanner because I have nothing programmed. Will it just download 0's if I try to import data?

R.

Manually input a couple or random frequencies in the first channels before downloading and see is they are imported into the software.

I am running WIN97 Version 01.34 on Windows 7 HP laptop and will test with my Pro-2055 in the next couple of days. I have not had a problem with the Pro-97 using this setup and will give you the versions of software on the scanner also.

 

[w6ghz]

I'll put a few freqs in by hand and see what happens. The scanner firmware version is 1.01 and I am using Win97 01.34 as well.

As I indicated before, my OS is Win7 Pro 64bit. Don't know if the convertor may have an issue with the OS.

Rich

 

[w6ghz]

Doug, I manually put in some freq's as suggested and tried to 'download from scanner'. The message I received was, 'Timed Out Waiting For Header'.

I appreciate your help, but I think I'm going to just manually program my 2055 and call it a day. Maybe one day when I win the lottery I'll invest in a scanner that will program from a PC.

Thanks again, Rich