Pro 96 OK, I'm a Moron

[RadioWARE]

I spent the better part of the day trying to figure out how to and what to program into the 96 to listen to CT and MA trunked systems. Finally at midnight I decided to LOOK at the manual. DUH, Virtual folder #7 is all pre-programmed. About eight keystrokes later CT and MA buzzing away on the 800mHz duck like no tomrrow. At that point I hit the big red button from Staples "That was Easy" LOL

 

[Stick0413]

The pre loaded v-scanner is a good place to start. I would however download the trial Win96 www.starrsoft.com and program the systems in how you want them (seperate different things on the systems). You can also add more local stuff. Also there may be new talkgroups, etc since they loaded the v-folder at the factory so you may be able to pick up more.

 

[RadioWARE]

Thanks Aaron, I'll do some searches for new groups. I have DL'ed WIN96 and have the cable just need to connect it up. Any other info greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[kadetklapp]

Getting ready to pick one of these up this week. Anything I should know?

 

[troymail]

Get Win96 and a programming cable. The cable is also available at RadioShack.

These two tools will make programming the 96 super easy, and you won't get carpal tunnel from doing it. Trust me.. Both are worth the money. I'm a friggin tightwad, but after I bought my Pro-97, I quickly seen I NEEDED (not wanted) the cable and software.

If you're going to be listening to a lot of trunked or 800 mhz stuff, you might want to invest in a RadioShack 800 mhz duckie as well. In addition to the software, this is worth it's weight in gold when listening to anything 800 mhz.

If I had to buy only one, I'd still opt for the cabe and software. The stock antenna will recieve 800 mhz, but you'll soon be looking for an upgrade to boost signal strength.

These are some of the great things about the Radio Shack scanner(s) --- buy the radio - need a AC power supply? Oh, that's extra... need a programming cable? Oh, that's extra. (really) need software? Oh, that's extra.... and you really need to software - any software - because the key strokes to program it are far from intuitive....

There's a rumor that GRE (maker of the PRO-96) is releasing a new radio later this year - hopefully, they make the programminng interface/keystrokes more user friendly this time... they make a good product but it's too hard to program and too big...

 

[troymail]

Right on that, it can't hurt. It appears all VHF or UHF system which I run Pro-96Com on produce 851.0625 and 762.0625 identifiers in 00 and 01 respectively. Our Virginia STARS VHF systems list 8 Identifiers but only 3 are valid.

For troymial: It appears weblacsp hijacked the thread with his issue and Lou provided outstanding help to someone who is obviously handicapped in our language. Do you really want to hijack it again with the old (and very tired) Uniden vs Radio Shack issue?

You probably right... didn't mean to do that... I was just scrolling through the responses and came across that one post... sorry... I guess I'm trying to make the point that the thread initiator isn't a moron (even if it is his own label) -- it's a tough radio to program.

 

[RadioWARE]

You probably right... didn't mean to do that... I was just scrolling through the responses and came across that one post... sorry... I guess I'm trying to make the point that the thread initiator isn't a moron (even if it is his own label) -- it's a tough radio to program.

Thanks I'm noob, LOL

 

[GTO_04]

These are some of the great things about the Radio Shack scanner(s) --- buy the radio - need a AC power supply? Oh, that's extra... need a programming cable? Oh, that's extra. (really) need software? Oh, that's extra.... and you really need to software - any software - because the key strokes to program it are far from intuitive....

There's a rumor that GRE (maker of the PRO-96) is releasing a new radio later this year - hopefully, they make the programminng interface/keystrokes more user friendly this time... they make a good product but it's too hard to program and too big...

Yes, but at least the Pro-96 doesn't motorboat like the 396 does! I used to think the Uniden was better, but that all changed when digital systems came along. Uniden just doesn't have the digital decoding down. Maybe it's just me, but I'm more interested in basic performance than extras. And the small size of the Uniden may have forced some compromises in the audio performance.

GTO_04

 

[troymail]

Yes, but at least the Pro-96 doesn't motorboat like the 396 does! I used to think the Uniden was better, but that all changed when digital systems came along. Uniden just doesn't have the digital decoding down. Maybe it's just me, but I'm more interested in basic performance than extras. And the small size of the Uniden may have forced some compromises in the audio performance.

GTO_04

...and once again - I agree.

 

[Stick0413]

There's a rumor that GRE (maker of the PRO-96) is releasing a new radio later this year - hopefully, they make the programminng interface/keystrokes more user friendly this time... they make a good product but it's too hard to program and too big...

Its not a rumor. A member of this board actually got to play with a unit a little bit. As far as the size. I like the bigger size of them. I hate smaller scanners. As someone said in the GRE forum when asked about the size. A lot of people must have small hands because (this person) along with myself really find it easier to hold and use a bigger unit. They are no bigger than what we are listening to are transmitting on that is for sure.

 

[proquist96]

...and once again - I agree.

Thanks GTO I take performance over features any day! I will get a bcd996t someday and hope im not dissatisfied. John

 

[loumaag]

To the OP and the rest trying to follow the original topic, I am sorry about the OT posts that were in here, but with the language barrier I didn't want to move them off until we got him at least with a working system. I have taken that entire portion of the thread and split it off into a topic of its own.

And to this:

Yes, but at least the Pro-96 doesn't motorboat like the 396 does! I used to think the Uniden was better, but that all changed when digital systems came along. Uniden just doesn't have the digital decoding down. Maybe it's just me, but I'm more interested in basic performance than extras. And the small size of the Uniden may have forced some compromises in the audio performance.

Thanks GTO I take performance over features any day!

This is not a universally held opinion. First, features ignored, the Uniden is easier to program and easier to operate (despite an inaccurate statement posted somewhere here). Second, the Pro-96/2096 does have better sounding audio but it does not perform better than my BCD396T, even on digital; and yes I own them all. People who complain about digital should look the system and individual adjustments first before blaming the radio. Besides, why would I have a radio that is limited to 500 channels in 10 banks (at any one time) when I can have a radio that has 6000 channels in 400 systems all the time?

 

[GTO_04]

To the OP and the rest trying to follow the original topic, I am sorry about the OT posts that were in here, but with the language barrier I didn't want to move them off until we got him at least with a working system. I have taken that entire portion of the thread and split it off into a topic of its own.

And to this:

This is not a universally held opinion. First, features ignored, the Uniden is easier to program and easier to operate (despite an inaccurate statement posted somewhere here). Second, the Pro-96/2096 does have better sounding audio but it does not perform better than my BCD396T, even on digital; and yes I own them all. People who complain about digital should look the system and individual adjustments first before blaming the radio. Besides, why would I have a radio that is limited to 500 channels in 10 banks (at any one time) when I can have a radio that has 6000 channels in 400 systems all the time?

If my Pro-96 were having the same problems that the 396 was then you could point to the system. If the 396 is having problems and the Pro-96 isn't, how can it be the system? I have tried all the adjustments, and they don't help. Maybe this is not a universally held opinion, few opinions are, but it is a commonly held one.

Sure the 396 has more features and more channels, but how many people even come close to using 6000 channels? That would make for an interesting poll, wouldn't it?

If you don't have the motorboating, more power to you. But a lot us do, and a lot of it! To me that is a difference in performance, and the Pro-96 wins hands down!

I won't even go into the EDACS beeps, where the older EDACS capable Unidens actually work better.

GTO_04

 

[loumaag]

If my Pro-96 were having the same problems that the 396 was then you could point to the system. If the 396 is having problems and the Pro-96 isn't, how can it be the system? I have tried all the adjustments, and they don't help. Maybe this is not a universally held opinion, few opinions are, but it is commonly held one.

Commonly held, well I don't know, as I said it is not universally held. You might want to ask around of people who own both at the same time (like me).

Sure the 396 has more features and more channels, but how many people even come close to using 6000 channels? That would make for an interesting poll, wouldn't it?

I really hate polls and I don't use all 6000 frequencies, but let me ask you a question...Do you use the V-Folders on your radio?

If you don't have the motorboating, more power to you! But a lot us do, and a lot of it! To me that is a difference in performance, and the Pro-96 wins hands down!

You should perhaps read this thread of an unhappy 96 user. It is current, but typical of several I have seen over the past few years.

 

[GTO_04]

Commonly held, well I don't know, as I said it is not universally held. You might want to ask around of people who own both at the same time (like me).

Don't need to. I already do own both radios.

I really hate polls and I don't use all 6000 frequencies, but let me ask you a question...Do you use the V-Folders on your radio?

No.

You should perhaps read this thread of an unhappy 96 user. It is current, but typical of several I have seen over the past few years.

Must be the system!


GTO_04