I have a multi-part question concerning the PRO-96 and its capabilities for P25 decoding.
Note: This question concerns the CPU version and its capability, not the DSP-App software version. I've tried the DSP-App upgrades from 1.2 to 1.3 and 1.4 with no success. Please don't reply about the DSP upgrade.
Equipment in consideration:
PRO-96, Datecode 06A04, CPU 1.3/DSP-App 1.4/DSP-Voc 1.0.
PRO-2096, Datecode 10A07, CPU 1.3/DSP-App 1.4/DSP-Voc 1.o
Scenario: I gave my old PRO-96 to a relative when I upgraded to a PRO-106. Her county uses a very new P25 Simulcast (9600bps CC) system. She reported that the PRO-96 was silent on the new system.
I finally visited her this weekend, and indeed, control channel decoding % was at most 06%, and it was not successful at tracking the system while located in the middle of the system's coverage area (signal strength is not an issue). Changing locations by going mobile to different areas of the system's coverage made no difference in performance. Likewise, it was not able to decode 2 control channels from other similar systems within receiving range. By the way, the PRO-106 tracks the systems like a champ.
I brought the PRO-96 home, and I have a P25 simulcast system within monitoring range here. Same results - control channel decoding 05% or less. Using the same antenna, my PRO-2096 is able to track the system with decoding above 60%. Audio decoding is poor (no surprise) but at least it's able to track the system at all.
Question #1 - what can other PRO-96 users report as far as tracking capabilities with P25 simulcast systems? Please list your CPU version and datecode for comparison purposes. Does anyone have any success? I'm guessing that the PRO-2096 has a different, more updated CPU (despite the identical version #s) that is better at decoding the 9600bps simulcast control channel.
Question #2 - Does anyone know if RadioShack still services PRO-96s? I know that the CPU upgrade requires a trip back to a service center and the CPU board to be replaced. Are replacement boards still available? How about an estimate on the repair cost? I'm thinking a repair/upgrade of the PRO-96 would be less expensive than a new radio, if reasonable success can be expected with a newer CPU.
Question #3 - what's the possibility of purchasing a replacement CPU board and installing it myself? Is the CPU board separate from the RF section, or does the upgrade require realignment of the RF section?
It would be great to get new rubber grips, a new BNC connector, a new button pad with legible labels, a new volume pot to eliminate the scratchiness. But if I could purchase the CPU board and save some $, I might take that option.
Any information regarding these questions is appreciated.
Note: This question concerns the CPU version and its capability, not the DSP-App software version. I've tried the DSP-App upgrades from 1.2 to 1.3 and 1.4 with no success. Please don't reply about the DSP upgrade.
Equipment in consideration:
PRO-96, Datecode 06A04, CPU 1.3/DSP-App 1.4/DSP-Voc 1.0.
PRO-2096, Datecode 10A07, CPU 1.3/DSP-App 1.4/DSP-Voc 1.o
Scenario: I gave my old PRO-96 to a relative when I upgraded to a PRO-106. Her county uses a very new P25 Simulcast (9600bps CC) system. She reported that the PRO-96 was silent on the new system.
I finally visited her this weekend, and indeed, control channel decoding % was at most 06%, and it was not successful at tracking the system while located in the middle of the system's coverage area (signal strength is not an issue). Changing locations by going mobile to different areas of the system's coverage made no difference in performance. Likewise, it was not able to decode 2 control channels from other similar systems within receiving range. By the way, the PRO-106 tracks the systems like a champ.
I brought the PRO-96 home, and I have a P25 simulcast system within monitoring range here. Same results - control channel decoding 05% or less. Using the same antenna, my PRO-2096 is able to track the system with decoding above 60%. Audio decoding is poor (no surprise) but at least it's able to track the system at all.
Question #1 - what can other PRO-96 users report as far as tracking capabilities with P25 simulcast systems? Please list your CPU version and datecode for comparison purposes. Does anyone have any success? I'm guessing that the PRO-2096 has a different, more updated CPU (despite the identical version #s) that is better at decoding the 9600bps simulcast control channel.
Question #2 - Does anyone know if RadioShack still services PRO-96s? I know that the CPU upgrade requires a trip back to a service center and the CPU board to be replaced. Are replacement boards still available? How about an estimate on the repair cost? I'm thinking a repair/upgrade of the PRO-96 would be less expensive than a new radio, if reasonable success can be expected with a newer CPU.
Question #3 - what's the possibility of purchasing a replacement CPU board and installing it myself? Is the CPU board separate from the RF section, or does the upgrade require realignment of the RF section?
It would be great to get new rubber grips, a new BNC connector, a new button pad with legible labels, a new volume pot to eliminate the scratchiness. But if I could purchase the CPU board and save some $, I might take that option.
Any information regarding these questions is appreciated.