Pro-97 and Signal Stalker

[Shadwbaby]

I must be doing something wrong. When I picked up my Pro-97, which was bought used, the first thing I did was reset the scanner, so, I could program it with what I wanted, and life was good.

I was excited to have the Signal Stalker feature, however, I've never had it stop on a freq. Never, it scans and scans, but never picks anything up. I can put it in normal scanning mode, and hear stuff fine, but Signal Stalker doesn't stalk too well.

Any suggestions?

 

[wmbio]

The stalker function only works very close, a couple of hundred feet to an unknown transmit frequency, in other words you have to be close enough to the transmitted signal to blow your socks off before stalker will lock on.

wmbio

 

[gmclam]

What antenna do you have connected? The stock rubber antenna? If so, as mentioned, you'll need a STRONG signal to be caught by SignalStalker. I have an outdoor antenna (and one on my vehicle) and that allows SignalStalker to pick up more "distant" signals.

Note: Don't confuse SignalStalker with the SEARCH function.

 

[N4JNW]

Yeah, I'll agree with the above posts. SignalStalker is designed for use at sporting events, in shopping malls, stuff like that. When you can physically SEE the radio and/or antenna with your own eyes, then SignalStalker usually can lock onto it.

I just use that as a general rule of thumb.

 

[BaLa]

best way to test i it works..
Key up a radio close to it, an old FRS radio will do the trick.

also remember it has to be set for the right band/frequency..

 

[spitnsand]

IS the distance thing the same for the 83

I just got a pro83 and was wondering if the signal stalker function worked the same i knew it was that on the 97 but cant find anything in manulal on the 83 for it

 

[wannabescannist]

SignalStalker doesn't work too well for me...it stops on lots of frequencies which I ultimately lock-out. Chicago must be a dense city or something

 

[gmclam]

SignalStalker doesn't work too well for me...it stops on lots of frequencies which I ultimately lock-out. Chicago must be a dense city or something

Remember the source has to be fairly strong or close. It is likely that those signals the scanner stops on are being generated by electronics in your home. PCs, routers, and other devices all emit RF energy. I get interference from the controller on my Jacuzzi if I am too close to it.

 

[DaveIN]

I just got a pro83 and was wondering if the signal stalker function worked the same i knew it was that on the 97 but cant find anything in manulal on the 83 for it

The PRO-83 uses Signal Stalker I and the PRO-97 uses Signal Stalker II: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Signal_stalker

 

[chgomonitor]

Signal Stalker

Signal Stalker works much, much better on my pro-97 when using rechargeable batteries. Must be some voltage issue with disposable cells.

 

[gmclam]

PRO-97 batteries ...

Signal Stalker works much, much better on my pro-97 when using rechargeable batteries. Must be some voltage issue with disposable cells.

That seems like backwards logic to me. While typical (alkaline) AA batteries are 1.5 volts per cell, most rechargeables are 1.20 volts per cell. I've been able to get longer run-time by using rechargeables that are 1.25 volts per cell. SSII works the same for me whether powered by AC, DC or batteries.

 

[loumaag]

Remember the source has to be fairly strong or close. It is likely that those signals the scanner stops on are being generated by electronics in your home. PCs, routers, and other devices all emit RF energy. I get interference from the controller on my Jacuzzi if I am too close to it.

In addition to the above, another big RFI problem in homes today are unterminated or leaking TV cable signals.

 

[brandonk]

I bought a pro-97 and signal stalker doesn't pick up anything even with an upgraded antenna. I was wondering if there was any programming involved or if it is suppose to work right out of the box. Can anyone help?

 

[gmclam]

Signal Stalker II

I bought a pro-97 and signal stalker doesn't pick up anything even with an upgraded antenna. I was wondering if there was any programming involved or if it is suppose to work right out of the box. Can anyone help?

Generally speaking it works right out of the box. Once you've activated SSII, you'll typically want to (de)select the sub bands it is testing.

 

[Septa3371CSX1]

The only thing I tend to pick up on Signal Stalker is scratchy stuff and Channel 17 (mainly in the 489 range - which would the picture). I have been able to pick up other stuff like one time I picked up a fire truck responding and in a few moments I saw it rush on by.

 

[SAR923]

I use mine all the time for things like ballparks and concerts. Just let signal stalker go through the 461 to 468 Mhz frequencies and it always finds the operational channels. I can easily pick up any signal within about half a mile. If yours doesn't do this, it's defective and needs to returned or repaired.

 

[awattam]

I was having exactly the same problem with Signal Stalker II on my PRO-97. I was getting absolutely nothing with it. I read about somebody sticking the scanner in the car with an car mounted antenna and driving round town for an hour or so. So after 19 months of dissapointment, I did the same. I just threw my `mini sputnik' antenna from Radio Shack on the back seat, connected a cable and off I went. Sure enough in a few minutes the thing crackled to life and it started finding frequencies. Nothing exciting, mostly bleeps and bloops. When I got near a railroad yard the thing really started talking. I did find that you need to be able to see the transmitter for this to work.

 

[awattam]

This works...

Somebody in another forum suggested adjusting the squelch to a normal position ie just after it stops hissing on frequenices that you have already programmed. and the Signal Stalker works great. I had mine set too high.