Pro-97 - Newbie needs help

[sfleuriet]

I have a Pro-97 on the way via UPS. This is my first scanner, and I have very limited knowledge about them! I'm very proficient with computers and most electronics though, so I think I will pick up on it rather quickly. I have been browsing this board already and picked up a few things by reading the PDF manual, but I still need some help.

I live in McLennan County TX. I've found many sites with frequency lists, but are those guaranteed to still be active and accurate? I'd like my scanner to scan the surrounding towns of Waco, Lorena, Hewitt, Woodway, Robinson, Bellmead, etc. Is it possible to program it manually (without spending 6 weeks on it), or should I just go ahead and buy the $30 USB cable? I read there is a much cheaper serial cable - does anybody know where I could buy one of those?

Also - the scanner I bought has been used a few times before, so I assume there are already many frequencies stored in it from their County/State. Is there a way to wipe it clean and start over?

Any tips (or links of useful pages to read) would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[DaveIN]

Check out the Wiki: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Pro-97

Win97 (or ScanCat lite Plus) AND the programming cable is what you need in order to program the Pro-97 via computer if you do not want to do so by hand.

http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win97/default.asp
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Pro-97#Programming_Cables

Your in luck as far as frequency and trunked information. Check out the database: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=2677

 

[xpawel15x]

Yes, you can manually enter any frequencies. I have the Pro-97 and I never used the programming cable, I only program my scanner manually, it's a little more time consuming, but it's easy. It will be all in the manual book for you. Just look for "Storing known frequencies into channels"

Yes, you can reset the scanner's memory by pressing a few keys at once while it's turning on. This will be in your manual too.

Good Luck,

 

[n2mdk]

To initialize the scanner (reset) Turn it on at the startup screen press 0 then 1 then ENT and wait for it to initialize.

With the amount you want to program in it's best to get the cable, Win97 and a premium subscription the this website. That then allows you to download the info from the database directly into the software, Win97, and then upload it into the scanner.
It's always good to be able to program the radios by hand but if the systems are large and you want things like the TGID Alpha Tags the software and cable are the way to go.

You might find an old serial programming cable on eBay but well it's eBay.

Easier to read manual http://myweb.cableone.net/marksscanners/97/97.html
Programming Shortcuts http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Programming_Shortcut_Pro-97

Avoid ScanCat lite plus or otherwise like the plague.

 

[sfleuriet]

Thanks for the replies.

I found, on this site, where someone posted a link to this MUCH easier to read Manual. I've been reading it for the last 15-20 minutes and already feel more confident about it. (Already printed it out also! lol) http://myweb.cableone.net/marksscanners/97/97.html

I have seen that Radio Reference list, and plan to use it. I've found many other extensive lists though - many businesses and other organizations. Is it common for PD's, FD's, etc to CHANGE frequencies? Is it just as easy to tune into the frequency, determine if it's still active, and go from there?

 

[xpawel15x]

Yes PD's and FD's change freqs but not very often. Most stay with the same frequency for many years. The database on this website should be updated so don't worry about that. Just tune in the freqs you want and you should hear something.

 

[sfleuriet]

Yes PD's and FD's change freqs but not very often. Most stay with the same frequency for many years. The database on this website should be updated so don't worry about that. Just tune in the freqs you want and you should hear something.

Ok great- thanks.

I can clearly see the advantage of buying the software and cable, but what is the advantage of buying the Premium Subscription to this site?

 

[n2mdk]

If the PD, FD etc is very small it's possible to switch frequencies, if your talking about sizeable organizations then no not really. The best place to look for the frequencies is right here on the database, http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=2677
and ask questions in the Texas regional forum
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=19

 

[xpawel15x]

Ok great- thanks.

I can clearly see the advantage of buying the software and cable, but what is the advantage of buying the Premium Subscription to this site?

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

 

[n2mdk]

Ok great- thanks.

I can clearly see the advantage of buying the software and cable, but what is the advantage of buying the Premium Subscription to this site?

Using the software itself to download the info from the database directly into the software, and one thing I tend to forget to mention, supporting this website.

 

[sfleuriet]

Sounds good - I may look into that later on.

The only cable I could find to actually buy through the links on the Wiki page was $29.99 just like the Radio Shack one. I guess I'll just stick with the $29.99 USB radio shack cable. Does anybody actually still sell the older serial cables, or are they obsolete?

 

[sfleuriet]

Has anybody tried these replacement knobs? Are the stock knobs really that difficult to use?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...ordsPerPage=50&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&fvi=1

 

[br0adband]

It's not that the default knobs are difficult to use (at least to me), it's that they tend to both turn at the same time so, with replacement ones you may find it easier to turn just one instead of both.

The serial cables are hard to find now (the original ones) but I have one myself. There's a Radio Shack here in Vegas that has like 19 of 'em in stock, the original basic serial cables, and they're only $4.99 each.

I keep thinking that I should grab all of 'em and keep 'em handy for people could use one and sell 'em off for a small profit + shipping to those who can still use 'em. The USB version tends to be more popular because actual DB-9 serial ports are disappearing from computers in this day and age.

This is what I'm talking about:

That's what I use with my Pro-97 and Win97 without issues. I use not only the real DB-9 serial port on my older Gigabyte motherboard, but I also have one of these:

http://www.keyspan.com/products/usa19hs/

and it works great also. Even has 64 bit drivers for XP x64/Vista x64 too. I use that on some laptops I have in my arsenal that don't have DB-9 serial ports.

 

[emscapt9816]

Has anybody tried these replacement knobs? Are the stock knobs really that difficult to use?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...ordsPerPage=50&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&fvi=1

Get the knobs, they work great!

 

[JESSERABBIT]

I have these knobs on my Kenwood TH-F6a. When I saw a post here ordered two sets from Pac Parts. My oppinion only, they are much better than the stock ones. From the linked ebay site, the comments indicate satisfaction with the seller and the knobs. Kenwood no longer has them in stock.

 

[crawford330]

sfleuriet, I just posted a notification here for anyone looking for the serial cable. PM me and I'll give you the contact information.


C330

 

[sfleuriet]

I actually DO have a Serial (I know it by the name of MIDI game port) plug on my Motherboard!

Yes I just found it in my motherboard manual - it is a DB-9 just like you said.

 

[br0adband]

Found this info at the Yahoo Pro-97 group - it's worth joining, always something useful there in some way - so I'm just reposting it here:

-----------------------------------------------------

Replacement Volume/Squelch Knobs for the Pro-97
Most people find the Volume and Squelch knobs on the Pro-97 to be very inconvenient to use. It is much too easy to turn both knobs at once when only wanting to turn one at a time. You can order knobs for a Kenwood HT that will replace the original Pro-97 knobs and make it much easier to use.

Order from:
Pacific Coast Parts Distributors, Inc.
15024 Staff Court
Gardena, CA 90248

Phone/Fax:
(800) 421-5080
(310) 515-0207
FAX: (800) 782-5747

Order online at:
www.pacparts.com

STOCK #
K29-5150-03 (54 cents)
K29-5159-03 (65 cents)

Note: Despite what it tells you on the web site, they have only been charging $3.00 for Shipping & Handling.

---------------------------------------------------------------

After doing a little research, the knobs mentioned above look like this:

Soooo... the same knobs as the ones from that eBay auction, for a lot less money.

 

[sfleuriet]

Even better - thank you. I will order that now. The $2.95 for First Class shipping of a KNOB (the eBay auction) annoys me

 

[sfleuriet]

Soo... I'm supposed to assume the $11.50 will magically change to $3.00? :-/

I even went through and entered all my information (address, CC, email, etc) and got to the final page - it still said $11.50 for shipping.