Pro-97 Re-Banding ?

[Rayjk110]

The RR RadioShack WiKi now says that teh Pro97 IS rebanding upgradeable, but I've read numerous comments from people that it's a "mebey" or "probably not"..


Does anyone have a definitive answer?

 

[DickH]

The RR RadioShack WiKi now says that teh Pro97 IS rebanding upgradeable, but I've read numerous comments from people that it's a "mebey" or "probably not"..
Does anyone have a definitive answer?

I wouldn't rely on anything on WIKI because ANYONE can post ANYTHING there.

 

[KC1UA]

From the Wiki: Rebanding supported? YES However: it appears that the scanner must be returned to a Radio Shack service center for a retrofit logic and display board.

I wouldn't rely on anything on WIKI because ANYONE can post ANYTHING there.

Well, based on that, the same could be said about ANYTHING on ANY site...I think most people add info to the Wiki with good intent, and that the information added is accurate to the best of their ability. Given the knowledge of many here, flagrantly erroneous or bogus information would be eliminated quickly. That it the BEAUTY of the Wiki.

 

[hiegtx]

The RR RadioShack WiKi now says that teh Pro97 IS rebanding upgradeable, but I've read numerous comments from people that it's a "mebey" or "probably not"..


Does anyone have a definitive answer?

Here's what Radio Shack currently has posted on their website.

 

[StinkyB]

Pro-97 Rebanding ?

I E-mailed Radio Shack, this is a copy of what they sent me. This was about two weeks ago.


Thank you for your email, Danny,

RadioShack is continually staying abreast of the 800MHz rebanding
program. We consult with industry experts regularly and are keeping a
close eye on the progress of the entire rebanding effort. Since complete
details of the rebanding protocol are not yet available it is now
obvious that no one can confirm for certain that any scanner can be
updated or adapted after rebanding. Once the first fully rebanded
systems are activated we will be in a much better position to assess the
impact on our 800 MHz scanning receivers.

EDACS and LTR functionality should NOT be affected by rebanding.
Motorola systems operating on frequencies between 851-861 MHz will
likely continue to function JUST FINE before, during and after
rebanding. Motorola systems operating on frequencies between 866-869
MHz, or with a mix of 851-861 MHz and 866-869 MHz frequencies will
likely stop operating correctly during and after rebanding.

The PRO-97 as currently designed will probably NOT be able to handle the
new bandplan for Motorola systems that are currently operating with some
or all of their system channels between 866-869 MHz. These frequencies
will be relocated 15 MHz down to 851-854 MHz, which requires a new 800
MHz trunking bandplan in Motorola trunked radio systems. That bandplan
will not be known until Motorola installs their first few systems and we
get a chance to see what they are doing. The 800 MHz trunking bandplan
is hard coded into the radio's firmware, and cannot be changed by the
end user.

We regret that we could not be of further assistance at this time and
hope to be able to serve you in the future.

In order for us to receive any reply response from you, we would need
you to copy and paste the original email into a new email. Please make
the subject line a new topic. If you click on REPLY in the current
email, any response email may not be forwarded to us.

Thank you,
Carla
RadioShack Product Support Center
cs
http://www.radioshack.com

 

[DickH]

I E-mailed Radio Shack, this is a copy of what they sent me. This was about two weeks ago.

Thank you for your email, Danny, ...

The PRO-97 as currently designed will probably NOT be able to handle the
new bandplan for Motorola systems that are currently operating with some
or all of their system channels between 866-869 MHz. These frequencies
will be relocated 15 MHz down to 851-854 MHz, which requires a new 800
MHz trunking bandplan in Motorola trunked radio systems. That bandplan
will not be known until Motorola installs their first few systems and we
get a chance to see what they are doing. The 800 MHz trunking bandplan
is hard coded into the radio's firmware, and cannot be changed by the
end user. ...

Thank you,
Carla
RadioShack Product Support Center
cs
http://www.radioshack.com

Thanks for posting that RS reply. That confirms my opinion about WIKI.

 

[iMONITOR]

Thanks for posting that RS reply. That confirms my opinion about WIKI.

GiGo (Garbage In, Garbage Out), defined in what else, the WIKI! :wink:

 

[Dubbin]

Thanks for posting that RS reply. That confirms my opinion about WIKI.

But it IS upgradeable once you send it in. The main problem though is that everyone has to send theirs in...

 

[deputyhawk]

I've been saving up for the Pro-97. I'm thinking that I'll just wait until they come out with the ones already setup and updated. Does anyone know when the rebanding is going to happen?

 

[KC1UA]

I've been saving up for the Pro-97. I'm thinking that I'll just wait until they come out with the ones already setup and updated. Does anyone know when the rebanding is going to happen?

Rebanding is in progress in many parts of the country. Check http://www.800ta.org for details.

Regarding the Wiki, anyone has the capability to register as a user, and correct any errors that they see. However, in some cases people clearly would rather ***** about it than do anything about it. Sheesh.

 

[kicktd]

I love how now the wiki is changed to say NO rebanding is not supported but yet that's not what the email states completely. It says in its current form it will not be able to handle the rebanded frequencies but it clearly says they have to get a good look at exactly how Motorola is doing the rebanding before doing anything further. I'd rather wait for this than to get a half done upgrade that breaks M 800Mhz trunking altogether.

 

[icom1020]

But the RS statement is all up in the air as well, when they say "probably" and "some systems". This is different but just as vague as their earlier statement on their website regarding rebanding.

Has the first system in the country been re-banded yet to check this out?

 

[kicktd]

Not sure about that but I agree on it being vague and I think it's your usual CYA policy such as not to say one way or another if they are going to offer an update or not.

 

[UPMan]

About 120 sites have received rebanded licenses, but they are all either EDACS, LTR, or P25, or they are Motorola Analog systems that don't require control channel changes (because they were already all below 861 MHz).

So far, no systems that will require any changes to scanner firmware have been rebanded. I'm sure we'll see messages within minutes of the switch being flipped on one of those systems (when Worcester, MA switched their EDACS system over, I got 4 phone calls within a two-hour period...and that system just needed new frequencies/LCN's entered).

 

[icom1020]

About 120 sites have received rebanded licenses, but they are all either EDACS, LTR, or P25, or they Motorola Analog systems that don't require control channel changes (because they were already all below 861 MHz).

So far, no systems that will require any changes to scanner firmware have been rebanded. I'm sure we'll see messages within minutes of the switch being flipped on one of those systems (when Worcester, MA switched their EDACS system over, I got 4 phone calls within a two-hour period...and that system just needed new frequencies/LCN's entered).

Okay, got that.