GeddyLeeFan, I'm getting a sense that you are frustrated with the Pro-197 and that you feel that RadioShack took advantage of you. While I agree new radios can be a lot to handle, I do not agree with you that RadioShack did you wrong. I want to help and I am going to answer some questions you have.
Was the new scanner the same model as the broken one?
No it was not. You made it very clear that you purchased the Pro-197 after RadioShack offered you a deal.
The one that I sent in and never received was a 2096. RS told me it was discontinued and the closest model to it would be the 197.
I understand you sent in a Pro-2096 to the repair center. Did RadioShack tell you they lost your radio? If not, my only guess to why they offered you deal on the new radio was because the parts needed to fix the old radio were no longer made, or exceeded the costs of purchasing the new radio.
Also, the Pro-2096 was discontinued in 2009 and the Pro-197 was the direct
replacement for it
The 2096 was programmed for me exactly the way I wanted.
It sounds like you know everything that you want to listen to, and had the 2096 monitoring what you wanted. There is noting the Pro-2096 can do that the Pro-197 can't.
With this new 197, Radio Shack programmed it and yes it has El Paso County freqs but I don't know exactly what's in it.
I fully understand the daunting task of learning the new radio by trying to follow the instruction manual. Did the store program it for you, or are you relying on what came "pre-loaded" in it? You can use the display of the radio to view its programming.
In order for it to be programmed similarly to my 2096 I now have to purchase the cable and software????
While you might feel you need a computer to program the radio, this isn't true. Is it easier and faster to program the radio with a scanner? Absolutely! It sounds like you desire the easier and faster route, solve the problem then.
Does this seem right to you? If you know someone who went through this, were they able to get RS to pay for new cable and software (since the 2096 and 197 don't use the same things)?
I know of several people who have had the same thing happen, and some of them already had what they needed to program the radio and some of them had to upgrade their software and cable (the 2096 used a serial programming cable at first, then the USB cable came out that can program both radios), however, most of them didn't have the desire to program the radio themselves. They acquired help from others just like you did with your 2096.
Also, did RS pay for a programmer, because I sure as heck can't do any of this.
No they did not because it is not needed. The 2096 didn’t come with any software, why do you expect the 197 to? If you cannot do it alone, ask for help. We all did at one point to learn too!
To summarize: i had to pay for the 197 and never saw my 2096 again; the 2096 was programmed specifically for me by a local person who had a 2096; now I have the 197 but no cable, no software, no spreadsheet, and no one to load the freqs for me unless I pay for all of it. Can you give me suggestions please? I appreciate all of your answers!
Here is my suggestion as you asked. From what I read, you had a broke radio that you wanted fixed. You brought the 2096 to RadioShack to get fixed and for whatever reason, this did not happen. The next step was to invest in a new better radio, yet, you need help making it work like your old one. Reach out the members of this website for help. There are several people in the Springs area that should be able to help you. Heck, if you drive Denver, I would meet with you and work with you to get the radio programmed. But for people to help you, you need to help us. Come up with a list of the agencies you want to monitor. Heck, you can even research this info here on the site and write down all the talk groups or frequencies you wish to monitor.
I hope you want to learn how to program it yourself and duplicate the success you had with the 2096. If so, get the USB cable. Download Win500 and use it free for 30 days, if you like it, purchase it. There is a possibility that someone can email you a Win500 file, and then upload it into your scanner.
Don't dig up a 974 day old thread and expect the solution you desire. If you do want help with your radio, start a NEW thread specifically asking for the help you would like. Good Luck!