Just getting caught up here. I am going to check the Model/Ser number. I am pretty sure it is the 246. I would love to meet the person who designed the programming on this... at least doing it manually has to be a nightmare. But it is so small and portable... like I said I just velcro-ed it to the console in my Honda Accord, power from cigar lighter and I attached a small antenna behind my TomTom on the dash. I would like to get a digital scanner so I can have Plano, Frisco and Allen (live on the Plano/Frisco line and my wife is with Allen PD) in there as well but not when they are in the $500 range.
Thank you all very much for the feedback and help !!
Howard
Howard,
Does it look like
this? From your "small size" description, that's why I'm thinking 246T. I still have mine as well. Nice small, tuck in your shirt pocket size.
There is a learning curve to the
DMA programming used on the 246 & the scanners introduced after it. But once you get used to it, & grasp the concept, it makes sense. I prefer the DMA to the "
Object Oriented" flavor used by the GRE scanners, but I can do either, or the banks/channels of the older style (though I'm a bit rusty on those).
If you haven't done much with that scanner in a while, did you update the firmware? If not, or if it was not already updated when you got the scanner, then you're missing some of the traffic on the Lewisville system. To check which firmware version is in the scanner, do this:
Press the Menu key (the bottom key on the left edge of the scanner)
From the menu that comes up, choose "See Scanner Info". (If it's a DMA scanner other than the 246, that will say "Settings" instead of 'Scanner Info'.) This is the next to the last item, so if you turn the scroll knob counter-clockwise, you'll get to it quicker than going clockwise.
With 'Scanner Info' (or 'Settings') highlighted, press the "E" (yes) key
Now, scroll to Firmware version & press "E" again.
This will show what version you have. The current firmware (and also the one required for rebanded systems such as Garland & Lewisville) is 2.60.
For programming your scanner, presuming it's the 246 or at least one of the DMA scanners, simplec6 would probably be easier to connect with. I live south of downtown Dallas, though I work near Forest & Central Expwy. If I recall, he lives north of the CBD,
As for digital scanners, currently, the PSR-500 is available under $400
here or
here. (There are other sources as well.) To that price, besides shipping, you would add a set of rechargeable batteries (external charger recommended) and programming software ($35 for Win500 or PSREdit500). GRE includes the pc interface cable (USB) and ac adapter with the scanner.
Radio Shack often puts the
Pro-106 on sale for $299.99 to $329.99, but charges extra for the ac adapter (about $30) and pc cable ($34, though they sometimes give a discount if bought with the scanner). Same software as the PSR-500. Internally, the 106 is identical to the 500. The only significant difference is the front panel arrangement. R/S currently has it "on sale" for
$349.99, but that's on a par with the cost of the PSR-500, so by the time you add the ac adapter & pc cable, the 106 would cost more.
The Uniden BCD396XT can be found in the $450 range, or a little less, at several sources, as can the Home Patrol-1.
All of these scanners, from time to time, show up in the classifieds here on RadioReference, on Amazon, eBay, and elsewhere, so keep your eyes open if you are interested in upgrading.