Am I in way over my head?

[24Cygnusx1]

I purchased a Whistler WS1040 and just got it delivered. I've gone through video tutorials and read the manual. I haven't used a scanner in ages. The last time I used one was in 1987. Used to be, you bought a frequency guidebook from RadioShack and entered in a corresponding frequency into the gosh-darned thing and bam, it worked.

Now, there's analog, digital, trunked, conventional, global, talk groups and holy-cow!!

Anyway, I've tried to manually setup my local Police and Fire in my city. I used the RadioReference Database to locate my state, county and city. I've entered the frequencies into the scanner and and began to scan. I don't know if it's working and nothing is being received, or if it's not working. I don't know if I have the channel set to the right selections when I entered the info. And now I've got a headache getting frustrated. With all the advancement in technology, it sure didn't get easier from the 80's and just entering a frequency.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Please check the threads in the post I linked to, read them, get programming software if you don't have any, and read the easier to read version of the manual. After that if you have questions or specific issues you have a question about please come back and ask.

WS1040: - WS1040, ready to return or throw out the window😩😩

Received this handheld scanner for Christmas and I have tried everything to get this thing going! No step by step instructions anywhere. I have paid $30 to join one site and $35 to get a key, never seen on offer for a free trial. It is driving me crazy and making me very ill with others...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[trentbob]

You could say you are in over your head but... Your radio was designed and developed 15 years ago and rebranded a few times. Using a computer and the proper software you can program your radio as long as it covers the systems you want to hear, something you should have researched before buying the radio.

Despite its age, as long as it covers your systems it's a nice radio and relatively easy to program using a computer. You just have to change with the times. Plenty of good people here to help you.

 

[hiegtx]

I purchased a Whistler WS1040 and just got it delivered. I've gone through video tutorials and read the manual. I haven't used a scanner in ages. The last time I used one was in 1987. Used to be, you bought a frequency guidebook from RadioShack and entered in a corresponding frequency into the gosh-darned thing and bam, it worked.

Now, there's analog, digital, trunked, conventional, global, talk groups and holy-cow!!

Anyway, I've tried to manually setup my local Police and Fire in my city. I used the RadioReference Database to locate my state, county and city. I've entered the frequencies into the scanner and and began to scan. I don't know if it's working and nothing is being received, or if it's not working. I don't know if I have the channel set to the right selections when I entered the info. And now I've got a headache getting frustrated. With all the advancement in technology, it sure didn't get easier from the 80's and just entering a frequency.

In addition, if you would indicate your location (city or county, and the state), we could give you more help in either programming the systems in your area, or advising if some are beyond the capabilities of your scanner.

 

[24Cygnusx1]

Thank you for the greetings to the forum. Just to let you all know, I’m not lazy or looking for the easy path, I guess I just didn’t realize how much has changed since I last scanned. Also, as for my reasons for purchasing this scanner, and also a mobile cb, there’s too much craziness happening in the country and I feel if anything goes down that I’d be able to stay informed and in contact.

I live in Middlesex county, Spotswood NJ.

 

[tvengr]

It is far faster and easier using programming software. For your scanner, there is ARC500, Win500, and PSREdit500. Each one has a free trial period. There have been problems getting the keys for Win500. I prefer Butel ARC500. ARC500 Basic is all you need to program your scanner. Let us know your city, county, and state before purchasing software so that we can determine if your scanner is capable of what you want it to do.

 

[peteymcsweety]

mcsweetyjoey@gmail.com i live in cinti ohio tell me what counties you want and agencies and ill do it for you you just pay shipping

 

[tvengr]

I live in Middlesex county, Spotswood NJ.

Middlesex County is moving to a P25 Phase 2 system which the WS1040 cannot receive. The 1040 is capable of P25 Phase 1 only. There are some conventional frequencies you may be able to use for the time being. You can get State Police on the NJICS system. Middlesex County Trunking System, Middlesex County, New Jersey - Scanner Frequencies (radioreference.com) ---- Middlesex County, New Jersey (NJ) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference (radioreference.com) ---- New Jersey Interoperability Communications System (NJICS) Trunking System, Statewide, Multi-State - Scanner Frequencies (radioreference.com)

 

[RaleighGuy]

mcsweetyjoey@gmail.com i live in cinti ohio tell me what counties you want and agencies and ill do it for you you just pay shipping

Why can't you do the programming and send him the file? He can get the demo version of the software and load it himself.

 

[peteymcsweety]

Why can't you do the programming and send him the file? He can get the demo version of the software and load it himself.

Does radio use sd card because i could program sd card and all you would need to do is put it in

 

[trentbob]

Just want to say to the poster. If you bought this radio from a reputable dealer and you have a money back guarantee for 30 days I would advise you to return the radio, it cannot be programmed with the system's that you need, it's as simple as that. It is a fifteen-year-old radio it does not cover Phase 2. I live right on the other side of the river from Trenton New Jersey and worked there for 35 years as a newspaperman for The Trentonian.

If you live in Spotswood, Middlesex County you need a phase 2 capable radio, oh, it's as simple as that. You may be able to listen to some stuff but you're going to want the New Jersey interop system. The state police have moved over including the turnpike and the parkway, many agencies are in the process or planning to move over to that system. Your county is Phase 2... Check out the data provided for you above from the database..

Depending on who you bought the radio from you may not have to pay a restocking fee just because you picked the wrong radio, you didn't know. You're not returning it because it doesn't work right you're returning it because it doesn't cover what you want.

Unfortunately it's happening to a lot of people. I loved that radio that you have and used it through 2007 up to 2010, it was originally made by GRE and was called a PSR 500. Great radio in its day but it just doesn't pick up today's systems like Phase 2, DMR, and nxdn.

Sorry to give you the bad news but no one is going to be able to program what you want to hear.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Does radio use sd card because i could program sd card and all you would need to do is put it in

WS1040 does not use an SD card it uses software as @tvengr pointed out in post #6. But that brings up the question how would u program a scanner you are not familiar with? I hope OP turns to someone more experienced to help.

 

[trentbob]

I hope the o p returns the radio and upgrades to something that will work in his County and State.

 

[24Cygnusx1]

Thanks for all the posts and all the info. I am going to return it. I will look into getting one that covers what I need. And thank you for the programming offer, but I was serious that I'm not looking for the easy way. If scanning has changed that much, I should become familiar with being able to understand the different systems and what they do... just to prevent future confusion.

I'm assuming radioreference has info on these different systems. So if anyone can point me to some posts, that would be great! Again thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[trentbob]

There is a link to the database on post number 8, it gives you all of the information for Middlesex County and the New Jersey interop system. Unfortunately just because scanners say they are Phase 2 capable doesn't mean that they are able to handle simulcast distortion secondary to linear simulcast modulation. It's been a problem for about five or six years since these new systems have come into play.

There are only two scanners that handle simulcast distortion properly but are expensive. They will work on your Phase 2 county system and state system which you also need. Look up the Uniden SDS 100 and 200.

This is the Whistler Forum so we're not going to talk about it here.