Anything New GRE

[InlandAZ]

"Really? No downloads? So what's this all about then?"

As mancow noted - that fixed some bugs in the APCO25 decoding section, it had no impact on the actual radio firmware and would not be able to tweak for rebanding. If there is a fix, it will come with you sending the Pro96/2096 back to RS for a new chip.

Gotcha... your comment didn't reference any specifics... As to rebinding, I'll wait patiently. So far I've only seen speculation.

 

[VintageJon]

Waiting for re-banding before I spend another penny.

Pro-96
Pro-91,
Jon

 

[rdale]

Good idea - as mentioned the GRE's are not user upgradable. Get a Uniden if you want to stay safe...

 

[InlandAZ]

Good idea - as mentioned the GRE's are not user upgradable. Get a Uniden if you want to stay safe...

You've peak'd my interest - I can't locate anything other that firmware upgrades for them, which appear to be no different than Radio Shack’s updates.

Can you provide a link? I'd like to peruse it, just to see what the differences are.

 

[rdale]

"I can't locate anything other that firmware upgrades for them"

The Uniden downloads actually change the way the radio operates, adding new functions (like the fire tone-out operation which changed dramatically), fixing minor bugs (the Detroit P25 implicit operations) and/or tweaking the digital decoder.

The RS downloads ONLY affect the digital decoder.

- Rob

 

[InlandAZ]

But you haven't provided anything that states Radio Shack can't - DSP 1.2 added CQPSK support (which the radio wasn't initially designed to decode) - sort of sounds like it changed the way it operates to me.

I'm betting I'll be using the radio for years to come -

 

[rdale]

"But you haven't provided anything that states Radio Shack can't"

Did you remember that when they found a talkgroup bug in the 44xxx range, you had to send the radio back in for a new CPU? Talkgroup lockout bug? Had to send the radio back for a new CPU too...

"DSP 1.2 added CQPSK support (which the radio wasn't initially designed to decode)"

Again - I suppose you can say all of us are lying. CQPSK support is in the DIGITAL DECODING, not the radio's operation. RS scanners have to be sent back to change the radio's operation.

- Rob

 

[InlandAZ]

Again - I suppose you can say all of us are lying. CQPSK support is in the DIGITAL DECODING, not the radio's operation. RS scanners have to be sent back to change the radio's operation.

- Rob

That's not the intent, honest - but I'd sure like to see a definitive "The PRO-96/2096 can't be operationally updated via firmware updates" link from one of the OEM's.

I'm not much of a "Radio Guy" - I'm more of a scanner hobbyist. So to answer your question, no I don't remember having to send the radio in for a TG bug (I'm not affected, nor did I own one at the time).

I suppose I'll have to take the wait and see approach - in the mean time I'll just keep on scanning and deal with rebanding when it gets here.

 

[pro92b]

No Radio Shack scanner is capable of firmware updating. It must always be done at the factory by either replacing the CPU or the entire logic board. The only user update ever offered is for the PRO-96 DSP chip. Rob is correct.

 

[InlandAZ]

No Radio Shack scanner is capable of firmware updating. It must always be done at the factory by either replacing the CPU or the entire logic board. The only user update ever offered is for the PRO-96 DSP chip. Rob is correct.

So if I understand both of you correctly - the entire CPU (all functions, lock stock and barrel) in a Uniden scanner are flashable. In other words you can download and update (and I'll make this part up) CPU Version 1.0 to CPU version 1.4... (not just the DSP code).

I'd imagine there are still some physical limitations that can't be addressed in software/firmware - but, it still sounds like a nice touch.

It’ll be interesting – not sure when rebanding is going to affect us here locally. But, I’m fairly certain that both companies will do what they can to please their customers. Either way, I'll just scanning until I can't - and then buy another one just like I've done for the last 30 years).

 

[cristisphoto]

Search UNiden.com and then their support..

I Upgraded the Firmware my self from The Uniden.com
Look under support
It took a whole of ,maybe ten seconds ..
Unlike Radioshck where you have too send it in and wait untill gets bak which could be weeks

UNIDEN IS THE SUperior ScANER PERIOD LOL
Though I LOVE my Pro 97...
Crista

 

[John_M]

Lets hope that future RS offerings will be firmware upgradeable.

 

[scnnr]

Lets hope that future RS offerings will be firmware upgradeable.

That is what I am hoping also John. :wink:

I have decided that I will stick with what I have for now 96/2096 and the 97. I also still have a couple of old First generation Uniden Trunk Trackers around but are never used.

I take it that none of the 1rst stage rebanding States have been set up or been testing yet?

 

[VintageJon]

Not wanting to wade into a sticky-mess, but as I understand it my Pro96 will reband with my Win96 with no problem...
(Of course we must wait for re-banding to occur to be sure...)

The 95 and 97 series MUST be returned to the factory, as I understand it...

My poor little 91 is now assigned to Marine for cruises, Air, MilAir, Ham, Weather and it seems to be good for those. 96 is Apco25 dedicated here in Austin.

73's,
Jon

 

[InlandAZ]

Not wanting to wade into a sticky-mess, but as I understand it my Pro96 will reband with my Win96 with no problem...
(Of course we must wait for re-banding to occur to be sure...)

The 95 and 97 series MUST be returned to the factory, as I understand it...

My poor little 91 is now assigned to Marine for cruises, Air, MilAir, Ham, Weather and it seems to be good for those. 96 is Apco25 dedicated here in Austin.

73's,
Jon

I think you hit the nail on the head - no one really knows what rebanding will bring to either camp, at the moment it's just pure speculation. I don't personally see it as a big deal.

In all probability new technologies will be introduced that render either of the current choices inoperable. It’s just the way things go sometimes.

 

[rdale]

"In all probability new technologies will be introduced that render either of the current choices inoperable."

Possibility - sure. Probable - no way.

 

[InlandAZ]

"In all probability new technologies will be introduced that render either of the current choices inoperable."

Possibility - sure. Probable - no way.

:0

I donno - I've spent the last 30 years trying to keep up with technologies.

 

[tspainiv]

Radio shacks comments on rebanding...."This information is in development. At this time (August 1, 2005), the PRO-96 and the PRO-2096 scanners are upgradeable."

"• Replacement: This includes scanners that will not work with the new frequency allocations and cannot be upgraded.

• Flash upgrade: This refers to scanners that can work with the new frequency allocations after a flash upgrade.

• Reprogramming: This refers to newer scanners that can work with the new frequency allocations without needing an upgrade. They will simply need to be reprogrammed when the frequencies change.

The first change in frequencies is currently expected to occur in Spring 2006. We are working to determine which of our scanners can be upgraded and to have in place the flash upgrades for those scanners prior to this time."

I take it from this that if your scanner needs to be flash upgraded, then it will have to be either sent in, or maybe they will have some way of doing it in store.

Here's the link.... http://tinyurl.com/92fwn