Blind Scanner Enthusiast Wishing To Upgrade From Pro-96

[pdevasto]

Hi,

This is my first post, although I've been a RadioReference member for several years now. I've had a Pro-96 since late 2003, but I know technology is changing rapidly and I'm thinking to upgrade so I can better do things like receive frequencies in the New FM (NFM) mode. My concern is that after reading reports about the new Pro-106 on ScannerMaster's web site, I'm doubting that as a blind person I'd be able to work with it because it appears to be so totally menu-driven. So, my question is, is this a valid concern, or are there ways to get around the menus maybe by shortcuts from the keypad or something? If I'm right that there's no way other than menus, is there a slightly older handheld scanner that I might be able to find that perhaps could be upgraded to accomodate NFM? Finally, and this I know is a very long shot, I'm wondering if anyone has given thought to this issue? I love my Pro-96, and have even found some software that I've used very successfully with the special screen reading programs I use on my computer to program it. The interface with the RR database has been particularly very wonderful.

I do appreciate any thoughts or ideas anyone might have, and apologize in advance if this forum might not be the right place for such a question.

Pete De Vasto

 

[SCPD]

I don't know how hands on you are with your scanners but if you would want me to program any radio for you i would be more than happy to help you.

 

[Squad10]

If your issue is using the small buttons and display on the PRO 96, have you considered adding a touch screen to the computer monitor that displays the software you use to program/operate?

Touch screens come in a many sizes (24 inches and smaller) and are easy to add to a monitor. Touch screen controllers are offered in both USB and RS232. They are very accurate after using a calibration proceedure.

Here is the link to ELO: Touch screen monitors, touchscreens, kiosk touchmonitors, LCD touch monitors, touch computers - Elo TouchSystems - Tyco Electronics

I suggest looking at the AccuTouch 5-wire resistive product.

 

[StinkyB]

I programmed a Pro-106 for a blind person, he could work the scanner great, but he needed help with the programming.

 

[NE1C4NSC4N]

Hello Pete, I don't know if your set on radio shack scanners, and there certainly isn't anything wrong with them, I have a 96 myself, but maybe you want to take a look at Uniden scanners, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure you could make something work with thier software, and your screen reader program,

Or if your savy with computers, maybe you could make something on your own. I know I have seen some of the information posted right on thier website about source code, or command codeing or similar, and they have the Online Control already, which is sending the information to the PC to be displayed on screen.

Maybe some of the guys on here could help you, or you should even consider calling Uniden directly, maybe they have something already for folks such as yourself. Its worth looking into I'm thinking.

 

[N8IAA]

Upgrading from a basic digital scanner such as the 96, to a Uniden 396XT, is like going from a car with an auto shift, to driving a semi truck with all the gears and when to shift. The Radio shack 106 and the GRE 500 require limited button pushes to navigate the scanlists. Win500 and PSRedit500 allow the scanner to be controlled via the PC with a large screen. Don't know how vision impaired you are to take this discussion any further. My best consideration is the GRE/RS models.
Larry

 

[04Z1V6]

I would say use a Pro-106 with Win500 there is a monitor/control screen that looks just like the Pro-106 key pad and also a detachable screen that mimics the screen on the 106 and as said below this screen can control the scanner. Win500 and the GRE scanners play with the RR data base well.

 

[dougjgray]

Maybe you could try the Pro-106 Software Win-500 is what I use and get an Idea how it will work for you. There is a import function from the Pro96

 

[NE1C4NSC4N]

Upgrading from a basic digital scanner such as the 96, to a Uniden 396XT, is like going from a car with an auto shift, to driving a semi truck with all the gears and when to shift.

I have a 96 and a 396T, and honestly, they're isnt a whole lot of difference, with exception to the size of the unit, and some small difference's in the software capability.

I actually find my Uniden much easier to work with day to day, not to mention it seems to out-perform my 96 consistantly.

The one thing I was thinking in my post above was the fact that Uniden actually shows a commitment to thier customers, and offers FULL solutions (hardware and software together, designed properly) and he might have better luck finding a solution that would fit his needs, more easily with Uniden, than with RS. Uniden has solutions for thier phones for Sight and Hearing impared, maybe they could offer him something similar with a scanner

If there is software out there for RS scanners that do "online contol" or similar like unidens, then he should be able to make it work with either or..just expect to do more leg work yourself if your dealing with RS.

 

[N8IAA]

If there is software out there for RS scanners that do "online contol" or similar like unidens, then he should be able to make it work with either or..just expect to do more leg work yourself if your dealing with RS.

Yes, there is. It is called Win500 client. It is freeware from DonS. It comes with Win500. It allows you to stream your scanner from a PC to a smartphone running Windows Mobile 5.9 and higher. Win500, as stated in an above post, allows you to operate the scanner on your PC with a much larger screen than the scanner. It also allows you to pin just a screen view on the PC's monitor. I did not mean this to be a battle over types of scanners. Uniden has a fine line of scanners, and I have owned quite a few. On the 106/500, one does not have to push the volume knob, then the function key, then the number key, to manuver around the 20 scanlists like is neccessary on the Unidens.
Just trying to help a fellow scannist,
Larry

 

[pdevasto]

I programmed a Pro-106 for a blind person, he could work the scanner great, but he needed help with the programming.

I'm glad to know that it might be possible for a blind person to run the Pro-106. My question is how does he choose which group of frequencies he wants to listen to, since that part is apparently menu-driven too?

I'm not too concerned about programming, I would first hopefully be able to get demo copies of any software to make sure it works well with my screen readers, and if I had too much difficulty I'm sure I could get help. thanks, by the way, to the couple of you who offered programming help if it got that far!

And thanks to all who have replied so far!
Pete

 

[StinkyB]

Scan Lists

I'm glad to know that it might be possible for a blind person to run the Pro-106. My question is how does he choose which group of frequencies he wants to listen to, since that part is apparently menu-driven too?

I'm not too concerned about programming, I would first hopefully be able to get demo copies of any software to make sure it works well with my screen readers, and if I had too much difficulty I'm sure I could get help. thanks, by the way, to the couple of you who offered programming help if it got that far!

And thanks to all who have replied so far!
Pete

I just gave a descriptipn of each scan list to his wife, which he had input on what he wanted in each list, he learned what each scan list was from her, he knew how to activate/deactivate each scan list. He was really sharp on the locations of each button on the scanner, and it's function. He called me recently, and aksed some questions, I was going to update his scanner, but my flash drive went bad, and I lost my backup files including his. I have to redownload them from my scanner, and redo his. The amazing thing I did not teach him anything about the scanner functions, I guess he learned how with the help of his wife and the user manual. So it's possible, Do not give up!

 

[pdevasto]

I missed these later posts when I did the earlier one today, so sorry for a second post so quickly:

Larry, you're really closer to the track of my concerns when you're talking about how to maneuver through scan lists on the Uniden vs the RS units. Programming the scanner isn't going to be a problem I don't think: I'm an Accessibility Quality Engineer at a major software company and am very confortable figuring out how I can use new applications.

What I'm concerned about is something like this: Say I'm on the go somewhere and I'm listening to a group of aircraft frequencies, then I want to turn tail and go to a different group, say fire and PD. With my Pro-96 I can go into scan mode, and enter the number of the new bank I want to scan. What I'm seeing in these new scanners is that there's no such thing as "banks" anymore, and to switch to a different group of frequencies I have to go through a menu system, which I'm not going to be able to do not seeing the screen. I think there was a guy named Danny who posted about having helped a blind person program a 106 and he also said the blind person could work the scanner great once it was programmed. So how can you do this if you can't see the screen? I hope this doesn't sound weird and I hope it's not offensive to anyone, but it would be interesting to know how far one could get with the 106 if you tried changing scan lists with your eyes closed. And maybe the Uniden scanners would do better that way, I just don't know and also don't want to make a $450-$500 mistake.

Thanks again, everyone, it is so wonderful to know there are helpful people out there...

Yes, there is. It is called Win500 client. It is freeware from DonS. It comes with Win500. It allows you to stream your scanner from a PC to a smartphone running Windows Mobile 5.9 and higher. Win500, as stated in an above post, allows you to operate the scanner on your PC with a much larger screen than the scanner. It also allows you to pin just a screen view on the PC's monitor. I did not mean this to be a battle over types of scanners. Uniden has a fine line of scanners, and I have owned quite a few. On the 106/500, one does not have to push the volume knob, then the function key, then the number key, to manuver around the 20 scanlists like is neccessary on the Unidens.
Just trying to help a fellow scannist,
Larry

 

[whiterabbit_medic]

Larry with the pro-106 when you program it you set up scan lists the main difference between these lists and the banks you are used to in your 96 is that there is no limit of frequencies you can put into them. You can set it up in programming that if you press #1 then it turns on scan list one that could have your entire air band on it, then you could press 2 and have all your fire and ems with out having to go into any menu's. The access to scan list is basically the same as it was to access banks with your pro 96

 

[StinkyB]

Scan lists

Larry with the pro-106 when you program it you set up scan lists the main difference between these lists and the banks you are used to in your 96 is that there is no limit of frequencies you can put into them. You can set it up in programming that if you press #1 then it turns on scan list one that could have your entire air band on it, then you could press 2 and have all your fire and ems with out having to go into any menu's. The access to scan list is basically the same as it was to access banks with your pro 96

Thanks for clarifying that, I think of the scan list setup is like variable size banks, you can make them different sizes, you can make the whole working memory 1 scan list if you want, you are limited to 20 scanlists though, but they can be of varying sizes. The guy I programmed for just knew what scan list was for what, I guess he could tell what the difference by what he heard if he had more than one scan list active. Not sure how he did it.

 

[N8IAA]

What I'm concerned about is something like this: Say I'm on the go somewhere and I'm listening to a group of aircraft frequencies, then I want to turn tail and go to a different group, say fire and PD. With my Pro-96 I can go into scan mode, and enter the number of the new bank I want to scan. I have to go through a menu system, which I'm not going to be able to do not seeing the screen. I hope this doesn't sound weird and I hope it's not offensive to anyone, but it would be interesting to know how far one could get with the 106 if you tried changing scan lists with your eyes closed. And maybe the Uniden scanners would do better that way, I just don't know and also don't want to make a $450-$500 mistake.

Thanks again, everyone, it is so wonderful to know there are helpful people out there...

Once you learn where the buttons are, going through the first ten scanlists is just pressing the number keys-1-0, to turn scanlists 1-10, on and off. The function button is located on the front of the scanner, when pushing it, and a number key, you go to the next ten scanlists-11-20. Considering one has over 1800 objects that are programmable, you would have to have really large systems with a lot of TGID's to fill the scanner up. I wish that the scanner industry would make talking modules to assist in programming like the amateur radio manufacturers have. All conventional objects, including trunked systems (TSYS) can be located in multiple scanlists. This is just some of the reasons I chose the 106.
HTH,
Larry

 

[NE1C4NSC4N]

I did not mean this to be a battle over types of scanners.

Same here N8IAA, sorry if it seemed I was battleing, I think it was late when I posted, I just wanted to give him my input/help, and I didnt think the Uniden's were much harder like you kinda had made them sound, I actually found the 96 the harder of the 2. Sorry dude

Pete, it sounds like you would have no problem working with any of the brands of scanners, and as whiterabbit mentioned, unidens certainly still have banks, and can be used easily, with the right setup. I hope you find something that works for you. Maybe chech out the for sale area forum for a used unit to save some cash. GL

 

[whiterabbit_medic]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330m/4.5.0.127 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/106)

Just for clarity I miss labeled my post directed at lary it was a general post in reply to Pete sorry if any offend

 

[N8IAA]

Same here N8IAA, sorry if it seemed I was battleing, I think it was late when I posted, I just wanted to give him my input/help, and I didnt think the Uniden's were much harder like you kinda had made them sound, I actually found the 96 the harder of the 2. Sorry dude GL

No apology neccessary. The DMA memory of the Unidens is similar, but different than the GRE/RS scanners. I put that disclaimer in there so no one would think I was predjudiced to Uniden. My old 96 was one of the easiest digital/analog scanners to program compared to my old Pro-90 and BC245. Then I started pulling my hair out with the 106. Didn't understand the setup for the objects. Then I saw that I could import a Win96 file to Win500. Man, what a difference It made my day over 1.5 years ago.
Larry

 

[N8IAA]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8330m/4.5.0.127 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/106)

Just for clarity I miss labeled my post directed at lary it was a general post in reply to Pete sorry if any offend

I knew who you meant
Larry