considering TRX-1

[FoeHammer]

Im looking at getting the TRX 1 in the future at some point however , the last scanners I have are several generations older , so Its going to be like learning all over again , I think I understand the ability to program system into the radio from the data base on the card ,..however how hard is it to then alter ,..for example it imports a system , but there is frequencies or groups I dont want ,..or I have a list of unpublished frequencies that cannot be imported , how may I enter these into (for lack of a better term ) banks & quick keys that I can select when I wish ,..& with the zip code method ,..I live in Windsor , a border town ,..sometimes I want to listen to Windsor or Essex systems ,..& sometimes Detroit police , Is there an easy way to do that ? & if I travel to Sarnia , there is some rural areas , so If I am in an area & want to hear opp for example ,..how far away .,..or how many counties over ,..will the zip code method work ,..I may be somewhere where I know the OPP has coverage , but not know where or how far away the system is based out of ,..& to anyone that has it , how do you feel about it overall & how is the battery life ,..

 

[troymail]

Im looking at getting the TRX 1 in the future at some point however , the last scanners I have are several generations older , so Its going to be like learning all over again , I think I understand the ability to program system into the radio from the data base on the card ,..however how hard is it to then alter ,..for example it imports a system , but there is frequencies or groups I dont want ,..or I have a list of unpublished frequencies that cannot be imported , how may I enter these into (for lack of a better term ) banks & quick keys that I can select when I wish ,..& with the zip code method ,..I live in Windsor , a border town ,..sometimes I want to listen to Windsor or Essex systems ,..& sometimes Detroit police , Is there an easy way to do that ? & if I travel to Sarnia , there is some rural areas , so If I am in an area & want to hear opp for example ,..how far away .,..or how many counties over ,..will the zip code method work ,..I may be somewhere where I know the OPP has coverage , but not know where or how far away the system is based out of ,..& to anyone that has it , how do you feel about it overall & how is the battery life ,..

Hmmmm...where to start.

You can do programming (add, edit, delete) via the radio keypad.

You can do more detailed programming using the supplied EZ Scan software.

You can add your own stuff (you're not limited to the library on the SD card).

You can pre-program multiple systems,channels, etc. in multiple scanlists and/or V-Folder/V-Scanner configurations that will be stored on the SD card.

You can use zip code programming (not my first choice) and/or import/program systems/scanlists 'on the fly' when traveling via the radio keypad.

Lots of options.

Battery life will depend on lots of factors - type of battery, settings (backlighting, etc.), how much activity there is, how much of it is digital, volume level.... Overall, I think the battery life I get using Eneloops is great.

 

[djeplett]

Im looking at getting the TRX 1 in the future at some point however , the last scanners I have are several generations older , so Its going to be like learning all over again , I think I understand the ability to program system into the radio from the data base on the card ,..however how hard is it to then alter ,..for example it imports a system , but there is frequencies or groups I dont want ,..or I have a list of unpublished frequencies that cannot be imported , how may I enter these into (for lack of a better term ) banks & quick keys that I can select when I wish ,..& with the zip code method ,..I live in Windsor , a border town ,..sometimes I want to listen to Windsor or Essex systems ,..& sometimes Detroit police , Is there an easy way to do that ? & if I travel to Sarnia , there is some rural areas , so If I am in an area & want to hear opp for example ,..how far away .,..or how many counties over ,..will the zip code method work ,..I may be somewhere where I know the OPP has coverage , but not know where or how far away the system is based out of ,..& to anyone that has it , how do you feel about it overall & how is the battery life ,..

I would recommend going to Whistler's website and signing up to download their EZ-Scan software and just play with it. Learn how importing works and how creating new objects works. Then you'll see first-hand how easy or difficult it is for you. If you end up hating it you can go look at the Uniden 436. If you end up liking it you'll have somewhere to start when you pull the trigger and buy a TRX-1.

For me, the TRX-1 has some advantages over the previous generation models, but it also has some disadvantages. The software is not one of them, in my opinion.

 

[Wackyracer]

The software works fine, for those that have not used other similar software you will not notice what they claim it is lacking.

The "prefered" method in the library import section is prefered over the zipcode method as it allows you to pick and choose only what you want.

The skip button can be set in ezscan to be a lockout button for those frequencies in your scanner you you no longer want to hear.

Get a sd card reader to transfer data as it is faster then the USB cable...a lot faster.

Consider buying a better antenna then the stock one.

 

[FoeHammer]

ok so it sound like you are only really using the zip code import if you are traveling & have no other way ,..otherwise you can edit & add or subtract from systems or even make your own system

 

[troymail]

Zip code removes the need for you to both know what is active in a given area and the need to manually program them.

If you know what systems, etc. you want to import/program for that area, you can do that too.

You can also start from scratch and enter everything about a system using the keypad.... but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[ka6wke]

The zipcode method gives you potentially active frequencies based on the FCC database. Many of those frequencies may not be active in your area. I prefer going by system so the scanner isn't scanning frequencies that are not in use.

 

[troymail]

The zipcode method gives you potentially active frequencies based on the FCC database. Many of those frequencies may not be active in your area. I prefer going by system so the scanner isn't scanning frequencies that are not in use.

Zip Code methods on all scanners are based on what has been submitted to the Radio Reference database over time. While it is true that this data my not be 100% correct (things change over time), it is in no way tied to the FCC database directly.

You may be confusing this concept with Justin's frequency search tool - which is based on the [US] FCC database information.

Either way - the FCC database doesn't really apply as the original question came from a user in Canada.