I cant seem to grip the concept of talk groups as opposed to banks...
...then there are the conventional frequencies that I still want to hear, there must be a way to load and categorize what I want, and I thought I had that figured out, but apparently talk groups are not the same as "banks". I cant understand why you have numbers 1 thru 10 on this scanner, but cannot load what you want to which ever number you choose, makes no sense, also I'm guessing you have to download from the database first, then upload to scanner, no matter what software your using, VERY CONFUSING
To help clear some up confusion, talkgroups are not comparable to banks. Talkgroups refer to a "virtual channel" or "virtual frequency" if you want to think of it that way.
The following are
ONLY examples, so don't take any of the numbers to heart. So say back in the day, PD Dispatch was on 151.100 and PD Tactical was on 151.400, you can see that there is a channel to frequency relationship. Now for talkgroups, instead of a channel being linked to a frequency, you have it linked to a series of numbers (known as talkgroups). Now it's now PD Dispatch on (talkgroup) 1011 and PD Tactical on (talkgroup) 1012.
As for what is related to banks, I believe you're talking about "scanlists." To really understand the new age of digital scanners, you should try to look at it a new way, as if you have never had a scanner before. This is where a lot of people switching from older scanners to newer scanners get hung up on.
What you can do with "object oriented" scanners is program a frequency, trunked system, and talkgroup outside of your scanlist (or bank). That means that at any time, you can then take the programming and place it into the list (1, 2, etc). It is no longer restricted to just one list. This also means you can program the frequency once, and put it in any amount of scanlists you want without having to program it again and again. This actually
DOES allow you to put whatever you want into whatever number you want to organize it however you want. You can make a single trunked system, and have a few dozen talkgroups split up into different lists. This means you can organize it be geographic location, or even just individual departments.
A quick example of the above is that I have the State of Colorado system programmed into my Pro-106. I have List 1 programmed for Local PD, List 2 for Local FD, List 3 for Local Sheriff, all on the same system without having to recreate the system 3 different times like on older scanners.
I hope I didn't confuse you some more. I have read the other thread and am suprised that no one linked you the 'Easier to Read' manual. I believe it does a great job teaching you how to program as well as understanding how radio systems work these days. You should really take some time to read it.
Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual