Getting a Trunking Scanner

[NYRHKY94]

Scannersky:

UPDATE: If you are serious about purchasing a scanner "today" from Radio Shack, I just wanted to give you a heads-up that they just put the new Pro-106 digitial scanner on sale today for $399. After applying the Friends & Family discount coupon (which does end today), you could buy the latest & greatest digital scanner for only $279. It's like the "perfrect storm" of a sale discount - today only. The Pro-106 is the same model as the new GRE PSR-500, but branded for RS. If you find an RS store that carries both the Pro-96 and the Pro-106, it would be a "no brainer" to pay the extra $14 to get the much better model, whether you need all the extra features or not. Just my opinion only.

Wanted to pass this along to you, just in case you went shopping today.

 

[RocketNJ]

The Pro-96 will not allow the software to connect to the database here and create pre-programmed system files. You will have to learn how to program the trunked systems. There's a lot of good assistance here and people should be able to help you out.

I've never owned a Pro96 so I cannot give you any guidance on programming it.

 

[robbinsj2]

The Pro-96 will not allow the software to connect to the database here and create pre-programmed system files. You will have to learn how to program the trunked systems. There's a lot of good assistance here and people should be able to help you out.

I've never owned a Pro96 so I cannot give you any guidance on programming it.

What software are you referring to? Win96 is widely regarded as the best for the Pro-96, and certainly does have Web Import from the Radioreference.com database if you're a subscribing member here. Win96 (after a free evaluation period) is an additional purchase, it isn't included with the Pro-96.

Jim

 

[RocketNJ]

OK, I stand corrected. It's been a couple of years since I've seen Win96.

 

[ScannerSky]

I got the Pro 106 brand new from RadioShack for $279! Thanks to all who helped me out with the choice and gave me the coupon. Now I need to program this thing, and it is a pain in the neck! Should I buy software or learn to program it by hand?

 

[RocketNJ]

Well if you learn to program it you will always be able to do it in the field when you do not have a computer handy. I am not familiar with the RS Pro series scanners so I cannot help along those lines.

 

[NYRHKY94]

Scannersky:

You might want to give the following software a try with your Pro-106. They both offer full 30-day trials for free (try it before you buy it) and are very good programs in my opinion. You will need to have a programming cable to hook-up the scanner to the PC, but you probably knew that.

Win500: www.starrsoft.com

PSREdit 500: www.psredit.com

P.S. I went ahead and took my own advice on Sunday and went out and bought the Pro-106 also for $279!

 

[ScannerSky]

I think I am going to program it by hand. What is the System ID? I have no idea where to program this!

 

[DJ88]

You DON'T program the System ID. The only things you have to program are the base frequencies, offsets, spacings, system frequencies and the DEC talk groups. The HEX talk groups are for Motorola radios only.

 

[ScannerSky]

That's the problem I am having. Where do I program the base frequencies, offsets, spacing, and DEC talk groups. What is a DEC talk group? Also, what are the high and low frequencies?

 

[DJ88]

There are two columns of talk groups listed in the database for the Morris County System; DEC and HEX. You need to program the talk groups in the DEC column. It sounds like you may be unfamiliar with trunked systems. If so here are two links that explain them:
http://www.police-scanner.info/scanning/trunked-radio-systems.htm
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Trunking_Basics
As for your question about where to program everything in your scanner, someone else will have to help you as I have never owned or programmed a Radio Shack scanner.

 

[ScannerSky]

Thank you DJ88!

 

[ScannerSky]

What are the high and low channels for Morris County, NJ? I need to program my Pro-106 and in doing so it asks for this. Thanks!

 

[Highpockets]

What are the high and low channels for Morris County, NJ? I need to program my Pro-106 and in doing so it asks for this. Thanks!

Try:

471.0000 low 380 high 519
476.0000 low 520 high 759

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me...

 

[ScannerSky]

Thanks! I programmed that into my scanner, but I still don't hear anything.

 

[Highpockets]

Thanks! I programmed that into my scanner, but I still don't hear anything.

When you programing it by hand it's hard for us to help you, it could be allot of things your missing, like letting the scanner know it's a UHF Mot system, putting in the red and blue frequencies, the base freq, base, offset, Lo/Hi, and if you have talk groups programed in, if you used software, you could zip up your program file and attach it to a message and someone could look at it for you, we are trying, but, your there and we can't see what your doing.

 

[ScannerSky]

I have the red and blue frequencies in, it is a Motorola SmartZone II trunking system.

 

[Highpockets]

Okay, what kind of software would you reccomend?

Look at these, both have 30 day free trial:

http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win500/default.asp

http://www.psredit.com/psredit500/index.html

 

[ScannerSky]

Am I supposed to enter only the primary (red) control channels or both the primary and the alternate (blue)?

 

[Highpockets]

Am I supposed to enter only the primary (red) control channels or both the primary and the alternate (blue)?

Put in both, just in case they switch every day, I use win500, I like it! Take your time, read manual, I heard it's on Radio Shack Site in PDF form. You'll get it!