GRE PSR-500 Post Release Thread

[troymail]

Hello,

troymail, try the ATT on the TSYS Object. I have to use it because I am less than 1/2 Mile from Tower. The front end seems to overload. When using ATT, the unit tracks fine, no issues.

HTHs

73

Dave AKA The Tripzter

The system I'm looking at is near (within 5 miles) but transmits at what seems to be a fairly low power. I'm trying the TSYS Attenuator to see what happens anyway...

So the question is - if the radio doesn't show the [T], is it really seeing the control channel....??

Wait - it's active now but the VC seems to be fading in and out... just got another hit via my 396 on an active TG but nothing on the PSR-500 sitting right next to it....

 

[h8tdigitalradio]

Hello,

It seems when monitoring a TSYS or Conventional Object, there is some background noise mixed in with the data channel. I can't use the PSR500 around service monitors, certain notebook PC Micro Processor cooling fans, etc. The unit is very sensitive. Press the TSYS softkey, press the Analyze softkey, and check the decoding rate.

73

Dave AKA The Tripzter

 

[DonS]

I have set up the LED to display for a couple of systems. I am noticing that the LED will be on but there is no audio. Some of this I attribute to the delay, but other times, I have been watching the scanner and see the LED light up, the scanner stop, but not get audio.

Sounds like it stopped right at the end of a transmission.

Another thing I noticed. I paused on a talk group in a system that has the LED set. While scanning, the LED lights up, but while paused and with a transmission, the LED does not light up. The talk group was found with the WILDCARD feature and I just paused to hear what was happening.

If you hit the "pause" key while the object's Alert is active, that cancels the alert (because you pressed a key). You don't get any more alerts on that object while paused. If you want to get those alerts, but "pause" on an object that is active in Scan mode, try pressing MAN.

 

[scan-pa]

Hello,

It seems when monitoring a TSYS or Conventional Object, there is some background noise mixed in with the data channel. I can't use the PSR500 around service monitors, certain notebook PC Micro Processor cooling fans, etc. The unit is very sensitive. Press the TSYS softkey, press the Analyze softkey, and check the decoding rate.

73

Dave AKA The Tripzter

My PSR-500 is the same way, it does not like my pc monitor turned on.

 

[Stick0413]

My 96 is the same way. If it is near my computer monitor the reception/decode rate goes way down. IMO the 500 isn't as bad with it though.

 

[troymail]

So, given what I'm seeing, I'm looking for possible reasons for the failure to see/lock onto certain TGs in some systems. For instance, Anne Arundel County, MD system is working fine - it's a 3600 CC and analog; Baltimore City is (I think) a 3600 CC but digital -- it too seems to be working pretty well on the 500; however, Howard County, MD is also (I thin) a 3600 CC and digital but it seems to have this "locked into a TG but no voice" problem and it is also possibly acting like the radio is tuning to the wrong frequency for the voice channel ...

It makes me wonder - how does rebanding affect these radios? Is it possible that the radio is reading the CC and tuning to the wrong frequency (for either pre- or post- rebanding)?

I think I need to give it a rest and come back tomorrow - give it a fresh start. The afternoon started well but it's been going downhill the longer I play with this thing...

 

[DaveIN]

If you hold on the talkgroup will it follow the conversation?

 

[troymail]

If you hold on the talkgroup will it follow the conversation?

No - I now have my 396 HOLDing on TG 47152 and the 500 sitting right next to it HOLDing on the same TG...

The 500 is set with an LED and audible alarm when the TG becomes active.

The 396 is picking up the voice but all the 500 does is alarm that the TG is active

EDIT: I'm seeing both the 396 and the 500 tuning to the same voice channel frequency so that doesn't appear to be the problem... some of the frequencies for this system apparently are received on the 500 and others are not while they all appear to be coming through without a problem on the 396... I wouldn't expect this for several reasons not the least of which is that the 500 is using the RS 800Mhz antenna and the 396 is using the stock antenna....

 

[Stick0413]

No - I now have my 396 HOLDing on TG 47152 and the 500 sitting right next to it HOLDing on the same TG...

The 500 is set with an LED and audible alarm when the TG becomes active.

The 396 is picking up the voice but all the 500 does is alarm that the TG is active

EDIT: I'm seeing both the 396 and the 500 tuning to the same voice channel frequency so that doesn't appear to be the problem... some of the frequencies for this system apparently are received on the 500 and others are not while they all appear to be coming through without a problem on the 396... I wouldn't expect this for several reasons not the least of which is that the 500 is using the RS 800Mhz antenna and the 396 is using the stock antenna....

I am having the same problem on the Petersburg Public Safety TRS (9600 CC). This is the only system I have this problem with. Every other systems seems to work just as well if not better than the 96 and all work better than on the 996.

 

[DaveIN]

Have either of you tried going to the Global Expert, supertrack mode?

"Alternative DSP decoding algorithm. May help reception on some systems."

Something else you may want to try is the Dwell just above that, set to "0" is the automatic mode.

"Sets the amount of time the scanner dwells on a Motorola, P25 or EDACS system control channel for activity on programmed talkgroups. Use 0 for automatic mode, which uses control channel information to determine when all current talkgroup information has been broadcast by the system."

 

[JASII]

Some Random GRE PSR-500 Questions/Comments

-Does anyone know if there will be a European version of the GRE PSR-500?

-I am still using Windows XP, but if I do get a new computer in the future there is a pretty good chance that it will have a Windows Vista operating system. Although there is no software out yet, it will be interesting to see if it will be Windows Vista compatible.

-Has anyone given much thought to any applications using the discriminator output on this?

-Memory organization. I am giving some thoughts to organize the memory on this considering it has the folders and scanlists. Since I am most interested in public safety I might be inclined to have one scanlist of objects that can be heard in many different areas. That would include mutual aid frequencies, Civil Air Patrol, regional P25 talkgroups that are carried statewide or in a wide region, etc. My other scanlists would likely be one per county. That seems to have been a good way to manage memory in the past. With scanners with banks I would usually assign one bank per county. In some cases I would have more than one county per bank and in other cases I would split a county up, but usually one bank per county worked well for me. The difference here is the memory is much more flexible. If a rural county only needs 20 frequencies in a bank, the rest of the memory may have in essence been wasted.

-A task that I look forward to with a new scanner is to spend some time with it under software control, like I did with both the Uniden Bearcat 796 and 996, is to scan/search the bands from one end to the other. When I find active frequencies I like to note the correct PL or DPL and list the licensee or user. For example, right now I am hearing 453.500 coming up with a PL tone of 192.8 hZ. I then listen long enough to see if the traffic seems to match one of the nearby licensed users. It is a time consuming laborious task, but well worth the effort in my opinion. I know that I have been sort of surprised in the past about some of the users. Some frequencies can be sort of confusing when several different PL/DPLs are used on a given frequency in the same area. Actually it would be sort of neat if some of the future reviews include comparisons of the PSR-500/600 against the BC-396/996 in terms of selectivity and sensitivity. I do seem to recall in the past that some GRE scanners I have had did not seem to perform well on VHF high band while using a discone. Specifically the Optocom and the PRO-2005/2006/2045/2042.

-I know that the Uniden Bearcat 396/996 come pre-programmed with a number of systems. Although I deleted them and started from scratch, would there be some value to having GRE do this?

-Now that these have been in the hands of some folks for a short time now, are there any features that the Bearcats have that you wish GRE had added? For example, do you wish that GRE also had GPS scanning and/or fire tone out capability?

 

[mancow]

I'm seeing the same thing with the Kansas State KSICS P-25 system.

Something is definitely wrong. I even reset the unit tonight because I could not decode digital at all. I tried decoding voice channels straight from the tune and search modes. I got nothing but a faint hiss and a light to indicate a carrier present.

After resetting it twice it seemed to be working again but it's too soon to tell for sure. I'm trying to watch it and compare it to the 2096 as it searches.

I hope this isn't a major issue!

 

[mikey60]

-I am still using Windows XP, but if I do get a new computer in the future there is a pretty good chance that it will have a Windows Vista operating system. Although there is no software out yet, it will be interesting to see if it will be Windows Vista compatible.

I have one person testing PSREdit on Vista, it appears to be running fine there.

-Has anyone given much thought to any applications using the discriminator output on this?

I have a version of Pro96Com that supports the PSR-500, both for decoding, and controlled scanner. Pro96Com only supports P25 9600bps systems at this point though. I will eventually take on the other formats when time permits. The version of Pro96Com with PSR-500 support should be available in the next few days after I get PSREdit out.

Mike

 

[mikeh]

Originally Posted by mikeh
can someone tell me in hell do i program this radio
the instuction suck . how do i just put in the
Talkgroups ids alone on a system
but i can not see how to proplem it
GRE you are going to have radio coming back if you put so info out fast
how do i program this radio how about some instuction


Mike, what system are you trying to set up? I'm sure folks here can give you some hints. I found the setup VERY easy following the steps in the PDF manual.

i am trying to put in just the talk groups for a 800 mot trunk system
i can do that just find i can gat it work on a trunk system
BUT BUT no matter what i do the dam thing just show the whoule system all
the hex numbers , I just would to put in just the talkgroup number and listen to just the i have try everything Group wildcard this a joke i hate this readio can some tell me how to
put in the tlak group i what and just listen to them

i am about ready to see it back
like can do with any other trunk scnner.

 

[mancow]

SEARCH is just a WILD CARD.

Think of the open bank (radioshack) search (uniden) as the WILDCARD.

If you don't assign a wild card then you can not search.

If you create a talk group witha specific value other than the word SEARCH and it's a valid value that works on that system then you will hear that traffic and the traffic meant for that talk group only.

It's as if they took the SEARCH button and made it a channel or talkgroup space in any other type of radio.

hint... make sure you put the * on the scanlist you want to work with right off the bat. It will make it a lot less troublesome. If you know the trunking system you are working with in say... bank 8 then make sure all your entries have the * next to 8 and you remove the * from scan list 1. Otherwise you will end up scanning stuff from system (scanlist) 8 in scanlist 1 and your **** will get tweaked.

Believe me, it took some time and a few beers for me to get that concept down.

 

[mikeh]

listen just the talkgroup alone

ok what are the steps to listen to just the talkgroup alone ( JUST the Talkgroups
i have beating my head again the well for too days
WHaT are the steps to listen to just the talkgroups
this the bigest pain the ass radio i have had, Again i just what to put in just the TG groups
and listening to just them

thank you for the help

 

[mancow]

If you only want the talk groups (known numbers) that you have already entered then remove the wildcard from that scanlist. That's all there is to it. Without the wildcard the radio can not wander off and look for stuff that isn't specifically known.

I ended up clearing the slate, grabbing a cold beer, and I sat down and started all over. I am set up pretty good now. I have a Fed list, local list, State P-25 list, etc....

It takes discipline but if you take your time your efforts will be rewarded.


Also, I spent the $14 to get the manual printed and binded today. That is the biggest help I've had so far.

Manual on a channel. Use the right and left to jump to your first scan list. Then use the up and down to see what's in it (ie: 1-XXXX, 8-XXXX) If you know you don't want 8 in 1 then edit it and remove it. Make sure you clean house and all scan lists only contain objects you want in them.

After that make sure the system you are trying to scan does not have a wild card with it. Other than that I don't know what to say.

It will dawn on you believe me... it just takes time.

keep trying

 

[Air490]

Don't forget the upgradable CPU and DSP...

In the event there is a P25 problem with this scanner it should be no big deal. It will just be a case of updated software or firmware. Easy as that!

 

[mancow]

True, but after $514.00 I'm a bit apprehensive.


I'm getting partial transmissions from known good signals right now. This isn't right. I am trying it now with different combinations of AGC and Supertrack.

In the event there is a P25 problem with this scanner it should be no big deal. It will just be a case of updated software or firmware. Easy as that!

 

[pinhead]

Audio Loud

Hey Guys If You Want Loud ..audio Just Wrap A Wire Around The Bnc .then Around The End Going In To The Ear Jack An Plug The Speaker In An It Will Blow You Out Of The Room It Works Better On The Psr 500 Than The Pro95 Or Pro 96 But I Would Not Do This With A Ear Plug .but Think It Has Better Audio Than The Pro 96. This Is One Hell Of A Radio.