GRE PSR-500 Post Release Thread

[DonS]

"There are none so blind as those who REFUSE to see" ... (or read, in this case). Thanks guys, I think I have it working as per my wishes now. I keep getting weird (to me) messages about the object being stored at location 0044 and 0054 and the like

That's showing you the "Object ID" assigned to the object you just stored. In MAN and PGM modes, you can enter that number and press ENT to go directly to the object.

 

[KC9NEG]

I'm going to put MECA2 in SL2 by going to GLOB menu and changing default scan list before programming it, then try to monitor MECA1 (Indpls pub safety) and MECA2 (Indpls pub srvc) separately. Will report...

Todd/Indy

 

[DonS]

I'm going to put MECA2 in SL2 by going to GLOB menu and changing default scan list before programming it, then try to monitor MECA1 (Indpls pub safety) and MECA2 (Indpls pub srvc) separately. Will report...

Unless you always want new objects to go into SL02, why change the GLOB setting? Why not just change the "Scan Lists" item in the new objects as you create them?

 

[KC9NEG]

'Cuz when I program the stuff I want in SL3, 4, etc. I'll just change the default seems easier than dealing with SL selection object-by-object. Or am I a dunce? I doubt if anyone outside GRE knows this radio better than you, Don (btw good to see you here).

I can edit the objects later for multiple SL membership--my mind's not organized enough to do it all in one shot

ps. Software sure makes this stuff easier, wink, wink but I'm hard-headed, too

Todd/Indy

 

[rdale]

Either way works fine, just easier to change when you're programming it...

 

[DonS]

'Cuz when I program the stuff I want in SL3, 4, etc. I'll just change the default seems easier than dealing with SL selection object-by-object.

If you're adding a lot of similar objects (e.g. multiple TGRP objects for a single TSYS), then the DUPE softkey is your friend. All "common" settings (TSYS, scan lists, alerts, etc.) will stay the same, and you just have to change the TGID and Alpha Tag. Play with it a bit.

EDIT: also very useful if you're entering a bunch of CONV objects that are similar (e.g. California Highway Patrol)

 

[KC9NEG]

I told y'all he really knew the radio!

Thanks, Don--great point. In the corner wearing my dunce cap.

Todd/Indy

 

[bonus1331]

Anyone working today?

Hey, am I the only person working today?
Had the choice to get the radio today or pay $15.00 less and get on Friday.
I run a business and can't be calling out sick on Friday, so I chose the Friday delivery.

Either I'm in the wrong business or you all need to GET JOBS;-)

Here's hoping Don has WIN500 out by 1700 EST Friday...wait he's busy playing with his 500....

 

[DonS]

Here's hoping Don has WIN500 out by 1700 EST Friday...wait he's busy playing with his 500....

My "real job" really interfered with Win500 development time. I'm hoping to have something ready, even if it's only a "Light" version, by Monday.

 

[KC9NEG]

"Light" is good for now

Thanks for the update.
Todd/Indy

 

[kikito]

I told y'all he really knew the radio!

Thanks, Don--great point. In the corner wearing my dunce cap.

Todd/Indy

Not trying to be a "smarty-pants" but most everything you and others have asked or had problems with so far, is in the manual already.

Right now while the radio and the discussions are new to everybody, it's not a big deal to talk or ask about it here. But I can foresee within a week, this thread will start getting unmanageably large due to a lot of basic/common questions that are answered or discussed on the manual. I can't emphasize enough that this is one of the best manuals I've seen in a while, let's make use of it guys!

I've been reading the manual since it got release over a week ago and I already know a lot of things and I can tell I'll be referring to it many more times when I get my radio early next week.

Sorry to be the first one to bring up this point....

 

[cliffcor]

Loaded the V-Scanner file for my area, nice to have the Talk Groups Alpha Tagged. That'll help quite a bit until the programming software is available. Now I need to go and practice clearing the Scan Lists for areas quite a ways away from me.

 

[DaveIN]

Not trying to be a "smarty-pants" but most everything you and others have asked or had problems with so far, is in the manual already.

Right now while the radio and the discussions are new to everybody, it's not a big deal to talk or ask about it here. But I can foresee within a week, this thread will start getting unmanageably large due to a lot of basic/common questions that are answered or discussed on the manual. I can't emphasize enough that this is one of the best manuals I've seen in a while, let's make use of it guys!

I've been reading the manual since it got release over a week ago and I already know a lot of things and I can tell I'll be referring to it many more times when I get my radio early next week.

Sorry to be the first one to bring up this point....

I've added some tips to the Wiki. Feel free to add more as you find them:
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/PSR-500#Operating_Tips

 

[DonS]

That included cable and software are pretty cool:
In Windows Media Player...
File -> Open URL -> http://home.starrsoft.com:3767

(limited to 5 connections, and it won't necessarily be up forever)

 

[rvawatch]

My "real job" really interfered with Win500 development time. I'm hoping to have something ready, even if it's only a "Light" version, by Monday.

no you've got it all wrong. this is now your real job. lol

 

[DaveIN]

Really neat Don!

I'll disconnect and let someone else check it out. Thanks for the preview.

 

[doug408]

Another PSR-500 fired up

I got my PSR-500 from Scanners Unlimited today, a day earlier than promised. As usual, Glenn was a pleasure to deal with. Mine does not have the uneven window or loose antenna problems others have mentioned. Getting my local trunked system loaded was trivial, thanks to the V-scanner folders (and preloaded data courtesy of Radio Reference, which is prominently credited in the printed manual). Audio is very clear, and the help text is a huge improvement over other (mostly Uniden) scanners I have used. Ease of use is far, far better than with recent scanners I have used. That should make the PSR-500 a lot better suited for those who aren't eager to wade through complicated instructions.

In brief side-by-side comparison with a BC796D, the PSR-500 seems slightly slower in picking up the start of a transmission. That could be a problem for very short transmissions. I freely admit that I haven't read the real manual yet, so I may be missing some tweak that would help that.

It's obviously premature to make a lot of detailed comments/judgments, but so far it looks like GRE has done a very nice job with this model. Now it's time to walk over to Don's place and grovel for a copy of WIN500 light.

 

[DaveIN]

I got my PSR-500 from Scanners Unlimited today, a day earlier than promised. As usual, Glenn was a pleasure to deal with. Mine does not have the uneven window or loose antenna problems others have mentioned. Getting my local trunked system loaded was trivial, thanks to the V-scanner folders (and preloaded data courtesy of Radio Reference, which is prominently credited in the printed manual). Audio is very clear, and the help text is a huge improvement over other (mostly Uniden) scanners I have used. Ease of use is far, far better than with recent scanners I have used. That should make the PSR-500 a lot better suited for those who aren't eager to wade through complicated instructions.

In brief side-by-side comparison with a BC796D, the PSR-500 seems slightly slower in picking up the start of a transmission. That could be a problem for very short transmissions. I freely admit that I haven't read the real manual yet, so I may be missing some tweak that would help that.

It's obviously premature to make a lot of detailed comments/judgments, but so far it looks like GRE has done a very nice job with this model. Now it's time to walk over to Don's place and grovel for a copy of WIN500 light.

Well written. Thanks for your feedback. Sounds good so far.

 

[KC9NEG]

EDIT: I won't alter what I wrote but apologies if this seems snippy--wasn't meant to be I've just had a long day.

Sorry you are, too, because my "dunce" comments were made entirely tongue-in-cheek. Wy single me out, though, with a quote?

It isn't reasonable to expect us to have absorbed the entire huge manual without radio in hand then just grab these radios and start using them without stumbling along a bit at first.

Not mad or picking on you either, in fact kudos for lots of great feedback in the "Errata" thread.

Todd/Indy

Not trying to be a "smarty-pants" but most everything you and others have asked or had problems with so far, is in the manual already.

Right now while the radio and the discussions are new to everybody, it's not a big deal to talk or ask about it here. But I can foresee within a week, this thread will start getting unmanageably large due to a lot of basic/common questions that are answered or discussed on the manual. I can't emphasize enough that this is one of the best manuals I've seen in a while, let's make use of it guys!

I've been reading the manual since it got release over a week ago and I already know a lot of things and I can tell I'll be referring to it many more times when I get my radio early next week.

Sorry to be the first one to bring up this point....

 

[DaveIN]

tbhausen's pics... Resized and directly uploaded.

Great photos. Do you have any of the radio in operation? Maybe some active display pictures?