GRE PSR-500 Post Release Thread

[kikito]

This still happens with CPU and DSP 1.1?

Todd/Indy

If you're talking about the Sweeper lock-ups, yes.

 

[kikito]

You can preserve all of your programming (objects) by doing a 0 + 2 reset instead of 0 + 1.

I didn't think of resetting just the global settings, good one to remember, thanks.

EDIT: If you have a V-Scanner folder "backup" of your current programming (GLOB, FUNC+GLOB, and objects), then either 0+1 or 0+2 will work. You'll just have to re-load from the V-Scanner folder.

Yep, I definitely did a full backup of my data on the V-folders and computer before I started playing around trying to duplicate that "Sweeper bug" some people have mentioned.

 

[KC9NEG]

If you're talking about the Sweeper lock-ups, yes.

Affirmative.

Todd/Indy

 

[jat1129]

Hi everyone, has anyone else had a problem installing the drivers for the GRE-500. I was able to do it the first time after a few tries; the problem is now that every time I have to turn the computer off I have to do it all over again. I never had that problem with the Pro-96.
I contacted GRE and they said it could be another program affecting the driver. They suggested I post here and see if anybody else has had this problem.
I am using Windows XP. Once I am able to install the driver and get it to work, it works fine until I have to re-boot.
Any ideas, thanks JT

 

[fmon]

GRE is correct, likely another program.

After reboot, with cable plugged in: Check the USB comport in device manager. Resolve any issues.

 

[jat1129]

I have checked the divice manager and everything I know how to check and it all shows no problems. I guess I'll have to find someone that knows more about computers and see if he can figure it out, thanks for your answer. I just wanted to see if anyone else had this problem.

JT

 

[DaveIN]

Do you run a PDA or palm PC? If so, you may want to close out of the sync software.

 

[fmon]

I have checked the divice manager and everything I know how to check and it all shows no problems. I guess I'll have to find someone that knows more about computers and see if he can figure it out, thanks for your answer. I just wanted to see if anyone else had this problem.

JT

Your device manager doesn't show something similar to this?

 

[KC9NEG]

Try Deleting Old, Unused Device Drivers

Try this:

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/73237-how-remove-unused-devices-my-windows.html

but proceed cautiously. I've seen unused devices long-hidden in device manager cause this sort of problem.

Disclaimer: Read and proceed carefully, but dumping all those old, unused device drivers can really improve system performance. Keep in mind, drivers for devices you use routinely but are currently disconnected from your PC will appear as unused. Know what you're deleting.

Be certain you delete ALL previous USB COM ports from previous GRE cable driver installations, then reboot and reinstall.

HTH,
Todd/Indy

 

[jat1129]

Yes my device manager looks just like that exept it uses com7 for this. It works just fine when I manage to get it working but as soon as I re-boot, it shows the same way and tells me that device is working correctly but it does not communicate with WIN5oo or the software that came on the installation CD. Then I have to un-install everything and start over again.
I am going to try it on the laptop and see what happens, I'll be home soon and my nephew might be able to figure out the problem, he is good with computers. (We fulltime in a Motorhome).

Thanks for the help and if I figure it out I'll post what we find.

JT

 

[S-man]

I have done a search on this forum but I didn't see a response directly related to the 5 button keypad. At times I have to push a bit harder on the UP and RIGHT buttons to get them to work. After you get them working it seems to be fine until the next time you use them. Not sure if the rubber elastomer is sitting properly over the switches below or not. Has anyone else noticed this? My numeric buttons work fine.

This is an awesome scanner GRE. The AGC makes listening to P25 systems much nicer now. I don't jump and spill my coffee anymore with loud P25 audio bursts I got with my BC250D. The P25 audio from the Bell Fleetnet system in Ontario still sounds raspy and choppy at times but I think thats the systems fault.

S-man

 

[krbprogrammer]

PSR-500 vs. BC396t

Yes I know this is a PSR-500 thread, so what better place to ask an unbiased qustion about it ;p

I am a father of a 7 year old and would like to pass along something that I was exposed to as a child with my father - radio scanners. I am in the market for a hand held digital scanner for purchase. I have found this forum and these 2 scanners for roughly the same price of just under $500. I have found much info on both and would like to inquire from a more real-world usage group as to which one I should obtain. I reiterate, I am a newbie at this now. I am basically interested in local scanning of local events - quickly and weather alerts as I am a native Floridian and that can be handy. Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly (!) appreciated from the field of users!! Thank you in advance.

 

[moonies]

both scanners will give you ALL you need to monitor 90% of comms out there!! You need to REALLY read the manuals and the discussion forums to really get the most out of the 500.00 purchase. If you are not a patient person,or want to get just a basic receiver you can save 400.00 and buy any scanner on sale at radio shack or electronics store. My suggestion is the psr 500 as you will be covered for digital/analog and frequency range coverage.

 

[krbprogrammer]

All digital here so no savings...

both scanners will give you ALL you need to monitor 90% of comms out there!! You need to REALLY read the manuals and the discussion forums to really get the most out of the 500.00 purchase. If you are not a patient person,or want to get just a basic receiver you can save 400.00 and buy any scanner on sale at radio shack or electronics store. My suggestion is the psr 500 as you will be covered for digital/analog and frequency range coverage.

I wish I could save 400.00, but my area is all digital. I have not seen any digital scanners (new) for less than 500.00, or not by much anyway. Thank you for your reply!

 

[jat1129]

Good news, I kept digging and found the cause of the problem I was having.
It was another program causing it, my Delorme GPS has a serial emulator software that lets you use the program without the hardware installed. The emulator was using com7, just like the GRS software.
Anyways I don’t know the technicalities but I changed that port on the GPS and now the GRS500 is working all the time, even if I re-boot.
Thanks for the help
JT

 

[BOBRR]

AC Adapter Connecting Sequence: Why ?

Hello:

Regarding the AC Adapter, and the hookup sequence:

No big deal, but am quite curious why they make a big point of connecting the AC Power Adapter and the dc plug to the actual scanner in such a sequence as -

- "Always connect the AC adaptor to the scanner before you
connect it to AC power. When you finish, disconnect the
adaptor from AC power before you disconnect it from the
scanner.

- To power the scanner using an AC adaptor, connect the plug into
the scannerʼs PWR DC 9V jack. Then connect the AC adaptor to
a standard AC outlet."

Actually, I would have thought that it would be "safer" in exactly the opposite sequence.

Anyone know how important it actually is to do it this way ? Why ?
Can you damage the scanner if you don't ?

Again, no big deal, but for me at least a bit inconvenient getting to the AC Adapter each time as the AC plug for it is under my desk; sure would be easier just connecting and disconnecting the scanner"just" from the dc plug.

Regards,
Bob

 

[rdale]

Assume you'll be safe.

 

[DonS]

AC adapter connection sequence...

Probably because when there's no load on the adapter, its voltage can be quite high - significantly higher than the 9V the scanner wants, and possibly high enough to kill the regulators in the radio.

 

[BOBRR]

From OP: Re AC Adapter Sequence

Hi Don,

Interesting explanation.

I'll put a meter on it tomorrow, and see what the no-load V is.

In any event, should it matter at all if the scanner is switched to off ?

Or, perhaps, the fact that the rechargeable batteries can, and are, still being recharged even with the switch on OFF, your point is valid as for this to happen there must be some bypass of the On-Off switch ?

In any event, I think that this is something that the scanner should have some kind of internal protection against, as, if it is actually dangerous to the scanner, it is so easy to forget to do the sequence per the instructions ! Folks are human .

Regards,
Bob

 

[kikito]

In any event, I think that this is something that the scanner should have some kind of internal protection against, as, if it is actually dangerous to the scanner, it is so easy to forget to do the sequence per the instructions ! Folks are human .

Regards,
Bob

I consider that particular warning and procedure about the AC adapter in the same category as the one for computers where you're supposed to turn off your computer when connecting or disconnecting a keyboard or a mouse; 99.90% of the time you'll be safe if you don't but it's that .10% that one day might get you.

In a related note, I was one to never "gracefully" stop my USB thumb drive before yanking it out of the computer. Well, sometime earlier this year, the first time ever, I got one corrupted and lost all the info on it when I just pulled it out without stopping it first.