GRE PSR-500 Post Release Thread

[jat1129]

As long as we are on the batteries question, is it OK to be using the black battery holder with re-chargeable batteries (I know they won't charge, I have another charger for them).
And also can you plug in the AC adapter with the black battery pack in, wether you use rechargeables or regular batteries, again I know they won't charge, I would guess it would be OK since the terminals are different than the yellow one.
Any thoughts, JT

 

[DonS]

As long as we are on the batteries question, is it OK to be using the black battery holder with re-chargeable batteries (I know they won't charge, I have another charger for them).
And also can you plug in the AC adapter with the black battery pack in, wether you use rechargeables or regular batteries, again I know they won't charge, I would guess it would be OK since the terminals are different than the yellow one.

Yes to both questions.

The only "bad" combination would be:
1. Yellow battery holder
2. Non-rechargable batteries
3. Radio plugged into external power source

 

[jat1129]

Thats what I thought, thanks.

JT

 

[BOBRR]

What Is Displayed While Actually Scanning ?

Hi,

I have, e.g., 4 conv. freq's entered into scanlist 1

Let's call them A, B, C, and D

The scanning of them seems to be fine.

But, until the scanner actually stops on one of them, it always just displays
the alpha tag for "A" (while scanning). When it does stop on a transmission, it displays correctly.

Why, while scanning, does it only display "A" on the bottom line, and not a blurr of what it is going thru at that particular instant ?

Bob

 

[DonS]

I have, e.g., 4 conv. freq's entered into scanlist 1

Let's call them A, B, C, and D

The scanning of them seems to be fine.

But, until the scanner actually stops on one of them, it always just displays
the alpha tag for "A" (while scanning). When it does stop on a transmission, it displays correctly.

Why, while scanning, does it only display "A" on the bottom line, and not a blurr of what it is going thru at that particular instant ?

I'll bet it actually is showing you a blur of all 4 tags, but something about 'A' is making it show up for much longer than the others. Maybe SQ is open but you have CTCSS, DCS, or NAC programmed?

While scanning, I always see all 'CONV' tags displayed as a blur. They scream through at 10-15 mS each.

 

[KC9NEG]

Remove your antenna and scan for a WX channel--that looks very odd!

Todd/Indy

 

[BOBRR]

From OP On AC Adapter Plug-In Sequence: Open Circuit Voltage

Hello,

Just as a followup to my previous posts on the AC Adapter:

I measured the open-circuit Adapter voltage with a digital VON.
Was 13.2 Volts dc
Wow !

Sounds like Don's theory regarding GRE warning to have the scanner connected to the Adapter prior to plugging it into the 110 V wall socket so that there would be a load on the Adapter makes sense.

BTW: have previous models of GRE/RS carried this type of warning ?

Bob

 

[kikito]

I measured the open-circuit Adapter voltage with a digital VON.
Was 13.2 Volts dc
Wow !

As far as I know that's normal behavior for ANY open circuit. Fundamental electric principles.....

 

[rvawatch]

Yes to both questions.

The only "bad" combination would be:
1. Yellow battery holder
2. Non-rechargable batteries
3. Radio plugged into external power source

unless the scanner's charge time is 0 (disabled) ...i think.

 

[scanfan03]

Hello,

Just as a followup to my previous posts on the AC Adapter:

I measured the open-circuit Adapter voltage with a digital VON.
Was 13.2 Volts dc
Wow !

Sounds like Don's theory regarding GRE warning to have the scanner connected to the Adapter prior to plugging it into the 110 V wall socket so that there would be a load on the Adapter makes sense.

BTW: have previous models of GRE/RS carried this type of warning ?

Bob

I'm pretty sure once you put a load on it it goes down to 9 volts.

 

[BOBRR]

Batteries Question ?

Hello,

Bought some Eveready NiMH 2500 ma-hr batteries yesterday.

Put them in the yellow holder, used them for perhaps one or two hours, and notice that
the scanner is now totally dead when trying to use on battery power alone.

Questions:

a. My understanding is that the batteries will re-charge, even if the
scanner on-off switch is Off.
Correct ?

b. should this type of battery be charged, or is it necessary to do so, prior to usage ?

c. how long, typically, for a "full" charge ?

d. once fully charged, how long should the unit generally run on batteries alone ?

e. anybody have any questionable results with Eveready NiMH batteries ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[KC9NEG]

Wow, twilight zone.... I was pursuing the same subject about the same batteries in another thread at the exact same time.

I've had good results with these cells.

Todd/Indy

 

[TES]

Bob - take a look at page 97 in the manual. With this scanner it's possible to have the wall wart connected while using the yellow holder and still not charge.

 

[BOBRR]

To Tes: Battery Charging ? Pg 97 ?

Hi Tes,

Looked on pg 97 of my downladed manual, vers. 1.10, but couldn't find anything applicable.
Can't find the older vers., which I have a feeling has the page number you are referring to.

Could you tell me if this is so, and perhaps just copy and paste the applicable info
into a new msg. here, if not too long ?

Kind of amazing that I think I am charging and may not actually be !

Thanks,
Bob

 

[W4KRR]

BOBRR -- Yes, new batteries should be charged prior to usage. How long it takes depends on how much of a charge they had when they were removed from the package. Fully depleted batteries should take around 10 to 12 hours.

Yes, the batteries will charge if the scanner is turned off. In fact, it would be preferable to charge them with the scanner turned off.

I never charge my batteries in the scanner. I use a seperate AA battery charger, like the Maha MH-C401FS. Plus I keep extra batteries around, so when the scanner batteries die, I just put them in the charger and put the fresh ones in the radio, and the only "down time" I have is the time it takes to swap the batteries.

 

[TES]

Try page 100 in the new manual. The GLOB settings influence whether or not charging will occur & charging time.

 

[DonS]

Yes, the batteries will charge if the scanner is turned off. In fact, it would be preferable to charge them with the scanner turned off.

Only if you keep an eye on it, and don't leave it plugged-in / turned off for too long. Charging with the scanner turned off defeats a couple of things:
* The charge timer
* The fact that the radio won't charge if you set "Battery" to "Alkaline"

 

[BOBRR]

A Bit More On AC Charger & Thanks To All For Help

Hi,

First, let me thank everyone most sincerely for all the help and answers to my dumb questions. Sure has helped me a lot, and I certainly appreciate it.
Great Forum, and great folks.

Would like to just share some additional thoughts I have on the AC Adapter.

I'm a retired engineer, and I certainly don't consider myself an expert on this subject, or on anything for that matter, but I have designed lots of electronic gadgets and circuits over the years. Generally, it has always been my opinion that it is never a good idea to expect a "load" to drag down a power supply or source to the correct voltage.

The applicable term is usually power supply stiffness.
An example, perhaps, would be when you plug a lamp into a household wall socket.
The open circuit voltage would differ from the voltage measured on the socket with the lamp on by a trivial amount. That is because, of course, the house has probably at least a 150 amp feed, and the 1 or 2 amps that the lamp pulls is trivial. The power supply (source) from the electric company is truly "stiff'.

Still surprised that the charger AC no load voltage is as high as 13.2 V.

GRE really shouldn't expect users to remember a sequence for plugging in and out, in my opinion. If there is a danger if done wrong, as their manual certainly implies, a "good" design would protect against this.

Oh well, back to trying to understand this "latest and greatest" toy.

Thanks again for help,
Bob
-------------------
Originally Posted by BOBRR
I measured the open-circuit Adapter voltage with a digital VON.
Was 13.2 Volts dc Wow !

"As far as I know that's normal behavior for ANY open circuit. Fundamental electric principles....."

 

[BOBRR]

Batteries Charging, But Scanner OFF ?

Hello,

Regarding the charging of NiMH batteries:

"Yes, the batteries will charge if the scanner is turned off. In fact, it would be preferable to charge them with the scanner turned off."

From Don: "Only if you keep an eye on it, and don't leave it plugged-in / turned off for too long. Charging with the scanner turned off defeats a couple of things:
* The charge timer "

Let's say I have the unit OFF, but plugged in, and presumably charging the batteries.
As I understand it, the 16 hour timer is therefore not functional at all. True ?

So, what's the potential danger here ?
Can you overcharge the batteries ?
Fire danger ?
Or, ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[BOBRR]

Scan List No. 1 ?

Hello,

Still not 100% clear on main/working memory, I guess.

When I set up my scan lists, is there any reason not to use (populate) Scan List No. 1 ?

Guess I'm asking is if it the Default for anything, etc., and should (initially) be left blank ?

Any reason not to use it as a standard Scan List like the others ?
Thanks,
Bob