GRE PSR-800 Post Release Thread

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

Has anyone with a new 800 done direct comparison with the PSR-500 ? Especially regarding intermod or PL tones and general sensitivity.

Neil Bell

Yes, and the results weren't good.

Last week I purchased the PSR-800 and at first really fell in love with it due in large part to the outstanding audio levels it can put out. I loved the modern interface, thin case, and really wanted it to replace my Pro-106, so that I could have more than 20 scan lists.

However, after some side by side testing, the PSR-800 couldn't compare, in any area as far as reception. The 106 could pull in Phoenix PD from about 8 miles further out than the 800 could, and even when close to a site the voice audio sometimes came out with the "robot sound", unlike the 106 which only does that on the weakest signals, and even then, not as badly. This is an 800mhz P25 simulcast system BTW. Now when close to towers, I would say it did a tiny bit better with simulcast, but only by a small margin, not enough to make up for the much weaker reception. And yes, I played with the threshold number, as well as trying all sorts of antennas. In EVERY case the PSR-800 lost out. I even put my best duck antenna (RH77CA Diamond) on the 800 and the stubby duck on the 106, same results, the 106 outperformed it.

Oddly enough, it was close to the 106 in of all places, VHF High, even with the stubby antenna.

So back to Ham Radio Outlet it went, for a full refund. As I was walking out, the gentleman there asked why I was returning it. After explaining, he said "yeah, that seems to be what we are hearing from a lot of people who buy it". Neat gadget, awesome audio level, but sub-par reception.

 

[SCPD]

Reception works great in my area (MUCH better on P25 than my 106)

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

I knew this would be a YMMV type of deal here...and I'm sure some will find the PSR-800 more to their liking. Scanners are funny that way, different situations give different results...and it's always possible that I got a "lemon", maybe made on a Monday morning...

At any rate I SORELY miss the far superior audio output...the 106 is just ridiculous while on the freeway, where the 800 sounded great.

 

[SCPD]

To me, the P25 system sounds like an actual Motorola XTS.

 

[dollar]

Digital reception on Bell Fleetnet Ontario Govt Systems

I own a Pro-96 and the new GRE PSR-800. I monitor Zones 1 & 2 (System ID 782D and 822F respectively) on the above noted systems which are mixed analog and digital systems. Monitoring the analog transmissions present no problem on either scanner. Monitoring digital transmissions presents no problems on the Pro-96.
Digital transmissions on the PSR-800 are only readable about half the time. More often than not, the transmissions sound "digital" - almost readable but slightly garbled. A sentence can be perfectly readable then revert to virtually unlistenable garble in the same sentence. However, the same transmission at the same time on the Pro-96 is perfectly readable.
I have checked the setup of the custom trunking tables for these systems on both scanners and they seem to be set up the same for both.
Has anyone else experienced similar problems? Or, does someone have a possible solution?
I look forward to your replies.
Bruce

 

[krokus]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.973 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Are the two radios using the same style antenna? Are they monitoring the same transmission site?

 

[dollar]

Thanks for your suggestion.
The two radios are using the same style antenna and in fact I have interchanged antennas but no change. Also, they are monitoring the same transmission site.

Further discussion on this topic is also taking place at: PSR-800 : Messages : 367-396 of 396 but so far no solution.

 

[drdiesel1]

Digital transmissions on the PSR-800 are only readable about half the time. More often than not, the transmissions sound "digital" - almost readable but slightly garbled. A sentence can be perfectly readable then revert to virtually unlistenable garble in the same sentence.

I have having the same problem on my 800, 996XT has no trouble decoding. Most of the problem is on the Indiana Safe-T channels.

 

[scannerfreak]

Interesting guys. I have two of them and they both work great on SAFE-T and a simulcast digital system.

 

[drdiesel1]

Interesting guys. I have two of them and they both work great on SAFE-T and a simulcast digital system.

Would tweaking on the AGC or DSP settings have any effect on this? Currently all settings are default, no attenuation.

 

[scannerfreak]

You shouldn't need to. I would love to see some video of the above issues. It may help in determining what is going on.

 

[drdiesel1]

You shouldn't need to. I would love to see some video of the above issues. It may help in determining what is going on.

Just the garbled audio or a video including the display output? Any special display settings to go with it?

Thanks for the help

 

[scannerfreak]

I'm mainly interested in seeing what the signal is doing. I'd like to see the display and hear the audio. Maybe even hold in MAN mode on a talkgroup for a minute or so. I can't imagine it's the radio but I guess it's possible. I've had my two on SAFE-T, MARCS, and the Cincinnati LSM system and it rocks on all. I've also programmed 3 of them for SAFE-T for some locals without issue.

Also, what sites do you have programmed in? Just one site or a few? Hopefully we can get this figured out for you guys

 

[TedRHayes]

Some questions about updates:

I see how the overall RR database which resides on one's computer and on the SD card can be updated. I believe I understand how any RR updates are applied to existing channels (conv, trunk systems, tg, sites) which have been previously imported. But it is not clear from the documentation I've reviewed exactly what will and will not be updated:

For Conventional channels:

For channels imported from a given state/county/category group (or what ever grouping in the RR database), if channels are added (or removed) from the RR database in that group, will those channels be added to (or removed from) scanlist(s) that where previously imported? My guess is, only changes to existing channels will be reflected - new or removed channels for a given group will have to be manually discovered and imported (for new), or deleted (for removed). (I'm guessing that conventional channels imported into the local PSR-800 database retain no connection to the original RR "group", hope I'm wrong, but from what I see in the software, I doubt it.)

For a given Trunk System which was previously imported:

If TGs are added (or removed), will those new TGs be added to (or deleted from) existing Scanlists?

If new sites are added to a system, will they automatically be added to previously imported system?

If a site is removed from a system, will it be automatically deleted from a previously imported system?

Sorry for the long post, just trying to better understand the capabilities of the PSR-800 (and its associated software).

 

[TedRHayes]

Is there a way to "hold" on a given Scanlist. I see how I can hold on a single Conventional Channel (or TGID), but I can see no way to easily have the PSR-800 scan just a single Scanlist. (I could disable all but the one of interest, but that takes many steps).

 

[tampatracker]

Is there a way to "hold" on a given Scanlist. I see how I can hold on a single Conventional Channel (or TGID), but I can see no way to easily have the PSR-800 scan just a single Scanlist. (I could disable all but the one of interest, but that takes many steps).

As of now there is no "system hold" feature on the PSR800 like the 396XT has. Too bad, it would have been a great feature to have.

 

[pasadenamd]

I ordered mine today and have a few questions. How many minutes will it record with the SD card that it comes with? Can you put any kind of SD card in it?

 

[Jay911]

I ordered mine today and have a few questions. How many minutes will it record with the SD card that it comes with? Can you put any kind of SD card in it?

I have 4 hrs 53 mins of audio in the stock SD card (2gb) right now.

There is still 1.66gb free.

 

[bgav]

I ordered mine today and have a few questions. How many minutes will it record with the SD card that it comes with? Can you put any kind of SD card in it?

I have 4 hrs 53 mins of audio in the stock SD card (2gb) right now.

There is still 1.66gb free.

From the manual:

Your PSR-800 features a powerful audio recording system that captures transmissions that occur on selected objects to the MicroSD card using the high quality, industry standard .AU audio file format. A 2GB MicroSD card with a very large PSR-800 scanning configuration (e.g., 500 MB) still leaves room for over 50 hours of recording time and thousands of recorded transmissions!

You can put a MicroSD card up to 32GB as long as it is formated properly. I'd recommend at least a Class 4 card or faster (higher=better).

 

[pasadenamd]

I have 4 hrs 53 mins of audio in the stock SD card (2gb) right now.

There is still 1.66gb free.

WOW! Thanks! They hold alot!