GRE To Release New Digital Handheld, Others

[Voyager]

I can see one digital handheld/one base or analog set, but 6 new radios all at once, something doesn't smell right. Even when Radio Shack comes out with a new model it would only be a pair at a time, or one set from Uniden OEM and another from GRE OEM. That would be a huge leap for GRE, even if the rebanding phase was settled, to go out on their own. If they did, I think it would be a revision of a current model. Their track record on firmware upgrades via logic display board replacement and major issues with the PRO-2055 display come to mind. I'll sit back and watch this one unfold, not to doubt your word, but I'm skeptical at best as to "what" they are going to release. Think of the overhead and development time of a new model and time to production.

I look forward to something new. Let the speculation begin.

Consider that it would not be a far jump for GRE to modify units they have already developed for Radio Shack and market them under their own name. They could even have modified the firmware to be upgradable to a point (ala Uniden).

Consider a private label PRO-96/97/94??? (what's the low tier HT) along with a PRO-2096/20xx/2054 mobile. That's 6 units of which 5 already exist (or is there a mobile equivallent to the PRO-97???). New firmware. New badges. Maybe even a new keyboard, and there you have 6 "new models" available for sale. The FCC TA might even apply to those same models if the hardware is essentially the same. (remember the BC245XLT that used the 235's FCC TA???)

This is entirely plausible. Overhead? Development time? Nearly zero for the above reasons - they have been in development for years already.

Should get interesting!

Joe M.

 

[DaveIN]

Good point. However the handhelds do look like they have a different case style and that would mean a different board layout unless they use the PRO-97 as a baseline. It will use 4AA's and have two battery blocks per the pdf's, the usual from GRE.

Having said that, the Base/mobiles however do look like they use the same DIN hardware. Let's just hope they have a good handle on the LCD display problems in China after the PRO-2055 problems.

I do remember some chatter we had about LED and backlighting colors. The three user programmable function key could be usefull as well.

Welcome back, Joe!

Consider that it would not be a far jump for GRE to modify units they have already developed for Radio Shack and market them under their own name. They could even have modified the firmware to be upgradable to a point (ala Uniden).

Consider a private label PRO-96/97/94??? (what's the low tier HT) along with a PRO-2096/20xx/2054 mobile. That's 6 units of which 5 already exist (or is there a mobile equivallent to the PRO-97???). New firmware. New badges. Maybe even a new keyboard, and there you have 6 "new models" available for sale. The FCC TA might even apply to those same models if the hardware is essentially the same. (remember the BC245XLT that used the 235's FCC TA???)

This is entirely plausible. Overhead? Development time? Nearly zero for the above reasons - they have been in development for years already.

Should get interesting!

Joe M.

 

[321cm]

The best thing I've seen so far is that the digitals also include regular LTR and all the EDACS modes (yea I know, except the ProVoice that can't be included). NAC's will also fill a void. GRE could have stepped up an added USB support and digital audio recording. Sounds like a long time in development without more new features. Can't help but wonder if Radio Shack had planned to sell these models, and then decided not to continue after all the changes at RS corporate.

Wheres it say support for LTR/EDACS digital? ie AEGIS

 

[DaveIN]

Wheres it say support for LTR/EDACS digital? ie AEGIS

It didn't, sorry I didn't mean to imply that it would do AEGIS, or anything other than "regular" analog LTR, and I wouldn't expect it to. I am somewhat shocked that it will do EDACS SCAT and Narrow band.

 

[rdale]

AEGIS is NOT listed on the spec sheet.

 

[321cm]

It didn't, sorry I didn't mean to imply that it would do AEGIS, or anything other than "regular" analog LTR.

That's quite all right. You did get my hopes up though


--rdale: yeah I didn't see it, I misinterpreted what he said.

 

[SCPD]

It will have I-Call and also 700MHz. Considering the new full duplex cable it will be USB too. Yes it will have remote control. How do I know? hummm......

 

[rdale]

USB "too" or USB default? I.E. will we need an adapter since so few PC's have a serial port, or is it USB out of the box?

 

[SCPD]

Will it cover the new 380 Mhz federal band?
Will it cover the 700 Mhz band (eg. goes down to something like 762 Mhz - not 796 Mhz).
Does it cover the emerging Site Pro flavor of EDACS?

 

[SCPD]

Speaking of the PSR-500/600.... It will use the presently available "PC/IF" jack to USB cable (RS: 20-047) or GRE "USB PC-Data Cable" on GRE America's web site. Those cables work in half or full duplex modes for the old or new radios respectively. The new digital radio will use it in full duplex mode and at higher speeds than the previous radios.

Goes down to the low 760s MHz, and yes covers 380 MHz Also.

 

[mikey60]

Speaking of the PSR-500/600.... It will use the presently available "PC/IF" jack to USB cable (RS: 20-047) or GRE "USB PC-Data Cable" on GRE America's web site. Those cables work in half or full duplex modes for the old or new radios respectively. The new digital radio will use it in full duplex mode and at higher speeds than the previous radios.

Goes down to the low 760s MHz, and yes covers 380 MHz Also.

Does it still support the control channel data stream like the Pro-96/2096?
If so, is the "multi-packet" bug fixed?

(I have to ask, Pro96Com depends on that at this point, and I can't develope the code to handle the multi-packet codes until I can see an example of it...)

Mike

 

[Comint]

Too bad they don't seem to cover the 70 to 85 MHz Band, which is used as VHF Lo Band by many countries.

Also, it would have been nice if they also handled MPT1327 Trunking.

Comint

 

[w8jjr]

Does it still support the control channel data stream like the Pro-96/2096?
If so, is the "multi-packet" bug fixed?

(I have to ask, Pro96Com depends on that at this point, and I can't develope the code to handle the multi-packet codes until I can see an example of it...)

Mike

It will have I-Call and also 700MHz. Considering the new full duplex cable it will be USB too. Yes it will have remote control. How do I know? hummm......

If it has i-call, I'll have to dump some stuff on ebay to make room. Sounds nice.
Looks -- first thought when I saw the pic's PRO-97, Most likely based of the 97.
Size -- still a brick

Any one in Dayton get a projected release date?

Mike did you go down to dayton with the group? If so check this out for us

 

[MNRotrMedic]

I don't normally get involved in the 'speculative' forums but a few of the posters here seem to have a wealth of information on these units.

Is there any intention from GRE to continue to provide the control channel data from the PC/IF port like the PRO-96 does? Hopefully for both 3600 & 9600 Baud systems?
It would be fantastic if these units were equipped out of the box with discriminator taps but i tend to think that we'll all be waiting a while for that treat.

 

[Voyager]

I do remember some chatter we had about LED and backlighting colors. The three user programmable function key could be usefull as well.

Welcome back, Joe!

Thanks, Dave. You know how it is... so many forums... so little time.

I'll try to ask about the control channel stream and the release date if I see anyone today.

Joe M. (in Dayton)

 

[bonus1331]

Wondering about re-banding. I have no idea how the timeline between FCC approval and production works. Will GRE have enought time and knowledge to get these out AFTER listed TRS's in these forums have rebanded so that a firmware update is not needed or will the consumer need to update the firmware after arrival?
Thoughts?

 

[tonsoffun]

I hope they will include the programming cable with these units like Uniden does so we don't have to order the cable seperately.
Take care

 

[Stick0413]

I don't normally get involved in the 'speculative' forums but a few of the posters here seem to have a wealth of information on these units.

Is there any intention from GRE to continue to provide the control channel data from the PC/IF port like the PRO-96 does? Hopefully for both 3600 & 9600 Baud systems?
It would be fantastic if these units were equipped out of the box with discriminator taps but i tend to think that we'll all be waiting a while for that treat.

I have read in here but nothing official (that I know of) saying if it will have computer control or not. I am really hoping they do. That is probably the biggest thing I like about the 996. Now if GRE does it with these new scanners and they still have the same digital quality as the 96/2096 then that would be perfect. The biggest thing I am liking from what I've read on the spec sheets is that the new dig scanners will have dynamic type memory instead of the bank system, at the same time though keep the V-Folder feature.

 

[SCPD]

In general I think everyone will know more if/when the manual hits the FCC OET site, but I have used a beta unit for a bit, and will answer what I can.. Again, yes it has full remote controllable and has a full set of Control channel dump capability (much more than the P96), so there is really no longer a need for a Disc-tap. The trunking is all re-done with the bug mentioned above fixed. It is very clear that the development team has spent a lot of time reading the forums and listening to requests, etc.

 

[DaveIN]

It will have I-Call and also 700MHz. Considering the new full duplex cable it will be USB too. Yes it will have remote control. How do I know? hummm......

Ok, now were getting somewhere, I-Call and 700MHz tracking. I too would love to see it support 3600 as well as 9600 baud packets out so that Mike can update PRO96COM. Any chance it will support EDACS output as well?

It doesn't include V-Scanner as I can see from the pdf information, but the dynamic talkgroup lists are a huge step forward.

Any more tidbits you can give us?