GREAmerica apparently not so great

[bamamach1]

I hoped my last post would print under my very first post, but it didn't. That is why it doesn't make sense. I guess I should have checked the box to quote my first post.

Anyway, the scanner is packed up, ready to send to GRE. Epi was quick to send me a RMA. Like I said before, he has been great.

Thanks for all the help and hopefully everything will turn out great and you guys can help me understand the world of scanners. I recently retired which is why I wanted to get involed in the hobby. So Grumpy in Ohio met Grumpy in Alabama

 

[kruser]

This may be a little off topic but still a question regarding GRE's current state.

Who is responsible for getting us database updates via the EZ-Scan software?

Does anyone think this is an automated process that will continue working unless some server out there crashes or is there a human involved that does it manually each weekend? And, who owns the equipment that does provide the database updates, is it GRE owned equipment and a GRE owned URL or provided privately from an unknown source?
I've never bothered looking at my firewall logs and checking where the database (or firmware) requests point too when I do a manual check for newer versions.

I'm just curious as it would be bad for those with a PSR-800 (or PRO-18) if they stopped providing database updates for the models that pull their updates from RR. I guess the original non trunking SD card based models would be affected as well although I'm not for certain they even update like the PSR-800 does.

 

[n5ims]

This may be a little off topic but still a question regarding GRE's current state.

Who is responsible for getting us database updates via the EZ-Scan software?

Does anyone think this is an automated process that will continue working unless some server out there crashes or is there a human involved that does it manually each weekend? And, who owns the equipment that does provide the database updates, is it GRE owned equipment and a GRE owned URL or provided privately from an unknown source?
I've never bothered looking at my firewall logs and checking where the database (or firmware) requests point too when I do a manual check for newer versions.

I'm just curious as it would be bad for those with a PSR-800 (or PRO-18) if they stopped providing database updates for the models that pull their updates from RR. I guess the original non trunking SD card based models would be affected as well although I'm not for certain they even update like the PSR-800 does.

Currently the task of updating the database falls on GRE America. When you get your updates they come from one of their servers. They have stated that they'll continue to provide these updates according to their update schedule and have no plans to stop doing so. If they do stop providing them one might expect that Radio Shack would handle that for folks that purchased their branded models (at least until Radio Shack goes under as others on this board are suggesting may happen). Failing that there's always the option of processing your own updates manually using the scanner's software. While this may not be as easy as the updates currently are, it still would allow the scanner to operate even as changes to the database are made.

The non-SD Card scanners wouldn't be affected at all (save for any possible firmware updates). For proof of that, just look at how many folks are still using older scanners that are no longer being supported. When the day arrives that the current scanner lines become unsupported they won't die in a puff of smoke, but will continue to work as they do now. They may no longer receive firmware updates, but that doesn't indicate that they will stop working. If that was true, those old Pro-95, Pro-97s, and even the newer Pro-96s (for example) wouldn't be around hosting feeds or providing enjoyment for many folks. Sure they may not get the firmware updates for rebanding, 700 MHz trunking, or other changes that may happen after their product life was over, they still will do what they do for as long as they hold their "magic smoke".

 

[kruser]

OK, thanks for that info. I was not concerned with the older models as I know they will continue working as they do today naturally. They worked before this site was started and some before the internet so of course they would stay working! My concern was only with the models that are updated from an internet database like the PSR-800 or HP-1 are (too name just two).
The loss of firmware updates that add new programming channel tables would not be nice but can be worked around as long as the scanner has a user settable area for custom tables as most modern models do.
The lack of firmware updates may not be all that bad either as most scanners are going to have all the hardware's abilities already enabled with the initial firmware version. Sometimes a firmware update does solve a problem such as Uniden is attempting with their XT line and the simulcast issue.
GRE did release the P25 Phase 2 update which was a good thing. But as far as it goes, most scanners are very functional as they are and probably would not really require a firmware update. They would likely require new internal hardware before a new firmware is really going to change anything. The PSR-800 was an exception to that thinking though with their P25 Phase 2 update.

Of course RR could go under (be a bad thing, a very bad thing!) and who knows what would happen then. I guess we could only hope that Lindsay would sell it all to someone so it can remain in operation.
I was hesitant on purchasing the HP-1 or the PSR-800 for the above reasons but I also figured you can always use the software to change things if anything bad happens with this site or GRE or Uniden. It may not be as easy for the same reasons you pointed out but it could at least be done so your expensive database driven digital scanner does not become a doorstop.
It's kind of like the preprogrammed systems that are in several models from the factory. That info is usually so out of date that it is useless by the time you purchase the scanner.
I think some Uniden's had preprogrammed systems and then most GRE products also did thanks to their V-Folders that held that data.
At least they all have the option to remove the out of date data.
Uniden's Beartracker and race scanner models are an example of a scanner that contains out of date info as many states have changed the frequencies or radio system types since the scanners were built or race teams have changed frequencies at the tracks. For those, there is not much you can do if you used the so called beartracker features and the built in info is no longer correct. I have a BCT-8 only because it was very cheap. The state info it contains was not complete when I bought it and it will never work now with the state having installed a P25 statewide system. That one I think can have firmware updates but I can't say I've ever seen Uniden release one that changes the hard coded frequencies used for the beartracker feature. I'm not saying they never have released an update for those type scanners built in database, I've just never seen them myself. The race scanners would have the same problem as I think their data may also be hard coded. They should let the outfit that rents and sells scanners and accessories (Racing Radios I think) at races also have the ability to update the hard coded frequencies in those models so they can stay accurate. Accurate until the race teams switch to a digital mode that is.
Anyway, I'm getting way off topic so I'll stop! It was just something I thought about before ever purchasing the PSR-800 or HP-1 and now the past news of GRE shutting down public scanner sales has made me think about this all again. A database driven scanner or one with hard coded frequency tables (race or beartracker types) may not be the wisest decision unless there is software that allows the end user to change that data.

 

[bamamach1]

GREAmerica turned out terrific

When I researched scanners, reviews on RadioReference were very positive about GREAmerica and the PSR800 scanner. My scanner quit receiving a week ago, only 18 days after purchase and I posted and received a ticket number from GREAmerica for the following:

"Scanner shows scanning, haven't heard anything in two days. Previously, local prison, fire, pd and sheriff very busy on radio, nothing now. Could pick up 40 miles away, now nothing, no sound whatsoever, even though scanning. Will not scan on Spectrum either. If you select all bands on Spectrum Sweeper, it stays on one channel. Previously Spectrum Sweeper worked fine. Tried clearing memory and downloading configuration, still just scans, no sound, no tranmissions. Received scanner January 15, 2013. Please help."

It is now a week later and I have yet to hear from GREAmerica. I guess the positive post for GREAmerica and their customer service must have come from their own staff, because my experience hasn't been very good.

Utilizing the phone number Techy listed, I was able to contact Epi at GREAmerica. He was very knowledgeable and helped me with a return authorization. I returned the scanner for warranty service in mid February and received it back today. They replaced the RF modulator, and it works great. My hat's off to the crew in Belmont, CA. Also, thanks for everyone's help and advice through RadioReference..

 

[radioman316]

OK, thanks for that info. I was not concerned with the older models as I know they will continue working as they do today naturally. They worked before this site was started and some before the internet so of course they would stay working! My concern was only with the models that are updated from an internet database like the PSR-800 or HP-1 are (too name just two).
The loss of firmware updates that add new programming channel tables would not be nice but can be worked around as long as the scanner has a user settable area for custom tables as most modern models do.
The lack of firmware updates may not be all that bad either as most scanners are going to have all the hardware's abilities already enabled with the initial firmware version. Sometimes a firmware update does solve a problem such as Uniden is attempting with their XT line and the simulcast issue.
GRE did release the P25 Phase 2 update which was a good thing. But as far as it goes, most scanners are very functional as they are and probably would not really require a firmware update. They would likely require new internal hardware before a new firmware is really going to change anything. The PSR-800 was an exception to that thinking though with their P25 Phase 2 update.

Of course RR could go under (be a bad thing, a very bad thing!) and who knows what would happen then. I guess we could only hope that Lindsay would sell it all to someone so it can remain in operation.
I was hesitant on purchasing the HP-1 or the PSR-800 for the above reasons but I also figured you can always use the software to change things if anything bad happens with this site or GRE or Uniden. It may not be as easy for the same reasons you pointed out but it could at least be done so your expensive database driven digital scanner does not become a doorstop.
It's kind of like the preprogrammed systems that are in several models from the factory. That info is usually so out of date that it is useless by the time you purchase the scanner.
I think some Uniden's had preprogrammed systems and then most GRE products also did thanks to their V-Folders that held that data.
At least they all have the option to remove the out of date data.
Uniden's Beartracker and race scanner models are an example of a scanner that contains out of date info as many states have changed the frequencies or radio system types since the scanners were built or race teams have changed frequencies at the tracks. For those, there is not much you can do if you used the so called beartracker features and the built in info is no longer correct. I have a BCT-8 only because it was very cheap. The state info it contains was not complete when I bought it and it will never work now with the state having installed a P25 statewide system. That one I think can have firmware updates but I can't say I've ever seen Uniden release one that changes the hard coded frequencies used for the beartracker feature. I'm not saying they never have released an update for those type scanners built in database, I've just never seen them myself. The race scanners would have the same problem as I think their data may also be hard coded. They should let the outfit that rents and sells scanners and accessories (Racing Radios I think) at races also have the ability to update the hard coded frequencies in those models so they can stay accurate. Accurate until the race teams switch to a digital mode that is.
Anyway, I'm getting way off topic so I'll stop! It was just something I thought about before ever purchasing the PSR-800 or HP-1 and now the past news of GRE shutting down public scanner sales has made me think about this all again. A database driven scanner or one with hard coded frequency tables (race or beartracker types) may not be the wisest decision unless there is software that allows the end user to change that data.

LOL! People still don't get it. ANY GRE PSR scanner, any GRE/RS scanner will download from the internet. The GRE PSR-800 is NOT the only scanner that downloads the database.

I wish that people would stop stating this.

 

[radioman316]

Currently the task of updating the database falls on GRE America. When you get your updates they come from one of their servers. They have stated that they'll continue to provide these updates according to their update schedule and have no plans to stop doing so. If they do stop providing them one might expect that Radio Shack would handle that for folks that purchased their branded models (at least until Radio Shack goes under as others on this board are suggesting may happen). Failing that there's always the option of processing your own updates manually using the scanner's software. While this may not be as easy as the updates currently are, it still would allow the scanner to operate even as changes to the database are made.

The non-SD Card scanners wouldn't be affected at all (save for any possible firmware updates). For proof of that, just look at how many folks are still using older scanners that are no longer being supported. When the day arrives that the current scanner lines become unsupported they won't die in a puff of smoke, but will continue to work as they do now. They may no longer receive firmware updates, but that doesn't indicate that they will stop working. If that was true, those old Pro-95, Pro-97s, and even the newer Pro-96s (for example) wouldn't be around hosting feeds or providing enjoyment for many folks. Sure they may not get the firmware updates for rebanding, 700 MHz trunking, or other changes that may happen after their product life was over, they still will do what they do for as long as they hold their "magic smoke".

A bit of misinformation in your post. The database comes from, and always has come from RadioReference. GRE has never had the database to my knowledge.

The firmware updates would only affect uniden scanners PLUS you can custommize the band freqs for 700 Mhz system rebands MANUALLY, there is no firmware for rebanding.

 

[radioman316]

This may be a little off topic but still a question regarding GRE's current state.

Who is responsible for getting us database updates via the EZ-Scan software?

Does anyone think this is an automated process that will continue working unless some server out there crashes or is there a human involved that does it manually each weekend? And, who owns the equipment that does provide the database updates, is it GRE owned equipment and a GRE owned URL or provided privately from an unknown source?
I've never bothered looking at my firewall logs and checking where the database (or firmware) requests point too when I do a manual check for newer versions.

I'm just curious as it would be bad for those with a PSR-800 (or PRO-18) if they stopped providing database updates for the models that pull their updates from RR. I guess the original non trunking SD card based models would be affected as well although I'm not for certain they even update like the PSR-800 does.

OK, GRE has never held or made the database. all they do is get it from Radioreference before they ship scanners to consumers.

Radioreference makes and has the database on their servers.

when you use the EZ-SCAN software, you download the database from Radioreference servers.

 

[GTR8000]

A bit of misinformation in your post. The database comes from, and always has come from RadioReference. GRE has never had the database to my knowledge.

Radioreference makes and has the database on their servers.

when you use the EZ-SCAN software, you download the database from Radioreference servers.

Wrong.

The point that you are missing is that both GRE and Uniden first download the entire RadioReference database to their servers, then filter it and covert it to their own proprietary file formats, then create the update files on their own servers for the EZ-Scan and Sentinel software packages to download. Those proprietary files are what is loaded into the PSR-700/800, PRO-107/18 and HomePatrol-1 scanners. There is no way to directly download the RadioReference database directly into any of those models, you must use the software and obtain the updates from the respective manufacturer.

Bottom line: If GRE decides to disappear completely tomorrow, all future changes to the affected scanner models will have to be done by hand using the software. There will be no way to import the RadioReference database into EZ-Scan or into those scanner models, it relies on the intermediate step of GRE creating their own update file first.

 

[SquierStrat]

LOL! People still don't get it. ANY GRE PSR scanner, any GRE/RS scanner will download from the internet. The GRE PSR-800 is NOT the only scanner that downloads the database.

I wish that people would stop stating this.

I dont think you get it. The issue is not that you CAN download from the internet or a computer. The issue is that, with the psr 800 and HP-1, you HAVE to download from the internet, or a computer, if you want new information put in to the scanner.

 

[GTR8000]

I dont think you get it. The issue is not that you CAN download from the internet or a computer. The issue is that, with the psr 800 and HP-1, you HAVE to download from the internet, or a computer, if you want new information put in to the scanner.

Yup, and more to the point, you must download those updates from GRE and Uniden's servers, those updates do not come from the RadioReference servers. (although you can, of course, manually enter data into the software, as tedious as that might be).

The more radioman316 posts, the more apparent it becomes that he doesn't know half of what he thinks he does. :roll:

 

[Thunderknight]

I dont think you get it. The issue is not that you CAN download from the internet or a computer. The issue is that, with the psr 800 and HP-1, you HAVE to download from the internet, or a computer, if you want new information put in to the scanner.

You don't "HAVE to", as you can manually enter data using the pc for a psr-800 (no idea with an HP-1).

 

[detroit780]

PSR800

Most of what's in my PSR800 I entered myself. I either modified what I downloaded or entered it all myself. Not sure what you mean by "YOU have to download from the internet"

You don't have to do anything on the internet if you don't want to.

I dont think you get it. The issue is not that you CAN download from the internet or a computer. The issue is that, with the psr 800 and HP-1, you HAVE to download from the internet, or a computer, if you want new information put in to the scanner.

 

[Arizona_Scanner]

Most of what's in my PSR800 I entered myself. I either modified what I downloaded or entered it all myself. Not sure what you mean by "YOU have to download from the internet"

You don't have to do anything on the internet if you don't want to.

I too find some strange enjoyment in entering the information by hand at times, ESPECIALLY the Alpha tags, which I like to read the same on my different scanners. I can't stand the way most Alpha Tags read from the database. I will pull in the information sometimes and modify it, but other times it's just as fast to enter it myself. I like the PSR 800 for the record feature, for the great audio, for the good digital voice, and for the way you organize scan lists and scan sets (great memory structuring on GRE's final scanner). If I travel I enter the out of state systems beforehand the usual way. I've never found much use for the national database, though I guess it would be good for people who just don't want to spend time entering things and changing tags like hardcore scanner geeks.

 

[Ronaldski]

Last week a fellow stopped by to get his pro 197 programmed. He stated he bought at the bay city MI mall RS and that they said to him no 197's were even to be found in the entire state of MI ! They found one in OH and when he brought it over, the front looked closer in resemblance to the GRE model with a Radio Shack label on it. They must be getting to the back row or so of the warehouse based on the above and that the firmware was DSP 1.3 and CPU 1.7.

 

[rdale]

15 out of 15 Michigan stores within 50 miles of me have them in stock right now...

 

[radioman316]

Yup, and more to the point, you must download those updates from GRE and Uniden's servers, those updates do not come from the RadioReference servers. (although you can, of course, manually enter data into the software, as tedious as that might be).

The more radioman316 posts, the more apparent it becomes that he doesn't know half of what he thinks he does. :roll:

That's funny, because the database number of the update that i get thru EZ-SCAN matches the one on Radio Reference as GRE doesn't have servers to update the database. I was told that they get the database for their scanners from RR before they put them out for retail sales.

The PSR-800, 700, i107 and the 500 all get their updates from RR, Not GRE.

Uniden also gets the database info from RR as well as i spent time researching this.

and before you call me a liar again. check the Radio reference FREQ database and the number by it. that number matches the one downloaded via the EZ-SCAN software. I do believe it's 179, 180, or 181.

 

[Ronaldski]

Rdale your wrong on that since your basing that on RS online for the 197 and what they 'claim' is in stock I see. Definitely cant base what is claimed and what they say is in a store.

I can tell you in my area there hasnt been any digital scanners on the shelf for nearly a couple months as my county went digital in December and the demand has been very strong..This based on numerous people that I have worked on their radios that have told me this and talking to the employees/managers occasionally. People have to get RS to find-order them and get em in a day or so later is reality for month(s).
Even talked to them in person on Sunday.
They are sold out online as well.

 

[KevinC]

...and before you call me a liar again. check the Radio reference FREQ database and the number by it. that number matches the one downloaded via the EZ-SCAN software. I do believe it's 179, 180, or 181.

Where are you seeing this number???

 

[fxdscon]

That's funny, because the database number of the update that i get thru EZ-SCAN matches the one on Radio Reference as GRE doesn't have servers to update the database. I was told that they get the database for their scanners from RR before they put them out for retail sales.

The PSR-800, 700, i107 and the 500 all get their updates from RR, Not GRE.

Uniden also gets the database info from RR as well as i spent time researching this.

and before you call me a liar again. check the Radio reference FREQ database and the number by it. that number matches the one downloaded via the EZ-SCAN software. I do believe it's 179, 180, or 181.

That's some really bad information you're giving out there radioman316.

The database updates go from Radio Reference servers to the scanner manufacturers servers first, and once those folks have made their edits and changed the data to their proprietary formats, it is available from their servers to be downloaded to the radios. This occurs on a weekly basis.

There is no possible way to import the Radio Reference database from the Radio Reference servers directly into those scanners (Uniden HP1, GRE PSR-800, 700, i107) by way of the manufacturers software update service.

As others have mentioned, you can manually add info from the Radio Reference database to those scanners if you wish. The PSR500 you mention in your post does not have proprietary software updating service.

Plain and simple, it just isn't done as you claim it is.

.