Help with my PRO-106...

[TheCosmicCowboy]

I'm programming my new PRO-106 from Radio Shack... I'm using the software, not having too many problems, but I've encountered something I don't know about and can't find anything on it in the instruction manuals...

On the screen where one sets up the system type (trunk, conventional, etc) & enters the frequencies, there are 2 categories... One is "Threshold High" & the other is "Threshold Low"... Some of the other selections, such as t-type, fleet map, etc... Are a little mysterious too... My PRO-96 doesn't have all those options... I'm trying program AWIN, OK WIN, and the Fort Chaffee systems...

Any help will be appreciated... Thanks!!!

 

[fxdscon]

I'm programming my new PRO-106 from Radio Shack... I'm using the software, not having too many problems, but I've encountered something I don't know about and can't find anything on it in the instruction manuals...

On the screen where one sets up the system type (trunk, conventional, etc) & enters the frequencies, there are 2 categories... One is "Threshold High" & the other is "Threshold Low"... Some of the other selections, such as t-type, fleet map, etc... Are a little mysterious too... My PRO-96 doesn't have all those options... I'm trying program AWIN, OK WIN, and the Fort Chaffee systems...

Any help will be appreciated... Thanks!!!

This manual has some good explanations:

Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual


.

 

[TheCosmicCowboy]

Thanks for the link... That manual is much better than the one supplied with the scanner... What is a good setting for my thresholds??? I sort of understand what it does... What do most of the local users set theirs for???

 

[ae5au]

Thanks for the link... That manual is much better than the one supplied with the scanner... What is a good setting for my thresholds??? I sort of understand what it does... What do most of the local users set theirs for???

The defaults seem to work pretty well for me. You don't want to set the low too low or it will stay locked onto sites that you can't decode that well and you will hear a lot of garbled voice.

I find it more difficult to choose between roaming mode (the mode you are talking about) and stationary mode with "Check all CCs on each pass" enabled. If you are in a location (especially stationary, as the name implies) and can copy several sites well, this is sometimes a better option. Since a site will only carry traffic for actual transceiver units that are affiliated with it, you might be able to catch more of adjoining counties in "Check all CCs on each pass" mode than in roaming mode. For example, from my house I receive Shinall, Roosevelt (East Little Rock) and Magnet Cove all really well. If I were in roaming mode, I might lock on to Shinall and never leave it since the signal is strong. This could cause me to miss Hot Spring county traffic that's only on Magnet Cove. "Check all CCs on each pass" has one drawback though in that it takes longer for it to get back around to the one site that carries certain traffic while it's checking other sites for traffic.

Hopefully that helped more than it hurt!

 

[TheCosmicCowboy]

Thanks for the explanation about the roaming and stationary... It helped... Back to the threshold settings... What numbers are too low and too high??? Right now I think the default has 1 & 1 in each... I'm sure that needs to be changed... I'm open to suggestions...

 

[ae5au]

Thanks for the explanation about the roaming and stationary... It helped... Back to the threshold settings... What numbers are too low and too high??? Right now I think the default has 1 & 1 in each... I'm sure that needs to be changed... I'm open to suggestions...

I think mine is set to 75 and 95.

 

[7eng]

I keep mine set to 75 and 95. I've experimented with making small changes in the threshold while roaming, with mixed results. I think for the most part, you will be ok with using the defaults. I also use the stationary option with check multiple cc's enabled. It works pretty well and gives me access to more agencies in other areas.

 

[TheCosmicCowboy]

Thanks again... I think the defaults on mine are 1 & 1... I will enter 75 & 95... Also, if I plan to move around, take my scanner with me when I go places, etc... Then I need to set to roam and not stationary??? Correct???

 

[7eng]

Yes. Select Roam. Be sure you have the control channels programmed for the areas you plan to be in and you should be fine.

 

[TheCosmicCowboy]

The AWIN system has more than 32 frequencies & over 600 talk groups. Just wondering how some of the other users program theirs for AWIN?

 

[k5rpd]

..

Why not set up several different TSYS for different areas of the state you might be in, such as Northwest, Northeast, Central, etc. Program the area specific control channels in each TSYS. This way you aren't scanning for a control channel you aren't close to and can't hear- wasting scan time and missing traffic. Then assign one TSYS per bank and label them with the area name. Bank 1-Northwest, bank 2- northeast, etc. Then as you travel it's just a one button press on the keypad to turn a bank/area on and off.

JJ

 

[poppafred]

I set up a single TSYS with all the talkgroups with the frequencies of all the towers I will be in range of.

Since I live in east Frankklin Co, I have Waveland (Mt Magazine), because I go to Ft Smith, I also have Ft Smith simulcast. Since I go to Fayeteville some times, I have Mt Gaylor and Fayetteville simulcast. I can drive from home to Ft Smith and up I540 to Springdale and have seemless reception all the way except for when I go through the Hopper Tunnel.

 

[TheCosmicCowboy]

Thanks for the tips... Just wondering if there is a club or group that get together and swap scanner/radio tips & stories?