Illinois State Police

[usmaak]

Hi,

I'm new to the game. I recently bought a new PRO-163 a couple of weeks ago. It seems like a pretty decent scanner. I'm still getting used to it and getting it programmed and whatnot. I feel like I need an advanced degree to program the trunked Will County system lol.

So if I'm reading things correctly, there's no way for me to pick up state police frequencies because this is not a digital scanner. Is this true, or is there something I'm missing? I live right by I80, and it would be nice to hear what's causing traffic slowdowns.

Thanks

 

[W9GC]

True. ISP is on Starcom21, a digital trunking system. You will not hear ISP radio traffic using the Pro-163.

I recommend getting a Pro-106. I got one a few weeks ago and I love it. Much better than the Uniden BCD396T I had.

 

[usmaak]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I'm new to this. Wouldn't a base unit get better reception than a handheld?

 

[KC8RFE]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I'm new to this. Wouldn't a base unit get better reception than a handheld?

They are basically the same radio just in a different package. The handheld will do just as well with the same antenna as a mobile/base. It comes down to user preference.

 

[W9GC]

Wouldn't a base unit get better reception than a handheld?

A base antenna will get better reception than a handheld antenna. The radios themselves should perform the same.

 

[RoninJoliet]

Im not sure where your located near I80, im in Will Co near I80, i use outdoor antennas (RS groundplane 25-1300) for the base a new RShack 20-197 and it hears the Chicagoland towers for Starcom...I also have the GRE500 H/H using the RS800 rubber duck and if your scanner is in the correct spot both antennas do well...The 700/800 Starcom is very difficult to receive in some locations...I have programmed Tower101-Dupage Co, T102,T125, T126...Its a very vast system, go to www.radioreference.com and check out all the towers and CChannels in your area to be able to receive it...Personally i would suggest the GRE products PSR500/600 or RS106/197....

 

[usmaak]

Would a PRO-2096 be a better bet for me than the PRO-163? I see that they're on sale this week. Is there anything the 163 has that the PRO-2096 doesn't have?

 

[N9JIG]

The PRO2096 will allow you to hear some of the StarCom21 sites (those using 851-869 MHz.) but not the 700 MHz. sites (770-780 MHz.).

You can download the CARMA Profiles for StarCom21 and other Illinois items at http://www.carmachicago.com for more information.

The PRO-163 will not work on any StarCom21 site, it does not handle any digital comms at all.

You can use either scanner for other analong systems.

 

[W9GC]

I still have a Pro-2096 I use at my Southern Illinois home and it works great as there are no 700MHz sites within range (304 is my primary SI site).

However, if you want to be able to effectively monitor ISP in your area, don't get the Pro-2096 - especially if you are looking to monitor District 5 (Will County area) as the 113 sites are 700 MHz and the Pro-2096 will not track them.

I use a Pro-106 and a a Pro-197 in Northern Illinois (Dist. 2, 5 and Chi) and I am very impressed with them both. Both boast excellent audio, great sensitivity with no intermod problems.

 

[usmaak]

I still have a Pro-2096 I use at my Southern Illinois home and it works great as there are no 700MHz sites within range (304 is my primary SI site).

However, if you want to be able to effectively monitor ISP in your area, don't get the Pro-2096 - especially if you are looking to monitor District 5 (Will County area) as the 113 sites are 700 MHz and the Pro-2096 will not track them.

I use a Pro-106 and a a Pro-197 in Northern Illinois (Dist. 2, 5 and Chi) and I am very impressed with them both. Both boast excellent audio, great sensitivity with no intermod problems.

Unfortunately it's a little outside my budget right now. I hope it will eventually come down in price some more. Right now it's on sale, but not enough. I'd really love to have the 197.

 

[W9GC]

Unfortunately it's a little outside my budget right now. I hope it will eventually come down in price some more. Right now it's on sale, but not enough.

For the last few weeks the Pro-106 and Pro-197 was on sale for $299 (I paid $321.01 each with tax)... that sale ended on Dec 24.

 

[usmaak]

For the last few weeks the Pro-106 and Pro-197 was on sale for $299 (I paid $321.01 each with tax)... that sale ended on Dec 24.

Oh so close...

Maybe I'll return the 163 and just wait for another sale. I still have a couple of weeks to the end of my 30 days.

 

[usmaak]

Well, I did order a PRO-197 yesterday. RS had free 2 day shipping, so now I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new scanner. I still need to package up the 163 and take it back. I'll probably wait to do that until I get the 197. That way I at least have something to listen to until I get my new PRO-197.

Hopefully RS won't give me a hard time about taking it back when there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[W9GC]

Well, I did order a PRO-197 yesterday. RS had free 2 day shipping, so now I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new scanner. I still need to package up the 163 and take it back. I'll probably wait to do that until I get the 197. That way I at least have something to listen to until I get my new PRO-197.

Hopefully RS won't give me a hard time about taking it back when there's nothing wrong with it.

Congrats on the new digital scanner! I highly recommend getting Don Star's Win500 programming software and a programming cable to program ISP.

 

[usmaak]

Congrats on the new digital scanner! I highly recommend getting Don Star's Win500 programming software and a programming cable to program ISP.

Doesn't the cable come with software I can use? Also, are any of the preprogrammed channels of any use?

 

[W9GC]

The cable does not come with programming software, the included CDROM contains USB driver software only.

I don't believe the pre-programmed data in the Pro-106/197 includes the ISP Starcom21 system. I remember seeing other local systems though, such as Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Will County, etc. The Win500 software can be downloaded and used for 60 days before purchase (It says it's a 30 day trial, it's actually a 60 day trial). The Win500 software contains many other great features, such as a computer-controlled scanner control interface and a remote web server.

With the software, cable and a RadioReference premium subscription you will be able to download the desired data directly from RadioReference to your scanner, completing your programming tasks within minutes instead of days or weeks.

 

[RoninJoliet]

There is NO Starcom freqys in the 106/197, GRE500/600, in V-Folder13 ILL there is still the old ISP EDACS Systems that have to be deleted...I did just that and re-entered some ILL-Starcom towers in place of the EDACS....

 

[usmaak]

I got the scanner today, and I have one question that I'm hoping someone can answer. Using the cable and Win500, I programmed in the Lincolnway police department. On my old 163, I was using the simulcast frequency, and it always came in clear. With the trunked system, the "T" icon (I assume it means trunked) and the signal isn't as strong as with the simulcast frequency. I'm also hearing crackling noises on broadcasts.

Is there something wrong with this thing? I hope not. It seems to do digital loud and clear.

 

[RoninJoliet]

If your talking about the Will Co trunk system and Lincolnway Dispatch on 15-097 i hear it clear here on the west side of Joliet...Im near the Will Co CC on the hospital...Are you using the stock pullup antenna or a RS 800 rubber duck on the scanner...Not sure of your location but you may have the radio in a bad spot for the CC...I have a solid "T" on the CC, NO FLICKERING....You mention "simulcast freqy" , there simulcasting on a "talkgroup on County....

 

[usmaak]

If your talking about the Will Co trunk system and Lincolnway Dispatch on 15-097 i hear it clear here on the west side of Joliet...Im near the Will Co CC on the hospital...Are you using the stock pullup antenna or a RS 800 rubber duck on the scanner...Not sure of your location but you may have the radio in a bad spot for the CC...I have a solid "T" on the CC, NO FLICKERING....You mention "simulcast freqy" , there simulcasting on a "talkgroup on County....

I'm on the corner of Will Cook and Rt 6.. I'm in Orland Park, but literally a stone's throw from Mokena. I'm using the antenna that came with the scanner. I did go out and get the RS 800 rubber duck antenna tonight, but haven't gotten home to try it out yet. I'm hoping for better results, because right now, I'm sort of underwhelmed. Lincolnway dispatch is simulcasting on 155.67.