Information Overload

[metaphaze]

Howdy,

New member here, looking for some information. I used an old Radio Shack PRO-94 about 5+ years ago when I lived in Illinois. I was able to figure out how to do the Motorola trunking in Elgin, Illinois.

Fast forward 5 years, I am now living in Wyoming (best life decision ever made). That said a friend asked me if I could setup a new scanner for him since our area just went to WyoLink. I told him I would look in to it and get back to him.

Well I have been reading these forums here, especially the sticky. There is a lot of information for a newbie here. The first question I have, is the GRE 500 a good investment that will work with WyoLink? Or are there newer devices out there that I should be looking at?

Second, are the members here able to help me get setup for WyoLink, and the analog channels in Carbon County?

Thanks,

Meta Phaze

 

[PJH]

I know that user name from somewhere, but not sure where....

Welcome to the state! I made my jump back in May and loving it since. I take it your in Rawlins (ish)?

Any scanner that supports APCO25 trunking (not just SmartZone, or APCO digital) will work.The GRE500 will work fine with the Wyolink system.

The PSR800 is nicer and will work, and I believe that one supports the phase 2 trunking, but I don't forsee that coming to Wyoming anytime soon.

 

[metaphaze]

I know that user name from somewhere, but not sure where....

Is that good or bad?

Welcome to the state! I made my jump back in May and loving it since. I take it your in Rawlins (ish)?

Apparently I am a "Wyoming Native" since I have dealt with, and loved, the Winters from 2007-2010, without any desire to leave

I live in Carbon County, but after a brief stint of living in Chicago for 24 years, and the past 4-5 years and enjoying the freedom I have in Wyoming, I have chose NOT to live in Rawlins. I however do reside somewhere in the large square acreage of Carbon County.

Any scanner that supports APCO25 trunking (not just SmartZone, or APCO digital) will work.The GRE500 will work fine with the Wyolink system.

The PSR800 is nicer and will work, and I believe that one supports the phase 2 trunking, but I don't forsee that coming to Wyoming anytime soon.

I understand your saying the GRE500 will work. Are you saying, within Wyoming, there is no reason to get an 800? The 800 looks like a flimsy toy, where the 500 still shows some nostalgic "I am a police scanner" appeal.

I want an effective scanner, not the latest and greatest Apple iPod20.

 

[datainmotion]

Second, are the members here able to help me get setup for WyoLink, and the analog channels in Carbon County?

Do you already have software (i.e. - PSREdit500, Win500, ARC500) to program it?

 

[metaphaze]

Do you already have software (i.e. - PSREdit500, Win500, ARC500) to program it?

I have no software, since I am just contemplating the purchase of the scanner.

I didn't think it would be necessary to order 1st or 3rd party software in order to get a brand new scanner to work? I guess I figured everything I needed to setup the device would come with the package?

Was I mistaken? This doesn't make a lot of sense to me...

 

[datainmotion]

You don't have to have the software, but just about everyone who has programmed one of these (current GRE or Uniden trunking scanners) will tell you it will save you ALOT of time and trouble (and a few grey hairs :wink. I have a 500 and use Win500 to program it.

I believe both PSREdit500 and Win500 are only $35 each, and can be downloaded off of their respective web sites. Plus I think each can be downloaded for free as a trial, which would give you plenty of time to program the scanner at no cost.

BTW - My "brief stint" in Chicago lasted 28 years. I bolted in '96 and never looked back.

 

[datainmotion]

If you want to take a look at them:

PSREdit500 - PSREdit500 - Configuration Editor for the PSR-500, PSR-600, PRO-106, and PRO-197 Scanners
Win500 - Win500: PSR-500, PSR-600, PRO-106, PRO-197, PSR-310, PSR-410 Scanner Software for Data Management, Monitoring, and Control
ARC500 - GRE GRECOM RadioShack PRO-106 PRO106 PRO-197 PRO197 PSR-500 PSR-600 PRO-106 PRO106 PRO-197 PRO197 PSR500 PSR600 Software

All three software authors are also members here and many of us can help with use/programming questions.