Lost with programmin Pro-96

[PC_Medic]

OK, I just got a new Pro-96 (well slightly used) and I am embarressed to say, I can not figure out this whole programing thing. I am in Virginia Beach and would like to get the Va Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk PD's and other services loaded and can't figure out where to start.

Have just downloaded Win-96 (I have the cable as well) and dloaded the file from the scanner and it has a few channels (17) programmed in Bank 0, but have no idea what they are. Some to appear to be PD, but have not heard enough yet to determine which cities/pricincts

Any help appreciated.

PC Medic

 

[ka3jjz]

Do yourself a favor - become a paid subscriber and download the freqs directly from our database. In the time since the 96 came out, things could easily have changed.

It's quite cheap to become a paid member - just go to our wiki (click on the top blue toolbar) and the page you come to has a link on how to do that in the box on the right 73s Mike

 

[fmon]

I agree with Mike, become a premium subscriber.

In the meantime, you'll find VA Beach and other area files in this Win96 file in the zip.
Bank
0=Suffolk
1=Norfolk
2=Portsmouth
3=Hampton
4=VA Beach
5=Newport News
6=Chesapeake
7=Va STARS division 5
8=NOB Norfolk
9=VSPD Conventional

 

[PC_Medic]

Thank you both for the prompt replies. I will certainly look at the 'Premium Subscriber' option.

'fmon' thanks for the file, this certainly got me started. I like the added touch of the custom welcome message as well :0)

Just out of Curiosity, what are the 'Dummy' channels in the hampton bank for? Can they be locked out as keeps stopping on these with squaling noises only. Annoying to say the least.

 

[fmon]

Hampton bank 3 has no dummy channels but does have several conventional channels which can be locked out as needed. However, bank 7, division 5 STARS has dummy frequencies separating the control channel tower sets. These 'dummies' act to aid the scanner to acquire another set of controls during none activity of a current acquisition. The Wiki pages discuss the phenomena in the bottom of this page for Control Channel Only scanners.

If it is these dummies (Bank 7) that are locking up the scanner, adjust the squelch threshold to release. Don't lock the dummy out or it will defeat the purpose.

 

[PC_Medic]

I stand corrected... it was Bank 7 that I saw the dummy channels listed in and confused myself trying to do too many things at once here (forum, scanner programming and talking with son). They are not an issue that I can see at this point.

read the Wiki entry you referenced and have a 'little' better understanding now.

Seems to be doing OK and picking up lots of activity from Chesapeake PD, though VERY little from VA Beach and I don't think any of that has been PD. I guess living in VA Beach that could be considered a good thing :0) just trying to make sure all is working.

I must say (IMO) the manual leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps the fact the last scanner I owned used crystals has something to do with the learning curve as well.

What is the approximate reception range that one can expect (I am using stock and 800 Mhz antennas)?

 

[fmon]

Seems to be doing OK and picking up lots of activity from Chesapeake PD, though VERY little from VA Beach and I don't think any of that has been PD.

I just relooked at the Win96 file and noticed bank 4 VA Beach has the fleemap section (on right side) set incorrectly.

check each pull down to read S00. 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, & 7 need to be changed. After changing, save the file and reload to scanner.

S00 is pure Type II smartnet which is what all systems in this area use.

Sorry bout that!:wink:

 

[PC_Medic]

Just found the same info (All Type II should be set to S00 ) in the Win96 Help file.
I have made this change and uploaded to scanner. See if I pick up any VB activity now.

Just out of curiosity Banks 6 & 7 show a '+' below them in the display and 1-5 do not. What does this indicate as I can not find much reference on the display yet.

Edit: Comparing banks, think I found the answer to the '+' indicator.
It appears to me it may indicate 'open' vs 'Closed' bank. Is this correct?

 

[rchalupajr]

Yes that is correct. + = open, - = closed

 

[fmon]

You can toggle the mode + or - by pressing FUNC + 5 while the bank is on.

Edit: Good night all.

 

[PC_Medic]

Want to thank you all for the help. Seems the scanner itself is working OK as using fmon's file I am receiving Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk (a bit scratchy) and even Apomatox calls. For some reason nothing from Va Beach at all since last change, but not sure why yet. Guess I will continue plugging away till I get it.

Update: Think I found problem with Va Beach.
Using Win96 looking at the bank for Va. Beach I noticed that the Trunking ID's listed did not match those in the table I had from HRSP.
I updated Precincts 1-4 with the correct ID's and they now scan. Now I just need to find the rest of the correct ID's. Guess I will continue plugging away till I get it.

 

[fmon]

I noticed a couple more errors in the HR with STARS 1 file which has been correct with this HR with STARS 2 zip. I noticed Norfolk page had no ID numbers, only tags. Duh...wont work in closed mode. Reload the scanner with this file and trash or edit as you wish the other file.

Clunk...I should have had a V8:roll:

 

[PC_Medic]

Was part way through updating the Va. Beach ID No's when I got your reply. Certainly saves me a lot of work. Hadn't even noticed the Norfolk issue yet.

Am I correct in understanding that if the bank is in 'Open' mode it will stop on channels that are not yet programmed in with a corresponding ID number?

Thanks again

 

[fmon]

Correct, though not really channels but talkgroup ID's. The 'Closed' mode will scan only unlocked programmed ID's.

One can also toggle specific bank sub-banks thus controlling even programmed ID's to scan. Refer to page 91 and 92 for procedure. Note the display reading on line 3 changing to T IDbk 01234. Any or all but one of the 5 sub-banks can be toggled providing the user while scanning 'Closed' to scan only Police or Fire/EMS or any combo of. This feature can also be selected on the Win96 Settings/Weather page by checking 'ID Sub-bank On/Off Mode' lower left.

The Win96 2 file has the sub-bank toggled in each of the trunking banks. However, don't know why, but Suffolk has all 5 turned on and only has data in the first 4. VA Stars has sub-bank 3 with the 'Radio Tech's' turned off but the bank is set to open mode for it so won't make any deference unless you toggle the bank to closed. During building of this system, the tech's often provide useful (sometimes entertaining) tid-bits.

 

[PC_Medic]

Thank you again for the (excellent) explanation. Maybe they should have had you write the manual ;0) Perhaps a 'Pro-96 For Dummies' is in order.

Viewing in Win96 (Great piece of software by the way) I can see where the sub-banks are useful to separate trunked systems into their various groups such as PD, FD, EMS, etc.
If scanning and it stops on a new Talk Group that I would like to add I believe all I need to do is hit 'Trunk' or of course manually enter the info to an available slot in the appropriate Sub-Bank in Win96 then upload the changes.

Now I see why everyone says that Win96 is a must have!

 

[fmon]

I did write this RR Wiki step by step Shortcut a few years ago.

Also, this Easier to read page by Mark may be useful.