I find the opposite is true. The software helps you understand and utilize the features of the radio better. There are "tons" of set-up settings, as well as system and frequency settings that you may not realize, but the software tends to put the default condition on. You can look at all those settings and usually fine tune them(after using the radio and software for quite a while.). With software, you can upload the contents of the scanner to the software so you can see how AES set it up, and then just add to it.
Here's a list:
Object Oriented Scanner Software While I don't have a GRE, I find software by Butel, ARC500, to be well worth the money. You will find the
ARC500_User_Guide helpful. Others may prefer PSRedit500, but you can download each for a trial period and decide for yourself. Both will log onto this site, and download all or some of the frequencies and systems from your area. This saves hours of typing and usually sets up the correct parameters for trunking systems.