New GRE PSR-500 owner some questions

[ppht]

Hello All,
Love the scanner but I am stuck on a couple things. I trued to read all the manuals or files I can find but can't find what I am looking for or I am over looking it.
I also use the ARC500 software for programming the scanner.
Here are my questions.
1.How can I get what firmware is already on my scanner to see if it needs an update?
2. I have programmed in the software the Trunk systems and they made talk groups, I dont feel like the scanner is actually scanning those but they are on scanner and the scan lists they are in are on.
3. How do I make a FAV? Is a favorite to have a set of scanlists ready as presets?
Thanks

 

[n5usr]

1.How can I get what firmware is already on my scanner to see if it needs an update?

Press the 3 key while the welcome display is showing when you first turn the scanner on. (I found this on the Wiki page for the scanner, not sure if it's in the manual or not.)

2. I have programmed in the software the Trunk systems and they made talk groups, I dont feel like the scanner is actually scanning those but they are on scanner and the scan lists they are in are on.

Why do you not think that? The scanner *only* scans the programmed TGs, unless you enter the "wildcard" in which case it will stop for any traffic at all. If you mean you don't see the names whizzing by on the display, then no that doesn't happen - it just shows you the name of the trunking system while scanning them.

3. How do I make a FAV? Is a favorite to have a set of scanlists ready as presets?

No, the FAV is actually a separate special scanlist. If you press FAV, it only scans those objects you have placed into it, turning off all other scanlists.

The idea is you can on the fly enter various objects into it to quickly create a subset to scan right then, and afterward easily clear it. Alternatively, you can just set up a "most used" set in FAV as a way to very quickly get from general scanning to that set.

Say some big event happens, and you find a handful of frequencies / TGs that are being used to cover that event, but other traffic in the same scanlists keeps interfering with your listening. You can press Func-Fav on each desired freq / TG while it is active, which enters that object into the FAV scanlist. Then press FAV and that's all you'll hear. Later, you can clear the list in the global menu without having to go to each item.

 

[ppht]

Why do you not think that? The scanner *only* scans the programmed TGs, unless you enter the "wildcard" in which case it will stop for any traffic at all. If you mean you don't see the names whizzing by on the display, then no that doesn't happen - it just shows you the name of the trunking system while scanning them.
QUOTE]

Thank you for your reply's!

How do I know if I am even scanning the wildcard? You are correct I dont see it whizzing by but I also see nothing pertaining to the trunk systems. I have in the software 3 trunk systems and they have frequencies listed in the then it formed a talkgroup.(is talkgroup another name for wildcard?) or is there something I still need to do. I did drag all the talkgroup entries into a scanlist group and they are there with conv frequncies..... I just feel I am missing something, I never see it stop on any, or any visual it scans those groups.

 

[fmon]

zip your ARC500 file and attach to this thread. n5, I and others can take a look for problems.

 

[ppht]

Thanks here you go.

 

[n5usr]

Okay, you don't have a wildcard (or at least I didn't notice it) instead you have individual talkgroups created. That's the way I have mine. You should at least see the name of the trunk system at the bottom of the screen while scanning the scanlists with talkgroups in it. Mine is noticeable even for scanlists with just a few TGIDs.

I don't see anything wrong - seems like it ought to work. When scanning, do you see the "T" icon show up at all? That would tell you it's found a control channel to listen to. It'll flash on/off as it goes from conventional to trunked entries. It also flashes while actually receiving a TG, so it's apparently ONLY on when on a control channel.

Another test - hit manual, then scroll to a talkgroup entry. Does the 'T' show up then? If not, then it's not hearing the system.

If you aren't hearing the system, I'd double-check the frequencies entered into the TSYS. You can also 'analyze' the TSYS - while on a TGRP, at the bottom of the screen is TSYS. Press that, it shows which trunk system the TGRP is associated with. Press Analyz, and you can step through each frequency entered into the TSYS and see if you hear anything and also if the scanner is decoding at all (shows a % in the corner).

 

[fmon]

Sorry for reply delay, we went out for awhile.

The zip file looks very well, don't find any problems.

However, you have scanlist available as follows:
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

I would prefer using 3 through 10 instead of 13 through 20 due to easier to toggle because the latter bunch requires pressing FUNC prior to number for the list.

Question...on the three trunk systems, do you receive a control frequency for each? If you do, they should be banging away if active with the list of talkgroup objects.
You do not have a wildcard mapped to any TSYS, but it shouldn't be necessary if the CC is active. However, to add a wildcard, click Talkgroup Object, press Ctrl + Ins. Scroll to end of list and edit columns 1 through 5 as follows:
1 = *
2= Wildcard
3= Scanlist(s) for mapping TSYS
4= Click in Trunk System and select system
5= Click in TType and select Group (if you desire a private wildcard also, repeat this process an make the second wildcard Private).

I doubt you will get any Private coms on Logan, but the State Police may have some.

 

[ppht]

n5usr - I did as you said and I do see them, I dont see the T but on a couple I see it flicker with a low percent. I am thinkning I am just not getting the signal but I would think I should maybe I am wrong.


fmon - np thanks for responding. I am not sure what you mean about the control and insert? I am using the acr500 programming software and tried it on that and doesnt do anything. No such buttons on the actual scanner, I checked n the programming and I set them to show CC info is that the same as what you are saying when you say if CC is active?

 

[fmon]

fmon - np thanks for responding. I am not sure what you mean about the control and insert? I am using the acr500 programming software and tried it on that and doesnt do anything.

In the Talkgroup grid. Using computer keys, press Ctrl + Ins (insert). This places a blank line at end of the grid for adding a talkgroup (wildcard in this case). Scroll down to end and edit as suggest in my previous

I set them to show CC info is that the same as what you are saying when you say if CC is active?

No, I was referring to using (F2)TSYS (F3)Analyz as suggested by n5 for active CC check. During this check, Ch01: and its freq will appear on third line of display. Press Down to cycle through other freqs of TSYS to get active CC. When on it, line 4 will provide data including decode % on left.

However, I do prefer using your ''show CC info' during stops on coms.

 

[ppht]

fmon - Okay I will try that with the inserts, Last night I did the manual scan and got TSYS and I scrolled through the frequencies so they do come up. Then scanning last night I did get a hit very weak on one of those channels and saw a T. So I think maybe they just arent that active or or am out of range. But I do get FM signals from areas much far away which confuses me.

 

[fmon]

ppht,

I just now noticed you have ARINC Boston Lo as a TSYS, but do not have any scanlist mapped to this TSYS. Ie, Talkgroup grid, only Ma. State Police and Logan Airport are mapped to scanlist.

 

[fmon]

fmon - Okay I will try that with the inserts, Last night I did the manual scan and got TSYS and I scrolled through the frequencies so they do come up. Then scanning last night I did get a hit very weak on one of those channels and saw a T. So I think maybe they just arent that active or or am out of range. But I do get FM signals from areas much far away which confuses me.

Range is likely the problem.

 

[ppht]

ok I did your steps and added that line. I will see what that does.
That group you mentioned about not seeing in a scan list I redownloaded and looked at it. It has a control but no groups. I think thats why nothing is under the scanlist. Also is there a setting t make the backlight come on when it stops on a frequency automatically?

 

[fmon]

Also is there a setting t make the backlight come on when it stops on a frequency automatically?

In Global Settings, change upper LED Blinking slider to 10. Note: LED not LCD

 

[ppht]

ahh Thank you, I never would have got that.. I was too busy looking for a toggle or selection.