New Legacy Scanner Upgrade Program

[jaspence]

Why do the official upgrade?

The simple answer for me was the factory support for what was an "orphan" in the scanner world. I sent in both my Pro 18 and PSR 800, and both do as well on DMR as my professional grade HT.

 

[DJ11DLN]

The simple answer for me was the factory support for what was an "orphan" in the scanner world. I sent in both my Pro 18 and PSR 800, and both do as well on DMR as my professional grade HT.

Agree 100%. That's why my Pro-18 and -668 will be going in soon. Yes, they work fine with Eric's trick...for now. Something may happen to one or both of them, and once upgraded, Whistler will repair the units. For me that's a huge consideration because I tend to run things that work and that I like right into the ground, keep using them for years and years. I'd still be using my old BC560xlt if it could hear 800 MHz trunked radio with digital modulation, LOL. So for me the upgrade is well worth the $$$. And then there's the whole future updates and improvements thing. I know some will disagree but to gain all of this for an orphaned radio for $60 is IMHO one heck of a bargain.

 

[trp2525]

...Yes, they work fine with Eric's trick...for now...

Whatever you do don't update the DSP firmware to version 3.1 through EZScan in a scanner that has not been through the official upgrade process. I did it over the weekend as an experiment as I was already planning to send in my PRO-668 to Whistler on Monday (which I did do). After the update to DSP 3.1 I lost all DMR receive capability and Eric's tool would no longer work at all to change the CPU versions back and forth. Rolling back the DSP to 3.0 using a previous CONFIG__.BIN file that contained DSP 3.0 also did not bring back DMR reception. I posted full details in the following RR thread yesterday and 3 other posters have since confirmed the same thing happened to them after updating their DSP to 3.1: http://forums.radioreference.com/ra...ded-whistler-dmr-firmware-57.html#post2785604

My PRO-668 is currently on its way to Whistler and I look forward to getting it back in a few weeks and having it totally up-to-date with CPU 4.8 and DSP 3.1 with functioning DMR once again. I wanted the PRO-668 to have the latest CPU and DSP firmware so that it would be comparable to my new TRX-2 that I purchased last week through the Walmart/Ebates blowout deal.

 

[markn455]

I had the same issue with the CPU upgrade to 4.8 using a PSR-800 that Whistler had converted to WS-1080. I have 2 of them and they both failed. Unplug the usb cable from the scanner. Remove the batteries. Wait several seconds and then re-connect the usb cable to both the pc and the scanner. Let the pc recognize the scanner as an external hard drive as per usual. Do not install the batteries at this time, leave them out. Try the cpu update again and it should work OK.

Thanks for the information. The process worked perfectly. Too bad this is not a little more foolproof.

Thanks again!

 

[DJ11DLN]

Whatever you do don't update the DSP firmware to version 3.1 through EZScan in a scanner that has not been through the official upgrade process. I did it over the weekend as an experiment as I was already planning to send in my PRO-668 to Whistler on Monday (which I did do). After the update to DSP 3.1 I lost all DMR receive capability and Eric's tool would no longer work at all to change the CPU versions back and forth. Rolling back the DSP to 3.0 using a previous CONFIG__.BIN file that contained DSP 3.0 also did not bring back DMR reception. I posted full details in the following RR thread yesterday and 3 other posters have since confirmed the same thing happened to them after updating their DSP to 3.1: http://forums.radioreference.com/ra...ded-whistler-dmr-firmware-57.html#post2785604

My PRO-668 is currently on its way to Whistler and I look forward to getting it back in a few weeks and having it totally up-to-date with CPU 4.8 and DSP 3.1 with functioning DMR once again. I wanted the PRO-668 to have the latest CPU and DSP firmware so that it would be comparable to my new TRX-2 that I purchased last week through the Walmart/Ebates blowout deal.

Being a big fan of the "if it ain't broke don't be a-tryin' to fix it" concept, I'm happily leaving them on 4.6/3.0. That combination is working great on both. I need to call Whistler tomorrow (or by the end of the week anyway) and see if they can replace the display backlight in the -18 while they have it, or if a separate trip will be necessary. It seems to be turning pink...

 

[trp2525]

...I need to call Whistler tomorrow (or by the end of the week anyway) and see if they can replace the display backlight in the -18 while they have it...

You'll have to wait your turn in line...LOL. I just finally got around to unboxing and setting up my new TRX-2 that I picked up last week from the Walmart/Ebates deal, and it is TOTALLY dead in the water. The AC adapter is putting out 13.86 volts per my test meter but the unit will not power up AT ALL. I tried a reset procedure 2 times that involves disconnecting the power and USB cables from the scanner, removing and re-seating the SD card and then holding the power button in for 30 seconds before reattaching the power cord to the scanner. That didn't work at all. Quality Control must have been asleep at the wheel when this one went by!

 

[buddrousa]

Or you bought a returned unit that was not checked.

 

[trp2525]

Or you bought a returned unit that was not checked.

The way that the unit was packaged it was definitely brand-new and not a return. Everything was sealed in plastic, taped shut, stapled, etc. in a way that only the factory could do.

Anyway I do have the unit operating now after putting some charge into the backup battery. Because the unit was manufactured a year ago (06-2016), I think the backup battery drained down to a point where it was causing an issue with the unit powering on. I'll check in with Whistler tomorrow (seeing that they are the experts with the TRX-2) to see what their thoughts are on the situation.

 

[EricCottrell]

The way that the unit was packaged it was definitely brand-new and not a return. Everything was sealed in plastic, taped shut, stapled, etc. in a way that only the factory could do.

Anyway I do have the unit operating now after putting some charge into the backup battery. Because the unit was manufactured a year ago (06-2016), I think the backup battery drained down to a point where it was causing an issue with the unit powering on. I'll check in with Whistler tomorrow (seeing that they are the experts with the TRX-2) to see what their thoughts are on the situation.

Hello,

I noticed when I plugged the USB into my TRX-2 without main power connected, the display would power up and display a message about charging the backup battery. I could access the SD Card and program the radio. If I have the radio turned off while on main power, the date and time are displayed. I do wonder if the backup battery is being charged in cases other than than being USB powered.

My T530 laptop has a SD Card slot, so it is easy just to remove the card from the TRX-2 and plug it in. Library and Ez-Scan updates are much faster.

So far my upgraded Pro-668 is working good. My PSR-800 has a dodgy USB connector I need to straighten it out before I send it in.

73 Eric

 

[KK2DOG]

Jeepers folks...you are making things way more complicated than they have to be. Here's what I did and everything works fine:

1. Paid the $60, did what Whistler asked and sent them my 668.
2. Got it back on 7-3-17, put the HD card and batteries back in and attached antenna.
3. Followed Whistler's 10-step procedure to get my "new" WS-1080 up and running.

I did not re-format anything or wish that Whistler would've done other things to my scanner or asked about other/future wants or wishes. I simply sent Whistler my Radio Shack PRO-668 and when I got it back it was a Whistler WS-1080. IMO this is money well spent because Radio Shack isn't going to be doing any updates/upgrades anytime soon but I'm quite confident that Whistler has my back with my "new" 1080. THANK YOU Whistler for doing something that you really didn't have to do. I mean...you could've simply cut us PRO-668 folks loose and said that we'd have to buy a new $500 scanner. VERY generous on Whistlers part and a GREAT company.

 

[ve3kko]

where do i find the free updated software for the psr-800 (windows 10)?
I received 2 update notices (which i used) and i lost the link.
Thanks

 

[trp2525]

where do i find the free updated software for the psr-800 (windows 10)?...

https://whistlergroup.com/products/ez-scan-for-ws1080-ws1088

 

[ve3kko]

Thank you kindly!

 

[trp2525]

Got my pro 668 back today whistler received it on June 16

RR member jeffb posted the above quote on June 24th so he had his PRO-668 back in his hands just 8 days after Whistler received it for the upgrade. That was a quick turnaround.

It appears that things have slowed down somewhat on Whistler's turnaround time. I sent in my PRO-668 on July 3rd via USPS Priority Mail and Whistler received it on July 7th. As of today (June 21st) it has now been a full two weeks since Whistler received it and I have not yet received any email notification that it is on its way back to me.

Anyone have any recent data points as to what the actual turnaround times are running like in July? I know the official information posted by Whistler is "2-3 weeks."

 

[TAbirdman]

Give them a call on Monday to find out the status.

 

[Spitfire8520]

It appears Whistler has posted an important update and warning regarding this program.

If you are sending in your unit for the Legacy Upgrade - PLEASE READ

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Read the reason behind it on this other thread.
Whistler Implemented the July 1st trojan malicious code time bomb hidden in the 4.6 CPU and 3.1 DSP updates in June.
Thread: https://forums.radioreference.com/r...-pro-668-loaded-whistler-dmr-firmware-62.html

 

[RadShackFan]

Well, I had both my 800 & 668 updated. Sent them in separately in case the USPS lost a package I would not lose both radios. Anyway, both are up and running just fine. Didn't have any trouble doing the CPU & DSP checks since I kept a laptop that runs Vista. The EZScan software runs fine & it has no trouble "finding" the radios.

Thanks Whistler, it was money well spent.

 

[fredva]

I think this is an especially good deal for those of us who had PRO-18s - the upgrade gives us both DMR and Phase 2. There's not a lot of DMR in my immediate area, but a couple of jurisdictions began using Phase 2 within the last year. I could no longer hear one neighboring jurisdiction at all on my PRO-18, which is the scanner I use for commuting and sometimes outside the house. Now after the WS-1080 upgrade, I can hear that jurisdiction again. I still have to put up with some simulcast distortion, but I'm in better shape than before.

I'll see how DMR works when I travel a little further out.

Thanks for providing this upgrade program.

 

[sgtrock1]

Question: I have a PSR800 that I converted to a 1080. I have the following information.
CPU : 4.6
DSP : 3.1 ( I did this when it came out ) ( May 23rd I believe)
DSP VOC : 1.6
DSP BLD : 103
I can receive P25 and conv. I have not tried the DMR but it show up in under Menu, Program Menu, Add System ( has MOT , EDACS , LTR , P25 , DMR )

Can I still send the scanner in for update or is having the CPU 4.6 and DSP 3.1 ( May) got me?