New Member with Pro-163

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Hornnumb2

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Just purchased a 163 since my area went digital and killed my 2066. Is there a certain programming software that is recommended and would be user friendly to reband the 163. Thanks Michael
 

DickH

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Just purchased a 163 since my area went digital and killed my 2066. Is there a certain programming software that is recommended and would be user friendly to reband the 163. Thanks Michael

Digital has nothing to do with rebanding. The PRO-163 is NOT a digital scanner.
 

Hornnumb2

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Sorry must have got my jargon wrong, maybe they just rebanded so will this scanner work? Michael
 

ka3jjz

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Yes, the 163 will handle rebanding, but it would be much more helpful if we knew where you are (county/state is fine). That way folks can point to specific entries in our database.

And speaking of the database, we have a wiki article (anything in blue is a link) that lists the software that is compatible with the 163;

PSR-300/400 Software and USB Support - The RadioReference Wiki

This article outlines what is needed to support rebanding from a software perspective; but let's see what system(s) you need to program first before we get ahead of ourselves

best regards..Mike
 

Hornnumb2

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Thanks for some helpful answers, I am in Baytown, TX just outside of Houston and that is Harris county. Michael
 

jfhtm350

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I hate to give you the bad news but the Pro-163 is an analog trunking scanner. It will not pick up P25 digital signals.

If you look here: Harris County, Texas (TX) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference you will see a mode column, if it says P25, you cannot pick it up with that scanner.

You can however pick up the Motorola Type II, LTR Standard, EDACS trunking systems, but not project 25 trunking systems. No scanner can pick up OpenSky, Mototrbo, Nexedge systems.

Do you know exactly what you are wanting to pick up? I assume it is: Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Project 25 Trunking System, Various, Texas - Scanner Frequencies That is the only P25 system. If so then you have the wrong scanner.
 

Hornnumb2

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Here is what I am mainly interested in, looks like all of harris county show FM under mode. So does it work or not? Thanks Michael

Baytown

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Motorola
Motorola Type II SmartZone Police and fire operate on this system.

Frequency License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
154.25000 WPUG532 BM 503 DPL BaytwnFDDisp Fire Dispatch Simulcast/Paging FM Fire Dispatch
 

jfhtm350

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jfhtm350

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Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Motorola Trunking System, Metro Houston area, Texas - Scanner Frequencies
I take that back about it probably being all digital.
look at the column "mode". you will see A, D, or X. A means analog, D means digital, X means encrypted. It seems the biggest part are analog. If the database is correct then you will be able to pick up the "A" talkgroups. So program in the system and check it out. If you hear digital noise on a talkgroup then that talkgroup is digital and you cannot pickup digital on that scanner. If it is encrypted then no scanner will decrypt it.
 

jfhtm350

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I used arc300 with my pro-164, but im using win500 with my pro-106. I think arc is easier to work with but i found a bug in arc500 and dont care much for it now. Whichever one floats your boat i guess.

Press tune on the scanner and type in some of those frequencies that you wish to recieve just to see if you get voice on it. You will hear some digital sounding noise on the control channel, that is ok, just type in one of the others and wait to see if you get voice.

try baytown Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Motorola Trunking System, Metro Houston area, Texas - Scanner Frequencies
851.55000, 851.92500, 851.95000, 852.35000, 852.37500, 852.87500, 852.9500, 853.2250, 853.2500, 853.6500. You will see the talkgroup number come up if the voice comes up.

851.1000 and/or 853.0500 are the control channels.
 
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