New User ~ Information Needed

[jrpellegrin]

Hello,

I am a new owner of a Radio Shack Pro 197 which I received for Christmas. I have never owned a scanner before and I am having problems finding the different local frequencies that I would like to listen to. I read the book that came with the scanner but it is quite confusing to say the least. I have a friend of mine that purchased a scanner last year and paid someone to program it for him. Is that possible or did I misunderstand?

Does anyone have the local frequencies for East Baton Rouge Parish?

Does anyone have any suggestions or an easier way to program this scanner?


Thanks for your help.....


JRP

 

[vindictive42]

frequencies

If you go to the top right hand side there is a search.......type in east baton rouge parish frequencies and press search......it will pop up what you are looking for.
as for programming your scanner the easiest way is become a premium member and get software called free scan and computer program it yourself. I find the more you play with the scanner and software the more you learn. I am fairly new at these scanners and every day I learn something new with my bcd396.

hope this helps

 

[Junior08]

Freescan software will NOT program that scanner. Freescan is for Uniden scanners. For programming software for that model scanner you can use Win 500, Butel ARC 500, or PSREdit 500.

Software for Uniden HOME PATROL HP1 HP-1 PRO-700 Radioshack GRE GRECOM MFJ DSE AOR police scanner software BCD996XT BCD396XT BC346T BCT15X PRO-404 PRO-405 PRO-97 PRO-96 PRO-2096 PRO-106 PRO-197 PRO-164 PRO-160 PRO-162 psr500 psr600 psr300 psr400 psr1

Software for RadioShack PRO-series (PRO-92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 99, 163, 164, 106, 197) and GRE PSR-series (PSR-500, 600, 300, 400, 310, 410) scanners

PSREdit - Configuration Editors for the new GRE line of scanners

 

[Spitfire8520]

Welcome to the RadioReference forums! I'll try to help you a little to get started with your Pro-197. Be sure to check out any links provided (they are in blue).

If are willing to spend on time on learning your scanner, the Easier to Read manual would be a good place to start if the standard manual isn't doing too much for you. It certainly helped me hand program my Pro-106 when I got it. Don't forget to check out the The RadioReference Wiki including many of the new user articles present.

While it is possible to pay someone else to program the scanner for you, it's quite possible to do yourself. You have the option of doing it by hand (following the above manual) or using one of the many available software available (ARC500, PSREdit500, or Win500). Be advised that the software route will require you to spend a bit of money on a programming cable as well as software. Most of the software have a 30 day trial should you choose that route.

As for frequencies, the best place to start out would be the database. As a head start, I went ahead and located East Baton Rouge Parish for you. From what it looks like, most of the local public safety is on a Trunked Radio System as well as being rebanded (EDIT: Read the edit below). The world of scanners has long since passed the days of simply entering a frequency to listen. You will need to learn how to program talkgroups (TGRP) as well as a few talksystems (TSYS). Once you get the point of figuring out how to successfully make a TSYS, be sure to check out this link for some custom table values you need to enter to allow you to hear the system (EDIT: Read the edit below). Once you have figured that out, you will need to program a TGRP with what you would like to hear. Once again, the Easier to Read manual will be of great help through all of this.

As for suggestions, definitely read the manual linked as it will greatly help. Many people will say software will make programming easier, I haven't tried this route myself but you are free to do so if you wish.

I wish you luck on your new scanner!

EDIT: Also, I would highly recommend you ask around Louisiana Radio Discussion Forum for some information. I can only make speculations of what is in your area. I just noticed that you may not have to worry about custom table values and rebanding at all. It appears that most of the public safety has moved to Louisiana Wireless Information Network (LWIN) Trunking System which cuts out the worries of rebanding.

 

[RomeRon]

The ones I looked at are, Motorola Type II and the pro 197 won't do Type II East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana (LA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

 

[Spitfire8520]

The ones I looked at are, Motorola Type II and the pro 197 won't do Type II East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana (LA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

The Pro-197 will certainly do Motorola Type II with ease. However, after looking around, the database may not be up to date regarding the county's information. They may have phased out the Motorola systems and moved to the Project 25 LWIN system that I edited into my above post. Once again I would highly suggest asking around the Louisiana forums regarding this information as people from out of state cannot help you too much with details of the system.

 

[RomeRon]

The Pro-197 will certainly do Motorola Type II with ease. However, after looking around, the database may not be up to date regarding the county's information. They may have phased out the Motorola systems and moved to the Project 25 LWIN system that I edited into my above post. Once again I would highly suggest asking around the Louisiana forums regarding this information as people from out of state cannot help you too much with details of the system.

Thanks, I didn't know that, that is what I like about RR I learn something new every day.

 

[RonnieUSA]

I'm to slow, it was answered before I finished.
Enjoy your new scanner.

 

[jrpellegrin]

Thank you all for the help and information. I hope that one day I will be able to return the favor.....

Happy New Year To All.....

Thanks again,

JRP