Official PRO-83 Discussion Thread

[AZScanner]

If you get to compare the 246 to the 83 then I get to compare the 96 to the 246.

Are you ready?

I know you were just joking, but the 246 is actually a pretty good contender for the 96, if you think about it. The only real advantage the 96 has over the 246 is digital capability and the v-scanner feature. Considering you can get 2 246's for the retail price of one PRO-96 (and have some change left over), that's pretty eye opening. Then you factor in the features and accessories that the 246 includes that the 96 doesn't have: Close Call, LTR trunking, software, cable, batteries, charger... whoa. All I can say is GRE/RS really needs to step up quickly with the next gen digital because if Uniden releases a digital version of the 246, it'll be no contest.

Don't get me wrong, I love the PRO-96 I have. But to be honest, if the 246 had been a digital ready or digital capable scanner (meaning you had to buy an add on card for digital) I would have held out for the 246 instead. It's really that damn close to my idea of the perfect scanner. Great job Uniden!

-AZ

 

[Voyager]

If you get to compare the 246 to the 83 then I get to compare the 96 to the 246.

Are you ready?

Then you factor in the features and accessories that the 246 includes that the 96 doesn't have: Close Call, LTR trunking, software, <snip>

Uhhh... the 246T doesn't include software, and I would put Win96 against anything else on the market (or even not yet on the market). Unless the Uniden software is as revolutionary as the scanner is, Win96 will still be the best.

As for the price, that's like comparing a Lamborghini against a Chevy and praising how great the Chevy is because of the price. Digital will always add to the price tag. I expect the digital version of the 246T to be about the same price as the PRO-96.

Joe M.

 

[grem467]

agreed!

the more appropriate comparison is the uniden against the yet to be released pro97...


and dons software rocks.. if he is reading this i hope he does create "win83" and even "win97"... im so spoiled to it, i woulnt want to program my pro92 without it.

 

[Voyager]

agreed!

the more appropriate comparison is the uniden against the yet to be released pro97...


and dons software rocks.. if he is reading this i hope he does create "win83" and even "win97"... im so spoiled to it, i woulnt want to program my pro92 without it.

Don only has a history of creating SW for GRE products.

Joe M.

 

[grem467]

yeah good point..

they probably all share the same sources, so going from one model to the next would be fairly easy, as opposed to reinventing the wheel every time.

 

[rdale]

The Pro83 is a Uniden model, which is probably why he said there would be no Win83.

 

[K5MAR]

FWIW, I posted a message on the ScanControl Yahoo group asking Ken to see about adding support for the 83. His reply:

I wasn't aware the Pro-83 is a Uniden make. We'll look into it and
advise the group.

Ken D.

ScanControl has done a pretty good job of extending coverage to all supportable Uniden scanners, as well as the Pro-2052, which is also a Uniden-Made-For-Radio Shack scanner. So I expect that ScanControl will support the 83 not too far down the road. Not as soon as we'd like, of course, but.......

Mark S.

 

[Dougie]

I am taking it back when my Uniden 246T arrives!

Do you realize what that does to the price of things overall? If you buy something as a 'loaner' knowing you intend to return it when something else comes along, that creates a higher price for items. Because when you return the Pro-83, it doesn't just go back on a shelf. I don't know RS's policy, but its probably sent back to headquarters, checked out, refurbished, etc., then possibly sold as used, causing a loss of money to the company, and in theory, a higher price for items across the board.

Please don't use Radio Shack as a Free Equipment Rental store.

Do you know that for sure? R.S is a muli-Billion dollar industry. I highly doubt returned items are hurting the Radio Shacks across the continental U.S.

 

[DaveIN]

I posted a thred: What PRO-83 Signal Stalker hits have you had?

It looks like nobody with a PRO-83 has had any hits? Or maybe I should say "Warscanning" :lol:

At any rate sounds like the 246 people are getting some cool hits... :idea:

Maybe after the FRIDAY sale there will be some :twisted:

 

[rbarker]

Signal Stalker at the mall

I took the Pro-83 to the mall last Sunday and got many hits. The staff in American Eagle was using radios, as was the staff in Old Navy and Bath and Body works. It also kept hitting on mall security's repeater.

I am very pleased with it for the price I paid. ($55). People keep asking if it's a decent radio and if it's worth it. Yes, for the sale price of $55 to $60, I do think it's great. I have quite a few scanners, so I wouldn't have paid the full $119 for this one. If you want a better scanner and are willing to pay more then by all means you should. I think the sensitivity is not as good as my $500 Uniden BC296D, but then again, you get what you pay for. Also at this price, it is not going to have any extras other than the Signal Stalker.

 

[DaveIN]

Cool 8) Sound like you're getting some similar hits to what the 246 people are getting.

Can you imagine the hits on Black Friday :?: It will be almost as radioactive as a ham-computer-fleamarket-fest :shock: .... well almost

 

[Concrete1]

I am taking it back when my Uniden 246T arrives!

Do you realize what that does to the price of things overall? If you buy something as a 'loaner' knowing you intend to return it when something else comes along, that creates a higher price for items. Because when you return the Pro-83, it doesn't just go back on a shelf. I don't know RS's policy, but its probably sent back to headquarters, checked out, refurbished, etc., then possibly sold as used, causing a loss of money to the company, and in theory, a higher price for items across the board.

Please don't use Radio Shack as a Free Equipment Rental store.

I know FOR SURE, & can tell you, that if you return a scanner to Radio Shack it Will be put back on the shelf & resold as new, unless it was returned obviously defective, broken or missing the box, etc...
Same with all big retailers. We've all seen the "opened" looking box, on the shelf with the others, at K-Mart, home depot, Radio shack......

 

[joescanner]

We've all seen the "opened" looking box, on the shelf with the others, at K-Mart, home depot, Radio shack......

.... Fry's

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

I picked up a Pro-83 this morning at the local Radio Shack before journeying to NH. The salesperson was surprised it was 50% off. If I was not getting a BC246T as well I would have gotten two.

Plenty of transmissions on the pre-programmed frequencies. Audio sounded good even at full blast. The volume level could be a problem with noisy environments but I think the audio sounded good. I like the size and the shape of the unit.

I was using a 6m/2m/70cm ham antenna on the car. I enjoyed listening to the pre-programmed VHF airband frequencies and the AM mode sounded good. I could pick up Boston Police frequencies 20+ miles out of Boston.

The SS feature is neat. Of course I got some paging on all bands in certain areas but I also got some public safety. I locked out the paging. Of course I picked up some shopping mall stuff up in NH. I also picked up a couple of Ham Repeaters. I do not like the press a key to see the frequency "feature".

As I got home I picked up some kids playing with FRS radios on the pre-programmed frequencies. I am guessing there are some business band frequencies pre-programmed as well because I picked up some stores using VHF-HI frequencies in NH.

I may open it up in a few weeks to see if I can put a discriminator tap on it. It may make a good control channel receiver for trunker.

So I think it is worth the $60 I paid.

73 Eric

 

[viciouspossum]

Got mine at 6 a.m. also, all programmed now, but can't find any Skywarn freqs listed anywhere. Totally lame service search for POL/FIRE: doesn't have my city, county, or state police in their band, I scrolled through it and skips 156.15, 155.55, and 154.92. But I programmed the search bands manually to do the same things.

 

[johnvassel]

I also couldnt pass up the deal, 63 bucks and some change with tax. Not a bad deal. Not a real good scanner, but I'm used to dealing with commercial LTR and amateur gear.
So far, if it hadnt been 60 bucks, I'd have taken it back... still might. It's chincy (sp?) Had 9 dollar frs radios that felt more solid. But, I got it for it's signal stalker feature, which works fairly well from what little play time I've had with it. Not a bad toy. I could never make it my only receiver, and I dont think it's intuitive enough for the novice crowd.
I noticed the limit was 5 per person at the store, Me thinks they have a bit of a surplus eh?

 

[K5MAR]

Got mine at 6 a.m. also, all programmed now, but can't find any Skywarn freqs listed anywhere.

Might try here: http://www.caps.ou.edu/~kbrews/spotfreq/wa.html I don't know enough about Washington state to know if it gives anything in your area, but it does have some links that might help. Keith Brewster's Storm Spotting Freqs website is a handy resource, totally volunteer-driven, so it's only as good as the data submitted by users in the area. of course, I'm assuming that you've already checked the database here. Oh, and you might check your local NWS FO website for a Skywarn link.

Mark S.

 

[eyes00only]

I just started playing with my 83. What do you do in chain search when it stops at a birdie? I have a feeling that the instructions may suck, like with many products. I will apologize in advance for the many questions to follow in the next week or so .

Jerry

 

[INDY72]

Instructions suck?? What?? Radio Shack Scanner instruction manuals suck???? Thats SOP dude, but these don't suck as bad as they used to.... as for birdies.. lock em out.. Function/Lout.

 

[eyes00only]

Have no idea what SOP means, but I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

Jerry