Please help!

[Iamjustme27]

I purchased the Whistler ws1040 and I have been pulling my hair out for 2 days now. I finally figured out how to program channels. However, I would love to listen to Central Falls police and Providence police. I programmed in the frequencies I found but nothing ever comes on those frequencies. After several hours of Google searches I found that they fall under something called riscon and trunking. I watched a YouTube video but didn't seem to work. Can someone please tell me if and how I can hear these channels. I truly appreciate any help as I have been losing my mind trying to figure this out.

 

[W1KNE]

You are correct, they are on the statewide trunking system known as RISCON. I believe on RR here there is a "Scanning 101" section of the wiki that would help. I don't know anything about the Whistler scanners, but I assume there is software that can program them. What I would do, if I were you, is look seriously at using software vs manual programming. Also, being a premium member, if you used software like Butel, you can direct import from the RRDB into your scanner. The RRDB for RISCON is accurate.
Also, if you're getting into scanning, don't forget to check out the wiki at Scan New England too.

Scan New England

www.snewiki.com

 

[oilmillcharlie]

What software are you using, if any, to program your radio? I have a WS1040 file for RI with RISCON using PSR500 or Win500 software that I can send you. Keep in mind though that most police departments on RISCON employ encryption so you won't be able to monitor them.

 

[Iamjustme27]

I am completely new to this. I actually thought I was going to be able to turn it on hit a button and just like that it would work. Boy was I wrong. Everyone keeps asking me about software I have no idea where to find software. You said you have the RISCON on yours. Can you listen to Providence or Central Falls? I am just thinking that if it doesn't work for you then it won't work for me so I shouldn't go crazy. Thank you so much for your response I really appreciate the help.

 

[W1KNE]

I don't have the software, but it's relatively easy to use. And listening isn't difficult once you have it in. The audio in RISCON is really good, and one of the better sounding digital simulcast systems I've personally heard. You'll find it fairly easy to listen to. If you want Providence, you have to be close enough to receive the Providence Zone, however. I don't know your location.

 

[Iamjustme27]

Thank you for your help. One last question do you know where or how I go about locating this software? I don't know what to search for

 

[hiegtx]

Thank you for your help. One last question do you know where or how I go about locating this software? I don't know what to search for

Start here:

Object Oriented Scanner Software - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

There are three choices for software for your WS1040:
Win500, PSREdit500, and ARC500. Links for each are on the page noted above.

They all have a 30 day free trial period, so that you can see which you like best before purchasing a license. (There are no free programs to program your scanner.) While I prefer Win500, the author of that software has not been heard from in quite some time. You can download the software from the linked page in the software paged linked above, and you can, in theory, purchase it there. However, there have been a number of members that have posted difficulties in getting the key (for the software license). That should come via email, but that has not been happening for some, and they have not gotten any response when trying to contact Starrsoft. Many have had to file a dispute with either their credit card company, or PayPal.

PSREdit500 is also a good program, and the author of this software is an active member of RadioReference.

ARC-500 is the third choice, and many prefer it instead of the other two choices.

There are online user guides for Win500 and ARC-500. PSREdit500 does not have an online guide, but there is a help file accessible from the program.

 

[oilmillcharlie]

I don't have the software, but it's relatively easy to use. And listening isn't difficult once you have it in. The audio in RISCON is really good, and one of the better sounding digital simulcast systems I've personally heard. You'll find it fairly easy to listen to. If you want Providence, you have to be close enough to receive the Providence Zone, however. I don't know your location.

I am in a different zone so I can't hear them unless I am on the road.

 

[hummin24]

I can pick up and listen to the PROVIDENCE zone from my Unication g5 in North Kingstown no problem.

 

[ka3jjz]

Before you go any further, there are a lot of terms and concepts - including understanding how trunking works - that you will need to get. This article from our wiki has links to just about everything you need

Getting Started with your GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

There is an Easier to Read manual for these radios linked at the bottom of this article

There are numerous YouTube videos on programming these radios. Some folks find these helpful. Once you have settled on some software, let folks know precisely what you want to hear- they may be able to supply you with a file to get you off the ground. But it is important to get the right software (and if you don't have the USB cable, we have a link for that, too). The 3 popular packages formats are not interchangeable

Mike