Pro-106 impressions and questions

[doabbs]

So, I was able to pickup a Pro-106 right before the holidays at the deeply discounted price they were running. I used to have a Uniden 296d but had to sell it years ago when I was in a pinch. Good news was I was able to sell it for the price I paid.

I have to say that I am really impressed with this scanner. I absolutely love the object oriented structure! So much easier to manage then banks. I used to agonize over how I would setup my banks, this is MUCH easier! I sat down and read through the owners manual last night and have to say that I thought it was easy to understand, contrary to many of the comments I read before getting this scanner. I do agree that it could use some more explanation of what some of the features are, but for getting this things going it was helpful. I find the form factor to be great and it reminds me of my old Pro-51 a lot. I think the audio quality of P25 is just as good as the 296d, don't really see it be that much better. Overall this is hands down the nicest scanner with the most features I've ever used. Super impressed.

So, on to my questions:

Preface: I am scanning in 151-170 range almost exclusively P25 digital and some analog.

1) Are there any benefits to settting modulation from auto to AM/FM/NFM?
2) What does the squelch mode (Search/P25/etc) control? Advantages of setting it?
3) If the squelch mode is set to P25 what does the squelch code do? Advantages of setting it?
4) When scanning a conventional object that is P25, on the third line, left hand side what does DG stand for?
5) When scanning a conventional object that is P25, on the last line what is "P25:xxx S/ " indicating in the xxx and S/?
6) On the wiki it mentions changing the signal meter to: 470-750. How is this done?

 

[helijeff]

I sure hope some one answers your ques, as I'm getting the 197 and I'm sure these questions will be on my list. Good luck. I'll be watching for replies.

 

[pro92b]

AM is used on CB and aircraft bands. VHF-HI is FM or NFM. For your purpose you can leave it on auto.

Squelch mode sets subaudible squelch mode or Project 25
conventional digital modulation. Use Search to
automatically analyze signals to determine squelch
mode and code. Use None to ignore subaudible
squelch. Use CTCSS for tone coded squelch, DCS
for digital coded squelch, or P25 for Project 25
conventional digital operation. Used in conjunction
with Squelch Code parameter below.

Squelch code Sets CTCSS tone, DCS code, or P25 NAC
depending on Sq Mode setting. Use Search to
detect tone or code value for selected squelch type.
Entering a P25 NAC makes the radio open squelch
only for that NAC code - it ignores other NAC codes
and analog signals.

DG/Dg means that a digital transmission is being received.
DG means that the digital AGC is on for that object being monitored.
Dg means that the digital AGC is off for the object being monitored.


Signal Strength Meter Settings: Settings of 470 540 610 680 750 provide a
wider range indication of signal strength than the default settings. To change
the settings, press PGM + FUNC + F3 (GLOB) and scroll through the menu to
RSSI Sig Cal. Press SEL and edit the entries for each RSSI Bar (1-5).

 

[walter900]

Signal Strength Meter Settings: Settings of 470 540 610 680 750 provide a
wider range indication of signal strength than the default settings. To change
the settings, press PGM + FUNC + F3 (GLOB) and scroll through the menu to
RSSI Sig Cal. Press SEL and edit the entries for each RSSI Bar (1-5).

WoW.. That's a good tip, just curious as to why GRE hasn't updated there latest 500/106 firmware to have these settings.. Does it cause an adverse effect on anything else?

 

[fmon]

RSSI Sg Cal has been in the firmware from the beginning. jeffreypryor made this outstanding spreadsheet listing for all Expert settings when the 500 first came out. http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pJ4HPyKG38v1IamIGWMrKFw

 

[pro92b]

Radio Shack liked Jeffrey's spreadsheet too - they published an adapted version at http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/uc/rsk/Support/ProductManuals/2000106_GM_EN.pdf

In the attached PDF I included a new version of the spreadsheet that is up to date with the latest firmware changes. The other information in the file is from posts by Don Starr, Mike VanderVeer, data from the Wiki, GRE, and Radio Shack along with some of my own measurements.

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

WoW.. That's a good tip, just curious as to why GRE hasn't updated there latest 500/106 firmware to have these settings.. Does it cause an adverse effect on anything else?

Check out my thread on this, and what happened with my radio.

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128715

 

[fmon]

Radio Shack liked Jeffrey's spreadsheet too - they published an adapted version at http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/uc/rsk/Support/ProductManuals/2000106_GM_EN.pdf

In the attached PDF I included a new version of the spreadsheet that is up to date with the latest firmware changes. The other information in the file is from posts by Don Starr, Mike VanderVeer, data from the Wiki, GRE, and Radio Shack along with some of my own measurements.

Yeah, I noted the info (W/O credit) in 197 owners manual. Gommert also has it at end of his user manual for PSR500, though he left the credits to Jeff including a link to Jeff's goggle page. Thanks for this outstanding pdf Bill, some great work by you and those credits you mention.

Gotta note, GRE has paid good attention to users concerning these scanner lineups.

 

[doabbs]

Thanks for the prompt responses. I've been digging through the owners manual and forums trying to educate myself about as many of the features as I can.

I was able to set RSSI bar setting via Win500 once you pointed out the name of the setting. I should have know to check the Expert settings menu though.

What about the P25:xxx S/ that shows up when scanning a P25 non trunked system? I'm not really sure what the xxx and S/ are indicating. Can't find anything that explains what this is. I'm sure if I knew the correct terminology I could search on it. Chicken before the egg scenario for me on this one.

Reason I ask all these questions is that I'd hate to have the thing programmed in a way that isn't optimized or to the full capabilities. I only have P25 non trunked systems in my area so that helps a lot with the learning curve on this thing.

 

[fmon]

Thanks for the prompt responses. I've been digging through the owners manual and forums trying to educate myself about as many of the features as I can.

I was able to set RSSI bar setting via Win500 once you pointed out the name of the setting. I should have know to check the Expert settings menu though.

What about the P25:xxx S/ that shows up when scanning a P25 non trunked system? I'm not really sure what the xxx and S/ are indicating. Can't find anything that explains what this is. I'm sure if I knew the correct terminology I could search on it. Chicken before the egg scenario for me on this one.

Reason I ask all these questions is that I'd hate to have the thing programmed in a way that isn't optimized or to the full capabilities. I only have P25 non trunked systems in my area so that helps a lot with the learning curve on this thing.

xxx is P25 NAC Squelch Code and I think the S/ may be Squelch Mode set to NAC.

 

[mikey60]

xxx is P25 NAC Squelch Code and I think the S/ may be Squelch Mode set to NAC.

The / is actually a lightning bolt shape, and the S indicates the object is in Search Mode. You can press the F3 key to store the value to the object as well.

Mike

 

[fmon]

The / is actually a lightning bolt shape, and the S indicates the object is in Search Mode. You can press the F3 key to store the value to the object as well.

Mike

Thanks for correction Mike, shucks, I almost choose Search for S.

 

[Wahoos4Life]

yea i get the lightning bolt too sometimes, was wondering what that ment

 

[doabbs]

So basically I can enter in the NAC (for P25) or the CTCSS or DCS (for analog) and it will only open the squelch if those codes are received?

Only thing I could find on the lightning bolt was on the Win500 changelog which stated: (CTCSS/DCS/P25 decode indication)

 

[mikey60]

So basically I can enter in the NAC (for P25) or the CTCSS or DCS (for analog) and it will only open the squelch if those codes are received?

Only thing I could find on the lightning bolt was on the Win500 changelog which stated: (CTCSS/DCS/P25 decode indication)

Yes. The lightning bolt indicates that the tone/code are being received.

Mike