Pro 106 programming is driving me crazy

[wcltdnut]

List,
Been away for a while with family drama.. But I am now back. I am proficient in old school scanner programming.. I received a 106 for a Christmas gift when they were first released. Thought I was ok with programming scanners until I tried my hand at this one. Long story short.. After hours and hours of trying to figure out how to load control freqs for ISP. I was able to receive what I wanted to hear. OK... So I want to load more control channels. My problem is .. I have tried to update and I keep what I have in the scanner.. But I have ended up deleting items that I did not want to.. Seriously.. This scanner makes me look stupid !!! .. Anybody in the Buffalo Grove area feel comfortable with meeting with me and show me some tutorials on getting the most out of this scanner. This way of programming and loading data into a handheld is defiantly foreign in my world. ( I do own the software/ data cable )
Thanks
dave

 

[OldDeadOne]

Get a premium subscription to here,next get Win500,this will make your life a whole lot easier to program your Pro 106 when you start accessing the database to chose what systems you want in it.

 

[wcltdnut]

Thanks for the response, I do have the premium subscription. I am aware of the database. I am just not sure about if I will be able to figure out the software. Object oriented scanning has been a bit difficult for me to understand. I am more worried about losing what data i am able to hear right now. versus going through a long and painfull process of trying to load all the info the scanner again. Just for me to be able to hear what I scan now. Took no less than 10 hrs of trial and error... Needless to say. It was very frustrating for me.
thanks
dp

 

[shadcall]

If you use the software (you will also need a programming cable to download the data base) you will be able to save it into a folder and you won't lose your programming (short of a computer crash). I would suggest ARC 500 by Butel. It is a very easy program to use. You choose what you want to listen to, what scan list you want it in and upload it to your scanner. Very easy.

 

[N9JCQ]

I wish I could help. I live in BG but don't have a 106. I use a uniden 396T. sorry.

 

[davewhall29]

I'm not in your area, but used a 106...when you upload from the software, it will think you want to override everything already programmed, so you need to make sure you have it set up the way you want it before you upload. Every time you make changes and upload to the scanner, the software will override what you have previously programmed.
Which software do you have?
What I did when I first got my 106 was worked for a few days to get the programming the way I wanted in the software, making sure to save it periodically so I didn't lose the info. It will take some tme to figure out exactly how it works, but once you figure it out, it will go much easier adn quicker. Just take your time and be patient.

 

[Ensnared]

Win500 Recommendation

When I first bought my scanner of the same type, I called it a $500 paperweight. I was ready to throw it through the window. I'm happy I patiently learned how to program it.

First of all, dispense of the concept of prescribed "banks." You are in charge now. You can make a bank or "scan list" as large or small as you want.

I strongly suggest reviewing the follow sites before you embark on a journey of volatile frustration since you've experienced a recent stressor in your family.

For programming purposes, there are two main things to program: a) conventional frequencies (like the older scanners); & b) trunking "talk groups" or channels.

Here, you can see where someone has programmed systems for Utah using Win500. The following guide shows you how to program using WIn500 for both conventional & trunking systems: WIN500 - UtahRadio

Although another listener has recommended ARC 500, I do like this software. It is a matter of preference since I've owned both Win500 and ARC 500. I prefer Win500 for one main reason, you can view the trunking system in one screen. In the upper section, you can view each of the trunking systems. In the bottom half of the page, you can see the corresponding talk groups or channels associated with each.
Once you click on a trunking system, you can see the various talk groups below.

Once you've learned to download everything, then you can start "mapping" or assigning each of the conventional frequencies and/or talk groups (channels) to any of the scan lists (banks). You are the one deciding where these go.

Finally, here is a different set of instructions for the radio in question. Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual

If you are attempting to program a very large statewide trunking system, this might take some additional help since it requires learning how to select various tower sites within your listening area.

My biggest recommendation is to forget about manual programming. It is an excersie in self-flagellation, I can assure you. Each & every time I've attempted to manually program my radio, I've messed it up.

After reviewing the suspected area of interest, Cook County, I would find someone in your area who might share a file with you for your immediate area. Obviously, you are in a very dense area for scanner traffic. I would certainly attempt to define what you want to hear after looking at all of the systems in your area.

The main thing, don't give up. I promise you. If you are patient & diligent, you will learn this. It takes a while to unlearn old direct entry methods. Now, the computer helps simplify this process.

Once you do create a "working memory" of your area, you want to press, under file, "save as" & name it like any other file you have in your computer documents. When you open WIn500, you will be able to find and load it. Right now, your computer can store it. Later, you can learn how to store these "working memories" into "Virtual folders." Technically, you can have 21 different scanners inside one using around 39,000 slots to do so. Each working memory holds 1852 "objects."

 

[Ensnared]

Pro-106 in Cook County

From what I am seeing upon viewing the statewide trunking system, some things are going to be beyond the capabilities of your radio since it is listed as a Phase II system. So, you can forget Cook county since it seems to be mostly locked up with encryption. The various "T" talk groups are Phase II. But, I am seeing quite a lot of interesting talk groups specific to Homeland Security.

 

[wcltdnut]

Thanks for all the responses. Right now., I am listening to Illinois State Police. D-CHI, D-2 Elgin, D-5 Joliet, and D-15 Toll Roads. I also pick up other districts from time to time. I also want to program in Indiana State Police Safe-T sites. I really do not wish to load any conventional freqs right now. So at this point in time... This would be my listening interests. I have not purchased a software program yet. So any input would be beneficial to me. And yes.. For what I have in the scanner right now.. My trial and error rate was .. well.. to say the least a exercise in near futility. But when I was able to figure some of it out and hear transmissions. I was very impressed with the 106. I do wish to learn as much as I can, and reach its full potential to monitor IL and IN state police . Without growing more grey hair out of the event.. lol... I appreciate all your responses. dp

 

[jhal94]

You can try out WIN500 for free for 30 days, I suggest you do get it as it lays out how everything is set up in the scanner on the program screen which really does help you understand how it all works. If you want you can review how my PRO-106 is set up so it makes more sense to you when you do it. I will upload a WIN500 file now for you to view so that you see what a proper set up looks like. The only thing about mine is that all the systems have one scanlist per system on mine so it will behave as a bank (you don't need to do this as you can put whatever on any scanlist you want).

 

[jhal94]

Ohh boy here we go (upload error)

 

[shadcall]

You can also try ARC 500 on a free 30 day trial. As I mentioned earlier it is a very easy program to use.