PRO-197 and STARS

[K9DUO]

I just received a new PRO197 . Am using the WIN500 program for it. I uploaded all the STARS data from my 2096 into the WIN500 program and then downloaded it into the PRO197. Is there anything else special as far as settings or anything that need to be done. It appears to be working better on the 197 that it does on the 2096. It does seem to take a very long time to scan thru the STARS system before it moves onto another area trunked system.

 

[fmon]

I just received a new PRO197 . Am using the WIN500 program for it. I uploaded all the STARS data from my 2096 into the WIN500 program and then downloaded it into the PRO197. Is there anything else special as far as settings or anything that need to be done. It appears to be working better on the 197 that it does on the 2096. It does seem to take a very long time to scan thru the STARS system before it moves onto another area trunked system.

How many control frequencies do you have loaded in STARS TSYS? What setting is used for Multisite mode and Hi, Lo Threshold?

Mine works great using 14 controls, ROAM and 90 - 55. Guess my difference would be Hi & Lo Threshold as default is 95 - 75

 

[K9DUO]

Frank,

Can I only enter the STARS system control channels or do I have to enter all the frequencies? In the Pro2096 I was under the impression you had to enter all the frequencies, not just control channels...And do you have any data entered into the trunking tables?

 

[fmon]

Frank,

Can I only enter the STARS system control channels or do I have to enter all the frequencies? In the Pro2096 I was under the impression you had to enter all the frequencies, not just control channels...And do you have any data entered into the trunking tables?

The 2096 only requires controls for Motorola and P25 systems as does the 197.

You can enter up to 32 controls/alt controls in the 97. I have Hampton, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, Franklin, Petersburg and the portable 800 in mine. This turns out to be 14 freqs.

Set TSYS to P25 Auto which will set the Trunk Tables automatically in seconds as you first scan the system. The control frequency finds and sets the tables.

If you subscribe to radio reference, you will be able to use Web Import feature in the software to import the data.

 

[K9DUO]

Thanks Frank.

I just updated the scanner and set everything like you suggested. The only problem I seem to be having is it takes about 20 seconds to scan thru the STARS system before it moves on to the other systems I have in the scanner. Any way to speed that up by changing any of the other settings?

 

[fmon]

The only default settings I've changed for STARS is Thershold Hi from 95 to 90 and Lo to 55 from 75.

Mine scans on in less then 2 seconds of none activity.

 

[fmon]

Kbb,

Add to my above - in Expert settings, my Extended thershold is set to 80 from 250. However, this setting may only apply to Motorola trunking. The other P25 trunking settings are default other then noted previously.

 

[tglendye]

The only default settings I've changed for STARS is Thershold Hi from 95 to 90 and Lo to 55 from 75.

Mine scans on in less then 2 seconds of none activity.

Hi Frank,

My STARS seems to be working good, but I'm curious about the thresholds. My threshold HI was set 95-75%. I don't see a option for a "LOW" setting.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[fmon]

Hi Frank,

My STARS seems to be working good, but I'm curious about the thresholds. My threshold HI was set 95-75%. I don't see a option for a "LOW" setting.

Thanks,
Todd

Multi-Siite ROAM is required.
PGM EDIT CURR SEL in STARS TSYS. Then down to Multi-Site right to ROAM. Hi is next down and Lo after Hi.

 

[K9DUO]

As always Frank, thanks for your help. I will keep playiing with mine...Not sure why mine hangs up so long on the STARS system before it moves on to other systems, but it sure takes it a long time to move forward. I will be getting another Pro197 in a few weeks so I will try that one and see if it does the same thing. Other than that so far I think its a great scanner. Much more user friendly than previous Radio Shack models. And so far its picking up the STARS system much better than the 2096 or Uniden 996.

 

[tglendye]

Yes... Thanks Frank for all of your help. I see what you were saying now. I lazily read it and misinterpreted it.

Todd

 

[K9DUO]

Frank,
I got my 2nd Pro-197 today. Im having the same trouble with it on the STARS system as well, in that it scans the STARS system for about 20 seconds before it moves on to the other systems. I have all my settings set as you recommended. Can you think of any other setting that might be affecting this? On occasion it will zip right thru the STARS system, but most of the time it hangs up on it for a long time.

Thanks,
Kell

 

[fmon]

Kell,

Using same Scantenna via an Electroline 4 out distribution box with STARS scanlist and Suffolk Mot scanlist set in both scanners.

PSR-500 set using only Control frequency in TSYS for Chesapeake with MultiSite set to Off.
Pro-197 set using only Control frequency in TSYS for Hampton with MultiSite set to Off.

Chesapeake tower is nearly twice the distance as is Hampton tower so need ATT set on PSR-500. Without ATT, it will not acquire sufficient decode to lock on.
With no activity on either TSYS, the STARS prompt last under 2 seconds and Suffolk prompt less then 1 sec. Turning ATT off on PSR scanner, both prompts are less then 1 second. Thus it appears it is not acquiring the Chesapeake tower sufficiently to decode data.

Testing Chesapeake tower using Analyz indicates 00 decode to about 10 with ATT off on PSR. With ATT on Decode rate is 94-99% - near the constant 99% on Hampton tower without ATT.
This is exactly the same as when both scanners are set to MultiSite ROAM Hi 90 Lo 55 and the 14 controls/alts with ATT Off. Both scanners sitting at this PC will always acquire Hampton tower.

 

[K9DUO]

Thanks Frank,

I dont know what the difference is between mine and yours. Maybe someday if your over Norfolk way or Im out your way I can get you to look at this if you dont mind. Its driving me absolutely insane. Ive tried several different settings, even only put in Chesapeake control channels (4). And it still seems to hang up on the Stars system before moving on. So Im at a loss.


Kell

 

[RagnarD]

I didn't bother to read the whole thread but have you tried turning the attenuator on to see if that will help out any?

Like Frank said with all of the other RF flying around here and the sloppy front ends in the GRE's you have to turn on the attenuator in some cases to get a good decode for STARS.

A delay setting may help out too.

Attached is my Hampton Roads WIN500 file if you want to try it and see if it helps you out any.

If you have already tried this, "my bad".

73
de
chris
kq4z

 

[fmon]

I didn't bother to read the whole thread but have you tried turning the attenuator on to see if that will help out any?

Like Frank said with all of the other RF flying around here and the sloppy front ends in the GRE's you have to turn on the attenuator in some cases to get a good decode for STARS.

A delay setting may help out too.

Attached is my Hampton Roads WIN500 file if you want to try it and see if it helps you out any.

If you have already tried this, "my bad".

73
de
chris
kq4z

Like the file Chris. Hope you don't mind if I change the greeting and rename for my use.

 

[K9DUO]

I think I may have found my problem. On the Win500 program, under the dwell column, 19600 was listed. Dont know where that came from, but I deleted it and now its working like a champ.

 

[tglendye]

Glad you got it going. I was just going to ask the question if the 197's had firmware updates like the 500's do and if you've checked that out? It's nice to hear the 197 is tracking STARS well.

Todd