Pro-197

[cpfd26]

I was looking at buying a 197 from a friend and I seen that it picks up P25. Does that include P25 Phase I? If not, is there an update?

 

[cherubim]

Pro-197 - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[RDGDigital]

Yes the PRO-197 does pick up P25 Phase I. It does not pick up P25 Phase II though. I have a PRO-197 and I think it's an excellent scanner.

 

[cpfd26]

Thanks RDG! I Seen it said P25, but no mention of the phases and wanted to be sure. Any advice upon purchase?

 

[flythunderbird]

If it doesn't come with the programming cable, get one and get one of the software packages to program it. You can program it with the keyboard, but the software makes it soooo much easier. I use the Win500 software and love it.

 

[cpfd26]

If it doesn't come with the programming cable, get one and get one of the software packages to program it. You can program it with the keyboard, but the software makes it soooo much easier. I use the Win500 software and love it.

I have a programming cable I used to program my Pro-2051, will that work? Its a mono plug. The 197 sounds like it will be a different beast for me. Is Win500 expensive?

 

[flythunderbird]

I have a programming cable I used to program my Pro-2051, will that work? Its a mono plug. The 197 sounds like it will be a different beast for me. Is Win500 expensive?

I don't know if the cable for the 2051 will work or not. The cable for the PRO-197 is still available from Radio Shack:

www.radioshack.com/radioshack-usb-pc-scanner-programming-cable/2000546.html

Win500 has a 30-day free trial period, after which you'll have to pay $35 for it ... which is money well spent!

Win500: WS1040, WS1065, PSR-500, PSR-600, PRO-651, PRO-652, PRO-106, PRO-197, PSR-310, PSR-410 Scanner Software for Data Management, Monitoring, and Control

 

[rivardj]

I recommend you also sign up for a Radio Reference Premium Membership so you can take advantage of the Web Import features of the WIN500 software. Using the Web Import is a big time saver and makes programming the radio a snap.

 

[cpfd26]

I don't know if the cable for the 2051 will work or not. The cable for the PRO-197 is still available from Radio Shack:

www.radioshack.com/radioshack-usb-pc-scanner-programming-cable/2000546.html

Do you have another link? This one says page not found.

 

[shadcall]

You might also consider ARC 500 from Butel. It is an easy to use program and works great with the Pro 197. You get a 30 day free trial. Here is the link.

Software for Uniden Whistler HOME PATROL HP1 HP-1 PRO-700 BCD436HP BCD536HP Radioshack GRE GRECOM MFJ DSE AOR police scanner software BCD996XT BCD396XT BC346T BCT15X PRO-404 PRO-405 PRO-97 PRO-96 PRO-2096 PRO-106 PRO-197 PRO-164 PRO-160 PRO-162 psr50

 

[flythunderbird]

Do you have another link? This one says page not found.

Sorry about that! Let me try it again.

RadioShack USB-PC Scanner Programming Cable : Programming Cables | RadioShack.com

 

[garys]

I use ARC500 Pro and like it very much. Keep in mind though, that I've been using Butel software for 10 or so years and thus an very comfortable with the look and feel. If you haven't used any of the software packages for any scanners, try the free versions and then buy the one you like the most.

I have a Pro197 for use at home. It works really well and the audio on P25 is very crisp. I think you'll like it.

 

[cpfd26]

Lucky me. Turns out that it comes with the programming cable. Now to find a mounting bracket since he had it mounted in the dash of a vehicle. Just have to decide on a program! Anyone interested in a Pro-2051?

 

[cpfd26]

More Help Needed

So I got the scanner, and got it "programmed". I am not getting a lot of traffic, and what I do get sounds scrambled up. This involves a mobile application. I was at my fire station and the county dispatch radioed up and I didn't hear squat on my scanner. PLEASE HELP!!

 

[N8IAA]

You might try asking in the Iowa state forum. You'll get better answers from those in your area. We can only make guesses as to what is the problem.
Larry

 

[shadcall]

Here are some older discussions about the system you are trying to monitor. It might help you.

http://forums.radioreference.com/io.../249202-linn-county-p25-simulcast-system.html

 

[cpfd26]

Thanks Larry and Shad, appreciate the pointers in the right direction!!

 

[wgwagner]

While adding new frequencies to my Pro 197 using Win 500, I somehow muted the radio for the scan frequencies but now the weather. How do I turn off the mute to restore audio for the radio?

 

[scanmanmi]

Sorry about that! Let me try it again.

RadioShack USB-PC Scanner Programming Cable : Programming Cables | RadioShack.com

That RS page mentions free software 7 day trial. What software would that be? I donn't want to download lots of trial software and not use it. I'm sure that had something to do with the demise of my last computer.

 

[RDGDigital]

There are basically three software packages that can program the PRO-197. They are...

Win500
Win500: WS1040, WS1065, PSR-500, PSR-600, PRO-651, PRO-652, PRO-106, PRO-197, PSR-310, PSR-410 Scanner Software for Data Management, Monitoring, and Control

ARC-500
GRE GRECOM RadioShack PRO-106 PRO106 PRO-197 PRO197 PSR-500 PSR-600 PRO-106 PRO106 PRO-197 PRO197 PSR500 PSR600 Software

PSREdit500
PSREdit500 - Configuration Editor for the PSR-500, PSR-600, PRO-106, and PRO-197 Scanners

Everyone seems to have a personal preference (mine is WIN500) but it really boils down to which one you're comfortable with. All three have a 30 day free trial period, so what I did was download and install all three on the same day and evaluated them all. By the end of the 30 day period I had a clear preference for which one I was the most comfortable with.

Since you are concerned about installing software, Win500 does not need to be installed. You just download it, unzip it to a folder of your choice and then just run it from there. That also makes it very easy to uninstall if it's not to your liking and it doesn't put anything into the Windows Registry.