Pro-668: Pro-668

[buddrousa]

Offering help to people puts more money in your bank account in the long run.
With that said Whistler sent an e-mail yesterday and stated Radioshack is responsible for all Whistler built Radioshack scanners for firmware and warranties. But I tried to get help for others not like some others that sit and complain point fingers and not ask for help.

 

[marcotor]

"Good press" does not pay the bills.

Obviously, you have not read all the missives of the MBA's on these forums, who had all the answers to Radio Shack's problems at the snap of their fingers

 

[Circa]

Why can't these companies just release open-source firmware?

Sent from my Android using Tapatalk.

 

[buddrousa]

The FCC would not let that happen. Per FCC the radio operations SHALL not be changed with out FCC approval I think this old e-mail post explains why this can not happen. This is just one area of FCC control as stated below YOU THE USER SHALL NOT MODIFY THE OPERATION OF THE SCANNER.

From: Paul Opitz [SMTPopitz1@Tandy.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 1997 8:25 AM
To: 'bch...@san.rr.com'
Subject: SCANNER POLICY MEMO


> Early in 1997, representatives from industry, including RadioShack,
> met informally with the FCC to discuss current problems in the
> scanning hobby. Identified as a major problem was the ability of some
> scanner hobbyists to develop illegal modifications that allow scanners
> to receive cellular telephone transmissions. Among the possibilities
> discussed for eliminating this problem were the total epoxying of all
> circuit boards, which would render scanners both unmodifiable and
> unserviceable, or the restriction of technical information regarding
> scanner circuit design.
>
> As a result of this meeting, Tandy limited the availability of scanner
> service manuals to Tandy Service Centers only.
>
> While Tandy understands the desire of the do-it-yourself community to
> have easy access to service information, we feel the interests of the
> scanning hobby as a whole are best served by making it more difficult
> to develop illegal modifications by restricting access to some service
> manuals containing schematics. Therefore, in response to industry
> concerns, Tandy is implementing the following policy in regards to the
> release of service information and the servicing of scanners.
>
> * Tandy (RadioShack and TechAmerica) will withhold schematics
> (service manuals) for all scanners that can receive 800 MHz or above
> which were submitted for FCC certification after April, 1997. As of
> December 12, 1997, this means that service manuals for the following
> RadioShack scanners will not be available: 20-417 (PRO-2048), 20-430
> (PRO-2050), 20-512 (PRO-67), and 20-520 (PRO-90), along with all
> future service manuals within the stated criteria.
>
> * To the extent that service manuals exist and are in stock,
> schematics (service manuals) for scanners that can receive 800 MHz or
> above that were submitted for FCC certification before May, 1997 will
> continue to be available to customers and others.
>
> * To the extent that service manuals exist and are in stock,
> schematics (service manuals) for scanners that cannot receive 800 MHz
> or above will continue to be available to customers and others.
>
> * Modified scanners (regardless of frequency or date of
> manufacture) will not be serviced by Tandy. These scanners will be
> returned to the customer with a notice indicating that the unit
> appears to have been modified and if the scanner is returned to its
> original specifications, Tandy will use reasonable efforts to repair
> it.
>
> * To the extent that scanner parts are available and in stock,
> scanner replacement parts will continue to be available regardless of
> the scanner's frequency range or date of manufacture.

 

[DJ11DLN]

"Good press" does not pay the bills.

Mark
536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/
396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

No, but what generates it, i.e. satisfied customers who are likely to be repeat customers or to recommend a company's products to others (the best and both cheapest and in its own way most expensive of all advertising, because it must be earned and can't be bought) will indeed pay a lot of bills.

Right now, if I was going to buy a new scanner today, I'd be very torn about it. On one hand, we have Whistler products, albeit RS-branded, that may wind up unsupported. We know that they are very close to the Whistler versions so generating firmware/DSP updates would not be a huge issue, yet they may be left flapping in the wind. So that's a downer. On the other hand, while I've had excellent results from the Uniden scanners I've owned, right here on RR we have endless folks who do have issues or gripes with several current Uniden models, another downer. And so I would need to be persuaded to buy Uniden or buy Whistler...and something as small as knowing that they stand by stuff they built for RS could make the difference. Not that I'd exactly be afraid to buy either a 536hp or a 1095.:wink:

A quick Google search will reveal tons of piles of companies, local, national, and global, that died due to poor or nonexistent customer service. I really hope that both Uniden and Whistler take these examples into account moving forward.

 

[KF5CHD]

No, but what generates it, i.e. satisfied customers who are likely to be repeat customers or to recommend a company's products to others (the best and both cheapest and in its own way most expensive of all advertising, because it must be earned and can't be bought) will indeed pay a lot of bills.

Right now, if I was going to buy a new scanner today, I'd be very torn about it. On one hand, we have Whistler products, albeit RS-branded, that may wind up unsupported. We know that they are very close to the Whistler versions so generating firmware/DSP updates would not be a huge issue, yet they may be left flapping in the wind. So that's a downer. On the other hand, while I've had excellent results from the Uniden scanners I've owned, right here on RR we have endless folks who do have issues or gripes with several current Uniden models, another downer. And so I would need to be persuaded to buy Uniden or buy Whistler...and something as small as knowing that they stand by stuff they built for RS could make the difference. Not that I'd exactly be afraid to buy either a 536hp or a 1095.:wink:

A quick Google search will reveal tons of piles of companies, local, national, and global, that died due to poor or nonexistent customer service. I really hope that both Uniden and Whistler take these examples into account moving forward.

BRAVO!!! Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[marksmith]

Whistler did not get to where they are today by assuming the liabilities of others. They are in a low profit niche industry with scanners and it's only because they have survived in some of their other niche product lines that I give them half a chance to survive in the scanner business.

They certainly won't make it by assuming obligations that are not theirs. If they are to survive they need to sell new units and keeping old RS units going will hurt them more than help in that regard.

Anybody who thinks it would be a good idea for Whistler to do some of the things suggested in this thread with no direct compensation, keep dreaming. For my part, I will support them by purchasing a new scanner from them, which I am sure they will appreciate more than suggesting they are deadbeats if they don't support someone else's products.

Mark
536/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT/396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

 

[buddrousa]

#1 I did not ask for anything free.
#2 They built so they know how to support it.
#3 I paid $424.99 not the cut rate pricing.
#4 I was trying to do you and other RS owners a favor but you can see that with your head in the sand.
Now Whistler e-mailed me back and stated RS is responsible for all repairs and firmware releases. Which means that they are still supporting 668 651 652 scanners. They have them in stock online at this time.

RadioShack Pro-668 Handheld iScan Digital Trunking Scanner,
Model: 2000668 Catalog #: 2000668
RadioShack Pro-668 Handheld iScan Digital Trunking Scanner
Hear what's happening wherever you are - U.S.A. or Canada.
(1)
FREE SHIPPING OVER $50
$499.99
In Stock
ADD TO CART
FIND IN A STORE

 

[marksmith]

1. You were asking Whistler to support it with firmware even though you paid Whistler nothing for your 668.
2. No. GRE actually built it, Whistler just put their name on some.
3. That gave you a radio with no support from a 3rd company.
4. The fact you received a letter from Whistler advising Whistler does not support the 668 suggests the sand is elsewhere.

Mark
536/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT/396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

 

[marcotor]

I don't think anyone was discounting your efforts to secure information that benefits us all.

It's the business experts in these forums who seem to think that companies should give things away (sometimes in clear violation of contracts - see the PSR 800/Pro-18 comments by Don Starr) in the name of "good business".

These are the same business experts who will scream all day in other types of forums about the evils of trade agreements, price controls, whatever Administration is in the White House and what they are doing to ruin businesses, etc., and then lead the pitchfork and torch pack when a 5% price increase is announced for item that hasn't changed in 6 years.

The customer is always right was a BS marketing term, that somehow has become the mantra of anyone who doesn't operate a business, or have shareholders to answer to.

"Might help generate 19 more unit sales" is a poor business plan.

 

[buddrousa]

I know and understand I was only checking new release scanners 668 651 652. Look at all the bad PR due to the fact the 651 and 652 bricks that was being sold that related to Whistler when RS offered no support for bricks it was not Whistlers fault for bricks but they could have stepped up to the plate made money for repairs and built good PR for Whistler.

 

[plato]

Whistler Support for Radio Shack Scanners They Built.

Whistler made the Radio Shack scanners. Whistler should support them. PERIOD !!!!!!! Let's stop the finger pointing and all the other B.S. and lame brain excuses!!! Whistler knows about the bad sitution at Radio Shack right now!!!

 

[marcotor]

Whistler made the Radio Shack scanners. Whistler should support them. PERIOD !!!!!!! Let's stop the finger pointing and all the other B.S. and lame brain excuses!!! Whistler knows about the bad sitution at Radio Shack right now!!!

So what? Why should Whistler be on the hook to give you a free update?

Don Starr has written extensively about this, and why he - as the author of the firmware - cannot simply release updates on his own, and why the GRE Beta for Phase 2 on the 800 was never applied to the Pro-18. The RS firmware for all of their scanners is not the property of Whistler, GRE, or any company but Radio Shack and it's successor companies.

They are free to abandon development or support, continue development or support, or assign the IP rights to whomever they choose, regardless of how many tantrums you have demanding another company does something that no company in it's right mind ever would.

Whistler should open themselves to litigation because you demand it? Will you cover those costs for them so you can have your fix?

 

[jonsmth]

I've followed the posts on this thread for the past few days and certainly can see both arguments for and against Whistler supporting a Radio Shack product they inherited when they bought out GRE. I own the RS PRO-668. I would have NEVER paid full price, but did jump in when the price was 299.00. Wish I had waited a few weeks and could've picked it up for 199.00! When I bought it, I knew the status of Radio Shack and knew it was a gamble, but decided to take a chance on it. To me, it's a very good radio. It took awhile to learn how to program it, but in it's current firmware state and as long as I can acquire library updates, then I'm fine with the radio as it is. 35 years ago when you had a bearcat crystal scanner we weren't on the edge of our seats waiting for the next firmware release to come out. Of course, communications are much more complex today than they were 35 years ago, I understand that. My point is if you own the RS PRO-668, there's a very good chance you're going to lose support. From my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong, the library updates come from this website, not Radio Shack servers? Seems, I've seen that posted a time or two in different threads. If it become unsupported, and literally a "brick", then buy something else. I appreciate the efforts by those on this website to find out information concerning support, but trying to look at the situation realistically, I don't see RS putting a whole lot of effort in firmware updates or any updates for RS scanners while they're attempting to prevent every Radio Shack store in the country from having to close their doors in the face of bankruptcy. I'm certain PRO-668 firmware updates or who will support them are not very high on the RS executives list of priorities at this point. I agree that a great Customer Service move would be for Whistler to honor these RS units and support them but that would be a slap in the face of Whistler customers that bought Whistler vice RS Scanners at full price. By the lack of Customer Service that I see in today's business world compared to what was common place 20 years ago, I wouldn't hold my breath for Whistler to support RS scanners. Use the PRO-668 as long as you can and if it becomes useless, it should make a nice bookend.

 

[nyscan]

Guys... The Pro-668 decodes Phase 2 and does a decent job of it. If there was never another update made available, so what? It's a fine scanner that receives that latest type of digital system and is one of only a few that can. It is miles ahead of most other scanners on the market. If there should be no further updates would it be so bad?

 

[buddrousa]

This is all true of the 668 the only problem I have with mine is battery life. Setup the same as my bcd436hp my 436 gets 10 plus hours scanning the 668 gets about 4 to 4.5 hours at best using the same new batch of batteries on the same MAHA MH-C801D. The 668 is not like the 651 and 652 that were getting bricked by users. I have a question in to RS support as I got the e-mail from Whistler and I will post the answer in the thread Radioshack Support.

 

[TAbirdman]

Whistler made the Radio Shack scanners. Whistler should support them. PERIOD !!!!!!! Let's stop the finger pointing and all the other B.S. and lame brain excuses!!! Whistler knows about the bad sitution at Radio Shack right now!!!

I could say the same for my truck. Its a Mitsubishi Raider made by Dodge. its basically a Dakota. Do I expect a dodge dealer to warranty my raider??? NO. Its not a dodge product. Same thing with RS scanners that Whistler made. They were made to RS specs and thus a RS product.

 

[marksmith]

Whistler made the Radio Shack scanners. Whistler should support them. PERIOD !!!!!!! Let's stop the finger pointing and all the other B.S. and lame brain excuses!!! Whistler knows about the bad sitution at Radio Shack right now!!!

Insane.

Mark
536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/
396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

 

[buddrousa]

Yes but the Dodge Dealer can fix your truck for a price. That was my point from the start. Do I think Whistler should fix the RS scanners for free NO I DO NOT if Mitsubishi closed the doors DO I EXPECT DODGE TO FIX YOUR TRUCK FOR A FEE YES I DO. That was my goal to find someone to fix RS scanners for a fee anything thought by anybody else was what ever you thought not me.

 

[Ghstwolf62]

I've followed the posts on this thread for the past few days and certainly can see both arguments for and against Whistler supporting a Radio Shack product they inherited when they bought out GRE. I own the RS PRO-668. I would have NEVER paid full price, but did jump in when the price was 299.00. Wish I had waited a few weeks and could've picked it up for 199.00! When I bought it, I knew the status of Radio Shack and knew it was a gamble, but decided to take a chance on it. To me, it's a very good radio. It took awhile to learn how to program it, but in it's current firmware state and as long as I can acquire library updates, then I'm fine with the radio as it is. 35 years ago when you had a bearcat crystal scanner we weren't on the edge of our seats waiting for the next firmware release to come out. Of course, communications are much more complex today than they were 35 years ago, I understand that. My point is if you own the RS PRO-668, there's a very good chance you're going to lose support. From my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong, the library updates come from this website, not Radio Shack servers? Seems, I've seen that posted a time or two in different threads. If it become unsupported, and literally a "brick", then buy something else. I appreciate the efforts by those on this website to find out information concerning support, but trying to look at the situation realistically, I don't see RS putting a whole lot of effort in firmware updates or any updates for RS scanners while they're attempting to prevent every Radio Shack store in the country from having to close their doors in the face of bankruptcy. I'm certain PRO-668 firmware updates or who will support them are not very high on the RS executives list of priorities at this point. I agree that a great Customer Service move would be for Whistler to honor these RS units and support them but that would be a slap in the face of Whistler customers that bought Whistler vice RS Scanners at full price. By the lack of Customer Service that I see in today's business world compared to what was common place 20 years ago, I wouldn't hold my breath for Whistler to support RS scanners. Use the PRO-668 as long as you can and if it becomes useless, it should make a nice bookend.

I have to say I agree with you.

It would be nice if Whistler backed the scanners but I bought mine knowing it was RS and that RS was going under. If anyone is going to get mad it should be against RS who looks to be staying in business but telling those who purchased their product to pi$$ off.

It seems to be a great scanner when it works. I'm very happy when it works. The problem for me is it keeps eating SD Cards.

Either way for 175 and 199 respectively I thought I was buying a product from a company going out of business which means it is what it is forever.

Any future support will be a big present as I wasn't expecting anything and that's the way people should look at it.

Old doesn't mean bad. I have a PSR 600 which isn't supported with updates as far as I know but that thing works great and has been running 24/7 since one year after they came out with it. I wouldn't trade it for anything.