Pro-96 Software: Win96 vs ScanCat

[sajohnson]

I'd like to appologize up front for the newbie questions. I'm ttrying to get up to speed here, but I'm coming from a conventional Pro-2006 scanner.

The salesman at my local RS (who is a ham) said that RS uses ScanCat to program the Pro-96.

Any opinion as t which is better/easier to use?

 

[Pro-95]

I'd like to appologize up front for the newbie questions. I'm ttrying to get up to speed here, but I'm coming from a conventional Pro-2006 scanner.

The salesman at my local RS (who is a ham) said that RS uses ScanCat to program the Pro-96.

Any opinion as t which is better/easier to use?

Yes Radio Shack distributes a castrated version of ScanCat to the stores for scanner programming. However since I can not edit the frequencies assigned ScanCat is not useful in this location due to frequencies assigned to us being incorrect.

I use Win 95/96 in the store and show my customers where to download this wonderful software. Personally I highly recommend the Win products because I like the user interface much better. However ScanCat does more than what the Win products will do. But then again I've only "played" with our version of ScanCat, I "use" Win products.

 

[sajohnson]

Michael,

Thanks for the advice.

 

[AZScanner]

I'd like to appologize up front for the newbie questions. I'm ttrying to get up to speed here, but I'm coming from a conventional Pro-2006 scanner.

The salesman at my local RS (who is a ham) said that RS uses ScanCat to program the Pro-96.

Any opinion as t which is better/easier to use?

I'd go with Win96. The guy who wrote it had advance access to the radio from the design team and has probably forgotten more about it than most of us will ever know. He stays on top of any problems that are reported and usually checks in on this site at least once a day!

There's also another potential reason why you'll want Win96 but I can't elaborate on that at this time.... more on that as things finalize.

-AZ

 

[mstarn]

I use Win 96 for my PRO-96 and WIN-95 for my PRO-95. Love both software packages. Never tried ScanCat; however, did look at the ScanCat site.

Strongly, recommend the WIN 96 software. Don Starr the owner of Win 96 has been responsive to my questions to him. That to me (if all things are equal) being the factor that is extremely important. His software is very easy to use and does have good help. I travel a lot for the FAA and guess I'm a P.96 folder junkie. Love to have a different folder for each of the cities and areas I visit. They are so simple to load and change on the fly.

Good luck on which package you pick; but go to http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win96/
and download a trail copy of the WIN 96 package. By the way, you need a cable from Radio Shack part number 20-289. It is in stock at my local store (internet check).

 

[mstarn]

I use Win 96 for my PRO-96 and WIN-95 for my PRO-95. Love both software packages. Never tried ScanCat; however, did look at the ScanCat site.

Strongly, recommend the WIN 96 software. Don Starr the owner of Win 96 has been responsive to my questions to him. That to me (if all things are equal) being the factor that is extremely important. His software is very easy to use and does have good help. I travel a lot for the FAA and guess I'm a P.96 folder junkie. Love to have a different folder for each of the cities and areas I visit. They are so simple to load and change on the fly.

Good luck on which package you pick; but go to http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win96/
and download a trail copy of the WIN 96 package. By the way, you need a cable from Radio Shack part number 20-289. It is in stock at my local store (internet check).

 

[KT4HX]

WIN96 vs ScanCat

I have used both. For day to day use I much prefer Win96 (and Win95). Thats not to say that Scancat isn't a good program, but I found it more cumbersome to use for just routine changes in programming. It does more for sure, and if you are into a lot of different radios (it supports so many different ones), and into actual computer control of your radios, its the way to go. But just for programming purposes, I would highly recommend the Win products - you can't go wrong.

 

[sajohnson]

Thank you all for your very helpful posts.

I have downloaded Win96, and have ordered the "purple" cable from ScannerCables.

My question now is regarding the USB>serial converter that I need (my Dell notebook does not have an RS-232/serial port).

Some folks say that any USB>serial converter will work. Others say that only some will.

At a link provided at the starrsoft site, I read that the Keyspan #USA-19HS works well. However, it is rather expensive, and when I did a search on www.nextag.com, the online retailers that carry it did not have exactly glowing customer feedback.

What's a boy to do?

Should I just go to CompUSA ot Best Buy and take my chances?

 

[Pro-95]

What's a boy to do?

No. The one from Radio Shack seems to work best. And I'm not saying it because I sell them. I've had several laptop owners come in with other USB-Serial adaptors for use on things like a GPS which is a live and constantly updated connection and after "dicking" with their adaptors for several minutes I broke out the Radio Shack one, burned the floppy ( :roll: ) to CD and installed it as a test and viola.

Radio Shack part#260-0183

Yes Windows freaked out and posted a warning message that your computer will self destruct if you continue with teh installation of this software. I have yet had any negative effects from the RS adaptor.

 

[qoatzecotl]

I use the Keyspan USA-19 PDA adaptor on my Mac

 

[sajohnson]

Any other opinions on USB>serial adapters for use with the 'purple' programming cable?

The Keyspan is very expensive for an adapter, and the online dealers seem to have customer service problems (although to be fair, since happy customers rarely post, it's hard to know the actual _rate_ of SNAFU's).

 

[qoatzecotl]

I got mine at Wal-Mart...I don't know your definition of cheap, but you'll find most adaptors aren't going to be under $10...with that in mind, here's the updated version of mine:

http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/usa19w/

and here's a list of prices:

http://keyspan.links.channelintelligence.com/pages/prices.asp?sSKU=USA-19HS

 

[sajohnson]

qoatzecotl:

Thanks for the links!

I had gone to Keyspan's site but somehow did not see the second page you linked to with prices. That is very helpful.

What a range -- $28 to $52!

It seems to me that a device like this should be no more than $10 to $15, but it is what it is.

I thought it was interesting that at the link that starrsoft provides, the author says he actually _prefers_ the other USB>Serial adapter he tried, even though it did not work without programming in some sort of delay into the data transfer. Strange.

He said that the Keyspan worked perfectly without needing any delay (although it would work, albeit slower, with one). That's why I am looking at Keyspan. But if I knew that another unit was similarly trouble-free and cost half as much, I would probably buy that instead.

Which brings us to Radio Shack.

Pro-95 (Michael) said:

"No. The one from Radio Shack seems to work best. And I'm not saying it because I sell them. I've had several laptop owners come in with other USB-Serial adaptors for use on things like a GPS which is a live and constantly updated connection and after "dicking" with their adaptors for several minutes I broke out the Radio Shack one, burned the floppy ( ) to CD and installed it as a test and viola.

Radio Shack part#260-0183

Yes Windows freaked out and posted a warning message that your computer will self destruct if you continue with the installation of this software. I have yet had any negative effects from the RS adaptor."

I just called my local RS (where I bought the Pro-96) and their price on the #26-183 is $42.

I understand the marketing behind "batteries not included" but programming cable, USB>Serial adapter, and software not included?! Did you want an antenna with that?!

I suppose I have a bit of an attitude, but all things being equal, at this point I think Tandy Corp. has gotten enough of my money.

I guess I'll go ahead and order the Keyspan USA-19HS.

Thank you to everyone for your help in sorting this out.

 

[DonS]

I thought it was interesting that at the link that starrsoft provides, the author says he actually _prefers_ the other USB>Serial adapter he tried, even though it did not work without programming in some sort of delay into the data transfer. Strange.

He said that the Keyspan worked perfectly without needing any delay (although it would work, albeit slower, with one). That's why I am looking at Keyspan. But if I knew that another unit was similarly trouble-free and cost half as much, I would probably buy that instead.

I should probably update my "cables" page, as I've not needed the "Extra Write Time" option with the iogear cable (GUC232A). That cable is still my favorite, and "lives" in my laptop backpack.

I've seen prices from $27 to $40 for the GUC232A ($40 is at the iogear online store).

http://iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&product_id=154

-Don

 

[sajohnson]

I thought it was interesting that at the link that starrsoft provides, the author says he actually _prefers_ the other USB>Serial adapter he tried, even though it did not work without programming in some sort of delay into the data transfer. Strange.

He said that the Keyspan worked perfectly without needing any delay (although it would work, albeit slower, with one). That's why I am looking at Keyspan. But if I knew that another unit was similarly trouble-free and cost half as much, I would probably buy that instead.

I should probably update my "cables" page, as I've not needed the "Extra Write Time" option with the iogear cable (GUC232A). That cable is still my favorite, and "lives" in my laptop backpack.

I've seen prices from $27 to $40 for the GUC232A ($40 is at the iogear online store).

http://iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&product_id=154

-Don

The GUC232A looks like a nice unit. I've already ordered the Keyspan USA-19HS, but for anyone who needs a USB>Serial adapter the iogear is certainly a good option.