Pro 97 vs others

[avflyguy]

I just picked up a Pro97 and am having fits learning how to use it Is there any advantage or disadvantage on this particular model.

Also using WIN97 and that too is quite confusing. I come from the 15-20 year ago scanners. Still have a RX Pro2022 that works like a champ. No issues since new!

Anyway.. back to the question. Is the Pro97 a decent radio?


Thanks

 

[NWtoSFO]

I've had the 97 for about 2-1/2 years now and love it. I prefer RS scanners to BC's, so I don't have too much a problem programming them now. Win97 took a little bit, but if you learn what the functions of the 97 are, the program will be that much easier. I'd suggest learning how to program by hand (at least one bank), then the Win97 functions will be that much clearer to you.

The radio is a bit sensitive and the transmissions are a little "tinny" sometimes, but the audio of loud and mostly clear. I have not problem monitoring any of the analog stuff around my home, both conventional and trunking systems. Most of what I learned about this scanner I learned right here.

Matthew

 

[kcoleman]

Is there any advantage or disadvantage on this particular model.

I've had the Pro-97 since it came out. This radio has been a workhorse for me and literally went with me everywhere I went. There are four things this radio has that I'll continue to look for in future radios I buy:

- the ability to switch between AM/FM mode, particularly 138-144 mhz range
- UHF range for milcom 225~400 mhz
- DCS/CTCSS tone code ability
- Alpha Tag capability

As Matthew said in his post... It would probably be a good exercise to program a few frequencies manually just to help understand the radio a little better. Bottom line.... It is a decent radio and should serve you very well.

Good Luck,
Keith

 

[zzdiesel]

I've have the RS Pro-2055 which I think is the base version of the Pro-97. I too had mucho fits learning how to program it. I almost kicked it it to middle of the street several times. Take time to learn the program. It is too hard to program very much by and.

 

[SCPD]

had mine for a few years ( 2 actually) great radios

 

[Nasby]

The PRO-97 is actually one of the easiest radios to program. WIN97 makes it a cinch. Take your time, play around with it and I'm sure you'll really like this radio one you get her up and running.
Good luck!!

 

[gmclam]

Pro-97

If you are jumping from an older radio directly to the PRO-97, it does have a steep learning curve. BUT, ANY of the newer (digital) radios have just as steep of a curve from the PRO-97. I was fortunate to go from earlier Radio Shack models to the PRO-92, then PRO-95 before landing on the PRO-97. I learned trunking first, then newer features of the PRO-97.

I concur with others that you MUST first learn the radio. This is not something you are going to do by just "playing around". You need to read one of the many manuals on the scanner. The manual from Radio Shack is one of the worst ever written, but there are easier to understand versions online. Check the Wiki section here on RR: Pro-97 - The RadioReference Wiki

Just as I told my kids that they need to learn to drive with a standard transmission - even though they'll probably drive automatics, I suggest you learn how to program frequencies, talkgroups and alpha tags by hand. You don't have to do an entire bank, but you should know how to do it. Once you've mastered WIN97, you'll find times & places where you'll want to make a slight change, and you won't have a computer/etc near.

Advantages:
- Lit keypad and well lit display
- Reasonably priced programming software
- CT/DC search and squelch control
- Fairly complete frequency coverage from 25MHz to 1300MHz

Disadvantages
- Does not decode P25
- Does not support rebanded MO type trunked systems
- Firmware not upgradeable
- Does not do new narrow band frequencies nor new 700MHz band

 

[N1BHH]

Folks, you've got it all wrong. The Pro-2055 and Pro-97 are so intuitive to program, that when I bought my 2055 second hand I was programming it as soon as I got it hooked to power. When I got the 97, I already had the power cord in the van, just bought the proper adaptaplug and was programming away right out of the box. Just put the frequencies in, they'll automatically select the primary mode, then if it's a trunked system, you just select the type of system and fire away. I started with just setting conventional frequencies to code search and when they became active, just hit the enter button. Same with talk groups on trunked systems, let them talk, hit the trunk button and you'll be happy. You can edit out what you don't want at a later time.