PSR800 Whistler upgrade - still worth it?

[tpayne174]

Hi all,

I have had a PSR800 for a few years. I go in spurts of wanting to use it, to forgetting it exists. Its a real problem... Once again, I have found myself going to see the Blue Angels in a few weeks and want to take it with to listen to communications.

I fully assume I can load frequencies and listen to them without issues currently, right?

Also, is the Whistler upgrade still worth it? I seem to get next to zero communication within my city, will that upgrade fix that problem?

Thanks!

 

[tvengr]

Upgrading the PSR-800 to a WS1080 is well worth it. There are many reports of improved performance. You will be able to easily update the library and firmware. What frequencies will the Blue Angels be using? What is your city and county in Minnesota and which systems and agencies are giving you problems?

 

[tpayne174]

Upgrading the PSR-800 to a WS1080 is well worth it. There are many reports of improved performance. You will be able to easily update the library and firmware. What frequencies will the Blue Angels be using? What is your city and county in Minnesota and which systems and agencies are giving you problems?

Okay sweet! I’ll send it out after my airshow and get er updated!

I’ll be in La Crosse, WI for the airshow. I should be able to get all that programmed pre upgrade as I expect it wouldn’t come back in time.

I listen to Dakota County. Really anything in this area is all I care about. Not sure if they’ve all gone encrypted, but don’t seem to get much in general.

 

[ka3jjz]

Did you look in our database?

Dakota County, Minnesota (MN) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Dakota County, Minnesota (MN)

www.radioreference.com

Nothing encrypted at first glance. You have one Tetra and one NXDN trunk that the scanner won't handle, but it appears you are good to go, simulcast issues aside

Mike

 

[jkahn]

The Whistler upgrade is worth it, unless you used the unauthorized program to "cheat" the DMR upgrade, in which case you will have to pay an extra charge to get the radio upgraded, which is still worth it. It improves performance as well as adding the capability to get DMR transmissions.

 

[RaleighGuy]

I should be able to get all that programmed pre upgrade as I expect it wouldn’t come back in time.

Keep in mind the updated database is not available until you get it upgraded, and then upgrade it with the WS1080 software.

That said, the upgrade is definitely worth it, but you should be fine for the Airshow.

 

[fourwd1]

The upgrade is totally worth it.

I did it to my PSR800 and then my RS version, the PRO668.

 

[CycleSycho]

.


Worth it!


.

 

[Swipesy]

My 2 cents worth on the upgrade of the PSR 800 is (1) the radio is still a very good radio when used in a non simulcast environment. (2) I think Whistler is going to disappear, without warning, from the scanner market any time now. Upgrade NOW while you still can.

 

[Lambert1064]

Folks, I see you sent scanner for upgrade. I sent my 800 in for the upgrade and they accepted it but I have heard nothing from them nor received scanner back. Did it take a long time or did I just get taken and lost a scanner to a null company ( whistler)

 

[Swipesy]

I sent mine to them in October 2019 and the turnaround time was 10 days. Much different company today so I am not sure this information is relative. But, I will confirm what others have said that the update is well worth it. The reception on the Legacy 800 was measurably better than before the upgrade. I still use the scanner everyday in addition to my 500, 125 and SDS200. The Legacy, in my home area does not have to deal with simulcast and does great. When mobile it suffers terribly from LSM.