Purchased a GRE PSR-300, not sure if it will work for me

[jessek14]

I purchased it yesterday, so it is still in transit, but I went to a radio shack to buy one so I can use now, and send the PSR-300 back. They had a PRO-164 on sale for $180, about what I paid for the PSR-300, but it was out of stock. The first guy I talked to said it would work for philadelphia, as did the radioreference wiki, so I went to another store to buy one. I asked for police scanners, and instantly the person working said "they start at $400" and I asked about the PRO-164, and he said it WILL NOT work in philadelphia.

Im confused, the radioreference wiki says it supports Motorola Type II Smartnet and Motorola Type II Smartzone. Wouldn't that mean it would work in my city? Or does it NEED to be digital?

 

[madhatter66]

Its the fact that Philly is APCO-25 Digital for LE/Fire... If it was a Motorola Smartzone/Smartnet II Analog system a 300 or 164 would work great. I have a RS-164, but there really is no P-25 where I am, so for what I need it for its an awesome scanner. Looks like the reason that it will work in your area, is that there is plenty of conventional and analog trunked systems in your area like the SEPTA, so technically it will work in your area...just cant get the LE/Fire for philly. Hope this help you out. Welcome to RR.

 

[KT4HX]

Unforunately, madhatter is correct. There are analog systems in the area, but if you want to listen to the PD and Fire, then you will need a digital scanner based on the trunking system being APCO 25 CAI.

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (PA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

 

[jessek14]

Do you happen to know of any digital scanners under $350? I searched google shopping, ebay, everywhere. I might post on craigslist, Im just not sure if I would be able to trust the product.

I live in a shady area, and I constantly hear siren after siren, I would love to know what is going on. I know a few cops because they come into my workplace, so I ask them what happened and is usually robbery, gun related offences, or something horrible.

I still remember the time I was listening to an online feed, and a medic went past my house, and I heard it on the feed dispatched one block from my house. Then a call for a man reported with a gun firing a few blocks away, and MANY cops went racing down my street. My little sister goes to school maybe a few hundred feet from this area, and then the phone rings, my sister's school is in lockdown. I told my parents why it is, and they were scared. Later I saw on the news that a man ran a few blocks after shooting his girlfriend, while shooting his gun randomly in the air.

 

[madhatter66]

The PSR500 and the Radio Shack PRO-106 are going to be your best bet for money that you are looking to spend. Good luck to you...

Digital Scanners & Police Scanners: Radios | RadioShack.com

Digital Scanners

 

[N8IAA]

Do you happen to know of any digital scanners under $350? I searched google shopping, ebay, everywhere. I might post on craigslist, Im just not sure if I would be able to trust the product.

Have you looked here on RR in the For Sale forum?
Larry

 

[jessek14]

I am now looking at a Pro-96 or Pro 2096. How difficult is it to program these scanners? I found philadelphia frequencies, but theres about 15 different ones. I also found my district's talk group, but it's all still confusing to me.

I have been reading about trunking, and digital trunking for a few days now. I just want to be prepared when I get it.

 

[N8IAA]

I am now looking at a Pro-96 or Pro 2096. How difficult is it to program these scanners? I found philadelphia frequencies, but theres about 15 different ones. I also found my district's talk group, but it's all still confusing to me.

I have been reading about trunking, and digital trunking for a few days now. I just want to be prepared when I get it.

The 96/2096 are not hard to program by hand, but, to make it easier, there is a free 30 day trial of Win96 at: Software for RadioShack PRO-series (PRO-92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 99, 163, 164, 106, 197) and GRE PSR-series (PSR-500, 600, 300, 400) scanners DonS has been making quality programming software for the GRE/RS scanners for a long time now. My first use was with Win92 and Win95. Now using Win97 for my 163, Win500 for my 106 and 197. Oh, by the way, the 96/2096 are excellent beginning digital scanners. The only thing they don't trunk are the new 700Mhz stuff.
HTH,
Larry

 

[madhatter66]

I use ARC300 and PSRedit300, ARC for the ease of adding RR info, and the PSR for the ability to change some of the settings, as well as managing the Freq's and talk groups you have is much easier on the PSR IMO...

Best advise though... You found a great place to get your questions answered... Just keep plugging along, and asking questions!

Downloads

PSREdit - Configuration Editors for the new GRE line of scanners