Radio Shack Pro 197

[RonnieUSA]

It's June 1, My brother shows up from Ohio where he lives, and has worked for the last 25 years.
So he ask me if I need to take care of anything before he goes to Tennessee to see the rest of the family, I said sure I need to pay rent.( I'm now disabled, and no longer drive) So He takes me to pay my bills, and pay my rent. I have have had the same landlord for 10 years. I pay my rent, and gas bill, and He says your birthday is in a few days isn't it, and I said yes, so He gives me $200.00 (never happened before & most likely won't happen again). Then I get to my brothers car, and he ask me where I want to go next. I had already had my mind made up I was gonna get something I had wanted since Kentucky State Police went digital, and new scanner. Well to my surprise my brother gave me an other $100.00. So off to Radio Shack
we went. They had the Pro 197 on sale for $329.99 that week, so I paid the difference, and had the scanner I had always wanted. Well I get it home, and start reading the owners manual on programing it, and I had no problems with the analog frequencies, that was easy. Then I wanted to program the State Police frequencies, and then that's where the fun started. I watched YouTube & did a lot of reading at radio reference.com. That was Okay I knew how to program analog frequencies, but I was in trouble when it came to KSP. Then threw RadioReference, I discovered Win500, a easy way to program these new scanners. ( another $35.00) I did a lot of copy, and past, and asking others for help. So today I got tired of the copy & past, and I paid for a 6 month subscription. ($15.00 more) By the way way I have downloaded today and saved in under an hour is more than worth the $15.00 I paid to be a Premium Subscriber.
My biggest gripe is the hidden cost of the cable, and the software, and the subscription to make it easy to program the scanner. My total cost after the birthday presents was 29.99 + 6% tax, 35.00 for software, 39.99 + 6% tax for programing cable. The long story short is look up everything before you jump.

Long story short look for the hidden cost. It's gonna cost you more in the log run.

I have no regrets, but if it wasn't for the help on my birthday, I wouldn't be enjoying this P25 scanner.
So DonS, thank you for the great software, and Lindsay for the great site of RadioReference.com

 

[scannersnstuff]

happy birthday. the best of luck with your new toy. btw, your story is kind of touching, especially since i have no relationship with my ex-brother.

 

[gewecke]

Pretty cool story here, since I have no siblings at all. Parents all gone,I'm it! :wink:
Hope you enjoy your 197, I do mine!

73,
n9zas

 

[Ronaldski]

Well at least its a happy ending and you evidently have it working!
Thats what I always say against radio shack, especially with their inflated prices now, $430 for the radio, $40 no for the cable, plus dont they still not even come with an ac adapter and the adpata plug?

Most all of the above comes with the unidens and you have all the many thousands of frequencies, talkgroups available fully and not in v folders too.

Also to be able to use 'Free'scan software.

 

[KE4RWS]

Happy Birthday & Congrats!

I have this scanner, although mine is the PSR-600 it's the very same thing. It's a great digital scanner but the PSR-600 comes WITH the programming/control cable and DC supply, which is why I bought it vs. the Radio Shack Pro-197 model. The Pro-197 was even more expensive than the PSR-600 even though it offered less. Apparently Radio Shack decided to package their Pro-197 such that it did not come with these required items, which is really a shame. In 2009 when I bought my scanner the Pro-197 was $500 plus tax, plus $35 for the cable and who knows how much for the power supply, although I would guess it would be in the $20-25 range This brings the Radio Shack grand model total to just under $600 out the door! However, the PSR-600 was $445 delivered to my door and it came with everything I needed (except software). I guess it kind of blew my mind Radio Shack insisted on charging so much more while offering LESS, while buying from a reputable online seller was just the opposite.

At times you can buy the Pro-197 for less than the PSR-600 and if it's cheap enough then it can be worth it to then buy the cable and/or DC power block separately. I also purchased Win500 and love it, although I'm sure I would love any one of the popular software offerings available for this model. I think it's all a matter of what you get used to using.

Although I'm two months late, Happy Birthday, and I hope you enjoy your new scanner. I know I've thoroughly enjoyed mine. I also have the Uniden 996xt and love it as well but for the money you can't beat the Pro-197 or PSR-600

 

[RonnieUSA]

I have this scanner, although mine is the PSR-600 it's the very same thing. It's a great digital scanner but the PSR-600 comes WITH the programming/control cable and DC supply, which is why I bought it vs. the Radio Shack Pro-197 model. The Pro-197 was even more expensive than the PSR-600 even though it offered less. Apparently Radio Shack decided to package their Pro-197 such that it did not come with these required items, which is really a shame. In 2009 when I bought my scanner the Pro-197 was $500 plus tax, plus $35 for the cable and who knows how much for the power supply, although I would guess it would be in the $20-25 range This brings the Radio Shack grand model total to just under $600 out the door! However, the PSR-600 was $445 delivered to my door and it came with everything I needed (except software). I guess it kind of blew my mind Radio Shack insisted on charging so much more while offering LESS, while buying from a reputable online seller was just the opposite.

At times you can buy the Pro-197 for less than the PSR-600 and if it's cheap enough then it can be worth it to then buy the cable and/or DC power block separately. I also purchased Win500 and love it, although I'm sure I would love any one of the popular software offerings available for this model. I think it's all a matter of what you get used to using.

Although I'm two months late, Happy Birthday, and I hope you enjoy your new scanner. I know I've thoroughly enjoyed mine. I also have the Uniden 996xt and love it as well but for the money you can't beat the Pro-197 or PSR-600

329.99 + 35.00 + 39.99 + 30.00 = $434.98, not what I wanted to spend that much to listen to the State Police.
That doesn't count the 3 other cables that I thought were bad, and wasn't, because of my antivirus program, so that makes it right about $475.00 for everything.

 

[KE4RWS]

I hear ya

329.99 + 35.00 + 39.99 + 30.00 = $434.98, not what I wanted to spend that much to listen to the State Police.
That doesn't count the 3 other cables that I thought were bad, and wasn't, because of my antivirus program, so right about $475.00 for everything.

Yeah, even on sale Radio shack made sure they built in an adequate price "buffer" for the accessories they KNOW you're gonna need. Oddly the PSR-600 was actually less expensive earlier this year and even last year than it is now. I recall seeing new PSR-600's selling for $330, shipping included, and from reputable sellers. Just checked Ebay and the cheapest one today is $390 delivered, again via a reputable seller (that's the key issue here). It seems the PSR-600 actually increased in price for some reason. Not sure if it has anything to to with GRE shutting down operations or not but possibly so. However, the nice thing about the PSR-600 is it DOES come with *everything* you'll need - except software of course. No getting around that but Win500 sure is nice and well worth the money

My Bearcat 996xt also came with the programming cable and power supply but it also included basic software (FreeScan) which works great for both programming AND scanner control, and a DIN sleeve and key in case you decide to use the standard in-dash radio mount in a vehicle. However, it was $470 a year and a half ago. Today it too is somewhat cheaper.

Seems there's always an angle with this stuff! But hey, you got a VERY good digital scanner so you're all set my friend

 

[RonnieUSA]

Yeah, even on sale Radio shack made sure they built in an adequate price "buffer" for the accessories they KNOW you're gonna need. Oddly the PSR-600 was actually less expensive earlier this year and even last year than it is now. I recall seeing new PSR-600's selling for $330, shipping included, and from reputable sellers. Just checked Ebay and the cheapest one today is $390 delivered, again via a reputable seller (that's the key issue here). It seems the PSR-600 actually increased in price for some reason. Not sure if it has anything to to with GRE shutting down operations or not but possibly so. However, the nice thing about the PSR-600 is it DOES come with *everything* you'll need - except software of course. No getting around that but Win500 sure is nice and well worth the money

My Bearcat 996xt also came with the programming cable and power supply but it also included basic software (FreeScan) which works great for both programming AND scanner control, and a DIN sleeve and key in case you decide to use the standard in-dash radio mount in a vehicle. However, it was $470 a year and a half ago. Today it too is somewhat cheaper.

Seems there's always an angle with this stuff! But hey, you got a VERY good digital scanner so you're all set my friend

Yea kinda makes me wished I had looked around, but guess who has a store in my home town, and you can walk out the door with it, and no waiting. That was my problem.
As I said Look around, You will find a better deal.

 

[KE4RWS]

Yea kinda makes me wished I had looked around, but guess who has a store in my home town, and you can walk out the door with it, and no waiting. That was my problem.
As I said Look around, You will find a better deal.

Well you do have the convenience of having it right there where you live, and you usually have to pay for that convenience so I certainly wouldn't beat yourself up over it. Plus, it was on sale, which also saved a lot of cash too.Yeah, you could have gotten it a little cheaper but you paid a little more and got it from a local store. God forbid you have problems or decide you don't like it (within the first two weeks, now expired of course), you can take it back for a full refund. Even still, if it goes bad within the first year you have a local store that will handle shipping it off for warranty repair, unless you purchased the extended warranty.

I've had my PSR-600 for three years now and never had a problem with it. I did install a line-out jack on the rear panel though, something I really wish GRE would have provided at the factory. My Bearcat 996xt has this and it's extremely useful and alleviates having to make sure the volume is set at just the right amount for recording or streaming radio traffic. Can't tell you how many times I forgot to turn the volume to the correct setting before leaving and it was either blaring loud or too low when accessing it via my Droid phone! A line-out jack eliminates that issue.

Anyway, it's a cool scanner and at least you didn't pay full price for it like a lot of people do :lol:

 

[RonnieUSA]

Well you do have the convenience of having it right there where you live, and you usually have to pay for that convenience so I certainly wouldn't beat yourself up over it. Plus, it was on sale, which also saved a lot of cash too.Yeah, you could have gotten it a little cheaper but you paid a little more and got it from a local store. God forbid you have problems or decide you don't like it (within the first two weeks, now expired of course), you can take it back for a full refund. Even still, if it goes bad within the first year you have a local store that will handle shipping it off for warranty repair, unless you purchased the extended warranty.

I've had my PSR-600 for three years now and never had a problem with it. I did install a line-out jack on the rear panel though, something I really wish GRE would have provided at the factory. My Bearcat 996xt has this and it's extremely useful and alleviates having to make sure the volume is set at just the right amount for recording or streaming radio traffic. Can't tell you how many times I forgot to turn the volume to the correct setting before leaving and it was either blaring loud or too low when accessing it via my Droid phone! A line-out jack eliminates that issue.
Anyway, it's a cool scanner and at least you didn't pay full price for it like a lot of people do :lol:

Yea I got 6 more months of warranty left, but I have not had any problems, so I can't complain.
I'm happy otherwise.

It's just what I had to spent after I bought it that doesn't set well with me .

One good thing is I think I have managed to help a couple of others after getting mine, so that make me feel good.

 

[KE4RWS]

It's all relative

Yea I got 6 more months of warranty left, but I have not had any problems, so I can't complain.
I'm happy otherwise.

It's just what I had to spent after I bought it that doesn't set well with me .

One good thing is I think I have managed to help a couple of others after getting mine, so that make me feel good.

Yeah I know exactly how you feel. That's not a good feeling and I also hate it when that happens but it should fade over time! I remember paying $445 for my PSR-600 3 years ago and the more use I got out of it, the more I forgot about how much I spent on it. However, you should have seen my WIFE when I told her I was buying a used Icom R8500 receiver for almost $1200. To her it was just another scanner but to me it was the nicest professional receiver I've ever owned and I had already sold nearly all my ham radio stuff to save for it (no credit cards for this). Even I quibbled with the thought of it but I've only had it for about 3 months now and it was worth every penny. I get more use out of it than any of my other receivers or scanners, and it isn't even digital !

 

[RonnieUSA]

Yeah I know exactly how you feel. That's not a good feeling and I also hate it when that happens but it should fade over time! I remember paying $445 for my PSR-600 3 years ago and the more use I got out of it, the more I forgot about how much I spent on it. However, you should have seen my WIFE when I told her I was buying a used Icom R8500 receiver for almost $1200. To her it was just another scanner but to me it was the nicest professional receiver I've ever owned and I had already sold nearly all my ham radio stuff to save for it (no credit cards for this). Even I quibbled with the thought of it but I've only had it for about 3 months now and it was worth every penny. I get more use out of it than any of my other receivers or scanners, and it isn't even digital !

If I had a wife now, I probably wouldn't have a wife, after buying it.
Your right You do forget after a while.

 

[KE4RWS]

If I had a wife now, I probably wouldn't have a wife, after buying it.
Your right You do forget after a while.

By the way, I see you have a Baofeng UV-5R. I see these things are dirt cheap on Ebay and I was wondering what you think about it? Is it worth buying or does it have little things about it that are worth buying something else?

I saw these recently and they're pretty inexpensive and there's a large battery you can buy for them. Just wondering . . .

 

[gewecke]

I found in many cases this is not a hobby you enjoy, if you also have woman to keep happy. I have had electronic interests since I was kid, and neither of my wives understood.
Which is why I am happily divorced!

73,
n9zas

 

[KE4RWS]

Yes Indeed....

I found in many cases this is not a hobby you enjoy, if you also have woman to keep happy. I have had electronic interests since I was kid, and neither of my wives understood.
Which is why I am happily divorced!

73,
n9zas

Indeed! I've been married 28 years but the early years were the most difficult for things regarding my radio hobby. Now that were older she understands it's just one of those things you have to tolerate if you really love your mate - provided you aren't totally ignoring her. Don't get me wrong, we still spend plenty of time with each other so it's not like I sit in front of my radio's all day and night, but this is *my* hobby and she understands that, just like she has interests that I don't interfere with by trying to make her feel guilty just because she wants to do it. I think a lot of guys are made to feel guilty because they have a hobby they love so much. However, there are some that actually do spend way too much time at the console and I can see how that might make a spouse feel neglected.

I sure remember those conversations though!