Pro-668: Radio Shack PRO-668 loaded with Whistler DMR firmware

[skinnyb82]

No offense was intended. If I misunderstood your post, I apologize.

No worries. We're all on the same "team" here.



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[AOD999]

Hopefully Eric and team if any? can chime in on 4.7? Or even if they will still continue their project now that Whistler is going to be offering a hardware upgrade program?

 

[DJ11DLN]

Hopefully Eric and team if any? can chime in on 4.7? Or even if they will still continue their project now that Whistler is going to be offering a hardware upgrade program?

Eric stated that there will be no further updates from him, search his posts if you want his exact words. He said he's also going to send his Pro-668 and PSR-800 in to have them updated by Whistler.

 

[trp2525]

FYI if you haven't seen it already, Whistler released yesterday (05-22) three updates for their WS1080 scanner. The latest/newest versions now available are as follows:

PC Application 2.20 Bld 520
CPU Firmware 4.7
DSP Firmware 3.1

Here's a RR link to all of the Release Notes for the three updates: http://forums.radioreference.com/whistler-scanners/353581-update-5-22-17-a.html#post2767989

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

I do not know if the DSP 3.1 upgrade will work with 4.6. I may test that over the next few days. There is a method of rolling back DSP updates by saving the old CONFIG.BIN file.

I know some people will not be happy with my decision to stop updating at Version 4.6. There are several factors involved with the decision. I did not want to undermine Whistler's update offer, which also includes factory support. It was different when the scanners had no support path. I think it is great of Whistler to offer this. There is also more work needed to make Version 4.7 usable with no guarantee that Whistler changed things again now or in the future. Some of the work needed is very likely illegal under US law if I was to do it and distribute it. I think it is a good opportunity to end the experiment.

Since my work is open source, it does not prohibit anyone from making a fork of the project and doing the work to allow post 4.6 versions to be loaded. I would not like that, but it is out of my hands.

73 Eric

 

[KT4HX]

I think your decision makes perfect sense Eric. As you said, this was something to help out with models that on the surface seemed to have been forgotten support-wise. Now that Whistler is stepping up to the plate to bring those three in to the fold, it only makes sense to let them carry it forward.

Again, as I've said previously, that gives everyone three choices: 1) keep their scanner in its native form without further support; 2) if they used your good work to perform a conversion then stay with that, which entails no further updates from you nor support from Whistler; or 3) get on board with the Whistler upgrade program to get the "official" conversion which will provide future updates and factory service if warranted.

You've already stated your intention to go with door #3, as I plan to with my Pro-668. I am sure the vast majority will also go that route, which really makes the most sense. Sure it will cost everyone $60 a pop, but if they truly like their scanner in my view it makes good sense to have the upgrade done and have a fully supported model henceforth. I think that is a cheap price to effectively get a new scanner inside, even if the outside has taken a beating. :wink:

 

[Kaijudo]

Hello,

I do not know if the DSP 3.1 upgrade will work with 4.6. I may test that over the next few days. There is a method of rolling back DSP updates by saving the old CONFIG.BIN file.

I know some people will not be happy with my decision to stop updating at Version 4.6. There are several factors involved with the decision. I did not want to undermine Whistler's update offer, which also includes factory support. It was different when the scanners had no support path. I think it is great of Whistler to offer this. There is also more work needed to make Version 4.7 usable with no guarantee that Whistler changed things again now or in the future. Some of the work needed is very likely illegal under US law if I was to do it and distribute it. I think it is a good opportunity to end the experiment.

Since my work is open source, it does not prohibit anyone from making a fork of the project and doing the work to allow post 4.6 versions to be loaded. I would not like that, but it is out of my hands.

73 Eric

No prob, I respect you're decision 100%, and I thank you for getting my Pro 688 to W1080 4.6. No worries

I do have a question for you or anyone that wants to answer. I get a little confuses with whats going on with Whistler and Radio Shack, correct me if I'm wrong, but is Whistler now making updates for the Pro 688 and other Radio Shack Scanners?

 

[Wackyracer]

DSP 3.1 works with 4.6 and ezscan 2.20....CPU firmware 4.7 will not install . It would need to be tweaked. Or just pay Whistler for it then your scanner will update as designed via ezscan.

 

[Wackyracer]

Whistler is going to update Pro 18. pro668 and the GRE PSR800 via a program where you pay $60 plus shipping to them. They will update the scanner so it is essentially a ws1080 that will update via ezscan.

More info on June 1st when the program starts, then approx 2-3 weeks after we should hear from those that had it done.

 

[AOD999]

DSP 3.1 works with 4.6 and ezscan 2.20....CPU firmware 4.7 will not install . It would need to be tweaked. Or just pay Whistler for it then your scanner will update as designed via ezscan.

Does the DSP 3.1 fix the weird performance issues with 4.6 and P25 better than 4.5?

 

[KT4HX]

No prob, I respect you're decision 100%, and I thank you for getting my Pro 688 to W1080 4.6. No worries

I do have a question for you or anyone that wants to answer. I get a little confuses with whats going on with Whistler and Radio Shack, correct me if I'm wrong, but is Whistler now making updates for the Pro 688 and other Radio Shack Scanners?

They are not doing anything right now for the Pro-668 and Pro-18. But once they launch the legacy scanner upgrade that will change for those that take advantage of it. Those who have their scanners upgraded will have full support from that point on.

 

[Wackyracer]

Does the DSP 3.1 fix the weird performance issues with 4.6 and P25 better than 4.5?

No idea what your talking about...try it and see.

Here:are the notes from Whistler Wendy:

PC APP Release notes

* Redesigned the advanced options tab to include sub-tabs to allow the addition of new options.
* Added edit options for the RSSI received signal bars to the advanced options tab under the Display Options sub-tab.
* Added Load Defaults button on the DSP settings on the Receive/PCIF Options sub-tab.
* Added Options to allow modification to the ZeroMatic values for the scanner, including a Load Defaults button on the Receive/PCIF Options sub-tab.
* Added Australian band plan.
* When copying between the computer and the SD card, the default Delete flag will now be set to No.
* Corrected an issue when creating a new conventional channel using a CTCSS or DCS squelch value, the stored value would be saved incorrectly.
* Changed the Zeromatic code to verify and correct all values if they are found to be outside of allowed ranges
* Fixed a bug when attempting to load a list of trunked systems for import. This only occurred in some areas and under extreme circumstances.
* Corrected an issue where the trunking tables on Motorola VHF and UHF systems were not being set correctly when imported using the preferred method.
* Added option to the file menu to import the configuration from a WS-1040/WS-1065 or compatible scanner. This function will only download from the source scanner's working memory. It will not download from a V-Scanner folder directly.
* Updated the Save Configuration to Archive option to honor the -d command line switch.


CPU Release notes
* Added "Freq" item to Tune settings menu
* Filtered out Fn+<digit> combinations from scan list toggling
* NXDN: PROP_FORM message handling in conventional
* Added handling for certain multi-block PDUs (for some VHF systems)
* Fixed problem entering Skywarn mode when no scan lists are enabled


DSP release notes
* minor enhancements to P25 PDU handling

 

[oilmillcharlie]

Don't know what is going on but when I use the Whistler EZscan software with my modified Pro668, on a dmr 900mhz system the talkgroups I programmed do not show in EZscan but are in the scanner when monitoring the system. Unable to edit the talkgroups.

 

[AtlasFBG2]

I updated DSP 3.1 last night.

It is working fine with 4.6 firmware.

 

[Kaijudo]

They are not doing anything right now for the Pro-668 and Pro-18. But once they launch the legacy scanner upgrade that will change for those that take advantage of it. Those who have their scanners upgraded will have full support from that point on.

Whistler is going to update Pro 18. pro668 and the GRE PSR800 via a program where you pay $60 plus shipping to them. They will update the scanner so it is essentially a ws1080 that will update via ezscan.

More info on June 1st when the program starts, then approx 2-3 weeks after we should hear from those that had it done.

Thank you KT4HX and Wackyracer. Oh this sounds like great!. I've never dealt with Whistler before, are they a good company, can I be sure they're going to take care of my Pro 668?

I remember a few years back I had a brand new xbox 360, it red ringed on me after a few months, so I had to send it in. With in 30 minutes of them receiving my 360, I got a message saying my 360 was coming back. I got a 360 back but it wasn't my 360 lol, it was a refurb with the necessary fixes already inside.

I know this isn't a gaming forum. I apologize to anyone that got annoyed at my story, I just felt it was a good example of why I have a little concern.

 

[KA4MLK]

DSP3.1

Updated my 800 to DSP version 3.1 (currently running CPU v 4.6 via Eric's fw tool). I must say, 3.1 has cleared up much of my LSM distortion! I'd like to hear how others are fairing with 3.1

73
Mike

 

[KT4HX]

Thank you KT4HX and Wackyracer. Oh this sounds like great!. I've never dealt with Whistler before, are they a good company, can I be sure they're going to take care of my Pro 668?

I remember a few years back I had a brand new xbox 360, it red ringed on me after a few months, so I had to send it in. With in 30 minutes of them receiving my 360, I got a message saying my 360 was coming back. I got a 360 back but it wasn't my 360 lol, it was a refurb with the necessary fixes already inside.

I know this isn't a gaming forum. I apologize to anyone that got annoyed at my story, I just felt it was a good example of why I have a little concern.

I have not bought a Whistler branded scanner to this point, but I know they have a great number of satisfied customers that have. I see no reason not to trust them as they've not given me a reason to do so. They do read these forums and engage with customers at trade shows (such as the recent Dayton Hamvention). I feel they are making a very good move by offering this upgrade for these three models to bring them under their umbrella where they will have full support. That is a major shift from where we were not that long ago, facing a future with no support for them. I will be taking advantage of the upgrade and look forward to the results.

 

[Wackyracer]

Whistler mail in update instructions Update Your Radio Shack or GRE Scanner - Beginning June 1st

 

[milcom_chaser]

Updated my 800 to DSP version 3.1 (currently running CPU v 4.6 via Eric's fw tool). I must say, 3.1 has cleared up much of my LSM distortion! I'd like to hear how others are fairing with 3.1



73

Mike

Just upgraded to DSP 3.1, running firmware 4.5, yes 4.5 not hearing any improvement in LSM distortion...


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[milcom_chaser]

Just upgraded to DSP 3.1, running firmware 4.5, yes 4.5 not hearing any improvement in LSM distortion...


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Just changed firmware to 4.6 with updated DSP 3.1 not hearing improvement either...



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