Radio Shack PRO-668

[johnls7424]

Mine decides TDMA talkgroups okay... Odd as it is my Pro-106 which is only a phase 1 scanner does try to pickup TDMA talkgroups and decode them. Just the Pro-668 does a better job with them. Definitely not error free. I would say its a 60/40 on decoding TDMA talkgroups. Even on FDMA talkgroups my Pro-668 is 80/20 on decoding. My Pro-106 does a better job at FDMA ( phase 1) talk group decoding at 90/10 error rate.

Even professional radios aren't perfect at decoding TDMA. Sometimes transmissions being decodes can be garbled depending on site tower distance!!

 

[johnls7424]

You can monitor ProVoice traffic on here. Also even though RadioShack's software doesn't add encrypted talkgroup ID numbers. You can manually put in ProVoice encrypted talkgroups by their ID numbers and when a mic is keyed up you can monitor voice transmissions

 

[johnls7424]

Make note!! Only control channel key-ups

 

[marksmith]

You can monitor ProVoice traffic on here. Also even though RadioShack's software doesn't add encrypted talkgroup ID numbers. You can manually put in ProVoice encrypted talkgroups by their ID numbers and when a mic is keyed up you can monitor voice transmissions

I noticed while loading my 668 that they had a few talkgroups shown as encrypted but I know from manually programming othere scanners they are not. I could enter those talkgroups after adding the system and they worked fine.

Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668

 

[johnls7424]

I noticed while loading my 668 that they had a few talkgroups shown as encrypted but I know from manually programming othere scanners they are not. I could enter those talkgroups after adding the system and they worked fine.

Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668

Interesting. So you are saying that radioshacks programming database is incorrect?

 

[ansky]

You can monitor ProVoice traffic on here. Also even though RadioShack's software doesn't add encrypted talkgroup ID numbers. You can manually put in ProVoice encrypted talkgroups by their ID numbers and when a mic is keyed up you can monitor voice transmissions

Are you able to hear Highland Park PD on the Middlesex County system?

 

[johnls7424]

Are you able to hear Highland Park PD on the Middlesex County system?

You can hear the control channel key up when their talking and their voice control channel being displayed. You cannot hear the voice itself. Think of it more like Unitrunker and not so much like DSD.

 

[marksmith]

Interesting. So you are saying that radioshacks programming database is incorrect?

No. Thats not what I said, and at least not what I understand others were finding.

What I have read in a number of other threads reviewing the 668 is that after loading systems into their radios from the software (iScan) that they were not receiving things their other scanners were. After checking they found some frequencies missing... control or alternates. They added the missing ones and were ok.

I would say that is a problem with the iScan software as I've never run into any issues with the database, but again, I have not had this problem. Just reading up while trying to decide on buying one.... then the price dropped like a rock and I was in.

Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668

 

[marksmith]

Interesting. So you are saying that radioshacks programming database is incorrect?

With regard to the encrypted channels the database is right by listing the correct talkgroup but it was wrong in the case of marking it encrypted and not allowing me to add it to a scanlist.

Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668

 

[marksmith]

I think the RR database might even show one of these talkgroups as encripted but in the uniden radios they load everything into your radio, encrypted or not. I guess thats how I noticed it. It was there and readable.

Its always worth adding yhe encripted items. Sometimes a channel is only encrypted some times but yhat might qualify it for yhis treatment.

Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668

 

[johnls7424]

I think the RR database might even show one of these talkgroups as encripted but in the uniden radios they load everything into your radio, encrypted or not. I guess thats how I noticed it. It was there and readable.

Its always worth adding yhe encripted items. Sometimes a channel is only encrypted some times but yhat might qualify it for yhis treatment.

Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668

Well that is very true about encrypted talkgroups. Especially on NJICS interop state talkgroup. Some
However never turn off encryption though and if need further assistance are patched to a mutual aid talkgroup for interop assistance

 

[Septa3371CSX1]

Well that is very true about encrypted talkgroups. Especially on NJICS interop state talkgroup. Some
However never turn off encryption though and if need further assistance are patched to a mutual aid talkgroup for interop assistance

In terms of encryption it depends on whether the talkgroup (or conventional channel in the case of a non-trunked system) is strapped encrypted or selectively encrypted. Strapped encrypted means all transmissions will come across as digital noise (encrypted). Selectively encrypted means the user of the radio (does not apply to scanners) can manually enable/disable the encryption. In this case transmissions coming across in the clear on a channel marked encrypted are often caused by an end user switching off the encryption to use a non encrypted channel and forgetting to turn the encryption back on when switching back over. Philly's old 3600 baud /\/\ system was an example of this as narcotics units would often be heard in the clear on their tactical talkgroups which were selectively encrypted - the officers would have to disable encryption before switching over to a district talkgroup to call for assistance.

 

[johnnyelectron]

Did anybody ever answer the question about where the frequency and firmware database gets its updates from, and might it be abandoned with the demise of Radio Shack?

 

[johnls7424]

Did anybody ever answer the question about where the frequency and firmware database gets its updates from, and might it be abandoned with the demise of Radio Shack?

Considering the Pro-668 is a direct replica of the Whistler 1080 with one or two differences. I bet its firmware updates come from them. However this particular model even though mirror modeled after the Whistler 1080 does not have the same firmware.

Time will tell if Whistler or GRE decided to keep firmware updates. *** My Opinion on that matter *** I think both companies will look at how many users and sales from the RadioShack Pro 668 are and decide if they want to take on the responsibility of offering firmware updates and support. Would be great PR for them if they do, but only time will tell for sure what they will do.

 

[Trunk240]

Did anybody ever answer the question about where the frequency and firmware database gets its updates from, and might it be abandoned with the demise of Radio Shack?

I recall seeing a disclaimer in the software about the information coming from RR. I don't recall if there were any specifics about the arrangement that would or wouldn't be affected by Radio Shack's bankruptcy.

 

[johnls7424]

RR does support the updates for frequency and site changes. They ( RadioShack) claims they will update their database to the RR database once a week.

 

[johnls7424]

In terms of encryption it depends on whether the talkgroup (or conventional channel in the case of a non-trunked system) is strapped encrypted or selectively encrypted. Strapped encrypted means all transmissions will come across as digital noise (encrypted). Selectively encrypted means the user of the radio (does not apply to scanners) can manually enable/disable the encryption. In this case transmissions coming across in the clear on a channel marked encrypted are often caused by an end user switching off the encryption to use a non encrypted channel and forgetting to turn the encryption back on when switching back over. Philly's old 3600 baud /\/\ system was an example of this as narcotics units would often be heard in the clear on their tactical talkgroups which were selectively encrypted - the officers would have to disable encryption before switching over to a district talkgroup to call for assistance.

Very True

 

[RBFD415]

Chester

Didn't notice it on the original list- but driving past it today noticed the Chester RS is closing. Did not stop in- but it looked like they had stock! Perhaps a few scanners to be had still?

I got my 668 last week. Its been interesting programing for type II systems like Monmouth County's new trunk!

My one question is- if this unit is supposed to be so simple to set up for the low information scanner user- tweaking it to work (with advanced software settings) on prevalent systems would seem counterproductive? But once setup- its been working nicely!

 

[johnls7424]

Didn't notice it on the original list- but driving past it today noticed the Chester RS is closing. Did not stop in- but it looked like they had stock! Perhaps a few scanners to be had still?

I got my 668 last week. Its been interesting programing for type II systems like Monmouth County's new trunk!

My one question is- if this unit is supposed to be so simple to set up for the low information scanner user- tweaking it to work (with advanced software settings) on prevalent systems would seem counterproductive? But once setup- its been working nicely!

First off thanks for the heads up to anyone who still wants one ( if the price is right)

Secondly, the Pro 668 ( even GRE models) are quite complicated if you ask me to setup. I am still built on the older way of using a programming cable all the time to update the scanner ( with software that is very user friendly). The software to setup the RS/GRE scanners are not user friendly at all. Persobally it was not well thought out. Same with the interfaces on using the radio. Okay I admit it's easy to get up and start scanning, but to me the interface itself is poorly drawn upon. Like you mentioned you have to do some serious tweaking on DSP levels and gains to get the scanner to decode P25 Phase 1 properly. For Phase 2 by me here in NJ it's a real hit or miss. For the price I paid for the scanner I will not complain. However I wouldn't pay more then 250 dollars max for it anywhere. I have only seen the Uniden BCD436/536HP series online and once in person. People who own both say there are pros and cons to both. Let's all just hope RS still will maintain firmware updates once the company decides it will finally close up shop for good.