Revisiting the Pro-18 and X2 TDMA

[Haley]

The Pro-18 is the best performing Digital scanner I own. Since I have no need yet for Phase II, I'll be keeping it for a long time.

Mine too, and I have tried against several models, different antennas ect. I will be keeping mine for a long time also. Matter of fact , I have never gotten rid of any scanner! Mike

 

[buddrousa]

I still have all of mine in my signature all of them hooked up and running I love my Pro-18 just added the Pro-668 to work on a phase2 system that is starting to show up in our area.

 

[DonS]

To help you understand, the Pro-18 never had the hardware to decode X2 TDMA, or Phase II. No firmware or DSP updates will change that fact.
The PSR-800 is a completely different animal. As are the WS-1080, and the soon to be released WS-1095.

The "important stuff" (i.e. RF hardware, DSP, CPU, CODEC, etc.) in the PRO-18 is identical to the PSR-800. The fact that the PRO-18 doesn't decode X2 and Phase II is due ONLY to marketing decisions made years ago.

A makefile change + rebuild on the PRO-18 firmware would let it decode everything the PSR-800, WS1080, PRO-668, and WS1095 can handle.

 

[buddrousa]

Don that would have to be a Radioshack blessed change am I not correct.

 

[Haley]

Don, thank you for the insight! So if RS had ok'ex a firmware upgrade it would have worked?? I appreciate your input. Mike

 

[Haley]

Actually , apologies to you Don if your not really allowed to say. Did not mean to put you on the spot. Mike

 

[DonS]

Don that would have to be a Radioshack blessed change am I not correct.

Yes, almost certainly.

 

[DonS]

Don, thank you for the insight! So if RS had ok'ex a firmware upgrade it would have worked?? I appreciate your input. Mike

Yes. I wouldn't count on that now, though, given that it would undercut PRO-668 sales.

 

[Haley]

Thank you for confirming that Don. I always pretty much new that it wouldn't be able too, not that it couldn't. If that makes sense?? Thank you again for your input, you put a lot of speculation to rest. Mike

 

[N8IAA]

And, I learned something new today! Thanks DonS
Larry

 

[dkf435]

And Radio Shack wonders why they have no customers/suckers.

David Kb7uns

 

[robnj74]

The "important stuff" (i.e. RF hardware, DSP, CPU, CODEC, etc.) in the PRO-18 is identical to the PSR-800. The fact that the PRO-18 doesn't decode X2 and Phase II is due ONLY to marketing decisions made years ago.

A makefile change + rebuild on the PRO-18 firmware would let it decode everything the PSR-800, WS1080, PRO-668, and WS1095 can handle.

Thank You Don, now I don't need to hack apart my scanner to prove a point.


Rob
K2RJJ

 

[robnj74]

Yes. I wouldn't count on that now, though, given that it would undercut PRO-668 sales.

Personally I think it would bolster sales. Look at it from our perspective, why would we buy a product from them knowing they will stop supporting it once they collect their money? For all that we could simply buy the Whistler branded product, they've been around a long while and support there is good always has been. Just my $0.02


Rob
K2RJJ

 

[Haley]

Personally I think it would bolster sales. Look at it from our perspective, why would we buy a product from them knowing they will stop supporting it once they collect their money? For all that we could simply buy the Whistler branded product, they've been around a long while and support there is good always has been. Just my $0.02


Rob
K2RJJ

I have to agree with Rob, I have bought many RS scanners over the years. The Pro 92,96, and 106 among others. And while I can't complain with the price I paid for my 18-----STILL an awesome scanner, I would be MUCH more inclined to buy a 668, if there was support for this scanner (the Pro-18). I mean really, how hard would it be to post a firmware update ( or allow it, to be put up, somewhere) for the 18. I am with Rob on this one, I would probably just buy the Whistler version, for the sole reason of support.

Thanks to Rob for initially starting this thread. And a BIG thank you to Don for clearing up the confusion. At least I know a few of us weren't insane for thinking the Pro-18 COULD have done phase II. That's meant as a little humor! Mike

 

[robnj74]

You're quite welcome Mike, we all finally have a real answer. Have had a cup of coffee and a few minutes to think about it and now I'm kinda ticked off at their business practices.. The PRO-668 is basically the PRO-18 with the multicolor alert LED added a new front panel and re-badged. The guts are the same with the addition of a few components to make the "multicolor alert LED" work that's it.

And they could have atleast fixed the current software so it allows you to select Phase 1 from a system that has both Phase 1 and Phase 2 instead of simply locking out the entire system. Yes I'm aware there's a work around but there shouldn't need to be.

Rob
K2RJJ

 

[scosgt]

Yes. I wouldn't count on that now, though, given that it would undercut PRO-668 sales.

Sounds like you could make some money on that, like an "extreme upgrade".
Especially since RS appears to be about to go bankrupt.

 

[scosgt]

It appears that the 668 sells for less than the 1080.
Are they exactly the same?

 

[robnj74]

Looking them over briefly they appear to be identical save for badging.. I'll still pay the extra $10 for the Whistler brand knowing what I know today though.

Rob
K2RJJ

 

[Haley]

It appears that the 668 sells for less than the 1080.
Are they exactly the same?

I think RS just might be in deeper trouble than people think. And yes, at this moment the 668 is on sale for about $425----most of their scanners are on sale actually. They are trying to generate as much revenue as they can---and quick IMO. I don't think I am going to be biting yet, the 1080 will have support. The 668 may or may not. I guess at this rate, someday we may see the 668 on Overstock. As I have said, I can't complain, I paid $80 for my 18, although it's a bit annoying a phase II scanner is/was a mouse click away. However, the people who DO have a right to be ticked off, are the one's who have bought the 18 and perhaps the 668 (or ,a combination of models). I mean they basically paid $1000 , for a $450 PSR 800 (at new prices). And honestly, I would be willing to pay for the phase II capability. Maybe a 3rd party, through RS somehow? Mike

 

[phillydjdan]

In this age of hackers, we can't get some brainiac to put together a non-official firmware update? I think we can, it's just a matter of willingness and maybe money for that person. I don't personally own a Pro-18, but if I did, I would certainly make a nice donation to the guy who could unlock Phase II for me.