RS Pro-197 Programming Issues

[jfhtm350]

20-546 is the correct cable for the scanner. <b>Do not</b> use the extra pigtail with the cable. That is a stereo to mono adapter. You do not need that to program scanner. You can however use that to drive a pair of amplified computer speakers because you'll have to adapt from mono (scanner) to stereo (speakers).

This is what I would do:
1) Uninstall ARC500
2) Restart
3) Use a registry cleaner
4) Plug cable into usb port (If it cant find the drivers then insert the cd that came with the cable and let windows install the drivers from the cd. Do not let the cd's installer set it up or it will install ARC from the cd which is outdated.)
5) Once the drivers are installed, restart again.
6) Confirm the drivers are installed by plugging the cable back into the usb port and the scanners pc/if port and wait to see if the add new hardware wizard shows up. If it does not then the drivers are installed.
7) Download the CPU firmware 1.9 upgrade and instructions RadioShack® PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner - RadioShack.com and update the scanner. You will also need to know the com port the usb cable is hooked to. If it does not work correctly then your problem probably lies within the usb to serial drivers. You do not need ARC500 or any other programming software for your scanner to update so wait to install that.
8) If everything went correctly in step 7, you will now want to download the newest version of the programming software you want to use. ARC500, Win500 and install the software. If step 7 worked correctly then you shouldnt have any problem out of the software unless you have the wrong COM port selected. Win500 you will have to select the programming cables from a list in the configuration settings.

Now if you move your usb cable to a different port on the computer, The COM port number could change on you so keep a check on it if you move it but I could be wrong on that.

If that works let us know, If it dont let us know. Surely someone will get you up and running.

 

[AC2OY]

Not sure if this helps but like a few already mentioned, I had to go into my computers device manager and check and activate the correct port because my computer has a lot of them and it sometimes gets confused. If you reboot the computer windows should find the cable but if not when you connect the cable to the scanner and everything is powered up you should be able to see it immediately! Good luck man!! Beauty is here that most members here are more than willing to help you out! Once you get it firing on all cylinders the 197 is a amazing scanner!

 

[mike6454]

Fix for RS PC prgram cable Pro197

The cd-rom has the wrong driver
Go to GREAmerica.com
support downloads drivers
download driver from Gre for the PSR 600 i think is the base?
that fixed my problem fast
win500 of RR
uploads to scanner lightening fast

 

[jfhtm350]

I have used the cd driver for the cable for Win XP (32 bit) and Win Vista (32 bit). I know it works for those but he has Win7(?bit). That also could be his problem. I didnt think you could use drivers for GRE radios though.

 

[joe_it]

New USB cable and a reset and all is working! Thanks for all the help.

Joe

 

[AC9BX]

First, examine your device manager and make a note of the COM ports you have. You may not have any. Many computers now have no traditional serial ports. The driver for the programming cable is the same for Radio Shack or GRE. The driver is only there to get the operating system to find the cable. They use the common FTDI USB to serial conversion chips. You can look for drivers here: FTDI Drivers
The driver on the CD that ships with the radio will work. But it doesn't install properly automatically. You will have to manually install it. If I recall it is actually contained in a compressed file (ZIP). Aside from the driver that CD is pretty much useless. You'll want the latest version of the software anyway.
If you connect the cable without the driver you should see a "uninstalled" unknown hardware device.
Once installed you will gain a new virtual COM port. It will not show up until the cable is connected to the computer. This is the port you select in your programming software. If you do not see a COM port appear with the cable connected either it is defective or the driver is incorrect. The LED in the little "box" on the cable should flash several times when connecting it.
Connect the cable to the PC/IF port on the scanner using the "stereo" plug. It should work easily, remote control, reading programming, all of it.

We could use any such cable as long as it had the proper voltage levels for the scanner (3.3V) and wiring. We could use any brand USB to serial adapter if we had the correct driver or any serial to serial adapter to get from a traditional serial port to the radio. The software doesn't care what the cabling is. It only cares what the COM port number is. I've been meaning to build one with Microchip's USB to serial device but haven't gotten around to it.

 

[mancow]

Yes, I was going off memory you are correct.

NO....your jack is on the front right under the Volume / ON/OFF / Squelch knob and above the headphone jack.

 

[want2bafirechief]

Pro-197 assistance

Got my son a Pro-197 and it is going great thanks to this forum. I have used the "two" downloads but I need more and cannot figure out how to proceed as I keep running into roadblocks. I am a premium member and will do whatever we need to do. Also I have saved the two downloads but will I have to do this all over again when and if I need to upgrade? I am very sure it is user error and I am sorry to trouble but can anyone help us get this scanner up and going with the rest of his selections. We are lost.. Thanks