Thinking of buying a Pro-106?

[macmonkey]

I picked up a pro-106 yesterday from RadioShack. If you were more patient and do business on eBay they had some for $100 off (around $250).

I must say after 24 hours I am in heaven. I've spent the past 4 years with an ancient Uniden BC-855XLT which I love but I'm getting so much more on the PRO-106.

In addition the one thing I wanted to comment on was I was hesitant about purchasing this scanner because of a number of reviews which listed it as being "impossible to program"

Within 45 minutes using the PC Sync cable and WIN500 I've got about 1,000 local frequencies pushed into organized lists and don't think it could have been much easier.

I'm going to try and do a video / screencast about programming the scanner which will hopefully cover a few things which I had to figure out on my own.

Again - I'm very happy with it.

 

[N8IAA]

Kit, you've hit right on about the "impossible to program" item. If you try to program this scanner like the 'old' scanners, it will cause hair loss:lol: If you use the programming cable and software, it falls into place. One can not look at this scanner as if it had banks and channels, even though, it can be set up that way. Even I had a problem until I imported a file from my Pro-96.
Larry

 

[rfrf]

Rs 106

Glad you're happy with your new scanner.
I love mine too, it's fantastic!
Maybe due to age or something, I couldn't seem to get the programming by computer figured out so I went ahead and programmed it by hand. Not a perfect job, but I'm able to listen to all the digital police signals, etc. and I can possibly want here at home and when I travel....
Perhaps this winter I'll go at the programming via computer, that would be a lot easier and more efficient.

Please try and do that video, many including I would benefit from it I'm sure.

Thanks again.
It's Thanksgiving here in Canada, but I know yours is in November.
Gobble gobble.........

 

[guitarbrian30]

congrats

congrats on your purchase! You will find it amazing while camping, and at air shows and races too. Shoot just hit TUNE function during X-mas time. Makes for a amazing x-mas tree.

I love my GRE 600 and my GRE knockoff which is the radio shack 106!

Thanks to the software programs for letting me keep my hair!

If you have any questions or comments just ask! I sure would hate to take that unit off your hands if/when you get tired of it!

Happy Scanning!

 

[VE3JSO]

Kit, you've hit right on about the "impossible to program" item. If you try to program this scanner like the 'old' scanners, it will cause hair loss:lol: If you use the programming cable and software, it falls into place. One can not look at this scanner as if it had banks and channels, even though, it can be set up that way. Even I had a problem until I imported a file from my Pro-96.
Larry

i programed a friends pro 106 without the cable if you take the time to read the book that comes with it, forums here or programming pro 106 video on you tube you will be able to do it by hand but still using a cable is easier

 

[KB1UAM]

i have a pro-106 and am not happy, the reception is terrible where i am, i would bring it back and trade for the pro-197 which is the desktop version of the pro-106. i wish i saved the receipt and traded for the 197

 

[Ensnared]

Bravo for you. Yes, I would agree that the learning curve for my GRE PSR 500 was rather steep for this enthusiast, but I learned. So, is this the reason my hair fell out? What a great line! I did not know these radios were going so cheap on Ebay. I might have to pick up another one. GRE rules!

 

[RadioDaze]

i have a pro-106 and am not happy, the reception is terrible where i am, i would bring it back and trade for the pro-197 which is the desktop version of the pro-106. i wish i saved the receipt and traded for the 197

That is probably not the solution to your problem. They are functionally the same radio. It sounds like what you need to do is place an antenna outside. That can range from simple to complex, depending on where you live.

 

[chanerz]

Glad you like yours! I like mine too!

 

[OsloViking1975]

I love my Pro 106. And as everboy knows I program it by hand. But the software I agree is much easier for it if you have it. Saves wear and tear on the keypad. If you see some threads the keypad seems to need to be replaced sometimes.

I thought about selling a few times but just can't. I enjoy it tremendously.

 

[macmonkey]

i have a pro-106 and am not happy, the reception is terrible where i am, i would bring it back and trade for the pro-197 which is the desktop version of the pro-106. i wish i saved the receipt and traded for the 197

Did you program it manually or did you use the patch cable with a program? I noticed when manually programming in a few of the conventional frequencies in when I first got it I didn't quite set the attenuation, mode, etc.. just right and wasn't getting the desired reception. Once I dialed in everything as listed exactly on RR database everything cleared up.

Also I've heard that the 800Mhz antenna makes a world of difference in some places. It's only $20 retail (probably cheaper online if you look). I'm going to pick one up this week and hope for even better results.

I just picked up a PD conversation from a small city about 30 miles away which never would have happened on my 855xlt.

 

[KB1UAM]

i actually programmed mine by hand and left all the expert settings and such set at default, didn't do anything else fancy to it, i just plugged in the frequencies and my county sheriff's department 800mhz MOT type 2 system and the state police which is also 800mhz type 2