TRX-1 REVIEW (AKA I hate my radio)

[eyes00only]

Interesting, In my upgraded PSR-800 if you check it you ONLY receive that mode. Seems odd that they would change that, but who knows.

Well dagnabit, I'm still cornfused

 

[Ubbe]

If you check the box in EZ Scan, or put on check mark (as opposed to a box) in the Search menu, you are filtering the mode OUT.
This is admittedly very confusing. I had to actually experiment with it myself in order to believe it!

Look at it in this way: If it says "filter" you are filtering something out that you do not want, like if you have a calcium filter for tap water you do not get just calcium to drink as the final product. If they only had written "DMR" and "NXDN" then it would be a tick for enabling that mode. When you do searches the default are to search for all modes and then you tick those modes you do not want. They could have done it without the "filter" function and just as an enabling function, the same as attenuator and delay to make it more consistent and less confusing. But try using a Uniden search to only capture DMR. They have no filter at all during searches.

/Ubbe

 

[KevinC]

Well dagnabit, I'm still cornfused

Keep in mind that mine is the PSR-800 w/the Whistler upgrade so it could be different, but I doubt they'd do that. To be sure I just tested it and mine works as I described.

 

[KevinC]

Look at it in this way: If it says "filter" you are filtering something out that you do not want, like if you have a calcium filter for tap water you do not get just calcium to drink as the final product. If they only had written "DMR" and "NXDN" then it would be a tick for enabling that mode. When you do searches the default are to search for all modes and then you tick those modes you do not want. They could have done it without the "filter" function and just as an enabling function, the same as attenuator and delay to make it more consistent and less confusing. But try using a Uniden search to only capture DMR. They have no filter at all during searches.

/Ubbe

Except mine doesn't work like that. Never has. I check DMR or P25 and it will ONLY receive those. I have DMR checked on mine right now and I receive no analog or birdies, only DMR.

 

[KevinC]

I speak in RF terms where you can have a pass filter or a reject filter. On my PSR-800 checking DMR is a pass filter for DMR only.

 

[eyes00only]

This is my updated folder which I hope is correct BUT when I go to the folder and press scan I get
Nothing to Scan!
Menu = Main Menu

 

[wwhitby]

So far we have shills and trolls. I wonder what's next?

Giants? Cyclops?

I've had my TRX-1 for a year now. I use it in my car and have never had the problems that the OP mentioned.

I do wish it had simulcast reception, since I don't like the interface of the Uniden SDS series. VHF analog reception isn't the greatest, but the last scanner that had good VHF reception was my PRO-96. The only other thing I wish is that Phase 2 audio was the same level as Phase 1, not blaring loud.

 

[Ubbe]

This is my updated folder which I hope is correct BUT when I go to the folder and press scan I get
Nothing to Scan!
Menu = Main Menu

Your attachment show the option for search mode. Scan mode use the scan lists so check that you have some enabled and that they have some frequencies in them. If you want to search you enter a low limit and high limit frequency and in the scanner you go to the Search menu and then Limit Search. When in search you push Menu to come to the same settings as in EZ-Scan. In the scanners search parameters there's no "filter" text for the different modes and if no mode are selected it does carrier detect and if one digital mode are ticked it ignores a carrier without any datasignal.

/Ubbe

 

[KevinC]

The search debate is off-topic for this thread, but another member confirmed the "filter" setting works exactly like I said it does. If checked you will only receive that mode...

WS1080: - Search option

This "should" apply to all Whistler models with this option, but I have a PSR-800 upgraded to a WS-1080 so I gave the thread that prefix. When a mode is checked in the below option my radio will only decode that mode. In another thread it's stated the TRX-1 is opposite (when checked it won't...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[eyes00only]

Thanks everyone.

 

[KevinC]

Thanks everyone.

You're welcome!

 

[radionx]

If checked you will only receive that mode

If nothing is defined it is in au mode...where it detects, albeit slowly, (N)FM or AM, seemingly depending on the bandplan.

Might hang forever on birdies then.

 

[Icerider518]

Why? Because they don't agree with you?

Becuase what some are saying is spin or word smithing and at least one comment is flat out inaccurate.

 

[KevinC]

Becuase som

Becuase what some are saying is spin or word smithing and at least one comment is flat out inaccurate.

Oh! Ok.

 

[Icerider518]

I know that you wrote this before you read my post as you will experience a delay in posting as you are being moderated for a handful of posts as a newbie.

You can rest assure that anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a shill for Whistler LOL. I gave my fair assessment of the radio and identified the good and bad points, unfortunately the two issues that I have you never even mentioned. These are common problems shared by others.

If you were able to research the radio before purchasing it you would have read about issues numerous times.

You can't deny though it's a good looking radio, I happen to like it better without the spare tire rubber case, it has a good display and keyboard and again when Motorola type ll smart Zone systems were common the audio was always better than the x36s.

I am still curious about your background with scanning and different brands of radios, wish lists for new scanners has always been discussed here on this forum. What has been your exposure to the scanning hobby, if not radio reference? Just curious.

I have been using two ways, SDRs, and scanners for about 18 years.

Whatever its issues with P25 & simulcasting, I find the TRX-1 to be a perfect companion in every other way. Am not sure why so many people find a steep learning curve, since it can be programmed in a way that mimics more traditional scanners.
I do a lot of searching for things, including military, and the TRX-1 has been great. Have installed 2 of them in my car to act as my mobile and am loving it. It go into work and do my thing while they just sit there and recorded whatever I'm interested in to be recovered later.

I also have complaints, though:
The PSR-800 on which the TRX's are based was conceived as a version of the Home Patrol that users could operate like an iPod. Whistler took a decent radio with a useless use interface and gave it much greater utility.

The PSR-500 and its associated radios that Whistler now owns, were a power user's dream. I was one of the beta testers and was absolutely thrilled. Unfortunately, the 800/TRX missed out on a few things:
1 - The ability to set a search or sweeper range as a scannable object. This allowed us to stack multiple, specific search banks, and created an amazing radio for sniffing out new stuff.
2 - The lack of soft keys sharply limits how nimble the TRX can be. So many functions that were so easily accessible on the PSR500 & similar, are buried deeper in the TRX's menu system and take more time to activate.
3 - You can't fileshare the codeplugs. This was a modification added in order to license the RadioReference database--which is great for consumer use, but not much fun for hardcore entthusiasts
4 - You can't quickly reconfigure search and sweeper parameters, and they are more limited in what you can configure even if you have the time and patience. Again--the shift to a more consumer-type product which was GRE's definite intention.
HOWEVER - I've arrived at enough workarounds with the TRX-1 that if I can only have one radio with me, it's the one I choose. Having 200 scanlists per V-Scanner makes a lot of options available, and the ability to record the audio with metadata is fabulous. And with 200 V-Scanners, you can have a lot of personalities for the radio--each very easy to load. And unlike the current Unidens, you CAN enter a new frequency in the field, put it whatever lists you like, and the radio will record it if you wish. If you switch your default scanlist to 201 (SKYWARN), you can quickly make the scanner drop whatever else it's doing and just concentrate on our new finds.
And the case seems sturdy, even without the rubber outer shell.
73/Allen (N4JRI)

In order to properly search, one needs the software to record the the frequency, and other pertinent data (NAC, unit ID, etc.) automatically without user interaction. So the data can be inspected later at the convenience of the operator.

If you believe the construction of the radio is rugged then you never held something like XTS or XPX. I understand that Whistler is not advertising the product as water/shock resistant and its construction is in line with similarly configured units from other brands.

Giants? Cyclops?

I've had my TRX-1 for a year now. I use it in my car and have never had the problems that the OP mentioned.

I do wish it had simulcast reception, since I don't like the interface of the Uniden SDS series. VHF analog reception isn't the greatest, but the last scanner that had good VHF reception was my PRO-96. The only other thing I wish is that Phase 2 audio was the same level as Phase 1, not blaring loud.

Have you tried to install new SD card?

#1. I haven't noticed any of those kinds of issues.

#2. I have tried many different SD cards and all works for me in a TRX-1. It scans 75ch/s which is better than a SDS100/200's 45ch/s. During search it does 80steps/s.

#4. It doesn't check battery voltage during charging, the same as a Uniden 436. You only set a time how long it should charge, up to 99 hours can be set.

#5. There's a special setting in Advance/Audio to tick for Search Record: Enable. Then you can at any time review and listen to the recordings that have been done during a search. The Spectrum Sweeper are like Unidens Close Call, not done at full sensitivity and are intended to find strong local users that transmit close to you.

If you load the TRX-1E firmware and use the E version of EZ-Scan you can still set it to use US bandplan and then you have a delay time up to 25sec you can set for search mode. You then also have a selection of different search bands you can use and not only the limit search's single range. What you loose with the E version are the function of the US database library. You can easily install both EZ-Scan versions and then program and use the firmware you prefer to use at that moment.

/Ubbe

have you tried a 64GB U3 SD card?

 

[Ubbe]

have you tried a 64GB U3 SD card?

I only use 32GB cards as those are the max size for standard operation. To be able to use 64GB it takes some trickery that isn't standardised and that's the reason why most device comes recommended to be used with 32GB as max as bigger sizes cannot be guaranteed to work.

/Ubbe

 

[Icerider518]

Right they won't work. Only FAT32 formatting is compatible. And you cannot use C10 cards either. So there is one issue you have noticed.

Have you ever got a full charge by USB?

Has anyone on this thread ever got a full charge using the USB cord?

I've had mine for almost 7 years and haven't experienced any of the problems you mentioned above. If I had I sure wouldn't have tried three different ones, I would have given up early on.


Good luck with that, maybe someday it will happen, but I don't see enough people willing to pay the high cost it would take to convince a manufacturer to make it.

Have you tried to use a C10 SD card?

I have a feeling we won't hear from the op again, at least on this thread anyway.

Have you ever got a full charge using the USB cord?

 

[KevinC]

Have you ever got a full charge using the USB cord?

Define "full charge"? The charging circuit is just a timed charger (1-98 hours I believe).

 

[RaleighGuy]

Have you tried to use a C10 SD card?

Simple answer NO, because they are not recommended and subject to increased errors in the read process.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Have you ever got a full charge using the USB cord?

I have never gotten a set of batteries to fully charge inside the unit, again I usually do not attempt to charge them because it was not recommended and on the comments that many others have posted.