Unable to use a computer... PSR-500 or BCD396

[J-in-TX]

I am considering buying a scanner, and I am almost (but not quite) decided on the PSR-500. I have never owned a scanner before.

From reading through the forums I can tell that pretty much everyone suggests using a computer to program, but all of the software requires a Windows computer and I have a Mac.

Which one would be easier to program by hand? Or is there no real difference in the overall difficulty?

I have no real problem with programming by hand, I spent a whole summer learning how to program a TI calculator and it has helped me immensely over the years.

I am in the North Texas area and would like to monitor public safety in Denton, Dallas, and Collin counties. I live on the corner of the three counties.

I understand that the HomePatrol would be the simplest, but it is far more expensive than the GRE.

Thanks. J.

 

[ka3jjz]

If you get a 396XT you do have an advantage in that there is a MAC compatible programming tool (how well it works, I have no idea) called BCProgtool, and it's available here;

BCProgTool.tcl TCL/TK Tool

I don't know of any similar software for the GREs - yet

In any case how difficult these scanners are to program by hand is a matter of personal taste, and how much time the user is willing to sit down and learn about the various selections and menus. I would spend some time in the FAQs for both series of radios, and in particular the Easier to Read manuals which are linked there. Only you can really answer that question. I found it a royal pain in the arse to do anything on these DMA radios by hand, but YMMV...

GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanners FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

Uniden DMA FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

Note that all links, both here and in our wiki, are blue...Best Regards...Mike

 

[OsloViking1975]

I am considering buying a scanner, and I am almost (but not quite) decided on the PSR-500. I have never owned a scanner before.

From reading through the forums I can tell that pretty much everyone suggests using a computer to program, but all of the software requires a Windows computer and I have a Mac.

Which one would be easier to program by hand? Or is there no real difference in the overall difficulty?

I have no real problem with programming by hand, I spent a whole summer learning how to program a TI calculator and it has helped me immensely over the years.

I am in the North Texas area and would like to monitor public safety in Denton, Dallas, and Collin counties. I live on the corner of the three counties.

I understand that the HomePatrol would be the simplest, but it is far more expensive than the GRE.

Thanks. J.

PSR 500 which is basically identical like my Pro 106 can be difficult to program by hand but with patience you can do it fairly easily. Yes it does take time that's why most people get the software to program it. A few of us on here that have a Pro 106 enjoy programming it by hand because you become more familiar on how it works. I myself are one of those few who program my Pro 106 by hand.

 

[Baskt_Case]

Perhaps consider using Wine on the Mac to enable usage of Windows software. Their are other emulation methods as well.

 

[OsloViking1975]

You can always see if somebody will let you borrow their laptop that has windows.