Using EZScan with the RS Pro-18

[LostnFound]

So I've been playing around with my new Pro-18 and having no luck being a CDN using the included software iScan, not only is it older and version 1.02 but has no CDN channels so I downloaded the PSR-800 EZScan software and didn't have luck with yesterday but today I did.

So here is what I did, first I put a brand new 16GB micro CD card in it's reader, not the scanner.

With the Radio Shack software iScan (included with Pro-18, ver 1.02)
1) With iScan software I formatted a new 16GB micro card.


With Gre America's software EZScan (included with PSR-800, ver 1.05)
--------------------------------------------------

2) I did all the normal library updates and such, importing of channels to certain scanner lists 1-5 for now.
3) I then copied the configuration over to the SD card, then copied library over.
3) In Windows Explorer I went into the Playlist folder (CDAT), and removed playlists 6-154. (Why you may ask? The Pro-18 only has 100 playlists, compared to the PSR-800, which has 200 factory playlists, remember I'm using it's software.)

Finally
--------

4) Inserted newly created SD card into the Pro-18, it took a bit longer on start-up cause it had to initialize a much larger SD card but once up and running I quickly noticed the Playlists were now called Scanlist, which is one difference between just naming conventions on the 2 different devices but it just goes to show how Object Oriented handheld scanners have this commonality with programming. Anyway I quickly started receiving OPP, Ford Motor Company, all kinds of chatter.

So now I can go in and start renaming my Scanlists now that I know it works with EZScan.

Disclaimer: Please use these instructions at your own discretion, not responsible for any issues you may encounter trying this on your own, remember to do a complete backup prior to testing or use a completely different micro card.

 

[LostnFound]

Update**

So everything been working well using Gre's software to update both CDN and USA libraries however did come up against a particular issue. Activating Skywarn, causes the unit to error out and displays a message to call RS with the error code, in fact its completely locked out, only battery removal enables use again. I did program Skywarn freqs in Gre's ver 1.05 so I have to check the difference between the 2 softwares, Gre did tell me ver.1.03 is more compatible because there was a change in ver. 1.05 and this may very well be change.

The only other thing I have noticed is the Low Battery indicator does not seem to work, and it did previously to programming with Gre's software, the device just quits when battery is low. So a few quirks but I'll work them out.

 

[LostnFound]

I reprogrammed Skywarn and that it's all good now, must have been a programming glitch.

 

[LostnFound]

Received my RS 800mHz antenna yesterday, going to test within that freq. It definitely does not compare to the Diamond 519, as you would expect, different range.

 

[LostnFound]

Just an update on the RS 800 Mhz antenna. So far I have not found there to be any advantage over the Diamond RH-519. I have not seen any increase in clarity, distance etc. The 519 is if not just as good, better since it covers a much broader range. I was already receiving the 800 range quite well and wanted to try this specific freq, range antenna, but not impressed.

For my area the Diamond 519 works well for a walk around antenna.

 

[JustLou]

I use Diamond 519's on my Pro-18 and other scanners too. IMO, it's the best antenna for its size. I also have the RS 800 MHz antenna. It's a good 800MHz antenna, but IMO not nearly as great as some make it out to be. It also performs decently on UHF, but it's only fair at best on VHF.

 

[zerickk]

So I've been playing around with my new Pro-18 and having no luck being a CDN using the included software iScan, not only is it older and version 1.02 but has no CDN channels so I downloaded the PSR-800 EZScan software and didn't have luck with yesterday but today I did.

So here is what I did, first I put a brand new 16GB micro CD card in it's reader, not the scanner.

With the Radio Shack software iScan (included with Pro-18, ver 1.02)
1) With iScan software I formatted a new 16GB micro card.


With Gre America's software EZScan (included with PSR-800, ver 1.05)
--------------------------------------------------

2) I did all the normal library updates and such, importing of channels to certain scanner lists 1-5 for now.
3) I then copied the configuration over to the SD card, then copied library over.
3) In Windows Explorer I went into the Playlist folder (CDAT), and removed playlists 6-154. (Why you may ask? The Pro-18 only has 100 playlists, compared to the PSR-800, which has 200 factory playlists, remember I'm using it's software.)

Finally
--------

4) Inserted newly created SD card into the Pro-18, it took a bit longer on start-up cause it had to initialize a much larger SD card but once up and running I quickly noticed the Playlists were now called Scanlist, which is one difference between just naming conventions on the 2 different devices but it just goes to show how Object Oriented handheld scanners have this commonality with programming. Anyway I quickly started receiving OPP, Ford Motor Company, all kinds of chatter.

So now I can go in and start renaming my Scanlists now that I know it works with EZScan.

Disclaimer: Please use these instructions at your own discretion, not responsible for any issues you may encounter trying this on your own, remember to do a complete backup prior to testing or use a completely different micro card.

I know this is an old thread, but I joined RR to thank you for this post. It helped me a lot as I am also in Canada.

I do have a question though, did this add the Canadian library to your scanner so you could select from the menu similar to the USA? I can program Canadian frequencies on the PC using the GRE softwar enow, but the Canadian Library doesnt display on my PRO-18 like it does from the factory on the PSR-800