Whistler TRX-1 and TRX-2

[fxdscon]

I think Don has clearly stated several times across multiple threads - the copy/paste/import/export restrictions were not the product of lazy or inconsiderate programming, but the licensing restrictions and protection of the RR data.

That's correct....

Here are a couple of posts from him about that (from the GRE days)

http://forums.radioreference.com/whistler-scanners/307897-update-5.html#post2413611

http://forums.radioreference.com/whistler-scanners/307897-update-5.html#post2413679

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[K9DAK]

Absolutely. Man, would I love to be able to export over five years worth of programming with Win500 for my 106/197 to EZ Scan for my 1088!

The restriction of EZ-Scan is the main reason I'm selling my WS1095 and no longer going to purchase any scanner that uses it. Why they didn't stay along the functionanilty of Win500 is beyond me.

 

[marcotor]

Whistler does not have to contract with or use RR data. They made that choice. I doubt RadioReference blackmailed them into using their service.

Perhaps you should make yourself available to Whistler to tell them how to run their operations

 

[fxdscon]

Whistler does not have to contract with or use RR data. They made that choice. I doubt RadioReference blackmailed them into using their service.

What other database or service would you suggest they use for the database updates?

 

[buddrousa]

People that have been around 6 months have no idea what we did 14 or 15 years ago program by hand 100 channel scanners and have books that were updated ever year you had to by for each area. The only other place would be linked back to here and they get found out and stopped.

 

[Swipesy]

People that have been around 6 months have no idea what we did 14 or 15 years ago program by hand 100 channel scanners and have books that were updated ever year you had to by for each area. The only other place would be linked back to here and they get found out and stopped.

+1 Clap, clap, clap

 

[W6KRU]

Whistler does not have to contract with or use RR data. They made that choice. I doubt RadioReference blackmailed them into using their service.

Sometimes it is better to remain silent and appear .....

 

[AggieCon]

Overall, I like Whistler and their products. However, there are a couple of considerations (LSM and EZ Scan) that have caused me to purchase a scanner from a different manufacturer. Sure, one can passively "vote with his money," but the more direct and kind method is to let someone know what is holding you back from purchasing their product or service -- so that they may have a chance to know what to address to earn more business.

Regarding the database, they could make their own, they could contract someone else to make a database, or users with a premium membership could interface with RR like they do with UniTrunker. Honestly, I don't care if the database option even exists. In rural areas it takes a few seconds to program by hand, even on the radio, and in urban areas, the library import floods you with more than you could reasonably scan. Everyone thinks this database is so so so special, but most of it is public information in one way or the other. I appreciate everyone's time contributing to it and moderating it (I've contributed too), but it's not like it's the only possible way to distribute radio service information.

I hear all of these rumors, but I'm still at a loss for what would be so bad for RR if a few people use the Whistler library import to backdoor a premium membership CSV download. It's not like the data isn't open for anyone with a right mouse button. Licensing the EZ Scan software to scanner owners only wouldn't be out of the realm of possible.

 

[buddrousa]

What the point you miss is this we post to this site THE INTERNET IS NOT FREE NOR IS THE SOFTWARE FOR THE DATABASE and that makes it stealing. Someone has to pay the bill I wish this was a pay only site. But I do not own it. Like I said 15 years ago I bought and paid for books just to get the data and that was only the frequency back then TONES were not listed as no scanner used tones. I have bought the data I use the fees I pay for database use is something I do out of respect for the site. As most of my scanner use today is with the scanner database as my other scanners do not get changed anymore they look at afew channels only.

 

[AggieCon]

I don't believe in stealing. I hate stealing. I am not advocating stealing. What I am saying is the database information is already open for people to use. It is not behind a password. It is open on the world wide web, and it is implied that anyone can use it for personal use (i.e. not for profit). Worrying about a scanner owner exporting the data through a back door rather than getting a premium membership is a weak argument when almost all of the information is already publicly available on the internet.

By the way, just because it costs money to do something, doesn't automatically make the product proprietary. On the other hand, without spending any money, one can own property. So I suppose I do miss your point in your first sentence, since it is an illogical approach to the issue.

If someone exports the whole RR database and then tries to commercialize it, he'll fail once it goes to court. You're never going to combat dishonesty with technology or law, but you can stifle the honest man via your attempts in vain.

 

[AA6IO]

Anyone who has read my posts on multiple threads knows my problem with the new Whistler scanners vs Uniden have been front-end overloading (terrible in Los Angeles), limitation to EZ Scan software, and no support to release protocol for third-party apps. Now it looks like the new models may address these issues. I am glad to see this progress and may indeed consider adding these new models for a workout on So. Calif scanning.

 

[mrkelso]

As a further investment in their customers, Whistler will be offering a DMR update at no charge to customers owning models WS1080, WS1088, WS1095, and WS1098. This upgrade will be available via the EZ Scan pc app later this month.

Thats all i require..

 

[pushkart]

TRX1 photo

Does anybody have a "link" of where to find a picture of this new unit?

try: TRX-1 Pre Order will get free ground shipping 48 states : The Hamstation!, Your one stop on-line source for amateur radio fun.
cheers

 

[bearcat]

I am new on this Whistler group. Am I correct in assuming that you cannot copy/paste anything into the EZscan software? Even a file that I create? Is there a third party software that does not have these copy/paste restrictions?
I was considering the TRX2 but the inability to copy/paste my own text from Excel would be a deal breaker.

 

[gwbaker]

I am new on this Whistler group. Am I correct in assuming that you cannot copy/paste anything into the EZscan software? Even a file that I create? Is there a third party software that does not have these copy/paste restrictions?
I was considering the TRX2 but the inability to copy/paste my own text from Excel would be a deal breaker.

I do not have a whistler YET, but will be getting the TRX-1. I am not sure about cutting and pasting with EZscan as I have not used it yet. But in another thread Whistler Wendy, Whister's Marketing Director, announced that they will be releasing the necessary information for software developers to make their own software to control the TRX-1 and 2. So it will be just a matter of time before this should be possible, at least with the 3rd party software (I would think).

 

[W6KRU]

I don't remember trying them but there are two buttons(import from text, import from clipboard) on the import library data screen in EZScan.

 

[AggieCon]

You can copy/paste CSV data or import CSV data from file for conventional channels and trunked system talkgroups. You cannot import trunked system settings or frequencies.

The biggest issue is you can't EXPORT any of the data from the program (except perhaps entire V-Scanner folders). Additionally, it is very clunky to move data within "EZ" Scan, and, in many instances, it simply cannot be accomplished.

The other major issue is that importing doesn't work properly for many of the attribute fields in the software, such as scanlist and modulation. So, after import of essentially just the frequency and alpha tag, you have to go modify all of the other attributes manually in the software.

For the casual scanner, the software has plenty of fans, it appears. But it is extremely restrictive and sucks up way too much time unnecessarily for me. As an example, I have around 20 V-Scanner Folders for various geographic locations of my state. If I want to change something for say the state police, I have to go into 20 different folders and import the same exact CSV data (then go fix it manually). A much more efficient method would be "global" scanlists that sync among selected V-Scanner folders, the ability to export or copy scanlists (i.e. copy the first one you change then quickly control-v into the other folders), or the ability to "drag and drop" scanlists or frequencies to varies scanlists or V-Scanner folders.

Finally, when I make changes or additions directly on my scanner or through the software, I eventually have to reenter the data into Excel so it can be portable.

You can go to the Whistler website and download EZ Scan for free. Try it out if you are worried about it. It really just depends how advanced you get with your data and how much manipulating you plan on doing. If all you want to do is a library import and hit scan, then the setup is fine. IMO, that's just one-quarter of a step beyond listening to a Broadcastify stream... If you use UniTrunker (manually entering in the TGs, not the RR download), your own research, searching, SDR#, online databases, etc. to collect data, you'll be frustrated from time to time.

To my knowledge there is no third party programing software compatible with the scanner.

By the way, since I can't export, I actually don't contribute nearly as much to the Radio Reference database as I otherwise would. Reinputting the data, as well as the possibility of incorrect transcribing, simply makes it not worth it, even though I would like to help others.

 

[bearcat]

Thanks so much for the detailed explanation. I have a need in my work to import long lists of freqs. for review. It sounds that it may not be that easy to do. I will take your advice and try out the software first.

 

[Swipesy]

In addition to everything AggiCon mentioned about the EZScan software there is one more serious flaw. If you have custom Alpha tags as I do (10,000 tags), when you update the Library weekly or whenever, if you are not extremely careful and uncheck the do not update alpha tags button, you will blow out your custom alpha tags. So you need to make sure you have an archived backup before updating or you will be redoing your alpha tags. Very poor designed software.

 

[Nasby]

In addition to everything AggiCon mentioned about the EZScan software there is one more serious flaw. If you have custom Alpha tags as I do (10,000 tags), when you update the Library weekly or whenever, if you are not extremely careful and uncheck the do not update alpha tags button, you will blow out your custom alpha tags. So you need to make sure you have an archived backup before updating or you will be redoing your alpha tags. Very poor designed software.

Good point.

I had that happen to me once.

I set up about 50 alpha tags for Ohio MARCS that were understandable (unlike the cryptic ones in the database) and forgot to uncheck the "update alpha tags" option.

Bam!! Another hour of labor to fix them.