Whistler WS1040 - Same as GRE- PSR-500??

[hth999]

I've been updating the firmware on all my scanners this month. I had some trouble with my WS1080 and WS1095, but they are finally up to date with firmware, DSP, etc. My question is i have an older GRE PSR-500. I know it's either the same or very similar to the Whistler WS1040. I went on the GRE web site, that still exists to update the firmware. I downloaded the Firmware updater. I noticed it is exacctly the same ( looks the same ) as the 1040 / 1065 firmware updater. On the GRE updater, the latest firmware is 2.1. On the Whistler site, the WS1040 /1065 firmware is 2.9. Now my question is can I use the Whistler WS1040 /1065 and update my GRE PSR 500 to the latest firmware of 2.9??
I have read someplace that the scanners are either identical or very similar. Anybody tried this? Just curious. If it is possible, perhaps the P25 transmissions will be improved. In my opinion on the GRE PSR-500 they are okay, just not as good as the WS 1040. So perhaps, if possible updating to 2.9 would help?? Or perhaps it might brick the GRE. I could not find any info on this on the internet.

 

[TES]

I've been updating the firmware on all my scanners this month. I had some trouble with my WS1080 and WS1095, but they are finally up to date with firmware, DSP, etc. My question is i have an older GRE PSR-500. I know it's either the same or very similar to the Whistler WS1040. I went on the GRE web site, that still exists to update the firmware. I downloaded the Firmware updater. I noticed it is exacctly the same ( looks the same ) as the 1040 / 1065 firmware updater. On the GRE updater, the latest firmware is 2.1. On the Whistler site, the WS1040 /1065 firmware is 2.9. Now my question is can I use the Whistler WS1040 /1065 and update my GRE PSR 500 to the latest firmware of 2.9??
I have read someplace that the scanners are either identical or very similar. Anybody tried this? Just curious. If it is possible, perhaps the P25 transmissions will be improved. In my opinion on the GRE PSR-500 they are okay, just not as good as the WS 1040. So perhaps, if possible updating to 2.9 would help?? Or perhaps it might brick the GRE. I could not find any info on this on the internet.

Before you try it, take a look at this post by the author of the firmware in those scanners.

 

[kruser]

AFAIK, using Whistler FW on a GRE will semi brick it. It basically won't work but you should be able to recover the 500 using the GRE FW file.

I don't remember the exact instructions how to unbrick a GRE but I'm sure someone will pop in and say.

The FW updaters used since the GRE days all look the same.
The stupid thing about them is that they erase the loaded FW before they error out and tell you the FW you are trying to install is not compatible!
At least GRE made these radios with a bootloader that still runs and allows you to get working FW back on them again. So you can't really brick them unless you go in and try and hookup a JTAG programmer or something which could probably wipe the bootloader code.

Basically, don't try and use Whistler firmware on a GRE or RadioShack branded model even if they appear to be the same radio. It will not work.

edit: TES beat me to your answer but read the thread he linked. It has some good info.

 

[hth999]

Okay, Thank you for the link to the post that explains it. I just had not seen it or perhaps did not dig deep enough to find it. Obviously, I won't be updating my GRE PSR-500. It works well enough. Once again, thank you.