Pro-197
PSR600
folders include Canadian provinces, and firmware updates are separate. The newer Pro-
651/652 and WS1040/65 don’t have preprogrammed V-Scanner folders.
Programming isn't too hard once you figure out how to navigate the new menus. These are
another excellent set of radios that have many fine features for scanning, searching, and
trunking. However, the manuals that come with the radios are still a mess. The PSR
manuals (only on CD but still PDF) aren't too bad but don't include descriptions for the
'Expert Settings'(?). The RS manuals are the worst I've ever seen with an additional 3
page pamphlet vaguely describing the 'Expert Settings' for the radio. Pro-106/197 and
PSR500/600 have the V-Scanner Programmed Data in another booklet. If you've owned a
trunktracker before you pretty much know what to set. The trick is how. You just have to
figure out where they all are in the midst of all the new features and additional settings.
I decided to write and print this for myself to make it easier to use the radio and am happy
to share it with you. This should also make it easier for most people to use some of the
more advanced features of the radio (and get their money’s worth if you paid full-price for
the radio new) as I will try to explain procedures a little more clearly and in a more logical
order. Granted, these radios aren't simple so you will have to spend some time on them
but this manual will make it easier. And, thanks to the many people who have posted their
valuable insight on the Radio Reference forums and Yahoo groups.
Pros:
These radios are packed with new features for scanning, searching, and especially for digital trunking. The 'Multi-Site' feature allows you to monitor only
the strongest, consecutive, or all control channel frequencies in the system. The audio is great and setting up a digital system is fairly easy right out of the
box. 'Object Oriented Memory' also allows you to add service, limit, and stalker/sweeper objects to your scan lists. Squelch 'Search' for conventional
objects will search for CTCSS, DCS, and NAC codes. The radios include an 'Expert Settings' menu for fine tuning many other parameters. Multi-site
trunking, P25 NAC functionality, 21 V-Scanner Folders, 'multiple' priority channels, hit counters, 'Qtext' can be programmed then used for alpha-tagging,
adjustable scan/search delay, the 'Automove' feature arranges LTR freqs in correct LCN order, and the 'Duplication' feature saves programming
parameters for similar objects. 'FlexStep' is great for entering channels down to 1.25 kHz steps but the search ranges and limit search are still fixed steps.
SAME programming now allows you to enter 'wildcard' location codes and specific event codes that can also be locked out. The display is as bright and
big as my Pro-97. There is a configurable LED for visual alerts as well as audible alerts for most objects. The high speed interface is a nice upgrade too.
Cons:
The number buttons on the keypad are very tiny, too close together, and relatively hard to press compared to my older RS/GRE scanners. The clear lens
designed over the display on the Pro 106/651 bulges up just begging for scratches. The displays for the base models are the same small display as the
hand-helds (even has the low-battery icon when you turn the radio on!). The VHF air service search still has the same 8.33 MHz fixed steps which we still
do not use here in the US making it ridiculously slow. You can view the frequency of a conventional channel with the alpha tag but not the ID of a trunked
system with the tag unless it's a 'Private' (or 'Radio') ID (?). No status bit control for Motorola IDs.
I think they went overboard on some of the features like possible light intensities for each color of the LED (about 576), and most people won't be
programming their IDs in HEX format. There are a lot of settings in these radios the average Joe (or Mary) won't understand and need just to scan or
trunktrack their local systems. Luckily, the defaults for most (not all) of the settings work pretty well. The descriptions of some of the settings in the 'Expert
Settings' menu are truly vague and, as of this writing, there are limited or no instructions on how change the parameters for improvement. When there is
no documentation in the manual for certain features, I have provided links to other resources that have tried to explain how to use and tweak them.
An overview of the features can also be viewed at my Trunking Radio Comparison Chart page.
If you have a big database of channels to program you will definitely need the programming software ($35) and the programming cable (if you bought the
Pro 106/651/197/652- another $35). Qtext is great but still, much easier with the software. With all the features and setting it will save you hours of
programming and frustration.
There are better antennas out there to use than the one that comes with the scanner. RS has the Center-Loaded Telescoping Whip for $15 - better for
VHF/UHF. The 800MHz Scanner Antenna for $25 - 100% better for 700+ MHz but keep your stock rubber duck/whip handy for areas with a lot of 800MHz
overload, especially with digital. You may be able to find others on the web but RS is convenient so you can buy it and take it back in the same day if you
don't like it. Read the reviews for each at the site.
For those of you who are new to trunking or haven't had a scanner in the last 10 years it is a good idea to read the respective sections on those topics.
You really have to know how trunking works in order to program a trunking system. It won't do you any good to try to program a trunking system unless
you know what the radio needs and is going to do with the data (control channel, IDs, LCN order, etc.).
I will assume you know how to obtain the basic information from the original manual such as following safety procedures, putting the batteries in,
connecting the antenna, etc. as I will concentrate on the operation and main functions of the scanner.
I hereby absolve myself from anything that happens to anyone or the scanner as a result of the information you will be reading. You are welcome to copy
and/or print these pages and use them in the scanning hobby as long as you don't change, redistribute, or charge/accept money for them. I have tried the
best I can to make sure everything is accurate here but if I missed a step, you see something that's obviously wrong, or have any other information you
would like to contribute to make this manual better for everyone, please email me.
Check back often as this document will be updated and revised from time to time.
Main Features Contents
Object Oriented Memory - You can have about 1800 'objects' for each of the 21 V-Scanner Folders (plus the main memory loaded in the scanner). Like
Dynamic Memory, you use only the amount of memory you need. Total memory capacity is over 37,800 objects.
Multi-System Trunking - you can track Digital Motorola, Motorola, GE/Ericsson (EDACS), and LTR trunking systems including VHF, UHF, 380, and
700MHz systems.
P25 NAC Functionality - P25 Network Access Code (NAC) is used to provide selective squelch operation on conventional digital channels. The scanner
will detect the NAC that is being used on a P25 conventional digital channel, and allow you to program NAC codes to block transmissions that do not
have a matching NAC, including analog traffic on the same frequency.
