Trunking/Scanning Reno Area/PRO-164

[FallonJeeper]

Anybody familiar with Radio Shack PRO-164 scanner and Trunking programming?

[Roach]

is this a scanner you already have? that worked at one point but doesn't now?

they rebanded their frequencies recently...

[FallonJeeper]

It's a fairly new scanner, never really configured for the 800 Mhz EDACS trunked frequencies. Just want to make sure I'm programming it correctly.

I'm just not getting the correlation between the frequencies and the Talk Group ID's.

[mdtrader©]

is this a scanner you already have? that worked at one point but doesn't now?

they rebanded their frequencies recently...

Here are the new freqs for the metro repeater and some other info...
http://forums.radioreference.com/nev...nding-now.html

[FallonJeeper]

Here are the new freqs for the metro repeater and some other info...
http://forums.radioreference.com/nev...nding-now.html

Thanks I'll try these!

[mdtrader©]

It's a fairly new scanner, never really configured for the 800 Mhz EDACS trunked frequencies. Just want to make sure I'm programming it correctly.

I'm just not getting the correlation between the frequencies and the Talk Group ID's.

You just have to make sure that you have the programming mode as EDACS when you program it in as there are 3+ different modes of trunking those scanners are capable of. There is no correlation between the freqs and the talk groups. Therein lies your problem. The frequecies change every time a mic button is pressed; so for example on metro, 15 different mics can be keyed up at the same exact time across all talk groups because there are 15 frequencies. Talkgroup 0350, School Police, can be keyed up on 851.2500 for example to call in to dispatch, but when dispatch answers, it may come over 851.3750 or whichever frequency is available... Does that make sense? The scanners job is to track the conversation from frequency to frequency, by talk group. In the old days you had to lock on to a frequency. With this trunking, you lock on to a talkgroup to follow a conversation.

Also, if you've never programmed edacs, you should know there is a logical channel number[ing] system (LCN) that must be followed when programming the freqs in. You'll see on that website they are listed in LCN order. This means that for each repeater you program you must have an empty bank in your scanner and program LCN 1 to channel 1 of the bank and LCN 5 to channel 5 of the same bank.... Also, if you are getting a series of like 5 beeps after each transmission and can't seem to follow the conversation, that means you are not in edacs mode or got the freqs in the wrong order. Let me know if you have trouble.

[FallonJeeper]

I understand that part. I have the frequencies loaded in LCN order on bank 0 and set to EDACS mode. Channel 0 is blank and locked out. Do the Reno talk groups share the same frequencies? I just don't know if I need both or which freqeuncies go to which talk id groups. These are for the Reno/Washoe County Metro area. I suppose for Reno PD and Washoe Count SO. How about NHP? I don't get the Reno transmissions here in Fallon. That may also be part of my problem.

[mdtrader©]

I understand how it works. I have the frequencies loaded and I have talk group ID's loaded. I just don't know if I need both or which freqeuncies go to which talk id groups. These are for the Reno/Washoe County Metro area. I suppose for Reno PD and Washoe Count SO. How about NHP?

All 15 frequencies work for all talk group IDs on the Metro repeater (red peak). You must have all freqs in to hear everything, and in order, to follow the conversations.

Apparently I lied about what was released to the public... This link has all the new freqs for all the repeaters and also lists the talk groups so you know who's who. And yes, NHP is included.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=1788

[FallonJeeper]

I think I've seen this page before. Which towers would you think I would use here in Fallon?

Can I run them in the same bank as the Reno frequencies, as long as they are grouped together and in orger higher up in the channels?

I have talk group ID's 753 - 761 programmed on Bank 0 also. Bank is set to EDACS and Closed.

[mdtrader©]

Fallon... My guess would be Virginia Peak and Eagle Ridge, and maybe Marble Bluff. My experience is that is had to be in different banks for the LCN to work properly - 1 repeater site per bank. I see what you're doing with the talk groups now...so you don't want to scan them all, just 753-761 in particular. That's cool too...I just scanned them all and locked on to one when I wanted to continue hearing that agency for a minute. In my case, I didn't need to program any talkgroups in, just scan and when they come up, you can save them and enter a name or alpha tag as they call it...

[FallonJeeper]

Yeah, that's what I have set-up, I'll use another bank for Local Reno stuff, will be nice when I'm in the area. Right now I just have the NHP and I'm using the LCN's off Virginia Peak. Hopefully that will get me some results. Thank goodness for software and a USB programming cable. Manually programming this scanner is not fun.

[mdtrader©]

Yeah, that's what I have set-up, I'll use another bank for Local Reno stuff, will be nice when I'm in the area. Right now I just have the NHP and I'm using the LCN's off Virginia Peak. Hopefully that will get me some results. Thank goodness for software and a USB programming cable. Manually programming this scanner is not fun.

Cool. And yes, manually programming the scanner sucks...that's what I did with mine because my laptop didn't have a serial port and it didn't come with USB cable when I got mine...just serial. Oh well...it worked. Good luck and happy scanning!

[FallonJeeper]

Thanks for all the help!

I figured it out. I had everything set correctly, except the Sub-Bank:

1. Correct Frequencies in the correct LCN order
2. Correct Talk Groups
3. Frequencies and Bank set for EDACS mode
4. Bank set to Closed Mode
5. Sub Bank - On (this is what was keeping me from receiving the trunked transmissions)

Tomorrow, I'll set-up the Reno/Washoe Talk Groups.

[PETNRDX]

I heard the trunking system here had moved due to the rebanding.
I had a LOT of trouble trying to reprogram my old PRO-97.
With all the threads about the changes, I was able to read, try stuff, and eventually learned enuf to get the damn thing
working again.
I really only want to listen to a couple TG's once in awhile.
Now I have my favorite 11 in the list, and can just listen to what I want again.

[PhantomRage]

I have the Scancat software and the cable to program all RadioShack scanners that can be programmed with a computer. If anyone needs help

[FallonJeeper]

My scanner is kickin A$$ now. I just loaded the all the talk groupsNHP/Reno PD/Washoe County and have the LCN's lined up for towers in Fallon, Virginia Peak and Peavine. I should be getting everything no matter where I go.

I'm using Win97.exe for my Pro-164 and ARC404 for my non-trunking Pro-404. The software and USB cable makes a huge difference.

[PhantomRage]

My scanner is kickin A$$ now. I just loaded the all the talk groupsNHP/Reno PD/Washoe County and have the LCN's lined up for towers in Fallon, Virginia Peak and Peavine. I should be getting everything no matter where I go.

I'm using Win97.exe for my Pro-164 and ARC404 for my non-trunking Pro-404. The software and USBV cable makes a huge difference.

Is this a free program? I had to pay for Scancat.

Also can you send me a file with your freq programmed.. I also have the Pro-164 and it has way to many options.

[FallonJeeper]

I sure can.

Here's the link to the Win97 program. It has a 30 day free trial. After that I think it's $25.00 to get the key. I'm still on the 30 day version which gives you full functionality. I'll probably buy it. I really like it.www.starrsoft.com/software/win97/default.asp

Download the zip file.

Unzip the file to a folder that you want to run the program from.

And... try this file: Right click on the link and save it to the same folder. This works with Win97 http://webpages.charter.net/akweks/P...Falon_Reno.p97

Next run the program by double-clicking on the Win97.exe file.
Click on File, Open, and select the file I created, and open one more time.

You'll see the channels I stored for Churchill County, Fallon, and surrounding area on Banks 0,1,and 2. Banks 3, 4 and 5 have the trunking freqs and Talk Groups in the sub banks. If you have questions you can PM me and give me a number I can talk you through most of this.

[PETNRDX]

I have the PRO-97 which works well enuf.
But after the end of a transmission, it immediately scans to the next busy TG. (when another TG is busy)
There is NO delay before it scans.
NO delay meaning it is gone to another TG in around 10 milliseconds.
I only scan two or three TG's at a time, but with no delay, I OFTEN miss the reply to a transmission on one TG while the scanner moves to another conversation on another TG.
Anybody know of a way to DELAY scan restart in the trunking mode?
I already have the only delay feature I can find enabled.
And it does nothing.
When I lock the scanner on a TG it stays on the TG like it should.
Last, I have not listened for quite a while, and the signal I get at home is WAY better than it used to be.

[FallonJeeper]

I have the PRO-97 which works well enuf.
But after the end of a transmission, it immediately scans to the next busy TG. (when another TG is busy)
There is NO delay before it scans.
NO delay meaning it is gone to another TG in around 10 milliseconds.
I only scan two or three TG's at a time, but with no delay, I OFTEN miss the reply to a transmission on one TG while the scanner moves to another conversation on another TG.
Anybody know of a way to DELAY scan restart in the trunking mode?
I already have the only delay feature I can find enabled.
And it does nothing.
When I lock the scanner on a TG it stays on the TG like it should.
Last, I have not listened for quite a while, and the signal I get at home is WAY better than it used to be.

Look on this forum. You may find your answer.

http://forums.radioreference.com/radio-shack-scanners/

[KNØCW]

So they charge for the win97? WTH, I have the win92 and win95 from them and they were free.

[FallonJeeper]

So they charge for the win97? WTH, I have the win92 and win95 from them and they were free.

Yes, but it's well worth the money. Just over the last 2 days I've configured my channels/banks and loaded the configs on my scanner ... a lot. If I had to do that with the keypads on the scanner I'd probably not have the awesome config I have now. Plus, I'll always have a copy of my configuration if the scanner takes a dump or I replace it.

[KNØCW]

I agree that it's worth it, I am just surprised that they charge for that one. I have had my Pro95 for many years and still have no clue how to program it without computer software.

[FallonJeeper]

PETNRDX are you using Win97? There is a setting called ID delay. This is actually the trunking delay and needs to be set for each BANK. Mousing over the ID Delay field gives a message, "Enter the delay time for holding trunk ID's after voice signal stops" The default is 2000 (2 seconds).

You should also be able to adjust it manually.

You have to set the ID delay for the bank to pause on an ID before scanning resumes. Setting the scan delay for the channel has no effect on an ID. The delay can only be set for the whole bank, not an individual ID. When activated, the ID delay watches the control channel command for the delay time when the signal disappears from the voice channel.

1. In Manual mode select any channel of the bank you want to turn a list on or off in by entering the bank number and channel number (Ex: 001) then press MAN to advance to the channel.
2. Press PGM then TRUNK to put the scanner in program and trunk modes. You will see the ID list.
3. Press FUNC then DELAY. Use Up/Down keys to set ID delay appears in the display.
4. Press ^ or v to change the delay then press ENT to store the setting. ID Delay: None, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 seconds.
5. Press MAN to exit programming.

[FallonJeeper]

Just updated the Win97 file. http://webpages.charter.net/akweks/P...Falon_Reno.p97

I added more talk groups and added a bank for Metro Simulcast Tower.