[PCR-1000] Scan speed Limiting Factor

[Edward Lentz]

> So what is the limiting factor on the maximum scan rate of the PCR-1000?
Is it simply the
> comms interface speed?

The time it takes the radio to process each command is the limiting
factor. Any recent Pentium computer with a 19,200 baud serial port is
capable of
sending commands faster than the radio can process each command and
respond. The processor in the radio isn't all that fast, as the radio wasn't
designed to be a 'scanner' in the sense of a dedicated scanner radio. >>

Software timing is the key to scanning speed more than anything else
given one is using let's say a 486 or better. That is to say, a faster
processor isn't going to do anything for us assuming the software
driving the PCR1000 is well written. There are other details relative to
speed such as how the software determines exactly when squelch is broken
and closed.