[Scan-DC] Pro-96s are in - First Impression

[Larry Van Horn]

Well we just got in a full boat load of Pro-96 scanners this morning.
Nice to have a GRE RS unit back in our inventory after so many years. I
have had my second chance now to play with the unit and overall, I am
impressed.  GRE has put together another winner. 
 
But don't take my word on it, here is a sneak preview of Bob Grove's
comments that will be published in the November "What's New" column in
MT: The unit that Bob and I originally looked at is now in the hands of
our master scanner reviewer, Mr. Bob Parnass. And his full review on
that unit will appear in the December issue. Compliments of the MT
staff----
 
First Look at the PRO96

By Bob Grove

 

            With reception modes that include APCO-25 9600-baud digital
as well as Motorola, LTR and EDACS trunking, along with conventional AM
and FM communications, Radio Shack's new PRO96 hand-held scanner is a
winner. We had the opportunity to preview one of these just before we
sent it off to Bob Parnass for a full lab review which will appear
shortly in MT.

            Frequency range is 25-54, 108-174, 216-225, 406-512, 806-960
(less cellular) and 1240-1300 MHz.

            The PRO96 is a triple-conversion superheterodyne, a scheme
virtually mandated now by the FCC's austere image-reduction requirements
to minimize the likelihood of unauthorized cellular telephone reception.
Image IF rejection is stated as 60 dB (380.8 MHz IF) and 100 dB (21.4
MHz IF) - very formidable. Spurious signal rejection is a healthy 40 dB.

            Sensitivity on FM mode averages 0.5 microvolts. Selectivity
bandwidths for -6 dB and -50 dB filter attentuation for AM are specified
as +/-5 kHz and +/-6 kHz, and for FM +/-8 kHz and +/-14 kHz
respectively.

            Scan rate is up to 60 channels per second, with frequency
searches at 75 steps per second. Scan delay is fixed at 2 seconds. Up to
500 memory channels (10 banks of 50 channels each) may be scanned, with
virtual pages storing up to 5500 channels for call-up.

            Audio is crisp, loud and clear on the internal speaker, with
only slight distortion introduced at high volume levels.

            Additional functions include second-unit cloning,
channel-selectable -20 dB attenuator, alphanumeric display labeling,
battery saver, backlight, selectable key tone, digital AGC, updatable
(downloadable) DSP firmware, custom-contrast display, SAME weather
alert, "Zeromatic" exact frequency readout on search, and CTCSS/DCS
decoder squelch.

            The PRO96 can be powered by four AA alkaline or rechargeable
cells, 9 VDC wall adaptor, or 9VDC car cigarette lighter adaptor; none
of these are provided and must be purchased separately.

 
My only concern is the digital audio really starts breaking down on deep
fringe area systems with no way to try and clear that audio up (as
opposed to the Unidens). 
 
Hope this helps a bit for those thinking about buying before Bob
Parnass' full review in December.
 

Larry Van Horn, N5FPW
ATC (AW)      USN (Ret)
Monitoring Times Magazine Assistant Editor
MT Milcom/Fed File Columnist/WUN Mil/Gov Columnist
Grove Enterprises Technical Support Department
Telephone: V-828-837-9200/F-828-837-2216/800-438-8155



 


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