[Scan-DC] What does computer see when rig is connected w/o software?

Fri Dec 19 20:58:28 EST 2008

The issue is not the scanner software, it's often the USB connection. While it's possible that your version of XP might have the needed drivers, they may not be the most up to date. It's always best to download them from the distributor (sometimes the drivers need to be downloaded from the chip manufacturer). It's also quite important to make sure that your Blackberry, Palm or other device isn't grabbing a COM port once the USB is set up. Some of these devices permanently attach to the port whether it's connected or not.

In general, the procedure I've always read to follow is:

a. Load and install drivers
b. Connect the USB device and check the COM port for availability. Note that some software might not be able to see the COM port the device is setting up. You may need to change it.
c. Connect the cable to the USB device
d. Connect scanner

This wiki article gives you a little more detail...

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Connecting_scanners_via_USB

By the way, on the subject of software, both the 106 and 197 seem to share pretty much the same software, as listed on these wiki articles;

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Pro-106

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Pro-197

A couple of comments; Scan Control's support is just getting started, but I expect Ken will add new features as he goes along. ID Tracker II is terrific freeware for recording and logging, but it's really not set up for programming (I've used the original ID Tracker...). Don S, Gommert and Mike (authors for Win500, ARC500 and PSREdit500, respectively) and Dave Hitchner (ID Tracker - he's 'brscanning') can all be found on the RadioReference website, often in the Software forums. There's another reason to register.

Oh as for Milair - expect an explosion of activity around the Inauguration. Pay attention to the Maryland 'Sticky Thread for Milair III'. An outdoor antenna (or one mounted nice and high in an attic) will, I think you'll find, bring you lots of stuff. Pay attention to some of the common freqs those guys report. A caution here - if these RS models are clones of the GRE brand, they may be prone to overloading, with such a hot front end. Filtering may well be needed.

Oh, did I mention that you all should become familiar with RadioReference (OK, obvious plug here, hi)?

73 Mike

links editor,Capitol Hill Monitors
Utility Monitoring Central
Wiki Administrator, HF Forum moderator, Radioreference.Com 

--- w4nng at soalex.us wrote:

From: "W4NNG" <w4nng at soalex.us>
To: <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Scan-DC] What does computer see when rig is connected w/o	software?
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:43:04 -0500

Anyone know what happens if one of these newer scanners is USB connected to 
a Win XP machine that has no scanner software loaded?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "W4NNG" <w4nng at soalex.us>
To: <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 6:28 PM
Subject: 'Virtual Scanner' was [Scan-DC] The Stealth Scanner

After I ordered the -197 I downloaded the PDF manual and saw the 'Virtual
Scanner' write-up.  Wasn't certain but sure looked like it could be a lot
easier then I thought it would be.   Glad to have that confirmed

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Thompson" <steve at n4tx.com>
To: "W4NNG" <w4nng at soalex.us>; <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 4:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] The Stealth Scanner

The Pro96 (Win96) software will not work at all with the Pro106.  They have
completely different programming requirements.

On the other hand, the Pro106 comes with the Fairfax County and most other
local trunked systems loaded in its "Virtual Scanners." It's easy to pull
up one of them into the working memory and it'll work right from the get-go.

Fairfax works well.  I don't know if they've incorporated the recent
changes in Arlington and Alexandria in this supplied programming or how it
works in the District.  Just haven't had time to try it.

Steve, N4TX

At 04:33 PM 12/19/2008, W4NNG wrote:
>Steve (or anyone)
>
>Apologies for being so far behind the curve on digital but ...
>
>Wondering how difficult it would be to manually program unit if one is only
>interested in a few stations. (in my case Fairfax Cnty Police)
>
>Reason I asked,  feel like I just got a good price on a radio and am
>hesitant to jack up the $299 cost by ~ $70 for a USB cable and software.
>
>What about just using Pro96com, so all I need is the cable?
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Steve Thompson" <steve at n4tx.com>
>To: <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 12:45 PM
>Subject: [Scan-DC] The Stealth Scanner
>
>
>If Detroit were turning out Pro106s, there'd be no problem up there....
>
>Right now (noon Friday) there is precisely one of them for sale in the
>Metro area.  That's at the Montgomery Mall Radio Shack.
>
>According to Corie, who manages the Pike Plaza store (Rt. 7 west of
>Tysons), the other closest Pro106s are in Charleston, WV, where there are
>six.  Corie, who is very good, says he can get them into his store by
>Tuesday, which would also be the last day of the sale.  I'd suspect he'd
>want the money up front.
>
>He also has two programming cables, which you will need, since no one in
>his right mind would try to program this moose without assistance from a
>computer.
>
>I've just downloaded Win500 and I'm setting out to do that now.
>
>Steve, N4TX
>
>
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