[Scan-DC] GRECOM PSR-500

[Doug Kitchener]

Ralph (and all),

Last Xmas, Radio Shack had their versions of the GRE radios on sale for $200 off, making them $299, so I bit and bought the PRO 197, which is the desktop model and the equivalent of the PSR-600.  (My decision to purchase was based solely on price.)  My understanding is that the four radios are all equal and have the same electronics.  I've been very pleased with the 197 and in fact will buy another one if they go down to $299 again this year... might just do it anyway (they have just come off sale with $100 off at Radio Shack, in fact.)  I currently have three trunking scanners - a Uniden BC-796, a BC-396T, and the 197, purchased in that order.  The audio quality is better on the 197 than the other two... that was a complaint of the 796, and the audio is better on the newer Uniden models.  I have had to turn on attenuation when using the 197 on VHF.

As far as operating and programming, there is a bit of a learning curve... the BuTel software works great for both Uniden and RS/GRE.  I think the Unidens are a little easier to program, but I learned their system first... one advantage of the Uniden is that you can upload one group at a time - with the GRE/RS you have to upload the whole mess each time.

One other thing that I understand is that the GRE radios come with the programming cable, and it's extra from Radio Shack... but you have a better shot at finding the Radio Shack scanners on sale (and possibly better sale pricing) than either Uniden or GRE...

Bottom line, you won't be disappointed - the Unidens are good also and won't be a disappointment... for me it would come down to price, I think.  There are advantages to both (or all three!), depending on how you look at it.  Oh, also, I think the Unidens have one milair band that the GRE/RS does not receive... will try and look that up and post here (by the way, you can download owners manuals for all of them online.

I gotta get to bed so am gonna post this without proofing - it may be a little choppy, but I wanted to get it out tonight.  Hope you find this of value.  Mike, feel free to copy it and post to the Radio Reference wiki if you like!

Regards to all,

Doug



----------------------------------------
> Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:48:05 -0400
> From: johnson at cpcug.org
> To: Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Scan-DC] GRECOM PSR-500
>
> All -
>
> I am interested in what the group thinks of the Grecom PSR-500 Trunking
> Scanner?
>
> A co-worker who has minimal electronic background but recently received
> his Tech ticket purchased a PSR-500 as part of his entry into the
> Ham/Scanning world.
>
> So far he has enjoyed it and has been able to get it set up fairly easily.
> The instructions, a copy of which he gave me, are written in readable
> English I can follow, no machine translation of Chinese or Japanese. Even
> if the actual process may be complex, if the process is explained well,
> then they can be easily followed. He, as I mentioned, has a basic
> electronic knowledge but he was able to program it so it would
> automatically log the members of Talkgroups and even help him find the
> talkgroups.
>
> The audio sounds reasonable, with the stock rubber ducky it appeared to
> receive the signals fairly well. I recommended he connect it to his
> J-Pole over the weekend to see the difference between the rubber ducky and
> the J-Pole.
>
> Reviews, positive & negative are welcome. It is about Time I go over the
> Digital Divide and get a trunker so I can hear Montgomery county Boys and
> Girls in brown again.
>
> Ralph Johnson
>
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