[Scanner] Thanks to all--Pro-95--initial question

[Edmund F Leavitt]

Jay & the list, 

Thanks.  I trotted out and picked up the Pro-95.  The R?S web site talks
about having the scanner programmed at the local RatShack.  I was curious
to see what they used for a cable, since the only cable I could find on
their web site was part of a kit (P/N 20-048) and said it : 

"Includes CD-ROM and data cable for fast, easy setup of many RadioShack
Pro series scanners. Works with #20-313, #20-314, #20-422, #20-423,
#20-424 and #20-514. "

...which does not include the PRO-95 on its compatibility list.

I called the nearest store and the fellow said they did program the
scanners, but he had never actually done one himself.   I buzzed down
there.  He pulled out a cable--in a standard R/S package and we managed
to program the radio on the second try.  The cable had a part number of
20-289 ($19,.95 and not including any software).  Needless to say I
snagged the cable along with the radio.  After I got the whole deal home,
I downloaded the generic fill R/S peddles using the Win95 freeware, and
uploaded a new freq or two just to confirm that it would all work as well
at least as well as it did in the store.

I'm now at the stage of trying to figure out the intricacies of
programming in a UHF-low trunking system from a nearby Air Force base. 
No point in starting with the easy stuff.

So for a day that started with no clue about where to start, I seem to
have gotten started.

The really odd thing (to me) is that the R/S web site doesn't recognize
the part number for the newer cable that apparently works for a larger
group of scanners.  Go figure.

Thanks to all that offered assistance.  I'm sure that I will have more
questions after I dig into this a bit more.
****************************************************************
Edmund Leavitt                   Ph:    253 582-5034 
Ham/MARS/SHARES:       KA7UKN / AFA5AH / KPS654 
Lakewood, WA                   N 47� 09'   W122� 31'


On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 16:49:58 -0500 "RJ Eimer" <rjeimer@all-llc.com>
writes:
Ed,

Sorry, can't reply to the list (I'm at work, and the local server bounces
"3rd party") but I will when I get home for the benefit of all.

The RS software is for a series of older scanners.  They say there "may"
be software coming for the upcoming digital Pro-96, but the one in the
stores now will not work with any of their current line.

The best place for info on these scanners is their respective
yahoogroups.  The guys at pro-92.com (not pro92.com without the hyphen,
this is a website for a hack programmer who stole another users code and
"prettied it up", then sells it at an inflated price, along with a cable
that is junk).  I don't know if there are -93 and -95.com websites (never
looked) but suspect there are and that they're run by the same guy.

I have a -92 and a -95 (both made by GRE) and have had excellent
performance from three programs written by Don Starr.  www.starrsoft.com 
I worked as a beta tester for his program for the -92 (along with it's
predecessor, the above mentioned "text mode" upload/download program, it
had no user interface for editing - although it could be done if you were
careful using notepad).  He's since written equivalent programs for the
other GRE scanners (pro-93 and pro-95) as well as a converter so any
scanners files can be converted to any other (within reason - obviously
you can't load 1000 channels from a 95 into a 93).

Best of all, these programs are all free!

One source for a cable is www.purplecomputing.com  They are about $30
w/shipping.  Or you can make your own from plans in the yahoogroups file
area, or the -92 website.  The same cable works for all three scanners,
btw.

Have fun,

Jay
AD5PE
Tulsa

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