InterceptRadio.com Forums

My 2cents==I went and got it, on sale for another week or so. It's fairly easy to set up, with the pre programmed stuff on it which I changed most everything. Editing the SD card which has to be physically removed is the only way to do this. You can skip talkgroups and conventional programming thru a one touch button and the menu allows you to go in further and create more from the card. The software is ok, kinda like the Win programs. I tried to add a talkgroup, but I think the only way is to create a wildcard and then edit it. It has one knob on the top which is the squelch.

The ipod like controls do the rest vol, pause II, Play > not scan, weird. Banks are playlists. You can have 20, I think having the first 10 as local playlists and then adding more if one travels is probably best. It may be good for someone who travels and creating new playlists in a new area on the fly, or someone who will never program it again except by a relative or friend, but the info on the card is as good as the submissions, which I prefer more official looking text tags, plus some local stuff was completely missing or inaccurate. I changed that. The sensitivity is actually better than my pro-97 with the 800 antenna. I was picking the Mac Donald Mtn site and one simo site and intellipeater from the KC/VC system in Olympia. The audio is about the same but a little more bass.

It's also hot on VHF. They copied the case from Uniden which is about the same size as the 346/396 models. It's a good fit. The display is GRE like, maybe one more line for pl info. The firmware updates and charging is through a mini usb port which also has a battery disable switch (for traveling?) that has a lift away cover on the side. One can use alkaline or rechargeable in which there is a slide switch to choose the other during charging. It's an ok radio, I like the sensitivity. I haven't found a way to enter a specific freq without doing a signal stalk or search which I think is the major drawback of this since it has no keypad. I still think there is a market for keypad programmable models as not everyone is going to want to PC program a memory card especially if they live in area with few systems. It seems like a beta that RS and or GRE is looking to see how well it takes off.

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"I was installing un-programmed radios"

I picked one up Monday night and I'm returning it today. Over all i thought it was a good scanner. The receiver was good, liked how it came with a programming cable, somewhat easy to use, good size and weight, only take 2 AAs while other scanners require 4 AAs, easy to upgrade the firmware, software and scanner database, ease to use menu with check box like options, it showed radio IDs, had the option to output the control channel via the data port and the radio was programed with major systems for the US!. What didn't like about it was that there was no separate button for the back light, no belt clip option (Great for clipping onto bags or visors), no numerical keypad for direct frequency entry, the list to pick from was good but had somethings miss-organized and discovered things by accident, no common jack for power (not a big issue but something I noticed), had to take the SD Card out to update the database and make changes to the programing which require removing the batteries, and the biggest and the deal breaker for me was the audio from the scanner wasn't loud enough. I have a PRO-164 and I can set it in the cup holder of my car and be able to hear it with no problem. With the Pro-107, I had to hold the radio to my ear to hear it. Same while I was at work. If I can't hear it load enough to understand it, then it's no use to me. If I was at home or somewhere quiet, then I would keep it. That's my two cents...

How big was the database in the SD card? (GB?)

Is it a regular size SD card or a micro?

Did you find mistakes on the database for local stuff?

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" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

It's 2GB, SD The backlight can be toggled thru the on-off button, it can also work when the radio stops on a particular channel. It fills a gap waiting for the next digital scanner to come out while rebanding occurs in some areas. I wouldn't use it in the car either but then I have other radios for that. Their database left out practically all of Lewis County, some other areas have freqs that are not correct or intended for other areas. It's a travel scanner. I could of got a pro 164 or 346xt but wanted to try something else.

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"I was installing un-programmed radios"

First impressions, I pulled the plug and picked one up this afternoon. Snohomish Rat Shack had 6 a few days ago via Bellingham and I got the last one. When I called to see if they had one I asked for the 10% online discount FRNFM10 worked fine and Doug was happy to oblige. $161.99 out the door. You might do a Google search as I see there's a ton of coupons that range from 10-20% off thru 12/31.

Out of the box and scanning in under 5 mins. Well maybe 7.5 after it took me a few mins. to figure out how to open the TINY little flip cover and move the TINY micro switch to on. Menu system is very intuitive and had it scanning the Snohomish systems in no time.

I don't see removing the SD card when I need a problem. I do the same with many of my digital cameras, so I'm used to that. I've never had a memory card fail from removing and installing, so I don't see this as a negative. Pop the batteries and out the card comes in one push. If it would have been one of the micro cards I may have nixed this scanner. They are just too fricking small! :D You can pick up a Multi reader for under $10 to run the SD card off your computer. I haven't played with the software yet.

I've had it up and running beside my BCT15X with similar antennas hooked up and it sounds very good. As good or better on some hits. Speed is slower, so the 15X wins there. I would agree the volume is not up as loud as I'd like. I have it set on 17 and 20 is maxed out. If I were to run it in a vehicle I'd want ear phones or an amplified speaker. I have both, so don't see that as a problem.

The back cover looks easy to remove, so if I need to add a hanger or belt hook that would be no big deal. JB Weld is my friend!..... :D I see people complaining they don't get a case with it. Geez, you can go out to any chain store and find a gazilion camera cases, so I'm sure I could find a belt case that would work for under $10. Wait 3-4 months and there will be a dozen people selling custom cases online.

So far it looks to be a fun little haul around scanner that I can throw in my pocket. I don't need to have a 2 yr programming degree for the thing to work or a computer at my beckon call every time I need to do something. My 15X didn't come with a paper manual or even a way to print one out. How tarded is that!......The PRO-107 manual looks to be substantial, so at least that is a good sign. Scan on. :D

Who manufactures the scanner?

GRE Great Radio Experiment

I borrowed that from GTE :bowrofl:

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"I was installing un-programmed radios"

Speaking of GRE...
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ ... /1700.html

it's supposed to have a rubberized case and a few other upgrades. They may come out with a digital model later on in the year.

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"I was installing un-programmed radios"

So I'm new to this. I just bought a Radio Shack Pro-107 and I spent two hours listeneing to static. Oh yeah - I did get a AM radio station in Denver. I was told that this was a digital scanner...I'm new to this. The 107 is going back tomorrow. :(

No it's not a digital scanner. It's such an easy scanner to get up and running, so not sure what you are doing. Scroll to Washington on the state list and then your county. Depending on where you live there should be some thing to scan. The database you have sucks, so don't expect to have tons of frequencies, but there should be something. At least the trunked systems.

It sounds like he might be near Denver if he is hearing radio stations from that area. I clicked on Denver and it shows they are on an EDACS trunk system.

Hey - thanks for the feedback. I am in Denver. I was using the Signal Stalker II last night and all I got was the NOAA weather and that on Denver AM radio station.

I don't know if I'd do any better with a digital scanner. What is EDACS trunk system? And how do you know that is what is used in Denver?

Thanks for your patience.

EDACS is a proprietary radio system made by General Electric / Ericsson. The Pro-107 claims to be compatible with this system. Our radio frequency database shows that Denver uses EDACS. We have a variety of people around the country who contribute information to the database so it either came from a source local to Denver or someone passing through the area.

LOL, Figured he was hearing some recent sun spot activity that's starting to stir up the higher bands. He wouldn't have been hearing a Denver am station unless it's being rebroadcast on FM or a harmonic.

You have the database on your SD card, so looking at that you should be able to pick up at least a dozen trunked systems around the Denver area. I would think there are hundreds of analog frequencies also, so there should be plenty to listen too.

Are you finding the systems/frequencies when you scroll through your state and county? You need to add those to the play list and scan away. If you're any where near Denver I would think the signals should be strong. If you're in a canyon or valley shielded by hills outside Denver you might have a signal problem and need a better antenna.