InterceptRadio.com Forums

I am always watching for a new scanner. Someone mentioned the Radio Shack Pro-162 to me. I am not familiar with this particular model. Has anyone on the board used it and if so what do you think of it? When rebanding comes, is it reflashable is does it become obsolete? Batteries-what type, etc.? Would anyone recommend it, or give it negative marks.

Any information is appreciated,

Gampawayne "Gramps"

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Wayne
KF7FYL

Radio Shack is selling the basic radio under several model numbers. Interesting Idea. If you don't like the PRO-162 -- change the front cover and call it a Pro-5???. It's the same radio as the GRE PSR-400. However, the older RS units have had a reported major problem. It craps out after just a few hours. The display has a failure and other problems have been reported. On to the real problems. These new GRE units are GREAT receivers but have very limited interference rejection. Some units can hear the NOAA weather channels -- up and down the entire VHF dail. Enough buttons, but still not a simple one step program. It takes 3 or 4 buttons to enter a PL tone into a selected channel. Other older units -- like the RELM HS200 or MS200 you only need one button. Every new GRE unit has a NEW way to program the same everyday program. These new units have so many channels and features that you will fry your mind trying to program them by hand. You will NEED to buy some sort of ADDED PC program to be able to program the scanner. (an extra cost). So - these units are not user friendly -- for field programming - on trips, without a laptop. And all seem to have some EXTRA features -- but they should all be STANDARD -- in any type of scanner. PL/DPL, Military Air Band, etc. Yet the units are very NON USER when it comes to simple things like selecting a search limit. You will need to push about a dozen tabs to do that. GRE is a good company, but they sell direct and the prices of these units are HIGH. The Pro-96 and the PSR-500/600 units are still at $ 500 per unit. RS and GRE are turning out all of these units -- under multiple model numbers -- to KEEP THE PRICE HIGH -- and the buyers in the dark. MTM

Even the new units do that. I've had 2 Pro-97s with display failure. A new one is $20; about a fifth of the worth of the scanner. One of them I cured by dropping it again.Unless you're Wilrobnson :)

Yeah, I agree with MTM. These are nothing but a piece of junk. I base my opinion on what I have read about them only. Which is enough for me to never buy one.

I own two Uniden BC246T scanners and never had one problem with them. I will only move on from them when I have a need for a scanner that can do digital.

I didn't say that they are worthless. They have some problems and they have some good features. However they are over priced and should sell for about $ 150 and not $ 200 - 225. I have a GRE PSR-400. Trunks great. Like the fact that it has CTCSS (PL/ DPL) --. But the ctcss should be -- on ALL scanners. It is difficult to program - by hand. Low band is HOT. But how many agencies use LOW BAND ??
My Pro-95 is easyer to program and cost only $ 150 new. The only difference in features is that the new RS / GRE units have Tones, cover the 700 Mhz and Military Air Bands. Not much on 700 mhz yet. I needed a scanner with PL/DPL tones and I wanted to listen to the 225 to 400 mhz band. So I paid $ 200. IT (GRE PSR-400) works great as a scanner. But it's not user friendly and its over priced. All new scanners have some sort of "Close Signal" search scan. The new RS / GRE units are very difficult to program. It uses pre-programmed "sub-bands" that are very large and it takes to long to scan search. I want scanners that I can enter my own search limits. 466.0125 to 467.00. Not the entire UHF band from 450 to 470.

Thank you for the feedback. As it turns out I didn't bid on the radio, it was on ebay. My BC245xlt still works fairly well and I think I will wait and see what happens with rebanding and what is required at that time. From what I read on forum, what I seem to be missing with the 245xlt are PL tones and that doesn't seem to be a real problem.

Thanks again,

Wayne

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Wayne
KF7FYL

HAHAHAHAHA.

Funny. I'm actually using PSREdit now, thanks.

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President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
Bunnery definition for the under-fives

PSREdit ??? Something that I might be looking for ??

http://www.psredit.com/psredit300/index.html !!!!

_________________
President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
Bunnery definition for the under-fives

Kool. Are U using the program ? Do you like it ??

I can't imagine programming any trunking scanner w/o some type of interface software. I'm constantly tweaking my setup all the time.

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I second a "nod" towards PSRedit. I have a PSR500 which once it's "tweaked" is a great radio and I actually use it more then my 396. BUT i will say it overloads very easily and the 396 will grab some P25 that the 500 wont. Not sure why though, still looking into that. (think it's the overload problem).

Yes, and eh. It makes it easier to program by far, but there's a lot of facets to it I can't figure out. No time.

_________________
President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
Bunnery definition for the under-fives