Pro-96

The Pro-96 is discontinued and was manufactured for Radio Shack by GRE America Inc.

The Radio Shack is a Digital Trunk Tracking scanner which boasts the ability to track APCO 25 digital trunking systems, in addition to following Motorola type I/II systems and EDACS trunking systems.

NOTE Computer Control of GRE/RS radios is not possible due to firmware limitations.

General Specifications

Features

• Can be updated to support Rebanding? YES via a custom table
  • See Section 7.2 of the Rebanding article for the software links
• 500 channels - 10 banks +Virtual Memory - Allows up to 5500 channels (11 folders)
• 25-54, 108-174, 216-225, 406-512, 806-960, 1240-1300MHz range
• Scan rate 60 cps
• 5, 6.25, 7.5, 12.5kHz steps
• TCXO for frequency stability (?)
• Digital AGC
• Adaptive digital tracking (ADT)
• Digital signal processing (DSP)
• CTCSS/DCS abilities
• 12-character alpha-tagging
• 5 ID lists, 30 IDs per list, 150 IDs per bank
• L/O ID in 'open' mode
• ID delay
• Motorola Control Channel Only trunking
• Backlit keypad
• Preloaded with the most popular radio systems in the country
• 6 search ranges/ 1 user definable search range
• Search 'seek' feature
• SAME weather alert/priority
• 1 Priority channel
• Zeromatic search tuning
• Per channel or global attenuator
• Computer Programming (not computer control)
• 4 AA alkaline/Ni-Cad batteries
• A cloning cable may be fabricated using 2 1/8 inch mono jacks and shielded cable

RR System Compatibility

This scanner is compatible with the following Trunking System Types and System Voices used in the RadioReference Database, of course you must verify that the scanner will cover the appropriate frequency range:

• System Types:
  • Motorola Type I
  • Motorola Type II
  • Motorola Type IIi Hybrid
  • Motorola Type II Smartnet
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone Omnilink
  • EDACS Standard (Wide)
  • EDACS Standard Networked
  • Project 25 Standard

• System Voices:
  • Analog
  • Analog and APCO-25 Common Air Interface
  • APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive

Known DSP Updates
U1.2 Added Auto Detection, tracking and decoding of CQPSK LSM Modulation, Fine tuned Dig. audio level, improved C4FM on weak signal
U1.3 Improved decode of audio on Detroit, Michigan P25 system, improved dig decode of weak or distorted dig. signals
U1.4 Improved dig. decoding

Modifications

• Mods.dk PRO-96 page
• Pro 96 Discriminator Tap
• The Tap Point for a PRO-96, is in the exact same place as the Tap Point for the PRO-95. (TP4)

Volume Repair

PART #: 10983344 Pot Assy, W/Switch Volume 8.75

You can unlock extra frequencies on the scanner with programming software, turning the range into 17-174, 216-550, 764-1300 MHz. The scanner isn't designed to receive anything outside its original frequency listing, so your scanner could perform really well, or be completely deaf on those extra bands.

Reviews and User Opinions

• PRO-96 Reviews at EHam
• Safetyobc's BCD396T vs. Pro-96 Review

Related Pages

Wiki links

• Getting Started with your PRO-96 or PRO-2096
• Compare the Pro-96 to other digital models
  • Digital Scanner Comparison Chart
• PRO-96 Internal Adjustments

RadioReference Links

• RadioReference-PRO96 BC296 Comparison Thread
• RadioReference-PRO96 BC396 Comparison Thread

Support Pages - 1.2, 1.4 DSP Firmware and manuals

• Pro-96 Manual
• Firmware download 1.2, 1.4 and manual

Supporting Software

• ARC96
  • Radio Shack Scanner Programming Software Licensing
  • Radio Shack Programming Software Free Trial
  • See the Radio Shack Scanner Programming Software Support article for instructions on installation and registering the software

• Win96 page in the wiki
  • Win96 user reviews on EHam
• WinXX Data Converter

Other Distributors

• PRO96Com

Message Boards / Forums

• RadioReference Radio Shack Forum
• Radio Scanner World
• Radio Scanners
• Scanner Enthusiasts
• Radio Scanner Help and Chat

Pro-96 Scanners for Sale

• Pro-96 eBay Listings

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