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GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanners FAQ

From The RadioReference Wiki

Welcome to the GRE/Radio Shack Object Oriented Scanners FAQ. This document addresses common questions and answers, along with tips and explanations, that will help newcomers work with and comprehend the new generation of object oriented scanners. Specifically these models include;

GRE Model Older RS Model Newest RS Model Whistler Model
PSR-3101
PSR-4101
PSR-500 Pro-106 Pro-651 WS1040
PSR-600 Pro-197 Pro-652 WS1065
  1. Trunking w/ Analog Voice Only scanners, others shown in table can handle up-to Digital P25 Phase I


Also see this PSR-500 Operating hints PDF file for additional information.

For these scanners, please see our GRE/RS PC Object Oriented FAQ


GRE Radio Shack Whistler
PSR-7007 Pro-1077
Pro-181,5,8
PSR-8002,5,8 Pro-6682,5,8 WS10802,3,8
WS10882,3,6
TRX-12,3,4
PSR-9009 WS10952,3
WS10982,3,6
TRX-22,3,4
  1. Released around the time the PSR-800 was, but lacking additional/advanced features SEE #5.
  2. Project 25(P25) Phase I and II decoding.
  3. Capable of DMR decoding, with a free Upgrade to the latest Firmware via Whistler's EZ-Scan software.
  4. Capable of NXDN decoding, with a free Upgrade to the latest Firmware via Whistler's EZ-Scan software
  5. Ability to be Upgraded for DMR (and add P25 Phase II to Pro-18) decode with a Paid Upgrade with User paid shipment to Whistler, returned by them. Once, returned, continued forward support is possible via Whistler Repair and EZ-Scan Software, with all the newer additions and features of a WS1080.
  6. Variant with Keypad
  7. Trunking w Analog Voice Only
  8. ALL THE SAME after UPGRADE except silk screening
  9. Never released publicly, subsequently became WS1095


Please feel free to add new questions (and hopefully answers) to this document. If a question or answer is specific to a scanner, be sure to specify this.


The Nuts and Bolts

  • If you're a newcomer, you've probably already discovered that there's a huge amount of terms that seem unfamiliar to you. Our Glossary has lots of these terms, along with definitions. Just click on the term you wish to view.
  • When looking at frequencies in our database, float your mouse over the column header, and you should get a balloon with a brief description of the terms and abbreviations that are used there.
  • The biggest hurdle for many is the concept of trunking. Our Trunking Basics article will get you started, as well as this PDF file written by UPMan. Note that you will need Adobe Acrobat or a compatible reader (such as Foxit) to read it.
  • These scanners cannot be upgraded to trunk the various new modes such as Project 25 Phase II, DMR, MOTOTRBO, EDACS Provoice or NXDN. These modes require additional firmware, hardware and memory which can't be added or modified in these scanners.


Finding Owners Manuals, Firmware/DSP Updates

  • Where can I find a copy of the original owner's (insert GRE model) manual?
  • Where can I find the last released firmware for my (insert GRE model)?
    • Thread on PSR500/600 Firmware 2.3





General



Issues and Operational

  • How Do I Wipe the Scanner?
  1. Turn scanner off.
  2. Turn scanner on.
  3. At the welcome screen, press 0 and then 1.
  4. Press ENT



  • What causes distortion when listening to P25 simulcast systems? How can it be remedied?



  • Why is the 796-806 Mhz range locked out?
    • According to a GRE representative, it's because there are intermod issues with these scanners at this range. Please see the first posting of this Missing 796-804 Mhz Thread



  • My scanner is missing P25 transmissions after I set DG Int Prime to less than 10 in the expert settings. How do I solve this?
    • Your DG Int Prime setting needs to be at least 10, otherwise it will skip over almost all P25 conventional signals received.


  • I am hearing raw P25 data instead of the decoded P25 audio while scanning. Is there something wrong with my scanner?
    • Make sure your squelch settings for P25 is set to "P25" in the radio or "NAC" in your programming software.


Heap error messages

  • I am getting a Heap Error message. What is causing this?
    • You have some TGRP objects that are not associated with any TSYS. Associate or delete these TGRP objects and reload.
    • To correct the HEAP ERROR condition, look for any TGRPs that have "NEW" as their TSYS, and delete them (press FUNC CL) or associate them with a new or existing trunking system.
    • This can be caused by having duplicate TGRPs in a TSYS.
    • This is the knowledge based article that appeared on GRE's webpage - no longer available ->

Heap Errors are most often caused by one or more talkgroup (TGRP) objects that are programmed into the radio, but not associated with any trunking system (TSYS). When programming an OOUI scanner by hand, this can happen when a new TGRP is saved without mapping it to a new or existing trunking system, e.g., pressing the Save softkey when "NEW" is displayed in the TSYS field of the TGRP object menu. Specifying "NEW" in the TSYS field tells the radio that a new trunking system is needed. If SEL is pressed while NEW is displayed in the TSYS field of the TGRP menu, the radio will present a blank TSYS menu that can configured with the parameters for the new system, named, and saved. Once the new TSYS is saved, it can be used over and over again for more talkgroups on the same system by scrolling through saved TSYS(ystems) using the left/right arrow keys at the TSYS field.

To correct the HEAP ERROR condition, look for any TGRPs that have "NEW" as their TSYS, and delete them (press FUNC CL) or associate them with a new or existing trunking system. To review programmed objects, press PGM, then use the left/right arrow keys to browse through the Scan Lists, and the up/down arrow keys to scroll through objects mapped to the selected Scan List. Third party programming software can also be used to find unassigned talkgroups. For example, the Win500 application has a feature that displays only TGRPs that are not mapped to a TSYS.

In rare cases it may be necessary to restore the radio to factory defaults to clear a Heap Error. To reset the radio to factory defaults, turn the radio on, wait for the Welcome screen to appear, then immediately press 0, then 1, and follow the instructions on the LCD display to reset the radio. This will result in the loss of programming data, so use this as a last resort.


Programming questions

  • Can these scanners handle APCO Phase II / DMR / MOTOTRBO / NXDN systems?
    • No, they lack the necessary firmware and hardware. There are no upgrades that would make this possible


  • What kind of cable do I need to connect my PC to these scanners?
    • These scanners require a USB connection. Please see the Connecting scanners via USB article for a complete discussion of USB cables and installation notes. Note that the GRE and Whistler radios come with their own USB cable; the RS scanners require you to purchase it separately.


  • What Software works with these scanners?
  • Where can I go to learn how to use the various software packages?
  • What Software will allow me to control the scanner remotely?
  • What Software will allow me to record what I hear?
  • What Software will allow me to monitor the Control Channel of trunked systems?
  • Is rebanding supported? What do I need to enter and where do I do it?


  • Programming trunk systems seems cumbersome. Are there any shortcuts or other hints to make this easier?
  • How do I apply rebanding changes to an existing TSYS?



Additional References

Bing Videos

Scanner School

YouTube Videos


Whistler Contacts

Bug Reports

In an effort to make it easier for you to report bugs to us, we have created an email address just for this purpose.

To report a bug - please email Scanner Bug Reports

In the subject please put Bug Report

In the body of the email please let us know what scanner model you are using, what issue you are having and if you are able to replicate the issue - how you replicated it.


Feature Requests and Suggestions

We here at Whistler want to give you all the opportunity to provide us suggestions/requests for new features on future scanner models. This is your time to give us your wish list - not just updates for our existing scanners but what NEW features would you like to see in future models?

We genuinely want to hear from you! That is why we have created a email address for you to EMAIL us your suggestions/requests. Obviously you can post your suggestions/requests here to this thread but it will be MUCH EASIER for us to keep up with your requests through the email.

Let us hear your ideas! Please send your email to Scanner Suggestions

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