PSR-500

The PSR-500 was manufactured by GRE in China. The PSR-500 is very similar to the Mobile/Base PSR-600 and uses the same software and scanner cables and is nearly identical to the Radio Shack Pro-106

General Specifications

Can be updated to support Rebanding? YES
- See Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Rebanding article for the firmware and software links

**Frequency Coverage**
Frequency (MHz)	Step Size Value
25-27.405	10 kHz
27.41-29.7	5 kHZ
29.71-49.83	10 kHz
49.835-54	5 kHz
108-136.9916	8.33 kHz
137-137.995	5 kHz
138-143.9875	12.5 kHz
144-147.995	5 kHz
148-150.7875	12.5 kHz
150.8-150.845	5 kHz
150.8525-150.845	5 kHz
150.8525-154.4975	7.5 kHz
154.515-154.64	5 kHz
154.65-156.255	7.5 kHz
156.275-157.45	25 kHz
154.47-161.5725	7.5 kHz
161.6-161.975	5 kHz
162-174	12.5
216.0025-219.9975	5 kHz
220-224.995	5 kHz
225.000-379.975	25 kHz
380-419.9875	12.5 kHz
420-450	5 kHz
450.00625-469.99375	6.25 kHz
470-512 Original	12.5 kHz
470-512 CPU V-1.7	6.25 kHz
764-805.996875 ¹	3.125 kHz
806-823.9875	12.5 kHz
849-868.9875	12.5 kHz
894-901.9875	12.5 kHz
902-928	5 kHz
928.0125-939.9875	12.5 kHz
940-960	6.25 kHz
1240-1300	6.25 kHz

1 = 796-806 Mhz is blocked due to intermod issues. See this thread for more information

Object oriented memory management. See the Object Oriented Scanning Described article for more information.
Built in discriminator data output in simple ASCII output using the PC/IF port
Object programmable LED; eight factory default colors to any color / brilliance you want by having direct access to the R-G-B drive values (including flash) to assign to talkgroups, frequencies, agencies, etc.
- LATCH option; the color of the last received object stays on until reset.
Motorola Smartzone systems
- Scanner option to look for the site with the best received CC decode rate.

(Not the same as RSSI on the Motorola rigs, but similar in operation.)

Favorites Scan List; create a scan list tailored to your favorite object settings.

One button operation to get to this set.

Spectrum Sweeper Near field frequency capture
Triple conversion
Virtual Scanner Memory Management system; One copy of working memory can hold up to 1800 objects, meaning any combination of talkgroups, conventional channels, and trunking systems. Each V-Scanner folder holds one copy of working memory. So, 21 * 1800 = about 37,800 objects altogether can be stored in the V-Scanner storage system.
Preprogrammed for most major metropolitan areas
Scan rate 60 CPS
Search speed 90 CPS
User defined service search and limit search
Direct Tune mode
TCXO for frequency stability
Default Option keys; return to default setting for any menu
Digital AGC
Adaptive digital tracking (ADT)
Digital signal processing (DSP)
CTCSS/DCS abilities
Network Access Code can be programmed to only break squelch when receiving the correct NAC in a conventional P25 system.
16-character alpha-tagging with text entry can show ID code or service name
L/O talkgroup ID or frequency
ID delay
UNSQUELCH Delay; Delay settings before the radio unmutes audio to speaker
Motorola Control Channel Only trunking
Private Calls and RadioID alpha display
700MHz and 380MHz Trunk Scanning
Easy-to-read back lit control and display with back lit keypad
6 search ranges/ 1 user definable search range
Search "seek" feature
Tunes virtually all important bands—local marine, fire/police, Ham, CB, VHF-air, UHF-Air, racing, weather and more
Weather band with enhanced SAME Weather Alert functions and weather priority—access weather channels and alerts with the push of a button
Skywarn can be programmed with any number of "objects"
"Multiple" Priority channels
Zeromatic search tuning
20 dB attenuator
Computer interface and Programming (with computer control)
3 function keys; softkeys, that when pressed, execute the function that is shown just above the key in the display
5 way navigation keys to access special modes and programming options
4 line x 16 character display with relative signal strength meter
Display of the Radio ID of the transmitting user
BNC connector
A cloning cable may be fabricated using 2 - 1/8 inch stereo jacks and shielded cable.
Please see the Connecting scanners via USB article for USB cables to connect your PC to the scanner

Known CPU Updates
1.0 Original Firmware
1.1 fixed next Freq. WX Bug
1.2 must have DSP 1.2 or higher added and fixed alot of things - to many to list
1.3 must have DSP 1.2 or higher added and fixed some technical things
1.4 must have DSP 1.2 or Higher added and fixed some technical things
1.5 must have DSP 1.2 or Higher banding change, added and Fixed Technical things
1.6 must have DSP 1.2 or Higher added and fixed some technical things
1.7 must have DSP 1.2 or Higher added and fixed some technical things - new V1.1 Boot
1.8 added patch for P25 Moto/EDACS trunking, changed Technical things corrected Mirror LCD
2.0 changed Marine band added techincal things
2.1 fixed Marine VHF and UHF Search Freqs

Known DSP Versions
1.1 improved P-25 Decoding
1.2 Must Have CPU 1.2 or higher improved and fixed P25 issues
1.3 must have CPU 1.2 or Higher improved Control channel Dumping - best used with CPU 1.4 or higher
1.4 improved NAC Search

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
- EDACS Narrowband (Narrow)
- EDACS Narrowband Networked
- EDACS SCAT
- EDACS ESK(not ProVoice)
- LTR Standard
- APCO Project 25 Standard (Phase 1)

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

Alignment Info

Discussion: PSR500 Internal Adjustments? Thread (Post #2 contains a .pdf file)

Included Accessories

Antenna
Quick Guide for V-Scanner Pre-loads
PDF - Owners manual
Black non-rechargeable battery holder
Yellow rechargable battery holder
AC adapter
Belt clip
GRE USB PC interface cable
CD-ROM (including the owners manual and GRE radio control demo software)

Recommended accessories (Not included with the radio)

Remtronix 800MHz handheld antenna
Note: These SKUs are no longer on the RS website. They may be available from other sources.
- RS #273-369 9-Volt Vehicle DC-to-DC Adapter
- RS #273-336 Adaptaplug C - Needed for the above adapter
- Replacement Belt clip - Radio Shack RSU part number 12418273.

Discriminator Tap

Rich Carlson's post, with pictures, discussing his tapped PSR-500

FCC Type Acceptance

FCC Type Acceptance: ADV0715

Reviews

August 2007, Popular Communications Magazine,

Tech Showcase - The GRE PSR-500 Advanced Digital Scanner by Rich Wells, N2MCA

November 2007, Monitoring Times Magazine,

GRE Raises the Bar Again! MT First Look at GRE PSR-500, by Larry Van Horn, N5FPW

December 2007, Popular Communications Magazine,

Programming The GRE PSR-500 Advanced Digital Scanner by Rich Wells, N2MCA

March 2008, Scanning USA Magazine,

First Look The GRE PSR-500 Digital Trunking Scanner, by Steve Donnell

Review by "Sixtytwo" in the GRE Scanners forum on RadioReference

Review by Sixtytwo

EHam user reviews

Related Pages

Easier to Read PSR500/600 Manual
Firmware download 2.1
Getting Started with your GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanner
GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanners FAQ
How do I get the PSR-500, PSR-600, PRO-106 or PRO-197 to output control channel data to decode?
Compare the PSR-500 to other digital models
- Digital Scanner Comparison Chart

Mailing Lists/forums

PSR-500 Scanners for Sale

PSR-500 eBay Listings

Return to the GRE Scanners page