Difference between revisions of "GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanners FAQ"

Latest revision as of 20:08, 16 January 2024

Released around the time the PSR-800 was, but lacking additional/advanced features SEE #5.
Project 25(P25) Phase I and II decoding.
Capable of DMR decoding, with a free Upgrade to the latest Firmware via Whistler's EZ-Scan software.
Capable of NXDN decoding, with a free Upgrade to the latest Firmware via Whistler's EZ-Scan software
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.
Variant with Keypad
Trunking w Analog Voice Only
ALL THE SAME after UPGRADE except silk screening
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

I lost my owners manual. Is there an online version I can view?
- Whistler's user guides can be found here. Click on the Radio Scanners category to see the list
- For the PSR-310 and 410, see the PSR-310/410 Easier to Read Manual
- For all other scanners, see the Pro-106/197 PSR500/600 WS1040/WS1065 Easier to Read manual
- A printed version can be found here

Where can I find user guides on ARC500, PSREdit500 or Win500?
- ARC500 User Guide
- Using PSREdit500 (from the Whistler web site) (PDF)
- Using Win500 (from the Whistler web site) (PDF)
- If you're new to programming, please see the Getting Started with Win500 article
- Win500 User Guide (offsite wiki article)

Where can I find the software to apply firmware changes for my WS1040 / WS1065?
- Go to the Whistler Scanner Downloads Page

Where can I find the firmware / DSP updates for my Pro-106 / Pro-197?
- Go to the Pro-106 and Pro-197 CPU/DSP Upgrades article

General

What is Object Oriented Scanning and how does it work in the GRE/RS/Whistler Scanners?
- Please see the Object Oriented Scanning Described article

What tips or shortcuts have been found when working on these scanners?
- Please see the Object Oriented Scanning tips article

Issues and Operational

How Do I Wipe the Scanner?

Turn scanner off.
Turn scanner on.
At the welcome screen, press 0 and then 1.
Press ENT

I am hearing a great deal of distorted audio/spurs/interference in some bands. What is causing this?
- Please see the Object Oriented Scanners Overload Issues article

What causes distortion when listening to P25 simulcast systems? How can it be remedied?
- Please see the Simulcast digital distortion article for a discussion of this issue

What are some known issues with these scanners and are there any workarounds?
- Please see the Object Oriented Scanners Issues article

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 signal meter is hardly working / reads very low. Is there something wrong?
- See the Signal Meter Readings 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?
- YES Rebanding is supported. Please see the Object Oriented Scanner Software article for these and other software topics.

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?
- Please see the Programming Shortcut PSR-500/600 RS Pro-106/197 article for more on this topic

How do I enter VHF/UHF Custom Trunking Tables for Motorola and P25 systems
- Please see the Object Oriented Scanning tips article

Additional References

Whistler Help Center

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

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+__TOC__
 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 [[PSR-500]]
+{{Text_ObjectOrientedScannersTable}}
-* GRE [[PSR-600]]
-* Radio Shack [[Pro-106]]
-* Radio Shack [[Pro-197]]
+Also see this [[Media:PSR-500 info.pdf|PSR-500 Operating hints]] PDF file for additional information.
+For these scanners, please see our [[GRE/RS PC Object Oriented FAQ]]
+{{Text SDObjectOrientedScannersTable}}
 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.
-* '''What is Object Oriented Scanning and how does it work in the GRE/RS Scanners?'''
+==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 [[:Category:RR Glossary|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 [[Media:Trunking description.pdf|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|gre-scanners|314560-psr-500-600-firmware-2-3-a.html|}} on PSR500/600 Firmware 2.3
+* '''I lost my owners manual. Is there an online version I can view? '''
+** Whistler's user guides can be found [https://whistlergroup.com/pages/user-guides here]. Click on the Radio Scanners category to see the list
+** For the PSR-310 and 410, see the [http://new.marksscanners.com/310_410/310_410.shtml PSR-310/410 Easier to Read Manual]
+** For all other scanners, see the [http://new.marksscanners.com/106_197/106_197.shtml Pro-106/197 PSR500/600 WS1040/WS1065 Easier to Read manual]
+** A printed version can be found [http://www.scannermaster.com/Easier_to_Read_Scanner_Manual_p/47-511689.htm&Click=64337 here]
+* '''Where can I find user guides on ARC500, PSREdit500 or Win500?'''
+**[[ARC500 User Guide]]
+** [https://tinyurl.com/ya9smxtu Using PSREdit500 (from the Whistler web site)]  (PDF)
+** [https://tinyurl.com/y8gewe57 Using Win500 (from the Whistler web site)] (PDF)
+** If you're new to programming, please see the [[Getting Started with Win500]] article
+** [http://www.utahradio.org/mediawiki/index.php/WIN500 Win500 User Guide] (offsite wiki article)
+* '''Where can I find the software to apply firmware changes for my WS1040 / WS1065?'''
+** Go to the [https://whistlergroup.com/pages/downloads Whistler Scanner Downloads Page]
+* '''Where can I find the firmware / DSP updates for my Pro-106 / Pro-197?'''
+** Go to the [[Pro-106 and Pro-197 CPU/DSP Upgrades]] article
+==General==
+* '''What is Object Oriented Scanning and how does it work in the GRE/RS/Whistler Scanners?'''
 ** Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanning Described]] article
 * '''What tips or shortcuts have been found when working on these scanners?'''
 ** Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanning tips]] article
-* '''Programming trunk systems seems cumbersome. Are there any shortcuts or other hints to make this easier?'''
-** Please see the [[Programming Shortcut PSR-500/600 RS Pro-106/197]] article for more on this topic
-* '''How do I enter VHF/UHF Custom Trunking Tables for Motorola and P25 systems'''
+==Issues and Operational==
-** Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanning tips]] article
+* '''How Do I Wipe the Scanner?'''
+#Turn scanner off.
+#Turn scanner on.
+#At the welcome screen, press 0 and then 1.
+#Press ENT
 * '''I am hearing a great deal of distorted audio/spurs/interference in some bands. What is causing this?'''
 ** Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanners Overload Issues]] article
-* '''I am getting a Heap Error message. What is causing this?'''
-** You have some TGRP objects that are not associated with any TSYS. Delete these TGRP objects and reload.
+* '''What causes distortion when listening to P25 simulcast systems? How can it be remedied?'''
+** Please see the [[Simulcast digital distortion]] article for a discussion of this issue
 * '''What are some known issues with these scanners and are there any workarounds?'''
 ** Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanners Issues]] article
+* '''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 {{Thread|radio-shack-scanners|212385-info-missing-796-806-mhz-pro-106-a.html|Missing 796-804 Mhz}}
+*  '''My signal meter is hardly working / reads very low. Is there something wrong?'''
+** See the {{Thread|whistler-scanners}|326026-signal-meter-indicating-signal.html|Signal Meter Readings}}
+* '''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?'''
-[http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win500 Win500] was specifically written for the the PSR-500 family, by the author of the scanner's own firmware.
+* '''Where can I go to learn how to use the various software packages?'''
 * '''What Software will allow me to control the scanner remotely?'''
-[http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win500 Win500] has an included "server" function that enables you to monitor and control the scanner from Windows computers and Pocket PC devices over the Internet.
 * '''What Software will allow me to record what I hear?'''
-[http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win500 Win500] will record each transmission on any "object", stamping the resulting .WAV file names with date, time, frequency, etc.
 * '''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?'''
-** <font color=green> '''YES'''</font> [[Rebanding]] is supported. Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanner Software]] article for this and other software topics.
+** {{color|green|'''YES'''}} [[Rebanding]] is supported. Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanner Software]] article for these and other software topics.
+* '''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?'''
+** Please see the [[Programming Shortcut PSR-500/600 RS Pro-106/197]] article for more on this topic
+* '''How do I enter VHF/UHF Custom Trunking Tables for Motorola and P25 systems'''
+** Please see the [[Object Oriented Scanning tips]] article
+==Additional References==
+* [https://whistlergroup.com/apps/help-center Whistler Help Center]
+===Bing Videos===
+* [https://tinyurl.com/42s99jr9 WS-1040 Scanner Help]
+* [https://tinyurl.com/msxd4nhz WS-1065 Scanner Help]
+===Scanner School===
+* [https://www.scannerschool.com/whistler-object-oriented-scanning-programming/ Whistler Object Oriented Scanner Programming]
+* [https://www.scannerschool.com/trunking-optimization-tips-for-whistler-object-oriented-scanners/ Trunking Optimization Tips for Whistler Object Oriented Scanners]
+===YouTube Videos===
+* [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ws1040+programming WS-1040 Programming]
+* [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ws1065+programming WS-1065 Programming]
+==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 [mailto:scannerbugreports@whistlergroup.com 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 [mailto:scannersuggestions@whistlergroup.com Scanner Suggestions]
 [[Category:Object Oriented Scanners]]
-[[Category:Digital Scanners]]
 [[Category:Handheld Scanners]]
 [[Category:Mobile Scanners]]
-[[Category:FAQ]]
+[[Category:Programming FAQs and Tips for GRE Scanners]]
-[[Category:Programming FAQs and Tips]]
+[[Category:Programming FAQs and Tips for Radio Shack Scanners]]
+[[Category:Programming FAQs and Tips for Whistler Scanners]]
+[[Category:Scanners Error Messages]]
+[[Category:Scanners FAQ]]
+[[Category:Digital Scanners without DMR]]
+[[Category:Digital Scanners without MOTOTRBO]]
+[[Category:Digital Scanners without NXDN]]
+[[Category:Digital Scanners without ProVoice]]

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

GRE	Radio Shack	Whistler
PSR-700⁷	Pro-107⁷
	Pro-18^1,5,8
PSR-800^2,5,8	Pro-668^2,5,8	WS1080^2,3,8
		WS1088^2,3,6
		TRX-1^2,3,4
PSR-900⁹		WS1095^2,3
		WS1098^2,3,6
		TRX-2^2,3,4