Actions

GRE/RS PC Object Oriented FAQ

From The RadioReference Wiki

Revision as of 13:51, 11 October 2021 by Ka3jjz (talk | contribs)

Welcome, here we'll start from scratch, and take you through some of the most basic of questions, in many cases what things mean and how to find information. A word of explanation; if a word or phrase appears in blue then it's a link, clicking it should take you to another article in our wiki or another part of our website, or perhaps a different website altogether.

Please put all Tips, Problems and Solutions here, in this FAQ page, with anything GRE, Radio Shack (RS) or Whistler did not include in their manuals or software: EZ-Scan or iScan.

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.
  • EDACS Provoice trunking is not available in these scanners. Only Uniden scanners can trunk this mode.


What Does This FAQ Cover?
  • GRE/RS/Whistler PC based, scanners with microSD cards, apart from Whistler's WS1088 & WS1098 and TRX1 & TRX2, the others in the table lack a conventional keypad. All use proprietary software to read/write data. They use Object Oriented (OO) technology: which allows "Channels": whether conventional frequencies or digital talkgroups (TGIDs), both of which are Objects, to be 'Grabbed and Shared' across many ScanLists in a ScanSet. Using Scanlists allows the Scanner 'to scan' any of the Objects: simultaneously and/or consecutively - no matter the kind: style or type (as long as the scanner can reliably receive and decodes that mode). These are the scanners this document covers. Click the blue text for more information;
GRE Radio Shack Whistler
PSR-700 Pro-107
Pro-18
PSR-800 Pro-668 WS1080
WS1088
TRX-1
PSR-900 WS1095
WS1098
TRX-2


Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is Object Oriented Scanning (OOS) and how does it work in the GRE / RS /Whistler microSD card based scanners?


Which Object Oriented Scanners decode DMR, Project 25 Phase 1 and 2, and/or NXDN?


Notes
  1. The Whistler Official Upgrade (WOU) is required for this mode
  2. A firmware upgrade from Whistler, and applied via EZ-Scan, is required for these scanners. The TRX-1 and 2 have this mode out of the box
  3. A firmware upgrade from Whistler, and applied via EZ-Scan, is required for these scanners. See the NXDN article for additional information about NXDN trunking
  4. Whistler scanners cannot trunktrack NXDN or DMR systems. Whistler never bought the licenses, which is why the upgrades are free. The best these scanners can do is to decode the audio. This may be sufficient on systems that aren't too busy, but for busier systems, this is a serious limitation.


Why isn't the PSR-700 and Pro-107 in the above list?
  • This is because they are analog only scanners, and lack the hardware and memory required for digital operation


Where can I download EZ-Scan for my scanner?
  • See this page on the Whistler website


How do I make the TRX-1 / TRX-2 work on NXDN Trunked Systems?
  • See the Can It Be Decoded section of the NXDN article.


I purchase my scanner used, from a third-party, how do I know if my scanner has the Official or unofficial "hacked" firmware.
  • Check by Manually Programming a local DMR frequency and monitor for cleanly decoded DMR transmissions.
  • Check to see which Splash Screen you have - if you have the 'Radio Shack' or 'GRE' logos, those contain standard OEM firmware. If it has a Whistler logo - it have been modified with either the Whistler Official Upgrade (WOU) or the Unofficial "hacked" process.
    • With Whistler's logo, try to update CPU to 4.7 or 4.8 in Whistler EZ-Scan Software if it doesn't take - it's likely Unofficial.
  • Turn Scanner on- while it's loading, (after power button is pressed) when Splash screen is displayed - hold the MENU until you see Bootloader CPU DSP version screen, if it's DSP 4.6 and CPU 3.1 try the first, do NOT update the date past May 31st, 2017 or it will be LOCKED and DMR decode will be Canceled (neither manually or via PC "Set Real Time Clock to Computer Time").


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 the missing freqs in GRE scanners Thread.


How do I clean out dirt that gets into the LCD display?


I want to get a another or replacement microSD card, what does 'the size' impact, does speed class make any difference?


Why does may scanner reboots or turn itself off when I disconnect power but have batteries installed?
  • It's most likely related to the USB power device you are using; if it is over the recommended voltage of the USB 2.0 standard - 5v DC and amperage of 500mA, these scanners do NOT seem to like when either is too much above spec. 5.1v and/or 850mA seems to be the limit before the scanner falsely senses an 'abrupt power-loss,' as if it was total power removal. Also it is more likely to happen when using low capacitance and/or highly discharged batteries (of any kind).


I am hearing a great deal of distorted audio / spurs / interference in some specific bands. What is causing this?


Are there any Third Party Applications that allow for remote control?
  • Some of the Whistler Scanners have their own control demo program. It's available from the scanner's homepage. However it is limited in scope and functionality
  • For the TRX1, TRX2, WS1095, WS01098, WS1080 and WS1088, check out the TRX Android Suite


Common PSR-700, Pro-668, Pro-107, or Pro-18 Questions

Are there any hints for working with and installing the iScan Software?


What are Playlists and how do I use them?
  • Playlist are the same as Scanlist continue to follow below and interchange Playlist for Scanlist, ignore ScanSet as your scanner is a single ScanSet or see our Working with Playlists article.

EZ-Scan Questions:

How do I properly install EZ-Scan? What do I do if my PC already has the incorrect driver for the cable installed?
  • Before Connecting Scanner to PC, You should Install & Update EZ-SCAN™ or IScan from their respective download link or MicroSD card 1st, Prior to Connecting Scanner via USB to a PC.
    • Use of a microSD card reader is a "User Best Practice", for all applicable Updates & Programming, ensuring the fastest transfer rate, for a less, error-prone connection and writes to SD card.
    • If scanner was connected to PC prior to installation of Application, the Driver initially/automatically installed by Windows Device Manager, may need to be manually replaced with the Whistler driver (unsigned). Their driver is stored in a Zip format and will need to be unzipped with Windows Explorer; the manufacturer direct links for the drivers can be found below.


What do I do to fix an error code 740 from the EZ-Scan software?
  • Enable Run as Administrator in PC, Right Click Icon, Select Properties, Select Compatibility TAB, Select check box.


EZ-Scan term definitions and tips


Can I import FCC data for NXDN, DMR or Project 25 systems into EZ-Scan?


Are there any videos on how to use EZ-Scan?

ScanList and ScanSet Questions

For all Object Oriented scanners with microSD cards

Objects basics:

  • In order to be scanned, any Object - Conventional "Analog" Frequency must be:
    • be a member of at least one ScanSet and that is Enabled,
    • be a member of at least one ScanList and that's also Enabled.

OR

  • In order to be scanned, any Object - TGRP/TGID must be:
    • be a member of at least one ScanSet and that is Enabled,
    • be a member of at least one ScanList and that is, also, Enabled,
    • be a member of at least the "correct" Trunk Radio System (TSYS), place in Talkgroup Details TAB.


ScanList and ScanSet basics:

What are Scanlist and how do I use them?
  • There are either 100 or 200 ScanLists (model dependent). Every "Channel" whether it be a TGRP/TGID or a Conventional is an Object and can be programmed into: Any, All, some, many or none of the ScanLists in a singular ScanSet. ScanLists are toggled On/Off via the "ScanLists" Menu, all of that one ScanSet's: 200 Scanlists are in that menu.
What are ScanSets and how do I use them?
  • ScanSets are total of 20 (if applicable), with a check box for each. Each ScanSet contains a Scanlist of 200 Check boxes: 1 for each of the 200 Scanlists. Each ScanSet is edited (and their respective Scanlist's members) and Toggled between Enabled/Disabled by a Menu, that looks like a 'shortened version' of the one mentioned in the previous paragraph. ScanSets themselves, are Enabled/Disabled via the "ScanSets Menu".
By DEFAULT
  • ScanList 001 is Enabled, All others are Disabled,
    ScanSet 01 is Enabled, contains all ScanLists 200 members, All other ScanSets are also Disabled.

These DEFAULT SETTINGS, are geared toward the presumed majority of Users, effectively making the ScanSets feature transparent, since ScanSet 01 is already Enabled: it contains and displays all of its' 200 ScanLists members. If conditioned, you can completely ignore the ScanSets feature, and use a ScanSet. Those User, whom may be: Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced, whom will only have a few ScanLists they want to monitor at a time, can control what they hear by just toggling "a few Scanlists On and a few others Scanlists Off," at any time, may be fine, with these Defaults. For the Intermediate and Advanced User, they may want to follow along, if not scroll down to "Programming Tips and How To's."

The "Intermediate & Advanced" Users, who might have many areas of interest, they'll want to split among, many ScanLists, but might have a few 'Common' listening setups, with certain 'Unique' groups of ScanList, where 'Toggling 30 or 40 of the 200 ScanLists' might be cumbersome, this is where ScanSets could come in handy. The ScanSets are intended to help varying set-ups short of using V-Folders. Furthermore, the ScanSets feature is geared toward people who have lots of different things; where 'different' is based on geography, agency, usage, etc; they may want to monitor differently i.e. times or places, rather than Toggling ON/OFF of Individualistic Objects or ScanLists. A User may have multiple different kinds of ScanSets with different ScanList ready - where the Scanlists items are Checked, just waiting for the ScanSet to be Enable.

*EXAMPLES: A typical large County where there is conventional use and a digital trunk system. Let say there are 10 City PD's and FD's each with its' own TGIDs, as well as County Sheriff, and State PD TGRPs. Each different ScanSets has different style of ScanList members, each having their unique set-ups, one can note, there is commonality amongst the ScanSets and their ScanLists' members (for human memory sake), but really sorted (the ScanSets) for ease of changing 'what style' the user, wants-to-listen-to, fairly quickly

ScanSet01

Scanlist 1-10
  • All cities' PD (All)
Scanlist 11-20
  • All cities' Fire (All)
Scanlist 21-30
  • County PD (All)
Scanlist 31-32
  • State PD (All)

ScanSet02

Scanlist 1-10
  • All cities' PD (Dispatch)
Scanlist 11-20
  • All cities' Fire (Dispatch)
Scanlist 21-30
  • County PD (Dispatch)
Scanlist 31-32
  • State PD (Dispatch)

ScanSet03

Scanlist 1-10
  • All cities' PD (Tactical)
    • Scanlist 11-20
  • All cities' Fire (Tactical)
  • Scanlist 21-30
    • County PD (Tactical)
  • Scanlist 31-32
    • State PD (Tactical)
  • ScanSet04
Scanlist 1-10
  • All cities' PD (Everything but dispatch)
Scanlist 11-20
  • All cities' Fire (Everything but dispatch)
Scanlist 21-30
  • County PD (Everything but dispatch)
Scanlist 31-32
  • State PD (Everything but dispatch)
  • Note: Different ScanSets can help, quickly, Enable/Disable such 'groupings,' which is much easier than toggling through 32 Scanlists. It's easier to have them pre-programmed - breaking the TGIDs out into different ScanSets. While, as in ScanSet 01, you can see, 'All' has every TGIDs, already made into a typical single ScanSet. Typically a User would have to go through and Skip & L/O a lot, just to narrow down to a couple types of TGIDs, in lieu of having to use the Hold/Pause feature (on only one Object), which would waste the efficiency of the "Scan"ner. There are many ways to accomplish or use Scansets, but can allow you to toggle things with a lot fewer key-presses than using the typical single ScanSet (with multitude Scanlist) option.


Programming Tips and How-To's

ALL the next step are "exact", though the listings precludes that you've already Installed & Started the software. Also, don't for get to archive, back-up and etc... As well when your are finished any tasks:
Don't forget to "Copy Configuration to the Scanner\SD card."

Wildcard button - Click to view larger image

#START EZ-SCAN SOFTWARE


How do I activate a Wildcard?
  • Look at the Trunked Radio Systems TAB on the far right hand side.


How do I manually reband an 800MHZ TRS that hasn't been flagged yet in the RRDB?
How do I install a custom table for my TRS?

  1. Select your System in the "'Trunked Radio Systems"' TAB.
  2. Select the System.
  3. Select the Site.
  4. Select the '"Site Options"' TAB.
  5. Under '"Trunking tables'" and beside "'Type"' Click the down arrow '"Custom"' is selected.
  6. Select '"Edit"'.
  7. Select '"Set Reband"' for a 800mhz TRS, all others may or may not need "P25 Offset" pressed.
  8. Select "OK" to close pop-up window.
  • Note: While most systems that are Phase I or Phase II broadcast and send their Band Plan (Trunking Table) over-the-air, initial reception and decode of a quasi-distant system - may require a manual entry of a Custom Band Plan or "Auto-Fill" to be set. Systems that are built by EF Johnson will almost certainly require a custom band plan since they don't include the necessary info in the control channel.


How can I find the values I need to enter for my custom table?
  • Check our Regional Programming category for your state
  • Check the database entry itself; sometimes the table values are listed in the miscellaneous section
  • Ask on your state's forum


What must I do to hear a Phase II system?

First ensure you have a Phase II capable scanner..

  1. Select your System in the "Trunked Radio Systems" "TAB"
  2. Go to "Trunked System Site Information" area, below to the left
  3. Select the "a "Site" in the "Site Details tab
  4. Select "Site Frequencies" tab to the right, and enter Frequencies(at lease 4 for Motorola, or all for a Harris Site)
  5. Then Select "Site Options" tab to the far right
  6. Under "Trunking tables" and beside "Type" Click the down arrow and insure that "Auto Fill" is selected.
  • Notes: Make sure the Band Plan Table is, at least, set to Auto Fill, see question directly above.
    • If the System uses non-standard frequency-steps, you must turn on "Flex Step"


How can I improve the performance on decoding LSM systems?


How do I turn on/off "Flex Step", the frequency keeps automatically changing itself, when I enter it?
  1. Go to '"General Settings"' TAB on the top bar, then select Flexible Frequency Entry


How do I import a System from the Library?
  • Importing an entire Statewide System requires these steps:
  1. Press "MENU" key to display main menu
  2. Select "Browse Library". You're presented with a list of States.
  3. Scroll down to and select "State". You're presented with 3 parameters "Agencies / Counties / Systems" to chose from.
  4. Scroll down to and select "Systems" (this will show all State-Wide Systems).
  5. Press "SEL" key to select the System.
  6. Press "MENU" and select "Import Selected"
  7. Select target Scanlist/Playlists for Talkgroups (TGIDs)
  8. Press "MENU" and select "Import Now"
  9. Wait while scanner parses DB files and builds its data.
  • Note: If you only wanted a few Sites and/or TGIDs, you wouldn't select the entire System in step 5. Instead, you'd drill into the System and select individual Sites, Categories, and/or TGIDs.


What is the hierarchy of the database?
  • In the scanner or in the software has a Menu-driven version of the Radio Reference Database layout:

Code:

States
Agencies
Categories
Subcategories
Frequencies
Counties / Independent Cities
Agencies
Categories
Subcategories
Frequencies
Categories
Subcategories
Frequencies
Systems
Sites
Talkgroup Categories
Talkgroups
Systems
Sites
Talkgroup Categories
EZ-Scan term definitions and tips, not all applicable

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 was the "knowledge based article" that previously appeared on GRE's webpage ->
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.
In rare cases it may be necessary to restore the radio to factory defaults ...


Technical Issues


Firmware and Software Sources

GRE

  • GRECom home page has links for Firmware, Drivers for USB and Device with varied versions of EZ-Scan applicable to the PSR-700 and PSR-800

Radio Shack

Whistler

  • Whistler's versions of EZ-Scan, drivers and CPU firmware updater can be found HERE
  • All User have to fictitiously "Purchase" for free, then "item" will be available to download, after all info is entered or will be e-mailed (w updates sent to that e-mail) with a time sensitive download hyperlink.

Utilities

Additional Resources

Easier to Read Manuals - GRE / RS / Whistler


Other websites