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Difference between revisions of "PSR-500"

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==Recommended accessories (Not included with the radio)==
 
==Recommended accessories (Not included with the radio)==
 
*[http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102592 RS #273-1863] 9-Volt Vehicle DC-to-DC Adapter
 
*[http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102592 RS #273-1863] 9-Volt Vehicle DC-to-DC Adapter
*[http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062425 RS #273-1706] Adaptaplug C - Needed for both of the above adapters
+
*[http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062425 RS #273-1706] Adaptaplug C - Needed for the above adapter
 
*[http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102525 RS #20-283] Radio Shack 800MHz handheld antenna
 
*[http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102525 RS #20-283] Radio Shack 800MHz handheld antenna
  

Revision as of 17:37, 10 January 2008

GRE COM PSR-500 scanning receiver

The PSR-500 is manufactured by GRE in China. The PSR-500 is very similar to the Mobile/Base version of the PSR-600 and uses the same radio control software and scanner cables.

General Specifications

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 12.5 kHz
764-766.996875 3.125 kHz
773-775.996875 3.125 kHz
803-805.996875 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
  • Object oriented memory management. Talkgroups can be associated with a single system. Systems can be defined as multi-site for statewide and networked systems. Talkgroups can be members of multiple scan lists. There are "Scan Lists" where you group the objects you wish for scanning. You do not need to enter frequency or talkgroup info more than once as you can just use those "objects" in the scan lists as you desire.
    • You navigate objects in MAN mode: Just use the Arrow Keys. Up/Down scrolls within a scan list, and Left/Right scrolls to change scan lists. You can also just type the Object number and press ENT. Also in PGM mode, there is a FIND option and you type Alpha/Numeric (partial or full) and it will search the number and text fields in every object and let you choose to monitor (MAN), or press NEXT (Softkey) to keep FIND-ing, or EDIT to edit the found object.
    • Hold: You can pause while scanning, or now the MAN mode is fully trunking so you can just "FIND" on some Conventional, Search, or Talkgroup, Sweeper, alpha or number data, and then press MAN.
  • Built in discriminator data output in simple ASCII output using the PC/IF port
  • Full duplex support and USB connection using the GRE 30-3290 (RS #20-047) USB Scanner Data Manager Cable.
  • 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 setiings.

One button operation to get to this set.

  • Spectrum Sweeper Near field frequency capture
  • Triple conversion
  • Rebanding supported? YES
  • 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.
    • The V-Scanners work like the Radio Shack PRO-96 in that they store the radio's working memory (settings, frequencies etc.) to a separate area of internal memory. The radio's main memory is no longer banks/channels, but "objects". The Scan lists are now how you group the objects for scanning and you toggle them on/off with the traditional method of pressing the number keys during scanning. The arrow keys do not page through the V-Scanners. The V-Scanner function is in a separate menu much like the Radio Shack PRO-96.
    • When creating a talk-group object, you associate the talkgroup-object with the system object. The system-object has all the control channel information and is only entered once. Scan lists can have pointers to talkgroup-objects such as Fire, EMS, Police. As you create the talkgroup-objects you can assign them to any number of scanlists while you create them. You can also edit the scanlists later. You only create a system-object once, and associate multiple talkgroup-objects with it. Then the talkgroup-objects can be pointed to any number of scanlists (including none if you want to temporarily just set aside the talkgoup, but not delete it). If a talkgroup-object points to a system-object the paused talkgroup will stay synced up with the entire system over multiple control channels.
  • 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 defalt 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
  • I-Calls, possibly displayed as hex as mentioned at Dayton Hamvention 07'
  • 700MHz and 380MHz Trunk Scanning
    • The trunking "object" includes a "VHF/UHF" selection, and you can put in all of the offset/base etc. It also has a full trunking table capability for each trunking object (with plenty of entry slots!). As far as I can tell there is no freq limitation on trunking like the Pro-96 had. So you enter the data in the trunking object, and it will tune to any freq (except cellular of course).
  • 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 relitive signal strength meter
  • Mobile/base design with DIN-E in-dash mounting (requires separate installation kit for your vehicle)
  • BNC connector
  • A cloning cable may be fabricated using 2 - 1/8 inch stereo jacks and shielded cable. Note: Make sure the radios used for cloning are not set to output control channel data or they will not clone. PGM, Fun+Glob (F3), then pressing the Func+down arrow and then the up arrow once, press the right arrow once to YES, then (F1) to Save.
  • Verifying the firmware version

You can verify the version of DSP firmware currently active in the PSR-500 by pressing the 3 key during the "Welcome" screen.

Future firmware upgrades can be installed by downloading and running an upgrade program GRE America Support page.

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

Operating Tips

  • Activate/Deactivate Scan Lists: Sets membership in Scan Lists. Use left and right keys to scroll through Scan Lists. Use SEL key to toggle Scan List membership. A “*” next to the Scan List number indicates that the object is mapped to that Scan List.
  • Default Scanlist: When programming an object, select the scan list using the menu or the default scan list one will be used. To return an object to your selected scanlist, set the default the the scanlist to the number you want. To return an object to the default during EDIT or NEW press Dflt.
  • Dupe function: To repeat commonly used object attributes, use the Dupe function.
  • Object access: To go to an object, press MAN or PGM and the object number, then press E to goto the object.
  • Force Analog: If you have a CONV object that you know is analog, You can set the object to tone search to force it as analog.
  • Force Digital: If you have a CONV object (or trunked) that you know is digital, you can force it as digital by forcing it to search for P25 NAC.
  • Flex Step: "Super Expert Setting Menu". PGM, FUNC F3:GLOB Scroll down to "flexStep" and Rt-Arrow it to "On" F1:Save
  • Audio Boost: Expert menu, AudioBoost, On or OFF, Applies a 6 dB boost to audio levels when the object is active
  • Delete Alpha Characters during entry: Func + CL will delete all the characters in a line. Use the "." (decimal) key to delete a character and make a blank space.
  • Battery Settings: Change the battery setting in the Global menu: Alkaline, NiCad, or NiMIH, to set the proper battery warnig levels for the battery type you are using.
  • Quick Menu Move: Func + Up or Down will move to the top or bottom of a menu.
  • Go directly to a newly saved conventional object: Press MAN right after pressing "Stor" in the search, you'll be taken right to the CONV object you just stored.
  • Object Search: If you press manual, you can then scroll through the scanlist (the default save to, is scanlist 1) with the up/down arrows. You can also use the Find feature. press Program, Edit, Find enter a alpha text or frequency. And you can find it by object type by pressing Program, Edit, press left or right key to select the object type, such as CONV, the the up down arrow to select the conventional object.
  • Signal Strength Meter Settings: A setting of 470-750, provides a more relative indication of signal bars than the default range.

Expert Settings

Included Accessories

  • Antenna
  • Quick Guide for V-Scanner Pre-loads
  • PDF - Owners manual
  • Black non-rechargeable battery holder
  • Yellow rechargable battery holder
  • 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)

GRE America Support

Owners Manual

FCC Type Acceptance

Programming Software

Control Channel Monitoring Software

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

Yahoo Groups and Mailing Lists (software and receiver support)

eBay Listings


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