Talk:Pro-97

PRO-97 User Reviews

Added: June 23rd 2005
Reviewer: Mark Pagel
Score: 3 stars
Hits: 483

This radio is an absolutely great value for $199.00. PROs: I like the choice of preprogrammed search banks. I was impressed with the radio’s intermod handling capability. I have had several scanners that faired far worse in a downtown area or near intermod alley. Conversely, Sensitivity is good, but several of my other scanners are a little better. It does a fine job on trunking somewhat distant stations. Favorite target is a MOT II system 25 miles away. The backlit display is cool looking in my opinion. Audio output is more than sufficient. Signal Stalker II. This was not what I was expecting. It is kind of a poor man’s frequency counter. It does do many things better than a frequency counter, but it has one drawback from a true frequency counter. CONs: The Signal Stalker II kind of gets the job done, if you do half the work. In order for the radio to be as fast as a true frequency counter you need to know the band that the transmitter is in. If you know you are hunting a VHF High band signal, you tell Signal Stalker to just check VHF High band. It will get the job done if you point it in the right direction first. The available Win97 software is almost a must-have with this radio. The radio is an order of magnitude more complex to program than a $100 budget scanner. I do not like having Banks of 100 channels each. Banks of 20 channels would have been better. Overall I am quite impressed with this radio.

---

Posted by carmelof on 2005-12-12 03:45:46
My Score: 5 stars

I have been monitoring the Aircraft Bands for 25 years and it is very importnt to have good clear audio like the PRO-97 and I also like the orange light and the features.I compare the audio to my ICOM-R20,AOR-MK111,YUPITERU-9000, ALINCO-DJX2000 and I give the radio a 5 star rating.

---

Posted by ahearn on 2005-08-04 10:07:20
My Score: 4.5 stars

The PRO-97 is my first scanner and I am totally pleased with it. The addition of the RS 800 MHz antenna makes a world of difference when scanning trunked systems in the 800 MHz range and seems to be no better or worse on the other bands. Don't like the combo volume/squelch control but that's a minor issue when everything else is considered.

Al

---

Added: November 6th 2005
Reviewer: Mississippi Kid
Score: 4.5 stars
Hits: 235

Great Scanner. Very likely the best by RS to date. The Alpha-Numeric Display is fantastic. The ability to set the bright backlight to stay on constantly is a great new addition. A great value. I will agree with a previous reviewer in that the addition of the 800 mhz antenna available from RS for 16.00 makes a tremendous difference and is money well spent. Short of it's analog only limitation, this is a perfect scanner for the beginner and professional alike.

---

Posted by Jimco on 2006-01-24 14:12:10
My Score: 4.5 stars

A great scanner, but programming (as with most hand-helds) of trunking systems is awkward. Alpha tagging is even more so.

Lighted keypad is great.

WARNING If you listen to Motorola trunked systems, keep in mind that this scanner will no longer work correctly after rebanding takes place! I used mine for a week and returned it for a Uniden BC-246T because of that reason. I'm mentioning this only because I was unaware of it and I see others are as well. I was fortunate enough to find this out before the trash men took my box to the dump!

Jim

---

Posted by Diveben on 2006-03-08 18:31:00

I just bought mine today and it was on sale for $149.99. I had a Pro-83, and it was a decent scanner, but I listen to a lot of public safety in the NYC area, so without Alpha Tagging it was driving me crazy!

I'm very happy with the scanner so far! I have installed the Win97 software and already started programming in local frequencies.

Also those worried about rebanding should take a look at this article.

Programming Question

In the tips and tricks it says, "You may program more than 1 trunk system in a bank provided it is separated by 1 conventional channel" http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Pro-97#Tips_and_Tricks

I tried several different ways but cannot get this to work for EDACS systems. Anyone else have any luck.

THANKS!!!