RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished)

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

Looks like new and plays like new. I'm completely pleased with it. It IS difficult to program (and I'm a retired computer programmer!), so, instead of griping about it, I simply installed readily available software and downloaded all the freqs I wanted from RadioReference - problem solved.

Being new to digital trunking, I do notice that on the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension freqs, the audio sounds like a bunch of birds chirping. I'm assuming that because the audio is digitized with a scheme that my PRO-197 does not recognize. All other services are loud and clear with a little homebrew ground plane antenna hung from a light fixture.

I couldn't be more pleased.

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

I just purchased a {refurbished} Pro 197 scanner and felt obligated to submit this review. I've never owned a scanner before and know little about radio communications. I read the manual { downloaded from Radio Shack} and reviews "BEFORE" I bought it. I also downloaded the programming software and purchased the upload cable when I ordered the radio. I decided on the refurbished model after reading all the bad reviews submitted by ignorant people who obviously like to blame others for their own shortcomings. I gambled that I would receive a brand new radio with nothing wrong with it and won the bet. The radio came professionally packaged and was labeled "DEMO or CUSTOM RETURN". The accessories, books, adapter, and the radio itself looked untouched, not even fingerprints. The radio was set up and programmed with one of the preloaded service searches in a matter of minutes. After one rainy day it was custom programmed with 42 frequencies that cover a four county area where I live. This radio is awesome and delivers crisp, clear communications from well over 60 miles away. It goes non-stop with Police, EMS, Fire Control, and even aircraft communications in my area. I've found NOTHING to complain about and the program, custom alert, and lighting options are mind-boggling. The only suggestion I can think of is a separate volume and squelch knob. If you have half a brain, like to learn, can program your cell phone, can fix minor problems with your computer, buy this radio. If you can't read, can't find the bathroom, can't set the alarm on your clock radio, or get lost with your GPS, listen to a feed on radioreferance.com. If you decide to buy this radio get the com cable and software {about $65 clams, the FREE software is a trial version} this makes programming the radio FUN and I consider them a must. Visit radioreferance.com for your local frequencies, I programmed manually for free. I hope your experience is as pleasant as mine was. Thanks to the guy trying to find the bathroom I saved a $100 bucks. Gotta go FedEx 47 was just cleared to one one thousand heading 027.

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

Due your self a favor and invest in the software interface cable and Radio Reference subscription. DO Not try to program this scanner yourself to save money!!!! Use the resource that is out there for the information in the area you want to listen to and download it right into the scanner and be up and running in minuets. The scanner uploads in seconds!

P25 signals in the New Baltimore Co system are clear and crisp easy to hear! You can tailor your talk groups to what you want to hear. Mine was refurbished unit and I can't tell the difference! I also Own the Pro 106 and love it. Bearcat's only have 25,000 object RS has 39,000 more scan list more features and a built in discriminator port on the PC interface.

with the subscription and software and cable your cost will still be cheaper than a Bearcat or GRE at $539.00 Radio Shack is the best value for the buck! I have recommended and programmed these for my friends with no complaints.

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

Considering that most scanners like this cost over $400, this was a great buy. Just do yourself a favor and use the software and order the scanner cable and software. Don't beat yourself up trying to do something yourself that you can download in minutes.The software that comes with the cable is user friendly, and the comes with 2 frequency uploads. If you are careful you can get by with these uploads, however 6 months of upgrades costs 15.00 plus 32.00 for the software key, if you mess up it is still easier than trying to upload yourself. Great performance in a radio that fits nicely next to the laptop. Enjoy.

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

for close to four hundred dollars and the assurence no problem to program,it will still cost mor because you have to buy more programs to get this peice of poor to work

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

Nice Digital Scanner great audio I use it at home, the P25 digital is loud clear . A nice feature is the 6db audio boost that can be programmed in on any object and the Color led with different colors that can be programmed on any object example Red Police Blue EMS Green Fire. Easy to program.

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

The scanner is Excellent but I never did figure out how to program it. If it wasn't for a guy in the Radio Reference Forum setting it up and sending me a file using WIN500 program, I would of never got it up and running. I have no idea how to keep the frequencies updated. It works good though.

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

I find this Scanner very EASY to program, well it'a alot easyer than Uniden BC scanner's You meatheads cigarrette smokers that wine it's hard to program get your head outa your [*] and READ READ READ the [*] manuals ONLINE

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

I purchased the refurbished PRO-197 from radioshack.com. Everything was included (except the original box - this one was probably a display model). The scanner itself looked mint and was loaded with v1.7 CPU and the original DSP. I upgraded both using the files here at radioshack.com and the upgrade went perfectly using a GRE cable.

Oddly, the DIN mount (which I won't be using) was crushed but I was able to bend it back into shape quickly because it's made of very thin metal.

This scanner is very easy to understand once you grasp how the memory works. You do not program frequencies into banks like most scanners, rather you program frequencies into the scanner then assign the frequencies into up to 22 different groups of your choosing. A single frequency can be included into multiple groups as well.

Very nice, loud audio for both analog and digital signals.

HINT: Try turning the Digital AGC "OFF" for digital frequencies. I also like to turn Audio Boost "ON" for digital freqs. On some digital freqs the Digital AGC can sometimes raise the background noise too high, making the transmission less clear. YMMV.

Comments about GRE RadioShack® PRO-197 Digital Desktop Scanner (Refurbished):

You would think that a[$] scanner would be ready to use out of the box. But not this one! It has to be programmed first. Istructions are very differcult to understand. V-scanner is USELESS...does not cover my area. Teck Support is non-existant.[...]