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RadioShack® PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner

Model:

PRO-197

 | Catalog #: 20-197
$379.99
Reg:
$424.99
You save:
$45.00
Sale valid until: 05/25/13

Free Ground Shipping on orders over $50.(Details)
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  • Store up to 1,800 frequencies
  • Has 21 V-scanner memory for a total capacity to store over 39,000 objects
  • 3 function buttons under the display can change the purpose, on screen text help is available
  • Features S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) reception for user-set localized alerts by county
  • Trunks all 3 popular system types
  • LED and alert sounds can be set to alert you to what is being heard, from local police to fire dept.
  • Searches for nearby frequency transmissions and automatically jumps to a found transmission
  • Lets you know what's going on when there are emergency vehicles nearby
  • Hear storm reports delivered by local spotters before they are broadcast on TV or radio

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Product Summary

Stay on top of stuff.

Always be in the know with this digital desktop scanner. The PRO-197 stores up to 1,800 frequencies in main memory and features 21 virtual scanner (V-Scanner) folders. It lets you search for nearby frequency transmissions and automatically jump to a found transmission. Plus, it lets you hear storm reports and more before they are broadcast on TV or radio. Signal Stalker™ II enables you to lock on to nearby transmissions without programming or even knowing the frequencies and permits lockout of undesired frequencies.

Free scanner programming software download

  • Store up to 1,800 frequencies
  • Has 21 V-scanner memory for a total capacity to store over 39,000 objects
  • 3 function buttons under the display can change the purpose, on screen text help is available
  • Features S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) reception for user-set localized alerts by county
  • Trunks all 3 popular system types
Pricing and availability: Please note that all prices are subject to change without prior notice. Prices advertised on this site are for online orders only. Prices on some items may differ from those advertised in RadioShack stores. All merchandise may not be available at all stores, and all stores may not participate in all sales promotions. We recommend you contact the store to confirm product availability and price.

What's in the box

  • PRO-197 desktop scanner
  • Telescopic antenna
  • Handle bracket
  • Adapter
  • DIN sleeve
  • Cabinet
  • Owner's manual
  • DC cable
 

Shipping

Usually ships in 1 - 2 business days

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In store: Check availability
By phone: 1-800-843-7422

Manufacturer Warranty

  • Parts: 12 month
  • Labor: 12 month
Tech Specs

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Product Support

Product support (8 matches)

Date added Document
June 22, 2012 PRO-106 (#2000106) and PRO-197 (#2000197) Digital Scanners (CPU Firmware Upgrade 2.1)
June 22, 2012 PRO-106 (#2000106) and PRO-197 (#2000197) Digital Scanners (CPU Firmware Upgrade 2.0)
May 03, 2012 PRO-197 Digital Trunking Desktop/Mobile Scanner (Quick Start Guide)
May 03, 2012 PRO-197 Digital Trunking Desktop/Mobile Scanner (User's Guide)
May 12, 2011 PRO-106 (#2000106) and PRO-197 (#2000197) Digital Scanners (CPU Firmware Upgrade 1.9 Directions)
May 12, 2011 PRO-106 (#2000106) and PRO-197 (#2000197) Digital Scanners (CPU Firmware Upgrade 1.9)
March 24, 2010 PRO-106 (#2000106) and PRO-197 (#2000197) Digital Scanners (DSP Firmware Upgrade 1.4)
November 03, 2008 Digital Trunking Scanner (Special Global Menu)

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Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
RadioShackPRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner
 
4.0

(based on 235 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (129)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (56)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (10)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (9)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (31)

80%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Clear signal (183)
  • Good audio (132)
  • Lightweight (104)
  • Easy to use (101)
  • Rugged (75)

Cons

  • Difficult to program (73)
  • Complicated controls (33)
  • Bad reception / weak antenna (15)
  • Short range (9)

Best Uses

  • Emergencies (128)
  • Families (75)
  • Camping (23)
  • Hunting (12)
  • Hiking (10)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Casual/ recreational (90), Casual adventurer (39), Avid adventurer (31), Outdoor professional (27), Military/law enforcement (22)
    • Primary use:
    • Personal (214), Business (15)

Reviewed by 235 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

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(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

 
1.0

Customer service

By Jose

from Mpls

About Me Professional/Guide

Pros

  • Good Audio

Cons

  • Complicated Controls
  • Difficult To Program
  • Poor Reception
  • Short Range

Best Uses

  • Emergencies

Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

Terrible Customer service if your scanner quits they won't make it right

  • Primary use:
  • Business

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

you need software and cable

By RayfromAuburn

from central Illinois

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

    Cons

    • Difficult To Program

    Best Uses

    • Emergencies

    Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

    for the pro 106 & 197, if you don't have the programming cable and a software, this is just a expensive paperweight. I went from a pro 94 (easy) to a 106, and it sat in drawer for 5yrs. got reinterested and decided to buy the cable and a software thru radio reference. cable/software and subscription (6 months)to radio ref total cost $90. Be prepared to spend it if you're in a area with digital freq (starcom21 for me). Once you've got these, choose your state-county-then trunked systems (starcom21 for me), your area or interests, choose scanlist # and freq, then import. just remember to change scanlists after each import or everything will pile up in the same scanlists. I hope this helps.

    • Primary use:
    • Personal

    (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    2.0

    difficult to program

    By Sportsnut

    from Boston,Ma.

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Pros

    • Lightweight

    Cons

    • Complicated Controls
    • Difficult To Program

    Best Uses

    • Families

    Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

    This is so difficult to program that even Tech Support isn't trained to do it. They were no help at all. Will be returning this one for a different brand.

    • Primary use:
    • Personal

    (1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

     
    1.0

    Pro 197 a nightmare

    By Bob

    from Twin Falls, Idaho

    Pros

      Cons

      • Complicated Controls

      Best Uses

        Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

        My Pro 197 Radio Shack Scanner has the poorest documentation I have ever witnessed. They assume you already have a lesser model which I don't. The instructions never start at the beginning and take you forward .. they do not tell you how to get into the frequencies that their store down loads .. I live in Idaho and my state does not appear for any down loads .. I have been to my store three times and have gotten no significant help yet .. when I phoned Radio Shack I got someone that was unable to help me and the supervisors were in a meeting. I'm going to return mine.

        • Primary use:
        • Personal

        (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        AWESOME SCANNER WELL WORTH MONEY

        By thunderchicken

        from pa

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Pros

        • Clear Signal
        • Good Audio
        • Lightweight
        • Rugged

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Emergencies
          • Families

          Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

          If you Take the Time to Actually Read the Manual You will understand. I read manual , used the
          transferring cable ,,which is not provided they sell the cables with 2 free software downloads.
          Very good scanner just take time to read and follow instructions.

          • Primary use:
          • Personal

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          PRO-197 39,000-Channel

          By jack

          from Cleveland oh

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Great audio

          Cons

          • none

          Best Uses

          • Families

          Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

          very nice scanner had some problems getting one that was in taking back to the store but Lakewood store got me one new ..in Ohio.... radio shack need to do something with the old stock ...

          • Primary use:
          • Personal

          (2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

           
          1.0

          Hard time Programing

          By me

          from Philadelphia

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Clear Signal
          • Good Audio
          • Rugged

          Cons

          • Complicated Controls
          • Difficult To Program

          Best Uses

          • Emergencies

          Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

          having hard time programming

          • Primary use:
          • Personal

          (3 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

           
          1.0

          junk!!!!!!!!!!!!

          By Garver Brown

          from Chetek WI

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • None

          Cons

          • Absolute Junk
          • Complicated Controls
          • Difficult To Program
          • Poor Reception
          • Wont Work Never Has

          Best Uses

          • Maybe If It Worked

          Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

          I bought this 2 years ago, couldnt get it to work went back to rado Shack store was told they couldnt help me, I got upset threw scanner in corner of closet, finally took it out a couple weeks ago to try making it work, spent hours, tried to contact radio shack service, send me to store again, ok back to store this time a guy by name of Mike trying to help me, asked for exchange item, district manager said no. Mike trying to make it work, as of Friday, he cant get it to work, and he programs all radios for a local sheriffs dept. Im happy Mike is trying,very upset at radio shack past store customer service. This unit has never even made noise for me. Would I buy one again? never.

          • Primary use:
          • Personal

          (0 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

           
          3.0

          Not sure what to think

          By Tony the Big Bologna

          from Hagerstown,Md

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Verified Reviewer

          Pros

          • Clear Signal
          • Good Audio

          Cons

          • Encrypted Transmissions

          Best Uses

          • I Use Mine As Information

          Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

          I went to my local store and had them clone it from their display model. I am not sure how to program it myself so I cant do anything about it. 40% of all transmissions are secured and not audible. It sounds garbled. If you are talented enough to program it I would imagine I would have given it a 5.

          • Primary use:
          • Personal

          (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Outstanding If You Take The Time

          By Gman

          from Mpls, MN

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Pros

          • Clear Signal
          • Good Audio

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Emergencies

            Comments about RadioShack PRO-197 39,000-Channel Digital Desktop Scanner:

            I've read all of the hype about how difficult this radio is to program, but if you pay just a little and use the available Radio Reference and ARC 500 program and do some reading, you'll find out that it's easier than you think.
            Radio Reference has a forum of users that helped immensely.
            Don't get discouraged. Ask questions and read the forums and you'll be ok.
            It is a great radio.

            • Primary use:
            • Personal

            Displaying reviews 1-10

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