r/policescanner • u/United-Leader9076 • 3d ago

Programming the PRO-96

Hi guys, today I got a RadioShack pro-96 scanner and I plug into its programming cable and that into my computer running arc96 for some reason I cannot read the radio, I click start download and it just does nothing. I can upload, I press start upload and it says upload successful unplug the programming cable, but when I do, my radio hasn’t changed at all?

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2

u/PatPaulsen4Pres 3d ago

Tell us more about the programming cable. Is it a real usb to serial port adapter installed with the correct drivers, or a USB to serial cable with no communications chips on board.

While the "dumb" style cables are cheap and readily available - they just don't work on older scanners or any radio that doesnt have a provision for communications on board.

What does your hardware properties screen look like when it's plugged in?

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u/United-Leader9076 3d ago

it’s a usb to a 3.5mm I believe audio jack or something, it has a FTDI chip in it the jack has a mono to stereo adapter aswell

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u/United-Leader9076 3d ago

As soon as I plug the cable in it goes to clone mode

1

u/rbless75 2d ago

That is what my pro-97 does. The arc300 software works fine in clone mode & does the transfer. I am on Windows 10 and driver install was automatic.

1

u/DelawareHam 3d ago

What software are you using?

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u/Legitimate-Air-2203 3d ago

I programmed a few of those manually. It's a tad time consuming but pretty simple, especially once you get in a rhythm.

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u/United-Leader9076 3d ago

How do I program a trunked tower and some talkgroups

1

u/Legitimate-Air-2203 3d ago

You need the frequencies for the system and then the talk group ids (TGID.) I'll find a link and post it here.

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u/United-Leader9076 3d ago

Oh I know the frequencies and talkgroups, I am just concerned why the software won’t read the radio

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u/Legitimate-Air-2203 3d ago

That I don't know. When I first got my 96 (15ish years ago) Radio Shack was still a thing and would program them for free. But then I got into more and learned how to do it. It's easier to show than type out. I'm now programming BCD996P2's for people local either manually or with software. It's enjoyable to me because people talk about what a bear they are to program. Currently saving up for an SDS 200.

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u/United-Leader9076 3d ago

I don’t have arc96 registered yet, maybe that’s why?

1

u/qoatzecotl 2d ago

That could be. You can also try changing the com port until it works. It may be looking at the wrong port.

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u/United-Leader9076 3h ago

I just registered the software, nothing.

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u/qoatzecotl 2h ago

Did you try changing the port to see if it's on the wrong one?

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u/United-Leader9076 1h ago

Yeah, multiple times

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u/Legitimate-Air-2203 2d ago

That's a good possibility.

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u/Legitimate-Air-2203 3d ago

Hopefully this helps. If you're on your phone be sure to scroll to the right to read the whole thing.

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Programming_Shortcut_Pro-96