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Reviews For: Radio Shack PRO-97

Category: Receivers: Scanners

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Review Summary For : Radio Shack PRO-97
Reviews: 24MSRP: 199.99
Description:
This unit features 1000 memory channels and Radio Shack's Signal Stalker II technology that captures signals that are transmitted in close proximity to your location. This unit also receives Trunked (ANALOG ONLY) Motorola, M/A-Com EDACS, and LTR systems.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=20-527
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00244.6
WA4GKQ Rating: 2005-07-16
Excellent Scanner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I give the PRO-97 a 4.0 rating because nothing is perfect but this is getting close.

Biggest complaint is the odd combined on-off/volume and squelch controls. You have to have pretty small fingers to adjust the squelch and not turn the volume control too.

The second biggest complaint is the User's Guide. It's not organized well, not written clearly, and just ignores a number of features of the radio - such as not specifying the frequency ranges in Signal Stalker II mode.

Battery life is mediocre, but better than most. Four rechargeable AA's solve the problem. The optional power pack (which I don't have) would help for base operation.

Never mentioned in the User's Guide is the fact that this scanner now covers the MILAIR band (225-400 MHz), but only in Signal Stacker mode, not in Search mode, although you can program Seach Bank 6 to cover this range.

Otherwise, it's a great little radio. Love the 1000 memory locations, well organized keypad, audio is more than adequate, backlit display with text notations is outstanding, easy to program (especially with Win97 software), and excellent performance, especially in trunking modes.

Signal Stalker II seems to be a potentially great feature although it rarely picks up anything, even though there's lots of nearby radio activity in my area that I monitor clearly in other modes. Sensitivity seems to be much lower than in other modes. Therefore, I'm not sure I understand the purpose or usefulness of the function.

Although I don't have experience with other scanners, I'm pleased with my choice of the PRO-97.
N1NYP Rating: 2005-06-18
All around good unit Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
While this is not the perfect scanner, it has much going for it. I have been buying scanners for 25+ years and this one is a good all around performer with excellent sensitivity, fairly easy programing, excellent trunking and a fair price for what you get.
While I agree with a previous review that there are some cons, the ones mentioned have not happened with mine and one cannot compare this radio with the old Pro34(which I also owned and loved). I am sorry he is having problems with it, but mine has been perfect so far.
The 97 is more sensitive than the 34, has many, many more features and does trunking very well. The technology cannot be compared nor can the price since I think the 34 cost as much. I am no great fan of Radio Shack either, but I have been quite satisfied with their recent scanner selections..otherwise I stay away!

If you want a very well designed trunking scanner at a price that compares very well with anything else available the 97 is for you.
One other thing, I owned a Uniden 246 which is an excellent radio with many features that many might find better since it is smaller, uses 2 batteries instead of the 4 in the 97 and uses a unique memory system that better utilizes space, but the real test is how well does it receive and perform and the 97 I believe comes out on top. My 97 solidly receives a trunking system from about 50 miles away on the rubber duckie antenna that the 246 barely trunked... same antenna used on both for comparision. I also own a pro96 for digital and it too much outperforms the Uniden models with better sensitiviy and excellent digital clarity.
AIR490 Rating: 2005-05-07
Great airband handheld Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have to say I love the Pro-97.

It is a great, easy to use and affordable VHF/UHF airband receiver. The scan speed is good, and Signal Stalker is great for when you are near an airport or airbase. I took it to a large airshow and it workded a treat. Battery life and audio were both good. The backlight display is a great feature.

The VHF and UHF performance is also good. It handles Motorola UHF trunking very well, especially when using CC only mode.

I haven't had any problems with the keys or on/off switch. I find that the Pro-97 needs to be treated like all other scanners/receivers... with tender loving care!

My only wish is that it covered the 66-88MHz block used here in Australia.
KB3HGM Rating: 2005-04-18
Close, but no cigar! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Serial Number C011354

Purchaed 4/4/05

PROS: Backlit keypad, Triple conversion, SKYWARN with FIPS and SAME, and linking frequencies programmable

CONS: The ON/OFF/Volume switch is stacked above the SQL dial, and it breaks according to others already in trouble with a stuck dead unit. My Signal Stalker II switch is already dead, and the general keys are already starting to rub off because I had to program mine manually--since RADIO SHACK and GRE forgot to place the programming software out there with the prototypes.

People, the Radio Shack of long ago, the ones who sold RADIOS, AMATEUR RADIOS, and were staffed by computer technicians and fellow HAMS or electronics people now only hire cashiers. The radio Shack of long ago maintained their best scanner at the $199.99 price, and I still own a PRO-34, which is still in perfect working order, and those buttons fell as good as when I firest bought it.

This new scanner couldn't even pass the original Radio Shack protocol for testing scanners set by the Texas warranty department internally back in 1990.

I'm forced to wait until the HAM industry makes an HF, or Mobile or HT which will include a scanner with Trunking.

The solution:

An ALL-MODE, ALL-BAND transciever with scanner complete with Analog (Motorola, EDACS, LTR) and Digital (APCO 25, etc...) which is upgradable, and uses an SD Card to hold frequency tables, trunking frequencies, FLEET IDs, and protocols.

If they can't get me a replacement unit where the buttons don't freeze up in two weeks or less, then I will simply go back to listening to SW on my nice old GRUNDIG!

The PRO-34 Still picks up MSP on 39.28MHz anyway!