Page 1 ADVANCED DIGITAL HANDHELD SCANNING RECEIVER WITH OBJECT ORIENTED USER INTERFACE Ownerʼs Manual A Guide to Getting The Most From Your PSR-500 Advanced Digital Scanner GRE America, Inc., 425 Harbor Blvd., Belmont, CA 94002...
Page 2: Important Notice
Please take the time to read this manual completely before using your new scanner. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The PSR-500 Advanced Digital Scanner will not receive encrypted radio communications, or radio transmissions that utilize ProVoice digital modulation. FCC ID ADV0715 This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
LMIT ....................SRVC ....................SWPR ....................The FCC Wants You To Know ..............Scanning Legally ..................Getting Familiar With Your PSR-500 ..............PSR-500 Front View ..................PSR-500 Rear View ..................PSR-500 Included Accessories ..............Understanding the Display Icons ............... Understanding the Keypad ................
Page 4 Using Vehicle Battery Power ..............Creating Your First New Objects ..............Conventional Channel Object (CONV) ..........Essential Conventional Channel parameters ......... Talkgroup Object (TGRP) ............... Essential Trunking Talkgroup parameters ........Setting up and using a Trunking System (TSYS) object ....Using DUPE to speed up object entry ..........
Page 5 Saving Main Memory To A V-Scanner Folder ......Loading A Stored V-Scanner Folder To Main Memory ....Erasing V-Scanner Folders ............Cloning Your Radio to Another PSR-500 or PSR-600 Scanner ....Standard Text Entry Method and QuickText ..........Entering and Editing Alphanumeric Information .........
Page 6 Appendix F - About CTCSS, DCS and P25 NAC ........... CTCSS ....................DCS ....................P25 NAC ................... Appendix G - Finding More Information ............Learning About Scanning and your PSR-500 ........Finding Frequencies and Trunked System Information ....Index ......................... Warranty ......................
Page 7: Introduction
However, if you consider yourself to be an experienced scanning hobbyist and are feeling adventurous, we invite you to dive right in and get started programming your favorite “objects” into the radio. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 8: Features
V-Scanners is over 37,800 objects! SKYWARN Storm Spotter Functionality - Instant access to frequencies used by storm spotter networks. You can monitor storm conditions as they occur, and become aware of dangerous PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 9 LTR trunking systems when the home repeater order is not known. Enter the LTR system frequencies in any order, and the PSR-500 will automatically move the frequencies to the proper home repeater slots as transmissions are received on the system.
Page 10: Overview Of The Object Oriented User Interface
P25 Network Access Code (NAC) is used to provide selective squelch operation on conventional digital channels. Your PSR-500 will detect the NAC that is being used on a P25 conventional digital channel, and allow you to program NAC codes to block transmissions that do not have a matching NAC, including analog trafﬁc on the same frequency!
Page 11 Until recently, trunking functionality was forced into the traditional bank/channel scanner design. This confused and frustrated users, who had to learn two PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 12 All of these users share a few things in common about the way they use scanning receivers. First, they all follow the same basic PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 13 Much of what you see in the design of your new GRE scanner with Object Oriented User Interface is intended to meet the PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 14: What Is Object Oriented Scanning
Scanning makes it easy to group Scannable Objects in Scan Lists, a powerful and ﬂexible grouping system. Object Oriented Scanning makes it easy to search for new frequencies or talkgroups to monitor, and add them to existing or new Scan List PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 15: A Few Things To Remember About Object Oriented Scanning
Scan Lists. Mapping a Scannable Object to one or more Scan Lists does not change the physical location of the object in the memory system. Even when an object is mapped to one or more Scan Lists, the object itself has not PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 16: About This Manual
Instead of entering these parameters over and over again every time you create a new TGRP on the same trunked radio system, you create a TSYS object with all of the system parameters, then specify that PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 17: Conv
The FCC Wants You To Know This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a scanning receiver, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 18: Scanning Legally
However, there are some transmissions you should never intentionally listen to. These include: • Telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other means of private telephone signal transmission) • Paging transmissions • Any intentionally decoded scrambled or encrypted transmissions PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 19 In some areas, mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit. Check the laws in your area. It is also illegal in many areas to interfere with the duties of public safety ofﬁcials by traveling to the scene of an incident without authorization. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 20: Getting Familiar With Your Psr-500
Getting Familiar With Your PSR-500 The following illustrations are provided to help you get familiar with your PSR-500ʼs controls and accessories. PSR-500 Front View Headset Connector Volume Control BNC Antenna Connector Squelch Control Alert LED PC/IF Jack LCD Display External DC...
Page 21: Psr-500 Rear View
PSR-500 Rear View Headset Connector Volume Control Squelch Control BNC Antenna Connector PC/IF Jack Belt Clip External DC Power Jack Battery Compartment Figure 2 - PSR-500 rear view PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 22: Psr-500 Included Accessories
PSR-500 Included Accessories DC Adapter USB Cable Antenna Non-rechargeable battery holder Rechargeable battery holder Figure 3 - PSR-500 Included Accessories (Compact Disc not shown) PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 23: Understanding The Display Icons
Understanding the Display Icons Your PSR-500 features a high contrast, backlit Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) to provide important information about the status of the radio while you are programming and using it. The LCD includes a row of icons at the top that provides information about the status of the scanner while it is operating.
Page 24: Understanding The Keypad
Menu position and search direction indicators. Understanding the Keypad Your PSR-500 features an easy-to understand backlit keypad with 34 keys that are used to control and program the radio. Figure 5 highlights the various keys and their basic functions.
Page 25: Operation Keys
V-Scanner mode L/OUT - Toggles Temporary Lockout on active or selected object, FUNC L/OUT applies permanent lockout (can be changed in the GLOB menu) - Enter key - Pauses scan or search operation on active object PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 26: Getting Started
Getting Started First Time Startup We believe that your new PSR-500 is so easy to use that scannists with minimal experience in the hobby should be able to get up and running in a matter of just a few minutes. If you...
Page 27: Attach The Antenna
NOTE: Two battery holders are included with your PSR-500. The black battery holder should be used with non-rechargeable alkaline batteries. The yellow battery holder should be used with rechargeable NiMH or NiCAD batteries.
Page 28: Turn The Radio On
Low Battery Warning Your scanner will provide two warnings when the batteries are low. The ﬁrst warning will typically occur approximately 15 to 30 minutes prior to the point where the batteries are completely PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 29: Battery Charge Indicator
Even though some headphones let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a trafﬁc hazard. Exercise extreme caution! PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 30: Connecting An Optional External Antenna
Additionally, you may wish to disconnect your radio from the outdoor antenna during electrical storm activity to prevent damage. The diagram below provides an example of a proper antenna grounding system. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 31: Connecting An Earphone/Headphones
Using the Belt Clip You can use the belt clip attached to the back of the scanner for hands-free carrying when you are on the go. The PSR-500 ships with the belt clip already installed. To remove the belt clip, use your ﬁnger to disengage the retaining catch at the top of the belt...
Page 32: Using Ac Power
Press down on the belt clip until it locks in place. Slide the belt clip over your belt, pocket or waistband. NOTE: You can order a replacement belt clip from GRE America http://www.geramerica.com if the one that came with your radio becomes lost or damaged.
Page 33 NOTE: If you use a cigarette-lighter power cable and your vehicleʼs engine is running, you might hear electrical noise from the engine while scanning. This is normal. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 34: Creating Your First New Objects
Essential Conventional Channel parameters CONV objects are the simplest objects supported by the radio. By this we mean that there really isnʼt that much for you to do if PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 35 We also see three new softkeys: Save Exit Dflt The Save softkey will save your new CONV object to the ﬁle system when pressed (but donʼt press it yet!). The Exit softkey PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 36 Ownerʼs Manual. Use the  keys to scroll the screen until the ﬂashing cursor appears next to the Freq: label. Key in a known local frequency key, or press the DONE softkey - either one and press the PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 37 Scan Lists. NOTE: When entering data into a numerical ﬁeld, you can start typing as soon as you have scrolled to the desired ﬁeld, which will replace the PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 38: Talkgroup Object (Tgrp)
The ﬁrst time you make a TGRP for a particular trunked radio system, you must also create a TSYS that contains the system parameters associated with that trunked radio system. Once you create a TSYS object for the trunked radio system, you can use PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 39 Type: ﬁeld as-is. Itʼs a good idea (in fact, a REALLY good idea, for reasons you will see as you proceed) to give your TSYS a unique name. Press the down arrow key once PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 40 SAVE softkey, then press the SAVE softkey again. This will store the new TSYS into memory and return you to the TGRP parameter entry. Your display will now appear as follows: Scan Lists: TSYS:My System Wildcard Save Exit Dflt PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 41 “POLICE DISPATCH” for the tag. Scroll to the Tag: ﬁeld and press the key on the 5-way pushbutton pad. Using the text entry methods that you have previously employed for naming your PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 42 Also with regard to trunked radio systems, it is important to note that a talkgroup object may be conﬁgured in one of four different PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 43: Using Dupe To Speed Up Object Entry
TGRP objects before continuing. You might consider using DUPE on your wildcard TGRP object to make a duplicate, then set the Type to Private, so youʼll have a TGRP wildcard for talkgroup calls, and another for private calls. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 44: Basic Scanning Operation
To pause the scanner on an active object so that the scanner does not resume scanning, press the (Pause) key while the SCAN scanner is stopped on that object, and press PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 45 When the scanner is stopped on a TGRP while scanning, or paused in Manual Mode, the display will appear as follows: When the scanner is stopped on a conventional channel while scanning, or while paused in Manual Mode, the display will appear as follows: PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 46: Browsing Objects
Browsing Objects The 5-way pushbutton pad makes it easy for you to browse the stored objects in your PSR-500 when in Manual or Program , then use the  keys on the modes. Press 5-way pushbutton pad to move around in the scannerʼs memory as follows: : navigates “up”...
Page 47: About Object Numbering
About Object Numbering Your PSR-500 is different from other types of scanners in how it stores your Scannable Objects in memory. Instead of ﬁxed channels and banks, objects are stored in the ﬁrst available block of free memory and assigned an Object ID.
Page 48: Displaying Memory Usage
Use the  keys to scroll the display. Search Object Types A very powerful feature of your PSR-500 is the ability to deﬁne different types of frequency searches and process them while scanning. Frequency searches are just another type of Scannable Object in the hierarchy of the radioʼs memory...
Page 49: Limit Search Object (Lmit)
Once your LMIT object is saved, you can use it while scanning, or launch the LMIT search by itself by pressing the SRCH softkey SRCH (note that we are referring to the SRCH softkey, and not the PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 50: Spectrum Sweeper Object (Swpr)
HINT: It can take some time for the PSR-500 to process all of the frequencies in a LMIT search. You can experiment with different size frequency ranges to ﬁnd a LMIT search setup that does not interfere excessively with scanning of other object types.
Page 51: Essential Spectrum Sweeper Parameters
6: 470-512 MHz UHF-T Band 7: 764-806 MHz 700 MHz Band 8: 806-869 MHz 800 MHz Band 9: 896-1300 MHz 900 MHz Band, 23 cm Amateur Band In Public Safety, the sub bands are deﬁned as follows: PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 52 Spectrum Sweeper object by itself by pressing the SWPR softkey after navigating to the SWPR object in Manual Mode. When the SWPR object stops on an active frequency, the display will appear as follows: PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 53: Service Search Object (Srvc)
2: 138-150 MHz Military Voice (excludes 2m Amateur) 3: 225-400 MHz Military Voice Ham - Searches amateur radio frequencies. Groups are as follows: 0: 28.0-29.7 MHz 10m Band 1: 50-54 MHz 6m Band 2: 144-148 MHz 2m Band 3: 222-225 MHz 1.25cm Band 4: 420-450 MHz 70cm Band PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 54 To resume searching, press the  key. Now, take a few moments to practice setting up each of the different search object types by experimenting and creating some SRVC, LMIT and SWPR objects. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 55: Grouping Objects With Scan Lists
How you group objects in Scan Lists is entirely up to you! Here are some examples of how objects can be grouped: Geographically You may wish to group your Scannable Objects according to the areas where they are used. For example, assume that you PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 56: By Trunking System
Scan Lists that it is mapped to in the normal Scan List map. When you press the key, the radio suspends scanning of all objects in the radio except for those that are set to FAV=YES in their object menus. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 57: Mapping Objects To Scan Lists
Scan List number indicates that the object is a member of that Scan List. Press the Save softkey to save the modiﬁed object. Objects can be members of as many Scan Lists as you see ﬁt, without limitation to the number of Scan Lists an PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 58: Naming, Enabling And Disabling Scan Lists
Scan List sub menu, then press the Save softkey again to save the changes to the Global menu. Scan Lists may be enabled or disabled while actively scanning, or by accessing the individual Scan List in the Global Settings (GLOB) menu. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 59 Scan List, you can use the  keys to scroll to the objects found there and edit the Scan List setting by pressing the key, then the EDIT and CURR softkeys to see the objectʼs menu. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 60: Other Advanced Startup Topics
PSR-500 with other owners! Finding Stored Objects Easily The PSR-500ʼs browse feature makes it easy to scroll to the Scan Lists and Scannable Objects you have created, using the  keys on the 5-way pushbutton pad while the scanner is in PGM or Manual Mode.
Page 61: Filtering By Object Type
Scan List. Locking out an object locks it out “radio-wide” until it is enabled by toggling the lockout setting. Four types of lockout functions are available in the PSR-500, temporary lockout, permanent lockout, search lockout and talkgroup lockout.
Page 62 By using Temporary Lockout, it is possible to “zoom in” on the objects that are carrying communications related to the incident L/OUT of interest by pressing every time an unrelated object becomes active. Eventually you will narrow down your monitoring PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 63: Permanent Lockout
LMIT searches, some SRVC searches, and SWPR objects. Frequency lockout is used to lock out undesired frequencies that are found during searches. To apply search lockout during a search, press the FrL/O softkey while the scanner is stopped on the undesired frequency: PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 64: Talkgroup Lockout
Talkgroup lockout is similar to search lockout, as it allows you to lockout undesired talkgroups while searching for new talkgroup activity with wildcard TGRP objects. To apply lockout on an undesired wildcard hit, press the TGL/O softkey while the scanner is stopped on the undesired talkgroup: PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 65: Setting The Default Scan List
Enter a new Scan List number to use as the default Scan List. The following numbers are valid: 0: The “not scanned” (ns) Scan List - objects that have no Scan List mappings can be found here 1-20: The twenty normal Scan Lists 21: The FAV Scan List PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 66: Deleting Objects
Deleting Objects Objects that you no longer need to use can easily be deleted from the PSR-500ʼs memory, making room for new objects. , then use the  keys to To delete an object, press FUNC CL navigate to the object you wish to delete.
Page 67 Your PSR-500 includes a Multi-site feature that can enhance the operation of the scanner when monitoring Multi-site systems. Multi-site can be enabled by editing the trunking system (TSYS) parameters for a Motorola or P25 system.
Page 68: Ltr Home Repeater Automove
TSYS, then press the Save softkey to save your changes. When AutoMove HRs is turned on, you may enter the LTR system frequencies in any order, and the PSR-500 will automatically move the frequencies to the proper home repeater slots as transmissions are received on the system.
Page 69: Turning Object Priority On Or Off
Priority CONV object for activity. TGRP Priority Scan When Object Priority is set to Yes for one or more TGRP objects, the scanner will give those TGRPs priority over other TGRPs while checking a particular trunking system for activity. TGRPs PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 70: Hit Counters
Hit Counters Your PSR-500 includes a unique Hit Counter feature that keeps track of how many transmissions are received for each object type. The Hit Counter for an object is incremented each time a transmission is received on an object, making it possible for you to determine the objects that are the least and most active.
Page 71: Audible Alarm And Alert Led Settings
Chirp, Fast Hi-Lo, DTMF # are used to set audible alarms that play each time activity is found on the object. ALERT LED with Audible Alarm Examples Here are some examples of when you may wish to use the ALERT LED with Audible Alarm capability: PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 72: Dedicated Search Modes
Using Dedicated Spectrum Sweeper (SWPR) Mode Dedicated SWPR mode lets you access and run the Spectrum FUNC SCAN Sweeper easily and quickly. Press while in the Manual, Program or Scan Modes to access the Spectrum Sweeper dedicated mode. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 73 1: 108-137 MHz VHF Aircraft Band 2: 137-174 MHz VHF High Band 3: 216-300 MHz 220 MHz Commercial/Amateur Band 4: 300-406 MHz UHF Military Air Band 5: 406-470 MHz UHF Band 6: 470-512 MHz UHF-T Band PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 74: Using Dedicated Tune Mode
TUNE screen. By default, TUNE mode is paused when ﬁrst activated. Press to begin searching from the current frequency. Press the  or  keys on the 5-way pushbutton pad to change the search direction. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 75 SID=System ID, and S=Site Number qq% Nnnn W:wwwww P25 9600 BPS control channel Sys:sss Rrr Stt where qq=decoding quality of the control channel data, N=NAC, W=WACN, SYS=System ID, R=RFSS, and S=Site Number PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 76: Using Dedicated Limit And Service Search Modes
“VC: lsTGID” readings should be expected. You may wish to use the PSR-500ʼs Tune LED feature to obtain a visual indication of signal strength using the tri-color LED. To , then the GLOB softkey. Press activate the Tune LED, press the ...
Page 77: Using Dedicated Srvc Mode
SRVC object. SRCH To activate dedicated SRVC search mode, press the on the keypad repeatedly until the desired service search is PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 78 5: 902-928 MHz 33cm Band 6: 1240-1300 MHz 23cm Band CB - Searches the citizenʼs band radio frequencies Marine - Searches the VHF-FM marine radio band FRS/GMRS/MURS/DOT/STAR (F/G/MURS) - Searches the FRS, GMRS, MURS, DOT and STAR radio frequencies PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 79: Using Weather Modes
Press the STOR softkey to create a new CONV object using the found frequency. Using Weather Modes Your PSR-500 also functions as a powerful weather alert receiver. There are three modes of weather alert operation available to you. NOTE: Your scanner incorporates weather alert as one of its features and is an extremely sensitive high quality receiver on the weather frequencies.
Page 80: Weather Radio Mode
To activate Weather Priority Mode, follow the steps above listed above in Weather Radio Mode to ﬁnd the strongest weather radio transmitter for your area. Once the radio is tuned to the PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 81: Same Standby Mode
Entering the entire 048113 code will cause the radio to receive all SAME alerts that match the code for Dallas County. Suppose you wanted to receive any alert for any county in the entire state (provided that the alert is sent by your local NWS PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 82: Same Entry Examples
SAME Entry Examples Using the Dallas County, TX example above: SAME Entry 1: Code: 048113 Event: *** Entry: ON Lockout: OFF SAME Entries 2-10: Code: ****** Event: *** Entry: OFF Lockout: OFF PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 83: Entering Same Location And Event Codes
The following steps are used to create a SAME entry that provides all weather alerts for a given location. Press the key to enter Weather mode. Press the SAME softkey to add or edit SAME entries. The scanner display will show the following: PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 84 5-way pushbutton pad to edit the selected SAME entry. The scanner display will appear as follows: With the Entry: ﬁeld selected, press  on the 5-way pushbutton pad to turn the entry on. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 85 SAME location code. Use the keypad to enter a SAME code. NOTE: The PSR-500 supports entry of Extended SAME codes, which can include numbers and letters. The text entry mode is used to enter both numerical SAME codes and extended SAME codes. To enter a numerical SAME code, simply precede each number in the SAME code with “1”.
Page 86: Activating Same Standby Mode
SAME warning starts. You may reset standby mode by pressing the STBY softkey twice at any time. Using V-Scanner Storage Your PSR-500 features two types of memory storage. Main memory is used to store your programming that is used for everyday monitoring and scanning. V-Scanner memory is used to store complete copies of your scannerʼs main memory for later...
Page 87 Scanner”. Your PSR-500 features 21 V-Scanner storage locations, each capable of storing a copy of your scannerʼs main memory, including all of your objects and global radio-wide settings. Having 21 Virtual Scanners is like having 21 scanners in one. You can custom tailor a main memory conﬁguration to suit your needs for the type of scanning you do in different situations, then store that conﬁguration for later use.
Page 88: Saving Main Memory To A V-Scanner Folder
Load softkey. The scanner will ask you to conﬁrm that you wish to overwrite the current contents of main memory. Press the YES softkey to proceed, or the NO softkey to abort. The data transfer takes approximately 4 seconds to complete. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 89: Erasing V-Scanner Folders
Press the YES softkey to proceed, or the NO softkey to abort. Cloning Your Radio to Another PSR-500 or PSR-600 Scanner Your PSR-500 features a high speed data interface that can be used to transfer the data from your scanner to another PSR-500 or PSR-600 scanner from GRE.
Page 90: Entering And Editing Alphanumeric Information
Press the (period) key to enter a SPACE. FUNC While using Standard Text Entry, the key serves as a shift key. For letters, uppercase text is typed by default, and you can PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 91: Using Quicktext
FUNC CL press to clear the entire ﬁeld. The PSR-500 character set and corresponding entry codes are FUNC provided below for reference. Pressing to toggle the shift lock status will produce lower case characters for letters, and a second set of punctuation marks for special characters.
Page 92: Customizing Quicktext
Once you are ﬁnished editing your QTXT storage location, press the SAVE softkey to save the QTXT, then press the SAVE softkey again to save the changes you made to the GLOB menu. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 93: Power-On Conﬁguration Key Sequences
Power-On Configuration Key Sequences Your PSR-500 features power-on keypress sequences that are used as shortcuts to conﬁguration items, like attenuator settings, backlight settings and memory information. Power-on key sequences are also used to place your scanner into ﬁrmware upgrade mode for CPU and DSP ﬁrmware upgrades.
Page 94: Birdie Frequencies
If the interference is not severe, you might be able to turn SQ clockwise to omit the birdie. To ﬁnd the birdies in your scanner, begin by disconnecting the antenna and moving it away from the scanner. Make sure that no PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 95: Care
If you believe your scanner is defective, you should contact your dealer for assistance. However, before you do so, check that the fault was caused by a human error. Carefully reread the relevant section in the Owners Manual. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 96: Troubleshooting
If your scanner does not appear to be functioning properly, you can reset the global radio parameters to their factory state without losing any of your programmed data. Any custom changes you have made to the radioʼs global parameters will be lost. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 97: Initializing The Scanner To Factory Defaults
This procedure clears all information you stored in the scannerʼs working memory, AND resets the global parameters to factory defautls. Initialize the scanner only when you are sure the scanner is not working properly. V-Scanner memory is not affected when the scanner is initialized. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 98 5. Press any key on the keypad to proceed. The scanner will next display: GLOB EEPROM area Initialized to defaults. Press any key. 6. Press any key on the keypad to proceed. The scanner will reboot with ﬁle system and global parameters reset to factory defaults. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 99: Detailed Menu Reference
User Interface, which features a powerful menu system that is used to conﬁgure the various Scannable Objects that your scanner is capable of receiving. The PSR-500 design also includes a Global Settings (GLOB) menu that provides unprecedented control over the radio wide settings used throughout your scanner.
Page 100: Glob Menu Reference
Light Mode Norml, Key, Ignre, On, Stlth that keyʼs normal function is ignored if the backlight is off when it is pressed. On causes the backlight to Stlth remain on all the time. (Steath) disables the backlight. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 101 Clear FAV Press to clear the Favorites Scan List. Memory Info Press to see the current memory usage. EXPERT BELOW Activates Signal Strength driven LED when in Tune LED On or Off TUNE mode. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 102 Yes or No previously stored TGRPS that are mapped to disabled Scan Lists. For Motorola and P25 systems, shows current ShowCCInfo Yes or No control channel index (from TSYS frequency list) and frequency alternating with the voice frequency. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 103: Conv Menu Reference
On or Off transmission is complete, unless overridden by a subsequent object that is also using the ALERT LED. Controls whether the backlight should be on, off or Backlight On, Off or Flash ﬂashing while the object is active. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 104 On or Off object is active Increments each time a transmission is received on Hit Count Numeric value the SWPR object. Global “Hit Counts” must be set Dflt to ON. Press the softkey to reset to 0. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 105: Tgrp Menu Reference
Audible Alarm is selected, the selected alarm will Alarm Ring, 2-Chirp, Fast Hi-Lo, play at the beginning of each transmission on the DTMF# TGRP object, or anytime the scanner stops for activity on the TGRP object while scanning. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 106 On or Off object is active Increments each time a transmission is received on Hit Count Numeric value the SWPR object. Global “Hit Counts” must be set Dflt to ON. Press the softkey to reset to 0. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 107: Tsys Menu Reference
Narrow FM Yes or No radio systems utilize NFM modulation. This setting has no effect on digital trunked radio system performance. Activates 6 dB audio level boost for all activity on AudioBoost Yes or No this TSYS PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 108 For Motorola and P25 systems only - sets custom T Tables channel tables. Use ,to select option, press Normal, Splinter, Custom on Custom to enter custom table information Fleet Map For Motorola Type I systems only - sets ﬂeet map PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 109: Lmit Menu Reference
AM modulation, FM to force FM modulation, NFM to force narrow FM modulation. When on, applies 20 dB of attenuation to all hits Atten On or Off received on the LMIT search. Useful in areas where interference from nearby strong signals is present. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 110 Search Dir Up or Down active. Increments each time a transmission is received on Hit Count Numeric value the SWPR object. Global “Hit Counts” must be set to ON. Press the Dflt softkey to reset to 0. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 111: Srvc Menu Reference
Railroad - searches the Association of American Railroads (AAR) VHF railroad frequencies used in the US and Canada  to scroll, SEL to toggle Toggle search groups when Pub Safety, Aircraft and Groups on/off Amateur service searches are used. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 112 Search Dir Up or Down active. Increments each time a transmission is received on Hit Count Numeric value the SWPR object. Global “Hit Counts” must be set Dflt to ON. Press the softkey to reset to 0. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 113: Swpr Menu Reference
L/Out On or Off accessed by pressing while the scanner is stopped on the SWPR object. Controls whether the ALERT LED ﬂashes or LED Mode Solid or Flash remains on solid when the ALERT LED is used. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 114 Search Dir Up or Down active. Increments each time a transmission is received on Hit Count Numeric value the SWPR object. Global “Hit Counts” must be set Dflt to ON. Press the softkey to reset to 0. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 115: Appendix A - Remote Control Protocol
"Speciﬁcations") AS IS for the convenience of scanning hobbyists and programmers who wish to develop software applications for use with the PSR-500. Use of the Speciﬁcations shall be AT YOUR OWN RISK. GRE does not provide Memory File Format, CCDump Protocol, PC/IF Clone Protocol and Remote Control Protocol technical support.
Page 116: Get Status
5: set to 1 if Mobile (PSR-600), 0 otherwise bit 6: set to 1 if bit 5 == 1 and backlight level is "Dim" Get LCD Command: STX L ETX <sum> Response: STX L <lcd0> <lcd1> ... <lcd63> <icons1> <icons2> ETX <sum> PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 117: Send Key
6: LCD backlight status Send Key Command: STX K <keycode> ETX <sum> Response: (no response) Key codes for the Send Key command are as follows: Code Code Code Code SCAN  FUNC  SRCH L/OUT   TUNE PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 118: Tune
Code Code Code NOTE: To initiate the “press and hold” action for the Light key, send code 32 ORed with 0x80 (value is 0xA0) Tune Command: STX T <freq0> <freq1> <freq2> <freq3> <rxmode> ETX SUM Response: (no response) PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 119: Appendix B - Ccdump
"Speciﬁcations") AS IS for the convenience of scanning hobbyists and programmers who wish to develop software applications for use with the PSR-500. Use of the Speciﬁcations shall be AT YOUR OWN RISK. GRE does not provide Memory File Format, CCDump Protocol, PC/IF Clone Protocol and Remote Control Protocol technical support.
Page 120 Chan 0-6, if in TUNE mode, “AAAA”) <CC data> = the "osw" from the CC. The format necessarily depends on the system type: P25: <X1><X2><X3><X4><X5><X6><X7><X8><X9><XA><XB><XC> <X1> - <XC> = 12 2-digit hexadecimal bytes from the last msg M36: <cmd> <dir> <id> PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 121 (since commands are variable length) <ppppppp> = remainder of msg, after removing the <ccc> command value WXS: <SAME Message> One code at a time WXT: "1050Hz Detect" <decoded description> = If present, how the radio SW interpreted the msg. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 122: Appendix C - Frequency, Step And Mode Speciﬁcations
894.00000 - 901.987500 MHz 12.5 kHz FM 902.00000 - 939.987500 MHz 12.5 kHz FM 940.00000 - 960.000000 MHz 6.25 kHz FM 1240.0000 - 1300.00000 MHz 6.25 kHz FM *Excludes frequencies utilized by the Cellular Mobile Radiotelephone Service: 824-848.9875 MHz and 869-893.9875 PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 123: Appendix D - General Speciﬁcations
VHF High 137.00000 - 174.00000 MHz 216.00250 – 224.9950 MHz 225.00000 – 299.93750 MHz UHF Low/T 300.00000 – 512.00000 MHz UHF High 796.00000 – 960.00000 MHz* 1240 .00000 – 1300.0000 MHz *Excludes frequencies utilized by the Cellular Mobile Radiotelephone Service PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 124 6 VDC (4 ea. "AA" alkaline, NiCAD or NiMH) External Power and 9 VDC 500 mA regulated power supply Charge Voltage Dimensions Approximately 2.56(w) x 1.65(d) x 5.71(h) inches, 65 (w) x 42 (d) x 145 (h) mm PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 125 Manual, Demo Remote Control software, USB cable drivers and V-Scanner data ﬁles), alkaline battery holder, NiCAD/NiMH battery holder, belt clip, USB PC/IF cable, AC to DC external power adapter Memory backup No backup battery required, utilizes non-volatile EEPROM memory PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 126: Appendix E - About Trunked Radio Technologies
In radio, trunking works in a very similar way. Instead of each radio user or user group having their own dedicated radio channel, a small group of radio channels is shared amongst a PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 127 In distributed control, there is no single dedicated control channel. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 128 The other users switch to the free repeater and the voice call proceeds there. LTR systems operate using distributed control. Your scanner utilizes the data sent by each controller on each channel to track the activity on an LTR system. PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 129: Appendix F - About Ctcss, Dcs And P25 Nac
PSR-500 can search for and display the selective squelch type and squelch tones or codes in use on a particular frequency. The three types of selective squelch available in the PSR-500 are as follows: CTCSS CTCSS stands for Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System. In CTCSS, the transmitter sends a special, low level audio tone continuously while a transmission is in progress.
Page 130: Dcs
If the DCS code is not present, or an incorrect code is found, the receiver will remain muted. Additionally, the PSR-500 can detect the DCS code that is in use on a transmitter, and will allow you to store the code value with a CONV object when a DCS transmission occurs.
Page 131: Appendix G - Finding More Information
PSR-500 users. For starters, we recommend www.radioreference.com, where you will ﬁnd a discussion forum dedicated to the PSR-500, along with dozens of other scanning discussion forums devoted to the scanning hobby. We also suggest groups.yahoo.com. Search the Yahoo Groups for PSR-500, and join groups that include active discussions related to the PSR-500.
Page 132 USA and the world. One of the more enjoyable aspects of the scanning hobby is ﬁnding new frequencies on your own. Your PSR-500 includes powerful Limit Search (LMIT) and Service Search (SRVC) search capabilities that will help you ﬁnd active frequencies in your area, and a Spectrum Sweeper (SWPR) that quickly searches through selected frequency bands to ﬁnd nearby transmitters.
Page 133: Index
..........Birdie frequencies 94 ..............Browsing Objects 46 ..............Care 95 ..................CCDump ................Cloning Your Radio to Another PSR-500 or PSR-600 89 ..CONV (Conventional Channel), creating your ﬁrst 34 ....CONV Menu Reference 103 ............CTCSS, about 129 ..............CTCSS, DCS and P25 NAC, about 129 ........
Page 134 Power-On Conﬁguration Key Sequences 93 ......Powering on 28 ................Priority Scan 68 ................Priority Scan Mode, turning on or off 69 ........Priority Scan, CONV 69 ............. Priority Scan, TGRP 69 .............. Priority, turning on or off for objects 69 ........Priority, weather 80 ..............PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 135 QuickText 91 ................QuickText, how to customize 92 ..........QuickText, how to use 91 ............Rear View, PSR-500 21 ............. Remote Control Protocol ............. SAME Entry Examples 82 ............SAME Location and Event Codes, how to enter 83 ....SAME Standby Mode 81 ............SAME Standby Mode, how to enter 86 ........
Page 136 V-Scanner Storage, how to use 86 ..........Vehicle DC power, using 32 ............Warranty 137 ................Weather Priority Mode 80 ............Weather Radio Mode 80 ............PSR-500 User Manual Page...
Page 137: Warranty
12 months from the date of sale to the end user. GRE America will correct defects. There will be no charge for labor for a period of 12 months from the date of original sale, except as provided below. Overtime premiums and/or expedited handling and shipping costs must be paid by the owner.
Page 138 PSR-500 User Manual Page...

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