WS-1090 IF Out (Discriminator Audio)

This is from the Radio Reference forum:

When the scanner was first designed, IF Out was a desired feature, and it was going to be ported over from the PSR-800. However, because the audio paths are different in the PSR-900 and GRE couldn't get the speaker IF Out to work, they removed the feature.
Whistler resurrected the PSR-900 design, and after months of hardware and software changes, created the WS1095. Renewed interest in the IF Out function from RR caused Whistler to take another look and determined that it could be made to work through the headphone jack but not the EXT speaker.
Unfortunately, the first production run was already complete and shipped from the factory.
The first production run has date code (sticker on the back of the unit) 04A15. This run does not have IF Out Subsequent production runs (date code 05A15 or later) does have IF Out circuitry and only required a CPU update to make functional.
If you have a unit with date code 04A15 and want the IF Out feature, the recommendation is to contact customer service at 1-866-923-8719 and you will be directed to a repair center that can update your unit.

It is nice to see that Whistler has jumped right in and offered to update the first run units.  Had they added GPS to these units, I would have probably had my 536HP up for sale already.

Speaking of Uniden, still no word from Uniden on the x36 issues.

WS-1095 Out in the Wild

There have been some reports, and pictures as well of the Whistler WS-1095 mobile finally ending up in the hands of the users.  Reports have been limited so far, but over all people seem happy with it.  The main feature here is the remote head.   In today's vehicles, it is very difficult to mount anything.  The head is thin enough to be able to be mounted just about anywhere.  This is also a superior design, compared to Uniden's RH-96 head sold for the old T/XT scanners.

Not that this is a surprise, but despite the awesome remote head, unfortunately scanner isn't any different from the WS-1080 scanner (and RS Pro668), and has the same limitations.    Even still, it makes the base/mobile playing field that much more crowded.  Uniden's lack of a decent remote head gives this scanner an advantage, despite the lack of GPS and quick keys to easily change scan lists.   Uniden's iPhone app, although works, doesn't even let you change the volume on the radio itself.   Comparing this against the Home Patrol, the HP has more install options due to its unique form factor, however the need to use an amplified speaker and the awkward setup of cables coming out both sides complicates that as well.

The big issue I find with the scanner (and it's hand held cousins) are that you cannot put a trunk site in a favorite list.  If I were to set this scanner of for all of NJ, I would have to duplicate the NJICS system at least 6 times, and the NJSP system 3 times (not including any of the IR sites).  I have tried to use the multi-site settings, however I found that more often than not, it tends to sit there for up to 5 minutes at a time polling all the sites and never worked well.  This feature goes back to the PSR-500 radios and as far as I can tell, has never really worked right.  If they can make that work, the need for quick keys becomes less important (and GPS to an extent).   Aside from that, having to turn scan lists on and off manually through the menu isn't really something I would want to do, however with more flexible mounting options, that will negate that to a degree.

If you want to talk desktop scanner only, it really comes down to preference if you like Whistler over Uniden.  Reports are still pending, however you may run into the same intermod issues when using an external antenna, similar to the hand held models.

Overall, for a mobile install, it is worth considering, especially if you do not need/want the GPS feature.  The remote head puts it ahead of Uniden as far as mounting wise.

Pros:
Remote Head
Bright Clear Display

Cons:
No GPS
No Quick keys
Quirky software

On a semi-related note, there are rumors circulating that Uniden is preparing a hardware update to the x36 line, to address the battery and possibly the display issues.   Hopefully this will put an end to some of the issues with these radios.

Hot 97 Summer Jam Incident at Met Life Stadium

For those of you who missed it, the Hot 97 Summer Jam went into complete chaos when people started jumping the fence.  NJSP was operating on Statecom 2 at the time.

I posted the audio for download.  I cut out the dead air, except for when the emergency button was it, which keeps the carrier open.  Each file is approx. 15 minutes long.  Most of the action takes place on parts 3 thru 6, but it is worth listening to the entire thing to see how things escalated.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/74iv1yojrnkerr6/AABV-tbniD6Z_jLH-tiv97BYa?dl=0

Happy Friday Pro 668 owners

Whistler dropped an update yesterday for the Pro 668.

- Fixed EDACS patching bug. 

- Add delay in USB startup required by some USB host hardware. 

- Changed algorithm used for battery level icon. 

- New default voltages for NiMH icon thresholds. 

- Fixed Audio Boost handling for analog frequencies. 

- DAC gain changes for digital "too loud" problem 

- EDACS ESK detection fixes 

- Fixes for password / alarm functions. Changes were not always preserved on power-down.

I updated mine last night and so far no problems at all.

Spring Round Up

Not too much happening in the scanner world lately.  My anticipated blog about re-purposing your old android phone for a Uniden Remote scanning head came to an abrupt halt when I shattered the screen of my Galaxy Note 3.  I will be revisiting that once the android app is released.  Speaking of that, here is the latest Uniden update:

Clock Battery fix (not firmware):  No word from Uniden
Android App: No word from Uniden
Screen dimming on the x36 scanners.  This is a fairly new one.  I can report both of mine have noticeably dimmed over the last year.  No word from Uniden.

So you see the theme here.  Lets move on to new and exciting products that will hopefully actually work as advertised.

The  long awaited Whistler 1095 Mobile scanner is supposed to be out any time now.  I can't wait to see some reports on how it performs.

AOR has released a very interesting radio that decodes pretty much everything and anything.  It is too bad they don't offer trunk tracking on their radios.

Specs: http://radioaficion.com/cms/aor-ar-dv1/
Discussion: http://forums.radioreference.com/aor-receivers/297029-aor-ar-dv1.html

Coming from Russia of all places, this is a new receiver that does Trunk Tracking, DMR and a bunch of other things.  It is not a dongle, but uses windows software to run it (similar to winradio).  This has real potential.

Site: http://hrw.3dn.ru/news/apco25_and_dmr_receiver/2013-05-06-3
Discussion: http://forums.radioreference.com/all-other-scanner-manufacturers/305124-adcr25-p25-dmr-receiver.html


Lots of new things coming, unfortunately, most require you to be at your computer.  An option (I am sure the FCC wouldn't be too happy with this), is to hook up an FRS radio with a VOX input, to your audio out of the sound card.  You can then add that FRS frequency to your scanner and the audio will come over just like any other frequency.  This could also work with Live feeds as well.

Don't forget to follow @wcalerts for all your Warren County, NJ Fire & EMS alerts.