PRO-107

From time to time I hear about a scanner that takes my fancy, be it a brand new one or an old one that never came into my hands. So, I would like to cover the PRO-107 which falls into those categories.

Produced for the United States market, the PRO-107 promises to change everything in the scanner world! Its claim to do this is based on the fact that you can hear all of the action in your home area without the complicated programming of frequencies. To do this the 107 has a built-in SD™ card which is pre-programmed with a full American 'Radio Reference' database, containing all known analog public-service 'trunked' systems as well as many conventional frequencies. You just select the area where you are and what you want to scan from pre-installed lists, and then hit play (not scan). The SD card can store more frequencies than you can dream of - it is claimed millions, but I have not counted them. But, there is no card reader! However, you can also use High Capacity Secure Digital Cards as long as 32kB memory block clusters are used.

Frequencies can then be categorized into 20 play lists for you to name such as police, fire, aircraft, shipping, utility or HAM. To give you a better idea of what is possible, these are the bands covered:

25-50MHz VHF-Lo
50-54MHz 6-meter Ham
108-136.99166MHz Aircraft
137-144MHz VHF Government
144-148MHz 2-meter Ham
148-174MHz VHF-Hi
216.0025-221.9975
222-225MHz VHF
225.025-405.975MHz UHF Military
406-512MHz
806-960MHz (excluding wireless phone bands)
1240-1300MHz Ham

As the PRO-107 iScan is a Multi-Trunking scanner, it boasts the ability to track Motorola type I/II systems, LTR and EDACS trunking systems, therefore has the following Trunking scanning capability;

Conventional channels, each in two play lists: 8 million
Trunked systems, minimum 20 talkgroups per system: 6 thousand
Trunked systems, every possible talkgroup (~65,000) in every system: 151
Minimum number of total talkgroups @ one per system, 6000 systems: 6 thousand
Maximum number total talkgroups @ ~65,000 per system, 151 systems: 9.8 million.
Motorola Type I
Motorola Type II
Motorola Type IIi Hybrid
Motorola Type II Smartnet
Motorola Type II Smartzone
Motorola Type II Smartzone Omnilink
EDACS Standard (Wide)
EDACS Standard Networked
EDACS Narrowband (Narrow)
EDACS Narrowband Networked
EDACS SCAT
EDACS ESK (Non-ProVoice)
LTR Standard

Frequencies can be set up manually, or via radio control software, supplied through a USB/power cable. Firmware updates are available via the PC/IF USB port.

Operating voltage is DC 2.4 Volts (2 X AA Ni-MH Batteries) or DC 3 Volts (2 X AA Alkaline batteries). (Rechargeable batteries are not supplied). External power and charge voltage USB Power is DC 5V 500mA. For transportation bear in mind there is no belt clip or case.

For operation there is no traditional keypad, as the scanner uses media player style buttons to navigate to user programmed play lists. The Simple display option will display the play list only, or can be disabled for a more detailed display. In addition the scanner has:

Programmable audible alarms
Easy-to-read back display and back lit keypad
Display and keypad backlighting that can be turned on or off independently
A Scan rate of 75 channels per second (non trunking)
A Search speed 85 channels per second
CTCSS/DCS capabilities with search (no auto-save or key-press save feature)
16-character alpha-tagging with text entry can show ID code or service name
Temporary and permanent L/O of talk-group ID or frequency
ID delay
Motorola Control Channel Only trunking
Radio ID Display
Priority Object settings (conventional and trunked)
6 search ranges/ 1 user definable search range
Search "seek" feature
9 navigation keys to access special modes and programming options
6 line x 16 character display with relative signal strength meter
BNC connector
And a programmable Welcome Screen text!

I asked 'Glen', a good friend who lives in Madison in Maine, America what he thought of his Pro-107. He said;

"I have had it for just over two weeks and really love it. However, I live in central Maine, an area that is not digital and will not be for 2 years at least, and the PRO-107 is for analog systems only!

I like the size, the sound, the reception, ease of operation but do not like not having a belt clip or case of some sort. The software works great but there is a slight learning curve to the 107 and its software. But, that is expected. I have already upgraded the firmware with ease.

The workmanship is very good but the antenna is poor, so I have chosen to use the Diamond RH77CA and an Austin Condor. Both are great scanner antennas and work great for me! I use the Radio Shack standard magnetic mount for the car. I am also looking for a good external speaker

Overall, as I live in an analog area this is the best scanner period. I would definitely give it 5 stars."

If you would like to know more about the scanner, email me and I will give you Glen's email address.

If you fancy getting a PRO-107, they are available from 'RadioShack' stores, but take care, for there have been a number of sales offering the scanner at different prices in different stores. At the present time of looking, they were going for $179.99 instead of the regular price of $229.99. However, there is also duty payable unless you can get one in the UK.

MOBILE PHONES
A German computer scientist has published details of the secret code used to protect the conversations of more than 4bn mobile phone users. Karsten Nohl, working with other experts, has spent the past five months cracking the algorithm used to encrypt calls using GSM technology. The work could allow anyone - including criminals - to eavesdrop on private phone conversations.

GSM encryption was first introduced in 1987 but Mr Nohl, working with some friends claims to be able to crack the A5/1 algorithms. The code is designed to prevent phone calls from being intercepted by forcing mobile phones and base stations to rapidly change radio frequencies over a spectrum of 80 channels. To get around this problem, Nohl used networks of computers to crunch through every possible combination of inputs and outputs for the encryption code of which there are endless possibilities.

A GSM spokesman said "All in all, we consider this research, which appears to be motivated in part by commercial considerations, to be a long way from being a practical attack on GSM".

I will put my money that it will not be that long. in fact, I have talked only this week to a software developer who is attending a conference in the New Year on the subject with like minded business associates!