Radio Shack is at it again when it comes to Scanner Sales. Both the PRO-106 and PRO-197 are on sale again for $399.99 (only a $100 discount this time) until 01/03/2009. The PRO-2096 is also on clearance for $249.97 and while it is a digital scanner, this particular model is not the best for the Lucas County system, but some folks may still want to give it a try.
UPDATE: The Radio Shack PRO-2096 digital scanner comes to $204.97 when ordering online with the 10% clearance discount and the $20 off from the 20STUFF08 discount code. Just a general disclaimer, this is one of the oldest models of digital scanners, and may not provide for the best reception with certain systems. It is technically capable of receiving the 9600 baud Project 25 Standard trunking control channel format and the LSM (Linear Simulcast Modulation) CQPSK (Compatible Differential Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) APCO-25 digital voice modulation format used by the Lucas County Public Safety system. Individuals however have generally been more likely to experience sub-par to unacceptable performance with simulcast systems especially when using these older models. Your experience may vary. For more information regarding the challenges, refer to the Simulcast Digital Distortion page on the Radio Reference Wiki (http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Simulcast_digital_distortion). The PRO-2096 would still make for a great scanner for the State of Ohio MARCS digital radio system.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
About NW Ohio Live Services: "Live Camera"
This is the third entry of a series of seven blog entries that will provide additional details surrounding all the elements at NW Ohio Live Services (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/).
Today's topic is the "Live Camera" component (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/livecamera.html). The goal of this camera is to provide a window on the local weather activity.
The Live Camera is powered by a generic stand alone web camera. This web camera FTPs an image every minute to my Web Server. That image is then also FTP'd to Weather Uunderground for further visibility and achieving (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KOHOREGO2).
One neat feature on Weather Underground is the ability to recall a 24 hour time lapse video loop of all captured images from any day in the past (http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/kc8nno/1/show.html). I've had some fun going back and watching time lapse video of the days during which we had recent snow falls.
I am also impressed at how well the camera works at nights during which there is a decent blanketing of snow present. In some cases, almost as bright as day time, but other days with less or no snow, not much can be seen. I also have a window screen that is impairing the best possible visibilty of the outside--I'm looking into removing that screen at some point in the future.
As a final note, I'm also submitting these Live Camera images to The Weather Channel via their Weather Bonk site (http://www.weatherbonk.com/weather/camDetail.jsp?id=cam_1229899380150).
This concludes the in depth look at the details surrounding the Live Camera element. Stay tuned for the next topic which will cover the Live Mapping component in more detail.
(About NW Ohio Live Services - Blog Entry 3 of 7)
2008 NW Ohio Live Services
Today's topic is the "Live Camera" component (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/livecamera.html). The goal of this camera is to provide a window on the local weather activity.
The Live Camera is powered by a generic stand alone web camera. This web camera FTPs an image every minute to my Web Server. That image is then also FTP'd to Weather Uunderground for further visibility and achieving (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KOHOREGO2).
One neat feature on Weather Underground is the ability to recall a 24 hour time lapse video loop of all captured images from any day in the past (http://www.wunderground.com/webcams/kc8nno/1/show.html). I've had some fun going back and watching time lapse video of the days during which we had recent snow falls.
I am also impressed at how well the camera works at nights during which there is a decent blanketing of snow present. In some cases, almost as bright as day time, but other days with less or no snow, not much can be seen. I also have a window screen that is impairing the best possible visibilty of the outside--I'm looking into removing that screen at some point in the future.
As a final note, I'm also submitting these Live Camera images to The Weather Channel via their Weather Bonk site (http://www.weatherbonk.com/weather/camDetail.jsp?id=cam_1229899380150).
This concludes the in depth look at the details surrounding the Live Camera element. Stay tuned for the next topic which will cover the Live Mapping component in more detail.
(About NW Ohio Live Services - Blog Entry 3 of 7)
2008 NW Ohio Live Services
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Hancock County getting MARCS radios in 2009
Article about communications upgrades in Hancock County, including new MARCS radios for Sheriff, County Fire and EMS:
Courier Electronic Edition - Findlay, Ohio: Sunday, December 21, 2008
The county received a $1.6 million grant to purchase MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) radios, which will be used by sheriff's deputies, county fire departments and EMS providers. Consoles provided through the grant will ...
http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2008/Dec/21/ar_news_122108_story1.asp?d=122108_story1,2008,Dec,21&c=n
Jeff KC8NNO
Courier Electronic Edition - Findlay, Ohio: Sunday, December 21, 2008
The county received a $1.6 million grant to purchase MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) radios, which will be used by sheriff's deputies, county fire departments and EMS providers. Consoles provided through the grant will ...
http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2008/Dec/21/ar_news_122108_story1.asp?d=122108_story1,2008,Dec,21&c=n
Jeff KC8NNO
Friday, December 19, 2008
Radio Shack PRO-106 and PRO-197 scanners now on sale for $299
The Radio Shack PRO-106 and PRO-197 digital scanners are now on sale for $299 through 12/25. This price is for both in store and web orders, however the PRO-106 portable scanner quickly went out of stock online yesterday. For those ordering online, you can use discount code 20STUFF08 for $20 off and free shipping. I know at least a couple people that have picked up PRO-106s at local Radio Shacks during the past couple days. The Radio Shack website is still showing stores in our area that may still have that model available.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
About NW Ohio Live Services: "Live Weather"
Hello again,
This is the second entry of a series of seven blog entries that will provide additional details surrounding all the elements at NW Ohio Live Services (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/).
Today's topic is the "Live Weather" component (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/liveweather.html). I have always had an interest in weather phenomena and keeping track of the weather conditions around us. This past year I have also had the opportunity to receive National Weather Service severe weather spotter training (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/cle/skywarn/training/spottran.html) and have been involved with Lucas County SKYWARN® (http://www.lucascoskywarn.org/).
I have deployed a Personal Weather Station at my home location in Oregon Ohio and have recently integrated the weather reporting data with the Internet. My weather station instrumentation consists of an Oregon Scientific WMR100N (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=2&scid=84&pid=922) Professional Wireless Weather Station. The WMR100N includes five different sensors and is capable of measuring and reporting temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind, and rainfall. The wireless feature allows for easy mast mounting of the primary instruments above roof level.
The Oregon Scientific WMR100N weather console is connected to a computer via USB cable. The computer is running Virtual Weather Station (http://www.ambientweather.com/virtualstation.html) software that is capable of logging and redistributing the weather data. I am submitting data to Weather Underground (http://www.wunderground.com/) and they're hosting my "KC8NNO" Personal Weather Station (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KOHOREGO2). Weather Underground offers and impressive array of personal weather services and historical data logging and analysis capabilities.
I am also uploading weather data to the APRSWXNET in support of the Citizen Weather Observer Program (http://www.wxqa.com/). From here, weather data is sent to the NOAA Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System [MADIS] (http://www-sdd.fsl.noaa.gov/MADIS/index.html) for further distribution and quality control. View my CWOP information and MADIS weather quality ratings: http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/site/AT081.
The implementation of a new service always has it's challenges. I've just finished with recalibrating my barometric pressure this weekend and my station should now be tracking that measurement with little error going forward. I'm looking forward to seeing a two thumbs up rating from MADIS. I've also had some recent glitches with wind and rain reporting, but hopefully related to cold weather and poor batteries and those will not be causing any further issues.
This concludes the in depth look at the details surrounding the Live Weather element. Stay tuned for the next topic which will cover the Live Camera component in more detail.
(About NW Ohio Live Services - Blog Entry 2 of 7)
2008 NW Ohio Live Services
This is the second entry of a series of seven blog entries that will provide additional details surrounding all the elements at NW Ohio Live Services (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/).
Today's topic is the "Live Weather" component (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/liveweather.html). I have always had an interest in weather phenomena and keeping track of the weather conditions around us. This past year I have also had the opportunity to receive National Weather Service severe weather spotter training (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/cle/skywarn/training/spottran.html) and have been involved with Lucas County SKYWARN® (http://www.lucascoskywarn.org/).
I have deployed a Personal Weather Station at my home location in Oregon Ohio and have recently integrated the weather reporting data with the Internet. My weather station instrumentation consists of an Oregon Scientific WMR100N (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=2&scid=84&pid=922) Professional Wireless Weather Station. The WMR100N includes five different sensors and is capable of measuring and reporting temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind, and rainfall. The wireless feature allows for easy mast mounting of the primary instruments above roof level.
The Oregon Scientific WMR100N weather console is connected to a computer via USB cable. The computer is running Virtual Weather Station (http://www.ambientweather.com/virtualstation.html) software that is capable of logging and redistributing the weather data. I am submitting data to Weather Underground (http://www.wunderground.com/) and they're hosting my "KC8NNO" Personal Weather Station (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KOHOREGO2). Weather Underground offers and impressive array of personal weather services and historical data logging and analysis capabilities.
I am also uploading weather data to the APRSWXNET in support of the Citizen Weather Observer Program (http://www.wxqa.com/). From here, weather data is sent to the NOAA Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest System [MADIS] (http://www-sdd.fsl.noaa.gov/MADIS/index.html) for further distribution and quality control. View my CWOP information and MADIS weather quality ratings: http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/site/AT081.
The implementation of a new service always has it's challenges. I've just finished with recalibrating my barometric pressure this weekend and my station should now be tracking that measurement with little error going forward. I'm looking forward to seeing a two thumbs up rating from MADIS. I've also had some recent glitches with wind and rain reporting, but hopefully related to cold weather and poor batteries and those will not be causing any further issues.
This concludes the in depth look at the details surrounding the Live Weather element. Stay tuned for the next topic which will cover the Live Camera component in more detail.
(About NW Ohio Live Services - Blog Entry 2 of 7)
2008 NW Ohio Live Services
Friday, December 12, 2008
Upcoming deals on the Radio Shack PRO-106 and PRO-197
The latest Radio Shack pricing buzz at Radio Reference(http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127437):
PRO-106: $299.99
PRO-197: $299.99
PRO-164: $99.99
PRO-163: $119.99
"Pricing effective 12/18 to 12/24, in store or web orders"
Will definitely be an ever better deal on the PRO-106 and PRO-197 digital scanners (these are the GRE built equivalents of the PSR-500 and PSR-600). This will be a good scanner and a great deal for anybody wanting to listen to Lucas County and Ohio MARCS. And if anybody recently purchased a PRO-106/PRO-197, you should have 30 days from date of purchase to take the receipt back to get the lower price if the above deals indeed happen.
Jeff KC8NNO
PRO-106: $299.99
PRO-197: $299.99
PRO-164: $99.99
PRO-163: $119.99
"Pricing effective 12/18 to 12/24, in store or web orders"
Will definitely be an ever better deal on the PRO-106 and PRO-197 digital scanners (these are the GRE built equivalents of the PSR-500 and PSR-600). This will be a good scanner and a great deal for anybody wanting to listen to Lucas County and Ohio MARCS. And if anybody recently purchased a PRO-106/PRO-197, you should have 30 days from date of purchase to take the receipt back to get the lower price if the above deals indeed happen.
Jeff KC8NNO
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
About NW Ohio Live Services: "Live Scanner"
This is the first entry of a series of seven blog entries that will provide additional details surrounding all the elements at NW Ohio Live Services (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/).
Today's topic is the "Live Scanner" component (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/livescanner.html). This is the flagship element of the site, and the original inspiration for all Internet integration activities at NW Ohio Live Services.
The Live Scanner features local public safety radio system audio content from the NW Ohio area with a focus on Greater Toledo and Lucas County Ohio. The Live Scanner is designed to provide individuals with insight into the digital interoperable public safety radio system content that is active in the NW Ohio area with the primary goal of allowing those individuals to make an informed decision regarding the purchase their own digital scanning radio receiver.
The scanner itself is scanning activity on the Lucas County Public Safety system (http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4239) and the State of Ohio MARCS (http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=901) Toledo tower site. Most dispatch and operational talk groups on both of those systems are enabled on the scanner. There are a handful of non-dispatch, non-operational activity that have been excluded: correctional activity, court security, records channels, medical channels, and encrypted channels, etc. Folks wanting more information regarding the above systems should follow the above links. Also visit the Live Scanner page for links to all of the current brands and models of digital scanning radio receivers that will work with Lucas County and Ohio MARCS.
The Live Scanner is powered by the GRECOM PSR-500 Digital Triple Trunking Handheld Scanner (http://www.greamerica.com/PSR-500.html). This is their first breakthrough handheld model from GRE's latest independent development and manufacturing efforts (GRE also develops and supplies Radio Shack branded equipment). This particular model features many innovative functions: Intuitive "Object Oriented" User Interface Design, Powerful and Flexible Scan List Functionality, Flexible Free-Form Memory Organization, Exclusive ALERT LED, Trunking Control Data Output, Radio ID Information, and more.
The scanner is connected to a computer running StarrSoft Win500 (http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win500/default.asp) software for the screen capture visual and Windows Media Encoder 9 Server (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx) for the streaming media functionality. The Live Scanner is currently limited to twelve connections, as all users are directly connected to the server and my personal website bandwidth is limited. Folks can visit the Scan America website for an audio only equivalent of this feed that offers virtually unlimited connections ("NW Ohio Digital & MARCS" at http://lucas.oh.scanamerica.us/index.php). Feel free to visit their site for this feed and additional live scanner feeds.
This wraps up the futher look at the details surrounding the Live Scanner. Stay tuned for the next topic which will cover the Live Weather element in more detail.
(About NW Ohio Live Services - Blog Entry 1 of 7)
2008 NW Ohio Live Services
Today's topic is the "Live Scanner" component (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/livescanner.html). This is the flagship element of the site, and the original inspiration for all Internet integration activities at NW Ohio Live Services.
The Live Scanner features local public safety radio system audio content from the NW Ohio area with a focus on Greater Toledo and Lucas County Ohio. The Live Scanner is designed to provide individuals with insight into the digital interoperable public safety radio system content that is active in the NW Ohio area with the primary goal of allowing those individuals to make an informed decision regarding the purchase their own digital scanning radio receiver.
The scanner itself is scanning activity on the Lucas County Public Safety system (http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4239) and the State of Ohio MARCS (http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=901) Toledo tower site. Most dispatch and operational talk groups on both of those systems are enabled on the scanner. There are a handful of non-dispatch, non-operational activity that have been excluded: correctional activity, court security, records channels, medical channels, and encrypted channels, etc. Folks wanting more information regarding the above systems should follow the above links. Also visit the Live Scanner page for links to all of the current brands and models of digital scanning radio receivers that will work with Lucas County and Ohio MARCS.
The Live Scanner is powered by the GRECOM PSR-500 Digital Triple Trunking Handheld Scanner (http://www.greamerica.com/PSR-500.html). This is their first breakthrough handheld model from GRE's latest independent development and manufacturing efforts (GRE also develops and supplies Radio Shack branded equipment). This particular model features many innovative functions: Intuitive "Object Oriented" User Interface Design, Powerful and Flexible Scan List Functionality, Flexible Free-Form Memory Organization, Exclusive ALERT LED, Trunking Control Data Output, Radio ID Information, and more.
The scanner is connected to a computer running StarrSoft Win500 (http://www.starrsoft.com/software/win500/default.asp) software for the screen capture visual and Windows Media Encoder 9 Server (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx) for the streaming media functionality. The Live Scanner is currently limited to twelve connections, as all users are directly connected to the server and my personal website bandwidth is limited. Folks can visit the Scan America website for an audio only equivalent of this feed that offers virtually unlimited connections ("NW Ohio Digital & MARCS" at http://lucas.oh.scanamerica.us/index.php). Feel free to visit their site for this feed and additional live scanner feeds.
This wraps up the futher look at the details surrounding the Live Scanner. Stay tuned for the next topic which will cover the Live Weather element in more detail.
(About NW Ohio Live Services - Blog Entry 1 of 7)
2008 NW Ohio Live Services
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Stay tuned . . .
An upcoming series of blog entries will highlight additional details surrounding the unique content of all elements at NW Ohio Live Services (http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/). The NW Ohio Live Services web site is an experimental test bed for radio, electronic, computer and Internet integration activities. As a technology buff, communications enthusiast, and ham radio operator--I enjoy connecting the world around us via computer technology and the Internet. This Electronic Interface to the World is designed to be a hobbyist showcase.
Stay tuned right here every few days for more information about each element. The "Live Scanner"--the flag ship element--will be the first element to be covered in additional detail.
Jeff KC8NNO
Stay tuned right here every few days for more information about each element. The "Live Scanner"--the flag ship element--will be the first element to be covered in additional detail.
Jeff KC8NNO
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
NW Ohio Live Services
The NW Ohio Live Scanner site is now NW Ohio Live Services: http://nwohio-liveservices.dyndns.org/
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