Radio Shack holiday Scanner sales

While this year's Radio Shack holiday Scanner sales don't include any of their digital scanners, and these sales have not been as exciting as last season, they still have some decent discounts. Radio Shack is offering $50 off three handheld analog scanner models and you may find some discount codes for additional savings.

PRO-137 Racing Scanner: $79.99
PRO-164 1000-Channel Handheld Scanner: $149.99
PRO-107 Handheld iScan Trunking Scanner: $179.99

"Sale valid until 01/02/10"

The most interesting model is the new GRE built PRO-107 Handheld iScan Trunking Scanner. This model is analog only and won't cover the Toledo/Lucas digital system, but this scanner still could be a good choice for those in other areas. It provides a fresh and revolutionary design that offers ease of use and flexibility, as well as simplicity of operation. The included memory storage card holds programming information for all analog frequencies and trunking systems in the entire US based on information from the Radio Reference database. It will be exciting to see some of these features incorporated into possible future models. Hopefully a Digital iScan is on the horizon.

Jeff KC8NNO

Radio Shack is at it again (Scanner Sales)

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.

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.

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