The Pro-197 receives some Ohio control channels, but not all of them

The Radio Shack Pro-197 is a handheld scanner that can pick up many radio frequencies, including some of the control channels used by police, fire, and emergency services in Ohio. However, the scanner has limitations. It cannot receive all control channel types used across the state, and what it can receive depends on which specific frequencies Ohio agencies use in your area.

Control channels are the frequencies that dispatch centers use to send instructions to officers and firefighters in the field. They are different from the talk channels where you hear actual conversations. The Pro-197 was designed to receive conventional (non-trunked) control channels, which means it works best in areas where agencies still use older radio systems. Many Ohio departments have moved to trunked systems, which the Pro-197 cannot decode without additional hardware.

Before you program the scanner, you need to know which system your local agencies use. A trunked system scrambles the control channel information across multiple frequencies, and a basic Pro-197 cannot follow that switching. A conventional system uses one fixed control channel per agency, which the Pro-197 can monitor directly.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pro-197 receives conventional control channels but cannot decode trunked systems without a trunk-tracking module.
  • Ohio agencies use both conventional and trunked radio systems depending on the county and department, so you must check your local setup first.
  • Control channels are dispatch frequencies, separate from the talk channels where you hear conversations.
  • Online scanner databases like RadioReference list which systems are trunked and which are conventional in your area.
  • Adding a trunk-tracking module to the Pro-197 is possible but requires soldering and technical skill.

How to find out what system your area uses

The fastest way to learn whether your local police or fire department uses a trunked or conventional system is to check RadioReference.com. Search for your county name, then look at the agency listing. The database will tell you the system type and list all frequencies, including control channels.

If your area uses a conventional system, the control channel frequency will be listed directly. Write down that frequency and program it into the Pro-197 using the scanner's menu. The Pro-197 will then monitor that channel and let you hear dispatch traffic.

If your area uses a trunked system, RadioReference will say so clearly. In that case, a stock Pro-197 will not work for monitoring control channels. You will see the scanner light up when the system is active, but you will not hear anything because the Pro-197 cannot follow the frequency-hopping that trunked systems use.

What control channels the Pro-197 can actually receive

The Pro-197 has 200 memory channels and can store frequencies from 66 MHz to 512 MHz. This range covers most police, fire, and emergency service frequencies in Ohio. The scanner receives in conventional mode, meaning it stays on one frequency until you manually change it or program it to scan multiple fixed frequencies.

The Pro-197 does not have a built-in trunk-tracking decoder. Trunk-tracking is the ability to automatically follow a trunked system as it switches control channels. Without it, the scanner cannot monitor trunked systems, which is what most large Ohio cities and counties use now. Smaller towns and rural areas are more likely to still use conventional systems, where the Pro-197 works well.

The scanner can receive AM and FM signals. Most police and fire control channels in Ohio are FM, so the Pro-197's FM capability covers what you need. Some older systems use AM, and the Pro-197 handles those too.

Adding trunk-tracking to the Pro-197

If your area uses a trunked system and you want to monitor it with the Pro-197, you can add a trunk-tracking module. The most common option is the Uniden TrunkTracker IV module, which can be installed in some Pro-197 variants. However, this modification requires opening the scanner and soldering components, which is not a beginner task.

Before you attempt this, confirm that your specific Pro-197 model supports the module. Not all Pro-197 versions are compatible. Check the serial number and model number against Uniden's compatibility list on their website or on scanner forums like RadioReference or ScannerFreq.

If soldering is not something you are comfortable with, consider buying a different scanner that has trunk-tracking built in. The Uniden SDS100 or Uniden HomePatrol are newer options that decode trunked systems out of the box, though they cost more than a used Pro-197.

Programming Ohio frequencies into the Pro-197

Once you know which frequencies your area uses, programming the Pro-197 is straightforward. Turn on the scanner and press the Menu button. Navigate to the Frequency entry screen and type in the frequency you want to add. The Pro-197 will ask you to assign it to a channel number and choose whether to monitor it in scan mode or manual mode.

For control channels, set the scanner to scan mode so it monitors the frequency continuously. If you want to listen to multiple agencies, program each control channel into a separate memory slot. The Pro-197 will cycle through all programmed frequencies and stop when it detects activity.

Save your entries by pressing the appropriate button (usually Enter or Save). The Pro-197 will store the frequencies even after you turn it off. You can reprogram or delete frequencies at any time using the same menu.

Why some Ohio agencies are hard to monitor

Many large Ohio cities, including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, have moved to trunked systems in the past 15 years. These systems are more efficient for dispatch and harder for scanners to monitor without trunk-tracking. The Pro-197 was designed before trunked systems became common, so it lacks the technology to follow them.

Smaller police departments and volunteer fire departments in rural Ohio often still use conventional systems. These are easier to monitor with older scanners like the Pro-197. If you live in a rural area, you are more likely to have success with a stock Pro-197 than if you live in or near a major city.

Some agencies also encrypt their radio traffic, which means even if you can receive the frequency, you will not hear intelligible audio. Encryption is becoming more common in Ohio, especially for police departments. RadioReference will note which systems are encrypted so you know what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Pro-197 receive police control channels in Columbus or Cleveland?

Not without modification. Both Columbus and Cleveland police use trunked systems, which the Pro-197 cannot decode without a trunk-tracking module. You would need to add hardware or switch to a scanner designed for trunked systems.

What is the difference between a control channel and a talk channel?

A control channel is the frequency dispatch uses to send instructions to officers and firefighters. A talk channel is where officers communicate with each other after receiving their assignment. The Pro-197 can receive both if they are on conventional systems, but you need to program both frequencies separately.

Will the Pro-197 work for monitoring fire departments in Ohio?

It depends on the department. Rural volunteer fire departments usually use conventional systems and work well with the Pro-197. Larger city fire departments often use trunked systems. Check RadioReference for your specific fire department to see which type it uses.

Do I need a license to listen to police frequencies on the Pro-197?

No. Listening to police and fire frequencies is legal in Ohio. You do not need a license to own or operate a scanner for receiving only. However, you cannot transmit on those frequencies without a license, and some encrypted channels cannot be decoded legally.

Can I program the Pro-197 to automatically find all Ohio police frequencies?

No. The Pro-197 does not have a frequency search or auto-program feature. You must manually enter each frequency you want to monitor. RadioReference provides the frequency lists for your area, which you then type into the scanner one by one.