The Pro-197 receives some control channels, but not all types

The Radio Shack Pro-197 is a handheld scanner that can pick up conventional FM radio signals across multiple frequency bands — police, fire, EMS, aviation, and amateur radio among them. It does receive some control channels, but the scanner has real limits on which ones work and how well it handles them.

Control channels are the frequencies that dispatch systems use to send instructions to mobile units in the field. On conventional systems (the older, simpler radio networks), control channels are just regular FM frequencies. The Pro-197 receives these without any special setup — if you can hear the frequency, you can hear the control channel traffic on it.

The catch is that the Pro-197 does not decode digital control channels or trunked radio systems. Many modern police and fire departments have moved to digital systems like P25 or to trunked systems where multiple agencies share a pool of frequencies and a control channel tells radios which frequency to jump to next. The Pro-197 cannot follow those jumps, and it cannot decode the digital signal format. You will hear nothing but noise on those frequencies.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pro-197 receives control channels on conventional FM systems — the older radio networks where each agency has its own set of frequencies.
  • The scanner cannot decode digital control channels or follow trunked systems, which means you will not hear dispatch traffic on modern P25 or digital trunked networks.
  • You can program control channel frequencies into the scanner manually if you know them, but the radio will not automatically track system changes.
  • Checking local scanner forums or frequency databases before buying will tell you whether your area still uses conventional systems or has moved to digital.

Conventional systems versus digital and trunked systems

A conventional radio system assigns each agency or department a fixed set of frequencies. Dispatch sends orders on one of those frequencies, and all the mobile units listening to that frequency hear the same message at the same time. The Pro-197 handles this setup perfectly — it is a basic FM receiver, and FM is FM.

A trunked system works differently. Instead of each agency owning frequencies, multiple agencies share a pool. A control channel constantly broadcasts which frequency each unit should use at any given moment. When a call comes in, the control channel tells Unit 5 to go to Frequency A and Unit 12 to go to Frequency B. The Pro-197 cannot decode the control channel's instructions, so it cannot follow the jumps. You hear silence or fragments as units move between frequencies.

Digital systems like P25 encode the voice signal itself in a digital format rather than analog FM. The Pro-197 is an analog FM receiver only. It will not decode P25, DMR, or other digital modes. Many departments have switched to P25 Phase 1 or Phase 2 for better security and efficiency. If your local police use P25, the Pro-197 will not help you monitor them.

How to find out what your area uses

Before you buy a Pro-197 or spend time programming it, check what radio systems your area actually runs. The fastest way is to visit RadioReference.com, search your county or city, and look at the frequency listings. The site notes whether systems are conventional, trunked, or digital.

Scanner forums for your state or region are also useful. Local hobbyists will tell you plainly which agencies are still on conventional FM and which have moved to digital or trunked systems. They often list the specific frequencies that still work with basic scanners.

You can also call your local police non-emergency line and ask directly. Many departments will tell you whether they broadcast on conventional frequencies or digital systems. Some even publish frequency information online.

Programming control channels into the Pro-197

If your area does use conventional systems, you can program control channel frequencies into the Pro-197 manually. The scanner stores up to 200 frequencies across 10 banks. You enter the frequency, set the mode to FM, and optionally add a label so you remember what it is.

The Pro-197 does not have a built-in database of control channels, so you have to find the frequencies yourself. RadioReference.com and local scanner forums are the main sources. Once you have the frequency, the programming process takes a few minutes using the keypad or a computer cable and software.

One limitation: the Pro-197 does not track system changes. If a dispatch system changes frequencies or adds new control channels, you have to update the scanner manually. Departments do not always announce these changes publicly, so you may miss traffic until someone on a scanner forum posts the update.

What you will and will not hear

On a conventional control channel, you will hear dispatch sending calls to units, units acknowledging, and sometimes brief back-and-forth between dispatch and the field. The quality depends on how close you are to the transmitter and whether you have a good antenna.

You will not hear encrypted traffic, even on conventional systems. Many agencies encrypt some or all of their radio traffic for privacy or security. The Pro-197 cannot decrypt encrypted signals — you will hear only a buzzing or chirping sound. There is no way around this without the decryption key, which is not public.

You also will not hear cell phone dispatch systems or data-only traffic. Some departments use cellular networks or data systems to send information to officers. The Pro-197 is a radio scanner, not a cell phone or data receiver.

Alternatives if your area uses digital or trunked systems

If your area has moved to P25 or trunked systems, the Pro-197 is not the right tool. You would need a scanner that supports those systems. Uniden makes several models that decode P25 Phase 1 and 2, and some can follow trunked systems. These cost more than the Pro-197 and require more complex programming, but they work on modern radio networks.

Another option is to listen online. Many departments stream their radio traffic on platforms like Broadcastify or through their own websites. You can listen on a computer or phone without buying any hardware. The downside is that you depend on someone else maintaining the stream, and some departments do not stream at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Pro-197 receive control channels on police or fire departments?

Only if your local police or fire department uses conventional FM systems. If they use P25 digital or a trunked system, the Pro-197 will not decode the control channels. Check RadioReference.com or a local scanner forum to find out what your area uses.

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

A control channel is a frequency that tells radios which frequency to use next. A talk group is a group of users on the same frequency or system. On conventional systems, there is no real difference — the control channel is just the frequency everyone listens to. On trunked systems, the control channel is separate and constantly sends instructions.

Will the Pro-197 work if I live near a police station?

Proximity helps with signal strength, but it does not change what the scanner can decode. If your local police use P25 or a trunked system, being close to the station will not help the Pro-197 receive their control channels. You will still hear only noise or silence.

Can I update the Pro-197 to receive digital control channels?

No. The Pro-197 is an analog FM receiver only. There is no firmware update or modification that will make it decode digital signals. You would need to buy a different scanner designed for digital systems.

Where do I find the control channel frequencies for my area?

RadioReference.com is the main source. Search your county or city, and the site lists frequencies by agency and system type. Local scanner forums and Facebook groups are also good — people in your area will post active frequencies and note which ones work with basic scanners.