Vol 4 — GRE PSR-800 — Vol 4: Reference

4.1 About this volume

This volume collects the PSR-800’s reference data in one place: the full specifications from the GRE owner’s manual, the family of related scanners, the microSD error codes, troubleshooting and known issues, practical tips, and the resources used throughout this deep dive. Narrative explanations are in the other volumes: hardware in Vol 1, operation in Vol 2, the PC application and card in Vol 3, and firmware, upgrades and buying used in Vol 5. Values are as published by GRE for the original PSR-800 unless noted.

4.2 Specifications

4.2.1 Frequency coverage

The manual lists the following ranges, with the default step and mode for each. The gaps are real: there is no coverage from 54 to 108 MHz (no VHF-TV low band, no FM broadcast), from 174 to 216 MHz, from 782 to 791 MHz, or from 797 to 806 MHz, and the US cellular blocks (824–849 and 869–894 MHz) are excluded.

Table 1 — Frequency coverage

Range (MHz)	Default step	Default mode
25.0000–26.9600	10 kHz	AM
26.9650–27.4050 (CB)	10 kHz	AM
27.4100–29.5050	5 kHz	AM
29.5100–29.7000	5 kHz	FM
29.7100–49.8300	10 kHz	FM
49.8350–54.0000	5 kHz	FM
108.000–136.9916 (aircraft)	8.33 kHz	AM
137.000–137.995	5 kHz	FM
138.000–143.9875	12.5 kHz	AM
144.000–147.9950 (2 m amateur)	5 kHz	FM
148.000–150.7875	12.5 kHz	FM
150.800–150.8450	5 kHz	FM
150.8525–154.4975	7.5 kHz	FM
154.5150–154.6400	5 kHz	FM
154.6500–156.2550	7.5 kHz	FM
156.2750–157.4500 (marine)	25 kHz	FM
157.4700–161.5725	7.5 kHz	FM
161.6000–161.9750	5 kHz	FM
162.0000–174.0000	12.5 kHz	FM
216.0025–219.9975	5 kHz	FM
220.0000–224.9950	5 kHz	FM
225.0000–379.999375 (military air)	6.25 kHz	AM
380.0000–419.9875	12.5 kHz	FM
420.0000–450.0000	5 kHz	FM
450.00625–469.99375	6.25 kHz	FM
470.00000–512.00000	6.25 kHz	FM
764.00000–781.996875	3.125 kHz	FM
791.00000–796.996875	3.125 kHz	FM
806.00000–823.9875	12.5 kHz	FM
849.00000–868.9875	12.5 kHz	FM
894.00000–939.9875	12.5 kHz	FM
940.00000–960.0000	6.25 kHz	FM
1240.0000–1300.0000 (23 cm amateur)	6.25 kHz	FM
137.0000–174.0000 (Canada plan)	5 kHz	FM
380.00000–512.00000 (Canada plan)	12.5 kHz	FM

Available steps overall are 3.125, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5 and 25 kHz. Universal Radio’s catalog gives the second 700 MHz segment as 791–798.99 MHz, a small disagreement with the manual’s 796.996875; the FCC grant ranges match the manual.

4.2.2 Receiver

Table 2 — Receiver

Parameter	Value
Architecture	Triple-conversion PLL superheterodyne
IFs	1st 380.8 MHz · 2nd 21.4 MHz · 3rd 455 kHz
Receive modes	AM, FM, NFM, FM-MOT (Motorola), LTR (E.F. Johnson), EDACS wide/narrow, CTCSS and DCS; P25 digital (DG/Dg display)
Sensitivity, VHF low	0.2 µV (12 dB SINAD)
Sensitivity, VHF aircraft	0.4 µV
Sensitivity, 137–174 MHz	0.3 µV
Sensitivity, 216–300 MHz	0.4 µV
Sensitivity, 300–406 MHz	0.8 µV
Sensitivity, 406–512 MHz	0.4 µV
Sensitivity, 764–960 MHz	0.5 µV
Sensitivity, 1240–1300 MHz	0.5 µV
Squelch threshold	0.5 µV AM/FM; tight: (S+N)/N AM 20 dB, FM 25 dB
Spurious rejection	40 dB at 154.1 MHz (except primary image)
Signal-to-noise	35–40 dB typical at 100 µV input
Scan rate (no trunking)	70 channels/s (138–147.9 MHz, 100 kHz spacing)
Search rate	80 steps/s (162.25–167.25 MHz)
Scan/search delay	2 s
Antenna impedance	50 Ω (BNC female)

4.2.3 Memory and functions

Table 3 — Memory and functions

Item	Capacity
Objects (channels, talkgroups, searches)	More than 10 million nominal with the 2 GB card; depends on configuration
Scanlists	200 regular + 1 Skywarn
Scan Sets	20
V-Scanner II configurations	200, stored on the card (created and deleted only in the PC application)
Weather	7 preprogrammed NOAA frequencies (162.400–162.550 MHz) with WX priority; SAME with 10 location memories
Service searches	Marine, CB, FRS/GMRS/MURS, public safety, aircraft, amateur, railroad
Other searches	Programmable limit search; Spectrum Sweeper (nearby-signal capture); CTCSS/DCS search and store
Priority	Conventional and trunked
Recording	Selected objects and searches to the card as .AU files; “over 50 hours” on a 2 GB card with a ~500 MB configuration
Clock	Real-time clock/calendar for time-stamping recordings; lost if batteries are out more than a few minutes

4.2.4 Trunking and digital

Table 4 — Trunking and digital

System	PSR-800 on GRE firmware	Notes
Motorola Type I/II (SmartNet, SmartZone)	Yes	Talkgroup and individual-call monitoring
EDACS (standard, narrowband, SCAT, ESK)	Yes, analog voice	No ProVoice; ESK fixes in late firmware
LTR	Yes
P25 Phase I (conventional and trunked)	Yes	From launch
P25 Phase II TDMA	Yes, from CPU U1.8 + DSP U1.3 (January 2013)	“D2” display; 4-slot TDMA voice not supported per GRE’s beta notes
Motorola X2-TDMA	Likely	Credited by the RadioReference wiki; not in GRE’s own release notes
DMR / MotoTRBO	No	Only after the Whistler Official Upgrade (Vol 5)
NXDN	No	Never; NXDN is TRX-1/TRX-2 only
EDACS ProVoice	No
Encryption (DES, AES, ADP)	No	Detected, marked “E”, and muted
Other digital voice (D-STAR, Fusion, dPMR)	No	The manual: “analog or digital P25 transmissions only”

4.2.5 Physical and power

Table 5 — Physical and power

Item	Value
Size	135 × 67 × 28 mm (5 5/16 × 2 1/8 × 1 1/16 in), HWD. Universal Radio lists 2.3 × 5.3 × 1.3 in
Weight	About 210 g (7.4 oz) without batteries or accessories; 13.4 oz with batteries and antenna per the RadioReference wiki
Display	132 × 65-dot monochrome LCD, backlit
Alert LED	Programmable tri-color, per object
Keypad	10 backlit keys, no numeric keypad
Antenna connector	BNC female, 50 Ω
Audio jack	3.5 mm Headset/IF (discriminator output selectable)
USB	Mini-B, composite mass-storage + CDC serial; also the only external power input
Speaker	36 mm, 8 Ω dynamic; 500 mW audio (BTL, 8 Ω load)
Batteries	4 × AA: 4.8 V NiMH or 6.0 V alkaline, selected by the internal ALK/NiMH switch
External power / charging	USB 5 V, 500 mA; slow timer charger, about 16 h for NiMH, radio off only
Current drain	170 mA nominal, squelched, backlight off, 5.5 V external
Operating temperature	−10 to +60 °C (“need not meet spec”)
Storage	Removable microSD under the battery door; 2 GB supplied
GPS	None described in the manual
Ingress protection	None; not waterproof
PC software (original)	Windows 2000, XP, Vista or 7
FCC ID	ADV0602902 (Part 15B scanning receiver; granted 2011-01-28)

4.3 The family

Table 6 — The family

Model	Built by	Year	Relationship to the PSR-800
GRE PSR-800	GRE	2011	The original design
RadioShack PRO-18	GRE, for RadioShack	2011	Badge version with a different faceplate, keypad and loader. Reduced features: no Phase II or X2-TDMA, no recording, no discriminator output, no tri-color LED, 100 scanlists. The Whistler upgrade adds Phase II and DMR
GRE PSR-900	GRE	Cancelled 2012	Base/mobile sibling with a remote head; completed by Whistler as the WS1095
Whistler WS1080	Whistler	Autumn 2014 (FCC HSXSC10)	PSR-800 with some obsolete parts replaced; same software lineage; DMR later added free
Whistler WS1095	Whistler	June 2015 (FCC HSXSC11)	The PSR-900 design, realized
RadioShack PRO-668	Whistler, for RadioShack	Q1 2015	Relabelled WS1080 (catalog 2000668); silkscreen and loader numbering differ. Not GRE-built
Whistler WS1088 / WS1098	Whistler	November 2015	WS1080 / WS1095 with a full alphanumeric keypad
Whistler TRX-1 / TRX-2	Whistler	June 2016	Revised descendants sharing the WS1080 / WS1095 FCC IDs: more memory, DMR standard, NXDN added free in December 2016; better front-end filtering claimed but unconfirmed. Still sold new (Goliad Products)
RadioShack PRO-652	Whistler	2014	Not in this family: PSR-600 / PRO-197 / WS1065 lineage

Each branch has its own dive: Whistler WS1080 / WS1088 (handhelds, PRO-668, upgraded legacy units), Whistler WS1095 / WS1098 (base/mobile, including the PSR-900 story), and Whistler TRX-1 / TRX-2 (the current line and the Goliad era).

4.4 microSD error codes

The PSR-800 shows a two-part code when the card or its configuration cannot be used. The table follows the manual; “Prepare SD Card for use” is the PC application’s reformat function (Vol 3). The same codes apply to the PRO-668 and WS1080.

Table 7 — microSD error codes

Code	Meaning	Corrective action
01-00	General heap error	Contact support (GRE no longer exists; see Vol 5)
01-01	Unable to allocate from heap	As above
02-00	Unknown object type in data	Delete corrupted objects in the PC application, or create a new configuration
02-01	Unknown trunked-system (TSYS) type	As above
03-00	No microSD card inserted	Insert a properly formatted card fully, until it clicks
03-01	General error initializing file system	Reseat the card; if needed, “Prepare SD Card for use”; replace the card if it persists
03-02	Cluster size bad	As 03-01
03-03	Error reading card	As 03-01
03-04	Error writing card	As 03-01
03-05	Card full	Reduce the configuration, delete recordings, or use a larger card
03-06	Card write-protected	As 03-01
03-07	Mass-storage mode active	Disconnect from the computer, wait a few seconds, reconnect
03-08	Unknown read/write error	As 03-01
04-00, 04-01	Initialization error	Contact support
04-02	Firmware load error	Contact support; see Vol 5 for firmware recovery
05-00	Unable to load CONFIG__.BIN	”Prepare SD Card for use”; replace the card if it persists
05-01 to 05-03	CONFIG__.BIN file error	As 05-00

4.5 Troubleshooting and known issues

From the manual.

No function: fit fresh batteries, or seat the USB power plug fully.
Low-battery beeps: recharge or replace the cells, and check the ALK/NiMH switch.
“Scanning not available”: the batteries are low, and every function that writes to the card, scanning included, has been disabled to prevent corruption.
On but not scanning: turn squelch counterclockwise.
Poor reception:
- Compare performance with the attenuator on and off; it can cure strong-signal overload or cost weak signals.
- Inspect the antenna and connector.
- Check that the object’s modulation mode is right for the system.
Card not recognized, or “Init SD Card” at power-on: reseat the card until it clicks, or reformat it with the PC application. A card formatted in Windows must be FAT or FAT32 with 32 kB clusters.

Birdies. The manual publishes no birdie list. It gives the standard test instead: if noise on a frequency persists with the antenna removed, it is an internal birdie; if it disappears, the source is external. Weak birdies can be suppressed with a tighter squelch.

Known issues reported by owners.

Card compatibility: some cards are rejected with Error 03-01, including certain brands and some “high-endurance” types. SanDisk, PNY and Class 4 cards are reported to work. The RadioReference wiki recommends the SD Association formatter rather than Windows, and warns that very large cards slow startup. These reports are unconfirmed beyond forum level.
Card corruption: GRE’s own manual documents the risk. The radio must be powered off before external power is connected or removed, before the battery door is opened, and it must not be interrupted during “Update from Library”. Always eject the card in Windows before unplugging.
Unsigned USB driver: the GRECOM PSR-800 serial driver is unsigned. On Windows 10 it installs only after driver-signature enforcement is disabled, and the driver must be selected for every USB port used (Vol 3).
Overload: the family is sensitive and can be overwhelmed by strong nearby transmitters, per the RadioReference wiki. The later TRX models are reported to filter better, but their specifications are unchanged; owner experience is mixed.
Battery life: owners report shorter runtimes than older scanners on ordinary cells; high-capacity NiMH helps (unconfirmed).
Noise from USB power: the manual warns that PCs and some USB supplies radiate interference; move the radio away or run on batteries.
Stale library: the library on the card is a snapshot. GRE’s update servers are gone, and what remains is covered in Vol 5.
Weak-signal squelch: a RadioReference thread reports a weak-signal squelch problem across the PRO-668/PSR-800/WS1080 family; this could not be confirmed.

4.6 Tips and tricks

Set squelch between 10 and 11 o’clock, per GRE. Turn it counterclockwise if transmissions are missed, clockwise if scanning stalls on noise.
Match the battery switch to the cells before inserting them, and never leave it at NiMH with alkalines in the radio.
Charge with the radio off. A radio left on while plugged in runs from USB but does not charge.
Power off before any cable or door. Connecting or removing USB power, opening the battery door, or pulling the card with the radio on is the documented path to a corrupted card.
Keep a spare, preformatted card. A second card with a known-good configuration turns most 03-xx and 05-xx errors into a thirty-second swap. Back up the card’s contents to a PC as well (Vol 3).
Use the ATT key cycle deliberately. Per-object attenuation fixes one strong local system without deafening the rest; global attenuation is the quick fix near a transmitter site.
Feed a decoder from the IF output. Set Settings → IF Out to “HP” to put the unsquelched, unfiltered discriminator audio on the headphone jack for Unitrunker-style decoding. “HP/SP” also keeps the speaker live.
Set the clock after battery changes. The clock resets if the cells are out for more than a few minutes, and recordings will be misdated. The PC application can set it over USB. On units running unofficial WS1080-derived firmware, however, the clock must not be set past certain 2017 dates (Vol 5).
Use a BNC antenna. The BNC jack takes mobile and base antennas directly, and a tuned antenna for the bands that matter outperforms the supplied rubber whip.

4.7 Resources

Reference Library.

GRE PSR-800 Owner’s Manual: the full 90-page GRE manual (2011, FCC exhibit), the primary source for this deep dive
All PSR-800 documents: Reference Library — GRE PSR-800

RadioReference wiki.

Other references.

FCC ID ADV0602902 (grant and exhibits): https://fccid.io/ADV0602902
rigpix, GRE PSR-800: https://www.rigpix.com/gre/psr800.htm
Universal Radio catalog and spec sheet: https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/4800.html · https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/4800spec.html
GREFwTool, community firmware tool (GPL-3.0): https://github.com/philcovington/GREFwTool
Whistler WS1080/WS1088 user manual (ManualsLib): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1104556/Whistler-Ws1080.html
RadioShack PRO-668 user guide (ManualsLib): https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1080355/Radio-Shack-Pro-668.html
Whistler Group downloads (Goliad Products): https://whistlergroup.com/pages/downloads
Scanner Master TRX-1/TRX-2 review (family context): https://www.scannermaster.com/Special_Report_Whistler_TRX1_TRX2_Police_Scanner_Ultimate_Review_a/402.htm

Related deep dives on this site.

Uniden HomePatrol — Vol 1: the contemporary location-programmed rival
Decrypting — Vol 1: why the PSR-800, like every scanner, shows “E” and mutes on encrypted traffic

Sources

GRE America, GRECOM PSR-800 EZ Scan-SD Digital Owner’s Manual (2011): specifications (pp. 85–87), troubleshooting and error codes (pp. 74–77), birdies (p. 77), controls (pp. 16–24), power and charging (pp. 25–30), IF output (p. 59). In the Reference Library as linked above.
RadioReference wiki pages listed under Resources (family relationships, error codes, driver procedure, SD-card practice, overload notes).
RadioReference forums: microSD compatibility (https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/add-another-brand-of-microsd-that-doesnt-work-with-the-psr-800.220776/), battery life (https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/gre-psr600-psr800-review-from-a-uniden-junkie.297537/), weak-signal squelch (https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/pro668-psr800-ws1080-weak-signal-squelch-problem.311473/, title only).
Universal Radio PSR-800 catalog entry (dimension and 700 MHz range variants).

GRE PSR-800 — Vol 4: Reference