Rebanding the 800MHz
Rebanding?
The 800MHz band is shared by both NEXTEL/cellular and public safety communications. For over a decade now there have been problems with interference. To eliminate the interference, all public safety systems operating between 865-869MHz will "reband" to 851-854MHz and join with other public safety frequencies operating from 851-861 MHz. This will form a buffer between the public safety and cellular frequencies rather than being intermingled as they are today.

What does this all mean?
When the Rebanding takes place, your scanner will usually stop working on Motorola trunking systems. If you are listening to conventional (non-trunked) channels or EDACS channels you may need to simply change frequencies. Depending on the model scanner you have you may need to both update the scanner's firmware (operating software) as well as the trunking frequencies. Scanners older than 8 years old may not support Rebanding, so they will need to be replaced.

Firmware
What is Firmware?
It is the software inside of your scanner. This software can be updated with firmware updates from the manufacture of the scanner. Updates can fix bugs or add new features to the scanner.

Will my scanner work? Is there firmware available?
In the chart below you can see if your scanner needs a firmware update. You may not need a firmware update because your scanner has the latest firmware.

How do I check the firmware?

Uniden Bearcat Scanners Step 1 - press menu Step 2 - Scroll and Select "Settings" Step 3 - Scroll and Select "See Scanner Info" Step 4 - Select "Firmware Version"

GRE/Radio Shack Scanners Step 1 - Power the scanner down Step 2 - Press and hold the "3" as your powering up.

How to update the firmware?
In the charts below you will see helpful links on where and how to update your firmware.
Uniden Scanners Firmware Chart
GRE Scanners Firmware Chart

Can Scanner Master Update the firmware for you?
Yes we can, you can ship the scanner to us and we can update the firmware for you.
Cost --- Updating the firmware ONLY $39.95 plus return shipping $15.05 - Total Cost $55.00
Reprogramming Cost (add the following):
Reprogramming the first county: $69.95
Each additional county after the first: $35.05
Click here to fill out order form (PDF File)

Scanners we can update firmware for::

Uniden:
BCD996T/XT, BCD396T/XT, BCT15/X, BC346XT, BC246T, BC269D, BC796D

GRE:
PSR-300, PSR-310, PSR-400, PSR-410, PSR-500, PSR-600

Radio Shack:
PRO-163, PRO-164, PRO-106, PRO-197, PRO-96, PRO-2096