PSR500 Import Not Adding Scanlist: Troubleshooting and Fixes

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Hey there! Are you struggling with your PSR-500 scanner? The scanlist feature won’t work during import. Trust me, I’ve been there—it can be frustrating when a seemingly simple task doesn’t go as planned.

But don’t worry! This guide will help you fix the issue of the PSR500 import not adding scanlists. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for getting everything back on track. Ready to dive in?

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What is a PSR-500 Scanner and Why Do You Need Scanlists?

Before we dive into the fixes, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. The PSR-500 is a powerful digital trunking scanner from GRE. It’s known for its flexibility and customisable scan settings. It’s a favourite among radio fans who want to monitor police and fire systems.

One of the most useful features of this scanner is the scanlist. It organises the frequencies or talkgroups you want to monitor into groups. Without scanlists, things can get chaotic. It’s hard to listen to the right channels at the right time.

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If your import isn’t adding scanlists, it’s like a library with no shelves for the books. It quickly becomes overwhelming. So, let’s figure out why this is happening and how to fix it.

PSR500 Import Not Adding Scanlist

Why Isn’t the PSR-500 Import Adding a Scanlist?

1. Incorrect Import Settings

One common issue is that the scanlist isn’t selected or enabled during the import process. When using Win500, PSREdit500, or ARC500, you can assign channels to specific scanlists during import. If this step is skipped, the frequencies won’t be added to a scanlist at all.

2. Scanlist is Disabled or Locked Out

Even if you’ve imported your frequencies, a locked-out scanlist can make it seem like nothing was imported. The PSR-500 has an easy way to toggle scanlists on or off, but it can be a little too easy to accidentally disable one.

3. Memory Issues

If your scanner’s memory is full, it may refuse to import additional objects or scanlists. The PSR-500 can only store so much data. Hitting that limit causes weird behaviours, like failing to add new scanlists.

4. Firmware Bugs

A bug in the scanner’s firmware can cause issues with importing scanlists. Updates from manufacturers fix these bugs. So, if your firmware is outdated, you might have problems.

How to Fix the PSR-500 Import Not Adding Scanlist

Now that you know the potential causes, let’s move on to the solutions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Step 1: Check Import Settings in Your Software

The first place to check is your import settings within your programming software. The three main programmes people use with the PSR-500 are:

  • Win500
  • PSREdit500
  • ARC500

Each programme lets you select a scanlist to assign a frequency or talkgroup to during import.

How to Assign a Scanlist During Import:

  1. Open your software and connect your PSR-500 to your computer.
  2. Choose the source of your import (this could be a database like RadioReference or a file on your computer).
  3. During the import process, find a section to assign the imported frequencies to scanlists. This will usually appear as a list of checkboxes or a dropdown menu.
  4. Select the appropriate scanlist(s) you want the imported frequencies to be added to.

If you miss this step, the frequencies might import. But they won’t be in any scanlist. So, they will be invisible when you try to scan.

Step 2: Manually Add Frequencies to Scanlists

If the import process failed to assign frequencies to a scanlist, you can always go in and do it manually.

How to Add Frequencies Manually:

  1. On the PSR-500 scanner itself, press PROG to enter the programming mode.
  2. Navigate to the specific frequency or talkgroup that you want to add to a scanlist.
  3. Use the arrow keys to scroll the scanlists. Select one to assign the object to.
  4. Press ENTER to save the assignment.

This step can be tedious with many frequencies. But it’s an effective way to ensure everything is organised.

Step 3: Ensure Scanlists Are Enabled

Sometimes, the issue isn’t that the scanlist didn’t get assigned—it’s that the scanlist is disabled. The PSR-500 allows you to turn scanlists on and off, which can be confusing if you’re not aware of the status of each list.

How to Check If Scanlists Are Enabled:

  1. While the scanner is in scan mode, look at the numbers displayed on the screen. These numbers correspond to the scanlists you’ve set up.
  2. Press the number associated with the scanlist you want to enable or disable. If a number is displayed but not underlined, that scanlist is disabled.
  3. If it’s disabled, simply press the number again to enable it.

Step 4: Free Up Memory if Needed

If your scanner’s memory is full, you may need to delete some old frequencies or talkgroups to make room for new ones. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the PROG menu on your scanner.
  2. Select the frequencies you no longer need.
  3. Use the delete option to clear them from the memory.

Be careful when doing this—you don’t want to delete anything important. Once you’ve cleared some space, try importing your new frequencies again. Make sure to assign them to a scanlist.

Step 5: Update Firmware

Finally, if none of the previous steps work, it might be time to check for a firmware update. Firmware updates often include bug fixes that can solve problems like this one.

How to Update PSR-500 Firmware:

  1. Visit the GRE America website or search for the latest firmware update for the PSR-500.
  2. Download the update and follow the instructions to install it on your scanner.
  3. After updating, try the import process again.

FAQs

1. Why isn’t my PSR-500 importing frequencies?

If frequencies aren’t importing, check that you selected a valid scanlist during import. Also, ensure that your scanner has enough available memory.

2. How do I know if a scanlist is enabled?

On the scanner’s display, enabled scanlists will have their corresponding numbers underlined. If a number is visible but not underlined, it means the scanlist is disabled.

3. Can I recover deleted frequencies?

Once deleted from the PSR-500, frequencies can’t be recovered. They can only be restored if you had a backup on your computer.

4. Is there a limit to how many frequencies I can import?

Yes, the PSR-500 has a limit on the number of objects it can store. If you’re reaching this limit, you’ll need to clear space by deleting old frequencies or talkgroups.

5. How do I organise frequencies into different scanlists?

You can assign frequencies to scanlists during import in your programming software. Or, you can add them to scanlists from the scanner’s menu.

Conclusion

And there you have it! To fix the issue where your PSR-500 import doesn’t add scanlists, check your settings. Ensure scanlists are enabled. You may also need to update your firmware. With these simple steps, you’ll be back to scanning in no time.

If you’ve run into any specific issues that weren’t covered here, feel free to ask in the comments below. I’d love to help you troubleshoot further!

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