Specifications

To turn on or off the various Scan Lists go to the Scan Mode by pressing the Scan button then press one of the number keys
(for Lists 1 thru 10, the Zero activates Scan List 10) or Func then a digit for Lists 11 thru 20 (Func-2 for List 12, Func-0 for
List 20…). When scanning the radio will display the Scan List number on the third and fourth lines of the display, the third
line displays Lists 1 thru 10 and the fourth line displays Lists 11 thru 20.
Power On Options
The PSR310 allows you to perform some special tasks by pressing specific keys during the Welcome Message on the display.
These include bringing the radio to specific menu setting locations, clearing memories, resetting the radio or getting ready for
firmware updates. These are listed in the manual and the various websites.
Firmware Updates
The PSR310, in common with most decent scanners these days, allows you to download and update the Firmware version in
the radio. The Firmware is the basic operational language and user interface of the radio, kind of like what “Windows” is to a
computer. With such a complicated system there are bound to be bugs, mistakes, or changes to be made. These updates are
free from the GRE website and are applied with a Windows computer using the regular GRE USB programming cable.
CC-Dump
Several current model scanners support a special feature called CC-Dump. This inelegant name for such an elegant feature
refers to the porting of Control Channel data to the serial port of the scanner. This data is used by programs that decode it and
display and log pertinent information about trunked radio systems.
The most popular of the programs that use the CC-Dump data is Pro96Com, but unfortunately the PSR310 or 410 will not
work with this, as it does not decode the P25 data stream. For this you will need a digital PSR500/600 or equivalent
RadioShack or Uniden radio.
The PSR310/410 will work with the various decoder programs for other formats such as Motorola 3600 baud (Type I or II) or
EDACS systems. Put the radio in CC-Dump mode via the Expert Menu and the data will present itself on the programming
port for use by UniTrunker or other program. This feature is not listed in the PSR310/410 manual however.
Computer Programming
There are several programs available to program your PSR310. Since most offer some sort of demo mode it is a good idea to
try them until you find the one you like best. Programs that work with a PSR310 also work with the PSR410. Some of these
applications support Virtual Control, allowing you to control operations with the computer. Some also allow you to record
audio from the scanner, this will then tag the recordings with the date, time and channel information.
Since the protocols are so similar you may also try using a PSR500/600 capable program, just don’t forget to delete any P25
references. Since the PSR310/410 is not supported with those programs there may be some features that do not work right,
such as Virtual Control. You are on your own with these, do not expect support from the software authors if the model is not
included in the range of radios programmable by that application.
The PSR310/410 does not include a USB programming cable. These are available from ScannerMaster and can also be used
for other GRE and RadioShack scanners. The older RS-232 serial cable used for the PRO96 and 2096 will not work with the
newer radios.
My favorite program is ARC310 available at Scannermaster.com. ARC is also available for most other scanners and it offers
easy to understand methods of creating Scannable Objects and other parameters as well as a Virtual Control option.
Comparisons with the Uniden BC346XT
The obvious competition for the PSR310 is the Uniden BC346XT. Both radios offer new style programming and hundreds
of features. As a user of the various Uniden DMA scanners (BCD396XT and BCD996XT and others) I have gotten used to
the programming methods used by the Unidens so I was apprehensive about learning the GRE method of Scannable Objects,
it all sounded pretty strange to me. As I worked with the PSR310 and other OOUI GRE scanners I learned how to program
various Scan Lists, Scannable Objects and Searches and discovered that it really wasn’t all that difficult. It is no harder to
learn than the Uniden method and some people may find the GRE method more intuitive. If you have not already learned one
method or the other you might find the GRE method easier to learn.