I would go with the connect systems' CS700 - it's $180, $5 for the programming cable and the software is free. (Not to mention there is this great codeplug you can download and use...) If you want to see one, I'll have mine at field day.

Where could I get the information to be able to program a different radio model?
The main thing would be the channel information in an excel spread sheet format.
Then perhaps links to web pages for various repeaters in the local region.
I realize I have a lot to learn but that is that agitates the grey matter.
Live to learn - learn to live.

Which model do you have / want to program? Some you can do that with (the excel spreadsheet) some you can't.

Just got a MD 380. Found a link on your web site and downloaded a basic codeplug.
That will get me started. When we meet you can show me a few things.
Should be a lot of fun to learn.
Thank you for the prompt reply.

I have picked up a used CS 800 from someone and it is already programmed and I've been able to get on PRN, DMRX and TAC310, but I was wondering if I could ask a couple of questions about the radio itself, if anyone would know.

I understand that I need to key the mic to activate the channel, I think that is the correct word, but I've noticed that after a few minutes the green receive LED will blink on the radio indicating that someone is transmitting but I don't hear anything unless I re-key the mic. Is it supposed to work this way where I need to key the mic ever few minutes to keep the channel open so I can listen to what is going on or is there a timeout setting somewhere in the radio that I could tweak?

Another question is with the Mon All, how does that one actually work? I'm confused about how it can be monitoring channels that I have not already keyed to open the channel or does it automatically open the channels and just lets me listen to stuff going on ?

thank you for any answers
73s

On the PRN system, there are 2 talkgroups that are full time - PRN and local. The rest are "on-demand" as it were, and require you to kerchunk the repeater to activate. I believe the timer is 10 minutes. (Maybe it's 15? I'll have to check, but I think it's 10.) After you kerchunk an on-demand talkgroup, you won't hear anything until the next person starts talking. So, if you kerchunk while someone is talking, you won't hear them until they stop and the next person keys up. Also, as for the light, since there are 2 timeslots in DMR, if there is audio on the other timeslot the light will blink as it is hearing the audio, but since the radio is not tuned to that channel, you won't hear it. It can be used as an indication that there may be another part time talkgroup active, so you may want to check before kerchunking the talkgroup you want. As for the Mon All, this as it is named, monitors all the channels on the repeater. If someone else has kerchunked a part time talkgroup, you'll hear that audio just like they would. Plus you'll also hear any audio from the full time talkgroups too. Hope this helps!