The Whistler WS1040 digital handheld scanner is a device designed for enthusiasts who want to stay informed about local communications. This scanner is capable of storing up to 1,800 frequencies and is engineered to automatically search for and lock onto nearby transmissions, ensuring you’re always in the loop. Beyond standard communication monitoring, it also provides access to weather reports, giving you timely alerts about severe weather conditions before they hit mainstream broadcasts.
What’s Included in the Box:
- Whistler Digital Hand-held Scanner WS1040
- PC/IF Cable
- AC Adapter
- Flexible Antenna
- Black Battery Shell (for Alkaline Batteries)
- Yellow Battery Shell (for Rechargeable Batteries)
- Comprehensive User Guide
- Quick Start Guide
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions: 5.71 inches (H) x 2.56 inches (W) x 1.65 inches (L)
- Weight: 0.53 lbs
Key Features and Benefits:
The Whistler WS1040 is packed with features aimed at both novice and experienced scanner users. Here’s a detailed look at what makes this scanner stand out:
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Alert LED: A programmable multi-color LED that can be customized to illuminate or flash in response to specific scanner activities. With eight user-definable colors from a broad spectrum, you can visually categorize alerts for different channels or events.
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Audible Alarms: Complementing the visual alerts, programmable audible alarms can be set to sound when particular Scannable Objects become active. These alarms can work in tandem with the Alert LED or independently, providing both audio and visual cues.
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Automatic Adaptive Digital Tracking: Essential for monitoring P25 digital systems, this feature automatically adjusts the digital decoder to match the modulation of incoming signals. It continuously analyzes the signal over 50 times per second to compensate for signal changes due to multipath or fading, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
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Backlit LCD Display: The easy-to-read backlit liquid crystal display ensures that programming and reading data are possible even in low-light conditions. This is crucial for nighttime use or in dimly lit environments.
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Data Cloning: Simplifies setup across multiple devices by allowing users to transfer programmed data to another WS1040 scanner. This is particularly useful for teams or individuals managing multiple scanners.
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Digital AGC (Automatic Gain Control): Automatically compensates for low audio levels common in digital systems, ensuring consistent and clear audio output without manual volume adjustments.
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Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector: The included flexible antenna is designed for optimal reception of local signals. The BNC connector also allows for easy connection to external antennas for enhanced reception of weaker or distant signals.
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Free-Form Memory Organization: Dynamically allocates memory as needed, efficiently using the available space. This modern approach is superior to older scanners with rigid memory banks, preventing memory wastage.
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High-Speed PC Interface: Utilizes a USB scanner programming cable for fast data transfer with a PC, significantly speeding up programming and cloning processes compared to older models. The included USB cable facilitates cloning with other WS1040 handhelds or WS1065 desktop/mobile scanners.
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Key Lock: Prevents accidental changes to scanner programming by locking the keypad, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring sessions.
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Lock-out Function: Allows users to skip unwanted channels or frequencies during scanning or searching, streamlining the monitoring process to focus on relevant communications.
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LTR Home Repeater AutoMove: Simplifies programming of LTR trunking systems by automatically ordering frequencies into correct home repeater slots, even when the order isn’t initially known.
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Memory Backup: Preserves stored frequencies for an extended period, even without battery power, ensuring your scanner is ready to use when you need it.
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Menu-Driven Programming with Context Sensitive Help: Each menu item includes helpful text, guiding users through programming and operation, making the scanner accessible even for beginners.
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Multi-System Trunking: Scans across various trunked radio system formats, including Motorola, EDACS, LTR, and P25 networks, supporting both talkgroup and individual call monitoring.
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Object-Oriented User Interface (OOUI): A Whistler exclusive, this interface uses consistent data entry, browsing, and control methods for all scannable objects, simplifying the user experience.
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P25 NAC Functionality: Supports P25 Network Access Codes (NAC) for selective squelch on digital channels. The WS1040 detects NAC codes and allows programming to block transmissions without matching NACs, including analog traffic on the same frequency.
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PC Programmable: Enables users to back up data, update databases, and program the scanner directly from a PC using software like BuTel ARC500 (sold separately).
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Priority Channel: Allows setting a priority channel that the scanner checks every two seconds during scanning, ensuring important communications are not missed.
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Real-time Signal Strength Indicator: Displays the relative strength of received signals, aiding in antenna adjustments and signal analysis.
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SAME and All Hazards Weather Alerting: Provides Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) alerts for weather events, displaying the event and sounding an alarm for chosen counties. Also supports All Hazards alerts.
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Scan Delay: Introduces a two-second delay before moving to the next channel, ensuring replies are heard.
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Scan List Functionality: Allows for organizing, grouping, and scanning objects based on user preferences, enhancing customization and focused monitoring.
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Skywarn Storm Spotter Functionality: Provides instant access to frequencies used by storm spotter networks, enabling monitoring of storm conditions as they develop.
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Spectrum Sweeper: Quickly scans frequency ranges for transmissions from nearby sources, allowing users to identify and lock out found frequencies and continue searching.
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Subaudible Squelch Decoder: Processes CTCSS and DCS subaudible squelch coding using the same DSP chip as P25 digital decoding, providing fast and reliable decoding with squelch tail elimination.
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Three Power Options: Offers flexibility with battery power (rechargeable or non-rechargeable), AC power (via included adapter), or DC power (adapter not included).
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Tune Function: Allows users to find new and unlisted frequencies starting from a specified point in the spectrum.
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V-Scanner Technology: Enables saving complete radio configurations within the scanner, which can be recalled as needed. Twenty-one V-Scanner Folders are available, each capable of storing over 1,800 objects, significantly expanding the total memory capacity.
Detailed Technical Specifications:
Miscellaneous Features:
- Minimum Operating Temperature: 14°F (-10°C)
- Maximum Operating Temperature: 140°F (60°C)
- Supported Languages: English
- Connections:
- 1/8″ PC interface
- 1/8″ headphone jack
- Power input
- Antenna connection
Power Features:
- Power Device: AA batteries
Battery Features:
- Battery Type: AA
- Product Chemistry: Alkaline, Rechargeable (Ni-Cad or Li-Ion)
- Rechargeable: Yes (with yellow battery shell and appropriate batteries)
Radio System Features:
- Channel Scan: Yes
- Includes SAME Alerts: Yes
- Weather Alert: Yes
Display Features:
- Type: Backlit Display
- Illumination Color: Orange
Antenna Features:
- Antenna Type: Rubber Duck
Whistler WS1040 vs. The Competition: Uniden BCD396XT
When considering digital handheld scanners, the Uniden BCD396XT often comes up as a direct competitor to the Whistler WS1040. Both scanners cater to similar user needs but differ in design and functionality.
The BCD396XT is notably smaller and utilizes fewer buttons, opting for modifier keys and a multi-function knob, which some users might find less intuitive compared to the WS1040’s more extensive keypad. This difference reflects a trade-off between portability (BCD396XT) and ease of use (WS1040).
Memory architecture also differs; while both use dynamic memory, Uniden organizes memory into “Systems,” whereas Whistler uses “Scan Lists” within a larger pool of “Objects.” Some users may find Whistler’s object-oriented approach more flexible for sharing frequencies across different scanning scenarios, though the Uniden system might appeal to those who prefer structured system-based organization.
Unique features of the Uniden BCD396XT include GPS connectivity for location-based scanning, Fire Tone Out, and remote head capabilities—features not available on the WS1040. However, the Whistler WS1040 is often praised for superior audio quality, particularly on digital signals, and is considered to have better digital decoding capabilities.
Channel Capacity and Memory Management
The Whistler WS1040 advertises “Over 1800” Scannable Objects. This object-oriented approach means the scanner memory is used efficiently, allowing for a flexible mix of conventional channels, trunked system talkgroups, and searches. With 21 V-Scanners, the total memory capacity expands significantly, offering ample space for diverse scanning configurations.
V-Scanner Technology: Multiple Scanners in One
V-Scanners are a standout feature, providing 21 virtual scanners within a single device. Each V-Scanner can store a complete scanner configuration, enabling users to quickly switch between different setups for various locations or monitoring interests. This feature is invaluable for users who travel or need different scanner profiles for different situations.
Programming and Operation
Programming the WS1040 can be done manually via the keypad or more efficiently via PC software. While keypad programming is essential for on-the-go adjustments, PC software like Butel ARC500 (not included) simplifies managing large channel lists and complex trunked systems. The menu-driven interface with context-sensitive help built into the WS1040 aids in manual programming, making it less daunting for new users.
Scanning and Searching Capabilities
The WS1040 excels in its scanning and searching functionalities. It supports simultaneous scanning of conventional channels, trunked talkgroups, and various search modes, including limit searches, service searches, and spectrum sweeper. This comprehensive approach ensures users can monitor a wide range of communications without switching modes.
Keyboard and Display
The scanner features a 34-button keypad, well-organized into functional groups for navigation, operation, and numeric input. The backlit display is clear and informative, presenting essential scanning information across four text lines plus a dedicated top line for status icons. A bright, multi-colored LED at the top edge serves as a highly visible alert indicator, customizable for different events.
Frequency Coverage and Modes
The WS1040 covers all standard scanner bands, including VHF, UHF, 700MHz, 800MHz, and 900MHz bands. It supports AM, FM, NFM, and P25 modes, and decodes CTCSS, DCS, and NAC codes. It is important to note it does not cover FM broadcast or 72-76 MHz bands.
Trunking System Support
The scanner is proficient in monitoring various trunking systems including Motorola, APCO P25, EDACS, and LTR. Its Multi-Site Roam feature simplifies monitoring of wide-area trunked systems by automatically locking onto strong control channels, though users also have the option to program individual sites. The LTR Home Repeater AutoMove feature is particularly helpful for simplifying LTR system programming.
Conventional Channel Monitoring
While advanced, the WS1040 is also capable of monitoring conventional analog channels. Understanding modulation modes (FM vs. NFM) and subaudible tones (CTCSS/DCS/NAC) is beneficial for optimizing reception, especially with the ongoing shift to narrowband FM in many bands.
Weather and Alert Features
The WS1040 is equipped with comprehensive weather alert capabilities, supporting both SAME and All Hazards alerts. Users can set up SAME alerts for specific counties, ensuring targeted weather warnings. The dedicated WX button provides quick access to NOAA weather channels.
Power and Battery Options
The scanner uses AA batteries and includes two battery shells: yellow for rechargeable batteries (Ni-MH or Li-Ion) and black for alkaline batteries. It can also be powered via an included AC adapter or an optional DC adapter, offering versatile power solutions for both portable and fixed use.
Conclusion: Is the Whistler WS1040 Right for You?
The Whistler WS1040 digital handheld scanner is a feature-rich device that offers robust performance for monitoring a wide array of radio communications. It stands out with its superior digital decoding, user-friendly interface, and unique V-Scanner technology. While it is larger than some competitors and lacks certain specialized features like GPS, its strengths in audio quality, ease of programming, and comprehensive feature set make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced scanner enthusiasts looking for a reliable and versatile digital scanner. If you prioritize excellent digital audio, flexible memory management, and straightforward operation in a handheld scanner, the Whistler WS1040 is a compelling option. For those specifically searching for a “Whistler-car Av Ws1040 Digital Handheld Scanner Same”, this model delivers on performance and features as described.
Recommended Accessories:
To enhance your experience with the Whistler WS1040, consider these accessories available at Scanner Master and other retailers:
- ARC500 Programming Software: For easier PC programming and data management.
- Scanner Cases: To protect your investment from damage.
- External Antennas: To improve reception range and signal quality.
- Power Adapters (Car and AC): For convenient power options in various settings.
- Amplified Speakers or Headphones: For enhanced audio clarity in noisy environments.
By investing in the right accessories and taking the time to learn its features, the Whistler WS1040 can become an invaluable tool for staying informed and connected to the world of radio communications.
