---
product_id: 2497535
title: "Whistler WS1040 Handheld Digital Scanner – P25 Phase I, Trunking, Same Weather Alerts, Multi-System Support, Programmable, PC Interface, LED & Audio Alerts"
brand: "whistler"
price: "¥119834"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
category: "Whistler"
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/2497535-whistler-ws1040-handheld-digital-scanner-p25-phase-i-trunking-same
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# Free-form dynamic memory allocation P25 Phase I digital trunking Dedicated Skywarn storm spotter button Whistler WS1040 Handheld Digital Scanner – P25 Phase I, Trunking, Same Weather Alerts, Multi-System Support, Programmable, PC Interface, LED & Audio Alerts

**Brand:** whistler
**Price:** ¥119834
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 📻 Own the airwaves: Scan smarter, stay connected, and never miss a beat!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Whistler WS1040 Handheld Digital Scanner – P25 Phase I, Trunking, Same Weather Alerts, Multi-System Support, Programmable, PC Interface, LED & Audio Alerts by whistler
- **How much does it cost?** ¥119834 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/2497535-whistler-ws1040-handheld-digital-scanner-p25-phase-i-trunking-same)

## Best For

- whistler enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted whistler brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Instant Storm Alerts:** Stay ahead of severe weather with a dedicated Skywarn button for real-time emergency frequencies.
- • **Dynamic Memory Mastery:** Free-form memory allocation means no wasted space—store over 38,000 objects your way.
- • **Customizable LED & Audio:** Color-coded LED alerts and programmable audio let you identify agencies at a glance—even from across the room.
- • **Effortless Digital Trunking:** Seamlessly scan Motorola P25 Phase I systems with advanced digital clarity.
- • **PC Programmable with Clone Capability:** Easily program or clone scanner settings via USB using popular software—get up and running in minutes.

## Overview

The Whistler WS1040 is a lightweight, handheld digital scanner featuring Motorola P25 Phase I trunking, free-form memory for efficient storage of over 38,000 frequencies, and a dedicated Skywarn button for instant weather alerts. Its programmable LED and audio alerts provide clear agency identification, while PC interface and cloning capabilities simplify setup. Ideal for emergency enthusiasts and professionals seeking reliable, customizable scanning on the go.

## Description

The WS1040 is a handheld digital trunking scanner with Motorola P25 Phase I capabilities. The WS1040 features Object Oriented programming which has often been regarded by users as easy to program and use. Virtual Scanner mode stores 21 various scanner configurations for a total storage capacity of over 38,000 scannable objects. Just as their lower end brother models, this offers a dedicated Skywarn button and Spectrum Sweeper - Quickly sweeps the scanner’s frequency ranges for transmissions from nearby sources. Lock out found frequencies and continue searching in the same band. Free-Form Memory Organization - Allocation of memory dynamically and efficiently as it is needed. This differs from low cost and older scanners that had memory organized in rigid and wasteful memory banks

Review: AFRAID OF PROGRAMMING? FEAR NOT! READ ON. - If programming a scanner scares you, maybe I can help and save you a few bucks. I’ve been there. I’ll explain later. First off, the WS-1040 is a fantastic scanner. When programmed correctly, it has more bells and whistles than a circus train and leaves nothing to be desired in the way of a scanner. The specs are on the money and correct to a T. The most difficult part is the programming. If you wish to do it yourself, WIN500 from Radio Reference or Starrsoft is highly recommended but it is a PC based program. It will not work on Mac. Butel, ARC500 software is what I use. It is also PC based. Here's a WARNING based on my 4 years of experience starting as a dummy knowing nothing. In 2012, I didn't know anyone who could program a scanner for me. Numerous negative reviews stating “difficult to program” scared me away from trying it myself. So, I ordered a GRE PSR500 from an online SCANNER retailer that offered pre-programming for 1 county for $70.00. I thought it would be great to have my scanner working right out of the box. This was a huge mistake. I felt like I’d just had a bad night at Vegas and didn’t even get a kiss. The scanner did not work out of the box. An expensive amplifier was a waste. I emailed the seller twice and explained my problem. They told me to call them. Having worked on an I.T. help desk for a major corporation for years, I fully understand the obstacles involved in communication between the trained and untrained even when both parties speak the same language fluently. That's seldom the case anymore. I've written trouble-shooting flow charts and know they exist on any help desk, however, they are not about to email them to a customer. Programming a digital scanner is a complicated process. Attempting to do so over the telephone was more than I was willing to endure. Finally, through an Internet search, I located a local HAM radio club. Almost immediately, a half dozen members responded who were willing to help me out. I was totally impressed and pleasantly surprised. Amateur (ham) radio operators are a great group of guys. As Yogi Bear might say, “They are smarter than the average bear.” I live in a small county with only eight frequencies. The SCANNER seller had not programmed any of them. The amateur (ham) operator deleted all incorrect data and cloned my GRE PSR500 to his. The results were amazing. Whistler bought GRE. GRE made Radio Shack scanners. Therefore, the Pro106, Pro107 and GRE PSR500 are internally the same as the WS-1040. They can all be cloned from each other by pressing 3 keys. The SIMPLE instructions are on page 19 of the WS-1040 owner’s manual. All that’s needed is a cable with a 1/8-inch(3.5 mm) male stereo phone plug on each end, NOT INCLUDED. I use desertcart Basics. The WS1040 is compatible with the following scannermodels: PRO-106, PRO-197, PRO-651, PRO-652, GREPSR-500, PSR-600, WS1040, and WS1065.To clone a scanner: 1. Connect the two scanners at their PC/IF ports. 2. Turn on both scanners. 3. On the source scanner, press PGM. 4. Press the GLOB softkey. 5. Use the 4-direction keypad to locate the CloneSend option. 6. Press SEL to transfer data. Since my GRE PSR500 settings were saved on ARC500 software in my PC. I plugged in my WS-1040 with the supplied data cable and uploaded. I was scanning in one minute. The WS-1040 has 7 color coded lights that can be set by the programmer to flash or stay steady indicating which agency is transmitting. I love this feature. I listen to two police departments, county sheriff’s office, EMS and Fire. I can tell by the color and flashing sequence of the lights which agency is transmitting from across the room. This is really helpful anytime you're not holding the scanner in your hand. The LED and keypad can also be programmed to illuminate as the user desires. This is a great amenity in low light conditions. Pre-programming services do NOT program such luxury features. There is NO refund on pre-programming service whether it works or not. A pre-programming service is not for the benefit of the buyer, it merely helps the online retailer make more sales to nervous first-time buyers like myself. And making sales is what business is all about. Had the SCANNER online help desk been able to get me up and running over the phone, I would have never realized what I was missing and would have probably been willing to accept the very minimum this scanner has to offer. If a new, pre-programmed scanner DOES work out of the box, it will be the very minimum at best and most users will probably be willing to accept it. As a result, they will never know what they're missing. Here’s the SUGAR FROSTING: Someone in your area owns one of the above mentioned radios and probably has it programmed exactly as you would like. Start by searching the Internet for local HAM Radio clubs and send them an email. They are willing to help beginners get started and will clone it for you in a heartbeat at NO charge. If they have a frequency that you do not want like the FAA tower, delete it. Do it right from the beginning and you will be a HAPPY SCANNER. I didn’t do it right from the beginning and it cost me big. In 2012, the GRE PSR500 was $500.00. IN 2016, the WS-1040 is about $265.00. SCANNING IS GETTING CHEAPER AND THAT MAKES ME A HAPPY SCANNER. UPDATE 9/9/21. I cloned 2 WS1040 scanners. Here are easier-to-follow instructions on cloning. CLONING WHISTLER WS1040 SCANNER All that’s needed is a cable with a 1/8-inch(3.5 mm) male stereo phone plug on each end. Connect the two scanners at their PC/IF ports. Turn on both scanners. On the source scanner, press PGM. Press the GLOB softkey F3. Will be lit. GLOB will appear on screen above. Use the 4-direction keypad to locate the CloneSend option. Press SEL to transfer data. Disconnect cable. Press SCAN key and you’re in business.
Review: Great Scanner—Easy to Program with the Right Tools - I’m glad I read the reviews before purchasing this scanner because the best tip I found was to spend a little extra on a subscription to RadioReference.com and download the Butel ARC500 software. With those two things, programming this scanner was surprisingly simple - even for someone like me who only has a basic understanding of radios and scanners. If you can remember navigating menus on old-school flip phones, you’ll feel right at home. Even Mac users shouldn’t shy away. I run a Windows 11 virtual machine on my Mac (using Parallels for other Windows needs), and it worked almost flawlessly. The only hiccup was figuring out which USB driver to use, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. Free virtual machine options like VirtualBox should work fine too. Without reading much documentation, I had the scanner fully configured in under an hour. Performance has been excellent so far. Indoors with the stock antenna, I easily pick up local emergency response channels. Outdoors, I was able to pick up aviation and weather frequencies as well. I’ll probably invest in an external antenna to extend the range, but for the price and the ease of setup, this scanner has exceeded my expectations. It’s lightweight, easy to move around. Bought a $20 package of desertcart rechargeable batteries with a charger to reduce waste. Highly recommended for beginners and casual hobbyists alike.

## Features

- Menu Driven Programming with Context Sensitive Help Each menu item provides a few lines of help text that provide assistance with programming and using the scanner
- Scan List functionality allows you to arrange group and scan objects according to your preference
- Free Form Memory Organization Allocation of memory dynamically and efficiently as it is needed This differs from low cost and older scanners that had memory organized in rigid and wasteful memory banks
- Skywarn Storm Spotter Functionality Instant access to frequencies used by storm spotter networks
- Digital AGC Instantly compensates for low user audio levels that are common on digital systems Installation Troubleshooting If Windows does not detect the cable when plugged in try using any other USB port if availableIf the installation fails remove the cable and reboot your computer and perform the installation again

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00IID3OAY |
| Batteries | 4 AA batteries required. |
| Best Sellers Rank | #18 in Radio Scanners |
| Color | Black |
| Connectivity technologies | USB |
| Customer Reviews | 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (2,017) |
| Date First Available | February 18, 2014 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Weight | 8.5 ounces |
| Item model number | WS1040 |
| Manufacturer | Whistler |
| Other display features | Wireless |
| Product Dimensions | 1.65 x 2.56 x 5.71 inches |
| Scanner Resolution | 10000 |
| Whats in the box | product, manual |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Whistler
- **Connectivity Technology:** USB
- **Item Weight:** 8.48 ounces
- **Maximum Media Size:** 4 x 6 inches
- **Minimum System Requirements:** Windows 7
- **Model Name:** Whistler
- **Resolution:** 10000
- **Scanner Type:** Radio Scanner
- **Standard Sheet Capacity:** 300
- **UPC:** 052303406997

## Images

![Whistler WS1040 Handheld Digital Scanner – P25 Phase I, Trunking, Same Weather Alerts, Multi-System Support, Programmable, PC Interface, LED & Audio Alerts - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vu9WdBr3L.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: It says in specs it picks up phase i and phase ii.  why does everyone say it does not pick up phase ii?**
A: The 1040 is the old GRE 500. Phase 1 only, but has the best sound of all my units.

The TRX series does P1, P2, DMR, and NXDN. My old PSR800 got the official factory upgrade and does P1, P2, & DMR. It also takes 4 AA batteries.

**Q: how many channels or banks does this have?**
A: I am confused as to why John L answered that this scanner does not pick up P25 phase II TDMA, when it does.  The information below is directly from the box of this scanner.  The Whistler TRX-1 is multi-system adaptive digital trunking scanners with Motorola P25 Phase I, X2-TDMA, Phase II and DMR making it capable of monitoring the following unencrypted channels/systems: Conventional DMR (Entered as a DMR trunked system, Hytera XPT, MotoTRBO Capacity Plus, MotoTRBO Connect Plus, and MotoTRBO Linked Cap Plus systems.

**Q: what type of batteries does this scanner have? Does it come with a wall charger?**
A: Other answers are correct.  I use the Panasonic BQ-CC17SBA eneloop Advanced Individual Battery Charger with 4 LED Charge Indicator Lights, White.  It plugs directly in to the wall and holds 4 rechargeable AA batteries.  I use Panasonic BK-3MCCA8BA Eneloop AA 2100 Cycle Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries (Pack of 8)  I've not had any problems whatsoever in 3 years of using these batteries.  They hold a charge and last longer than Duracel Copper Top disposables.  If you are on the road, keep a spare set handy.

**Q: does this pick up analog signals as well?**
A: FM yes-broadcast FM, no. Starts at 108MHz-no 88-108MHz band, at least in an "unmodified" WS1040. was surprised as even my cheap and cheerful UV-5X has the FM broadcast band. Noot necessary in a scanner, but would be nice. This is picking up real well, even in my heavily forested, sparsely populated area. Surprisingly too-the stock rubber ducky actually brings in as strong a signal, has as much gain as my other supposedly "better" BNC telescoping and coil-loaded scanner antennas, at least so far.  Why I ordered a Diamond wide-band base antenna.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ AFRAID OF PROGRAMMING? FEAR NOT! READ ON.
*by J***D on March 9, 2016*

If programming a scanner scares you, maybe I can help and save you a few bucks. I’ve been there. I’ll explain later. First off, the WS-1040 is a fantastic scanner. When programmed correctly, it has more bells and whistles than a circus train and leaves nothing to be desired in the way of a scanner. The specs are on the money and correct to a T. The most difficult part is the programming. If you wish to do it yourself, WIN500 from Radio Reference or Starrsoft is highly recommended but it is a PC based program. It will not work on Mac. Butel, ARC500 software is what I use. It is also PC based. Here's a WARNING based on my 4 years of experience starting as a dummy knowing nothing. In 2012, I didn't know anyone who could program a scanner for me. Numerous negative reviews stating “difficult to program” scared me away from trying it myself. So, I ordered a GRE PSR500 from an online SCANNER retailer that offered pre-programming for 1 county for $70.00. I thought it would be great to have my scanner working right out of the box. This was a huge mistake. I felt like I’d just had a bad night at Vegas and didn’t even get a kiss. The scanner did not work out of the box. An expensive amplifier was a waste. I emailed the seller twice and explained my problem. They told me to call them. Having worked on an I.T. help desk for a major corporation for years, I fully understand the obstacles involved in communication between the trained and untrained even when both parties speak the same language fluently. That's seldom the case anymore. I've written trouble-shooting flow charts and know they exist on any help desk, however, they are not about to email them to a customer. Programming a digital scanner is a complicated process. Attempting to do so over the telephone was more than I was willing to endure. Finally, through an Internet search, I located a local HAM radio club. Almost immediately, a half dozen members responded who were willing to help me out. I was totally impressed and pleasantly surprised. Amateur (ham) radio operators are a great group of guys. As Yogi Bear might say, “They are smarter than the average bear.” I live in a small county with only eight frequencies. The SCANNER seller had not programmed any of them. The amateur (ham) operator deleted all incorrect data and cloned my GRE PSR500 to his. The results were amazing. Whistler bought GRE. GRE made Radio Shack scanners. Therefore, the Pro106, Pro107 and GRE PSR500 are internally the same as the WS-1040. They can all be cloned from each other by pressing 3 keys. The SIMPLE instructions are on page 19 of the WS-1040 owner’s manual. All that’s needed is a cable with a 1/8-inch(3.5 mm) male stereo phone plug on each end, NOT INCLUDED. I use Amazon Basics. The WS1040 is compatible with the following scannermodels: PRO-106, PRO-197, PRO-651, PRO-652, GREPSR-500, PSR-600, WS1040, and WS1065.To clone a scanner: 1. Connect the two scanners at their PC/IF ports. 2. Turn on both scanners. 3. On the source scanner, press PGM. 4. Press the GLOB softkey. 5. Use the 4-direction keypad to locate the CloneSend option. 6. Press SEL to transfer data. Since my GRE PSR500 settings were saved on ARC500 software in my PC. I plugged in my WS-1040 with the supplied data cable and uploaded. I was scanning in one minute. The WS-1040 has 7 color coded lights that can be set by the programmer to flash or stay steady indicating which agency is transmitting. I love this feature. I listen to two police departments, county sheriff’s office, EMS and Fire. I can tell by the color and flashing sequence of the lights which agency is transmitting from across the room. This is really helpful anytime you're not holding the scanner in your hand. The LED and keypad can also be programmed to illuminate as the user desires. This is a great amenity in low light conditions. Pre-programming services do NOT program such luxury features. There is NO refund on pre-programming service whether it works or not. A pre-programming service is not for the benefit of the buyer, it merely helps the online retailer make more sales to nervous first-time buyers like myself. And making sales is what business is all about. Had the SCANNER online help desk been able to get me up and running over the phone, I would have never realized what I was missing and would have probably been willing to accept the very minimum this scanner has to offer. If a new, pre-programmed scanner DOES work out of the box, it will be the very minimum at best and most users will probably be willing to accept it. As a result, they will never know what they're missing. Here’s the SUGAR FROSTING: Someone in your area owns one of the above mentioned radios and probably has it programmed exactly as you would like. Start by searching the Internet for local HAM Radio clubs and send them an email. They are willing to help beginners get started and will clone it for you in a heartbeat at NO charge. If they have a frequency that you do not want like the FAA tower, delete it. Do it right from the beginning and you will be a HAPPY SCANNER. I didn’t do it right from the beginning and it cost me big. In 2012, the GRE PSR500 was $500.00. IN 2016, the WS-1040 is about $265.00. SCANNING IS GETTING CHEAPER AND THAT MAKES ME A HAPPY SCANNER. UPDATE 9/9/21. I cloned 2 WS1040 scanners. Here are easier-to-follow instructions on cloning. CLONING WHISTLER WS1040 SCANNER All that’s needed is a cable with a 1/8-inch(3.5 mm) male stereo phone plug on each end. Connect the two scanners at their PC/IF ports. Turn on both scanners. On the source scanner, press PGM. Press the GLOB softkey F3. Will be lit. GLOB will appear on screen above. Use the 4-direction keypad to locate the CloneSend option. Press SEL to transfer data. Disconnect cable. Press SCAN key and you’re in business.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Scanner—Easy to Program with the Right Tools
*by S***R on September 15, 2025*

I’m glad I read the reviews before purchasing this scanner because the best tip I found was to spend a little extra on a subscription to RadioReference.com and download the Butel ARC500 software. With those two things, programming this scanner was surprisingly simple - even for someone like me who only has a basic understanding of radios and scanners. If you can remember navigating menus on old-school flip phones, you’ll feel right at home. Even Mac users shouldn’t shy away. I run a Windows 11 virtual machine on my Mac (using Parallels for other Windows needs), and it worked almost flawlessly. The only hiccup was figuring out which USB driver to use, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker. Free virtual machine options like VirtualBox should work fine too. Without reading much documentation, I had the scanner fully configured in under an hour. Performance has been excellent so far. Indoors with the stock antenna, I easily pick up local emergency response channels. Outdoors, I was able to pick up aviation and weather frequencies as well. I’ll probably invest in an external antenna to extend the range, but for the price and the ease of setup, this scanner has exceeded my expectations. It’s lightweight, easy to move around. Bought a $20 package of Amazon rechargeable batteries with a charger to reduce waste. Highly recommended for beginners and casual hobbyists alike.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solid scanner, hard set up
*by M***N on January 8, 2026*

After weeks of struggling to program it, it is finally working and correctly. Scanner is incredible and works great. Ok battery life, fast scanning. Works with everything

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*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-03-21*