Quote:
Originally Posted by sucafish
Problems I have found in the past. Hear part of a call, but want to monitor it in it's entirety. IS this possible?
|
With a portable hand held, you often can only hear the base because the mobile units have weaker signals(over simplified). Looking at your area:
Pierce County, Washington (WA) the county does not use repeaters, meaning that the mobile units do not have their transmission repeated by the base unit, which is usually at a high location. Tacoma city does seem to use repeaters for the police, but not fire. There is a trunking system:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=2501 , but the Pro-97 should OK since most of it seems to be analog, meaning you should not need a digital scanner just yet. You should really ask this question on the WA forum to be sure to get the best advice on what scanner is needed for your area.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sucafish
Radio Shak had programmed my scanner for me, is this just the beginning of what I really need to do?
|
In general, RS does not do a great job of programming, but at least they should get the major stuff if you tell them where you are located. It would be a lot better if you could get software and use it to download the data from this site into your scanner. Each model scanner has different software, so will have to reserve comment until you decide. Most of the software is fairly easy to use, and should help you understand your scanner better. Pro-97 should have worked well for your area for a portable. An antenna on the outside of your home will greatly improve things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sucafish
Can you hear encrypted radio?
|
NO
Quote:
Originally Posted by sucafish
I listen to the online King County feed, is this different than what I would hear if I buy my own?
|
Mostly, it is different because you may hear base and mobiles. However, it is hard for me to compare, since I am not from your area.