Huntsville, AL Digital Question for Newbie

faste · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 08:10 PM

I'm interested in purchasing a Uniden scanner. Do I need digital capabilities here in Huntsville?

From the radio reference page Madison County, Alabama (AL) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference I can see we have no digital trunked systems, but I can see Marshall Space Flight Center #2 / Redstone Arsenal Marshall Space Flight Center #2 / Redstone Arsenal Trunking System, Huntsville, Alabama - Scanner Frequencies uses digital as system voice.

If you were me, would you bother getting a digital capable scanner for the Huntsville area? Would you bet Huntsville, or nearby areas would eventually move to digital?

Thanks in advance

alabamarailfan · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 01:03 PM

I'd be curious about this one as well. I am planning to buy a new scanner soon and while I can't afford digital right now, it would be nice to know if this is something I should be looking at the near future.
Thanks for any info anyone can provide!
::john

bob-the-scanner-man · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 09:18 PM

First, consider what you want to listen to. You might have no interest in listening to the Marshall Space Flight Center #2 / Redstone Arsenal, but if you do then you would need a digital scanner. I see that there are plenty of services in your county that don't use digital-so you might not see it as worth it to get a digital scanner.

I don't know about Huntsville, but it does seem that many areas are moving to digital so if you have the money for a digital scanner then I'd go ahead and get one. Better safe now than sorry later.

radiopro52 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 12:56 AM

The only digital system in the area is Redstone, and I hear that it's encrypted, so it may be a waste getting a digital scanner just to listen to it. Everything else is still analog. Huntsville will probably go digital eventually but probably not for a while.

CORN · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiopro52

The only digital system in the area is Redstone, and I hear that it's encrypted, so it may be a waste getting a digital scanner just to listen to it. Everything else is still analog. Huntsville will probably go digital eventually but probably not for a while.

Unless they've changed recently, a couple years ago when i was in the Huntsville area for the airshow some of Redstone/Marshall was in the clear. But some was encrypted too.

Steve · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:41 AM

faste and John, if and when you can afford it go ahead and get the digital capable scanner. You can use it for analog stuff now. And when/if any of the "major/big" players/users go digital, you will be ready (along as it is P25).

John, it is good to see more ALRails folks come aboard here.

rdale · #7 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiopro52

The only digital system in the area is Redstone, and I hear that it's encrypted, so it may be a waste getting a digital scanner just to listen to it

Nope - I was just down there in August and reconfirmed some in the database. Those that have an E are encrypted, those that don't can be listened to just fine with a digital scanner.

alabamarailfan · #8 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks, Steve! For me, the issue is $$ right now. We just don't have it to spend on a nice digital scanner but I would like to at least get something that supports trunking. I have been listening to only railroads for so many years, I am way behind the technology curve when it comes it monitoring public safety, etc. I think I am going to start out with something like GRE PSR-300 and hopefully things will pick up next year and I can get something with digital support. From what I can tell in the database, most of what I would have an interest in is analog, for now anyway (Morgan Co EDACS, Huntsville Pub Safety, etc).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

John, it is good to see more ALRails folks come aboard here.

Thanks again Steve! I am planning to add my railroad feed here at RR.com as well as a public safety feed from Decatur/Morgan County as soon as I can get some bugs worked out! Good to see you guys here as well!
::john

Steve · #9 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 03:38 PM

John, the 300 or the RS Pro-164 would be good place to start. Also I think the Uniden BC346XT might fit your bill. I don't have a 346XT (yet) but I do have the 300 and 164. All three radios are close in price I like both radios and i mostly wind up using them for railroad monitoring.

I will be looking forward to your feeds here. I have listened to your rail feed and used your ATCS feed a god bit in the past but not much lately. I have enjoyed both feeds.

faste · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 09:54 AM

Thanks bob-the-scanner-man, radiopro52, CORN, Steve, and rdale!!

You guys have really helped me. Great information! I am close to the arsenal, so I am interested in listing.

I am going with a digital scanner, hopefully the Uniden BCD396XT, or the Pro-106 if it goes on sale for 300. I am really looking forward to scanning. Thank you!

morganAL · #11 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 08:52 AM

I would go ahead and go with a digital scanner. I have heard that Huntsville is looking to go P-25 in the future. Plus the State will be going out to bid for a 700 MHz P-25 Statewide system...at least phase I anyway.

WB4ULV · #12 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 12:30 PM

Huntsville is not digital and won't be in the future.