New to scanning

[steeler68cad]

I have a Pro 95 handheld scanner from Radio Shack is this a good scanner? I am relatively new to scanning I am just starting to get into it so far I really enjoy it. I live in a small town so I know most of the guys on the police and fire departments. Any advise or tips would be apreciated!

Scott

[W5JSS]

(A Moderator may wish to move this to the RS forum)

You have purchased a GREAT scanner, but depending on where you live, you might not get all that you want to out of it. Check in the database here on this site and find your local frequencies (and talkgroups if applicable). If you are in a "conventional" area or "trunked" area (Motorola or EDACS), then you should be good to go. If your area is "LTR" or "digital" you may want to purchase a different model.

If you decide on keeping the 95, I would suggest you download the FREE software to program it from http://www.starrsoft.com, and purchase a programming cable from your local Radio Shack (item 20-289). It makes programming MUCH more simple, and will allow you to open up "extended" frequency ranges that you can't get manually from the keypad.

Good luck!

[steeler68cad]

Jayfurd

Thanks for the input I will be running to RS to get the cable!

[Al42]

Also, while you're checking the database, notice whether anything you want to listen to is a Motorola trunking system in the 861-869 MHz range (someone correct me if my memory's wrong). Any public service system in that range will be moving to another frequency range, and the Pro-95 won't be able to handle that. (And, knowing Radio Shack, they won't be giving Pro-95 owners any trade-in allowance toward a scanner that can handle the rebanding.)

So if you have that problem (a lot of us do), and you're still within the time you can return the scanner, I'd return it.