Please recommend a scanner for Vigo County

[dmouck]

Hi all,

I have been an avid scanner listener for 25 years or so. I had moved to Vigo county around 15 years ago and was using a BC245XLT Trunktracker II for quite awhile. When THPD switched to EDACS, I quit listening to the scanner as I couldn't pick up all the feeds that I wanted (Police, Fire, Ambulance, etc.). I noticed that EDACS scanners were available sometime after that, but they were too expensive for my budget.

My wife and I have been relying on the online feed for Vigo County, but it's been offline a few times over this past week. Tonight, on New Year's Eve (which I refer to as the Super Bowl of scanner listening), the feed is offline). While I appreciate the service that whoever hosts the online feed provides, I feel that it's time to get my own scanner so I am not relying on someone else's generosity.

From what I've seen, THPD is now using the Safe-T system. I checked policescanners.net for my area, and they recommend several different models (GRE PSR-500, PRO-106, BCD396XT, GRE PSR-600, PRO-197, BCD996XT, HomePatrol). I do not believe that these all support Safe-T. Am I correct in assuming that I need Safe-T? I just want a scanner that will give me the police, fire, and ambulance for Vigo County. Could someone please give me some recommendations for what I should get?

Thanks in advance! Cheers

[markbart]

dmouck
All of the above scanners can receive Safe-T.Personaly I like the pro1197.

markbart

[W9BU]

Originally Posted by dmouck

From what I've seen, THPD is now using the Safe-T system. I checked policescanners.net for my area, and they recommend several different models (GRE PSR-500, PRO-106, BCD396XT, GRE PSR-600, PRO-197, BCD996XT, HomePatrol). I do not believe that these all support Safe-T.

All of the scanners you listed are digital trunk-tracking scanners. All of them can receive and decode digital talkgroups on Project SAFE-T.

[dmouck]

markbart: can you elaborate on what it is about the PRO-197 that you like? At this point all the scanners are about the same to me, so I'd be interested to know your thoughts as well as anyone else's on the other scanners.

I'm doing a comparison on them now and deciding between a desktop/handhelt unit.

[wingmaker]

I agree my buddy has a Pro-197 and its a very good scanner, Im working on getting myself a PSR 800 to monitor the Digital side of Safe-T. I have been using my PSR 310 to monitor the Analog side of Safe-T for a little bit now. I will now either sell my 310 or use it as a backup LOVE AND BLESSINGS

[markbart]

I like it because it is digital and I don't have one.

mark

[scannerfreak]

I would also throw my vote in for the Radio Shack/GRE radios. Usually can find them for much cheaper than the Uniden's and in my opinion the digital audio can't be beat.

[ScanNEIN]

Originally Posted by scannerfreak

I would also throw my vote in for the Radio Shack/GRE radios. Usually can find them for much cheaper than the Uniden's and in my opinion the digital audio can't be beat.

Completely agree

[W9NES]

We all have a different view of which radios to use. I use the Uniden Home Patrol HP-1, Uniden 396T, Uniden 396XT, Uniden 796D all will receive Project SAFE-T.

[jamesa53]

If you are looking for the cheapest a PRO-96 or 2096 will do just fine. These are not available new any longer from RS, but there are several on eBay and possibly elsewhere. Regardless of which scanner you choose, make sure you get one that is Digital capable.

I have a 2096 that has run for 3 years 24 X 7 and it never failed except when I dropped it from 5 feet and it broke the volume knob off. Had it repaired at RS repair and it continues to work......