Looking for a Scanner

agates · #1 (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 10:52 PM

I'm looking to buy a decent digital scanner---preferably used with talkgroups and frequencies entered---or new with the ability to clone someone elses talk group and freq setup..(Obviously, I'll go to the Radio Shack or Uniden.com for a new one....)

Quite frankly, I'm completely lost when it comes to these scanners and talk groups and trunking...I get completely bewildered by it all, and am looking to buy a pre existing setup. Anyone have anything they're willing to part with, or, if I buy a new one, can someone help me out with cloning?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

abqscan · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 09:48 PM

Who are you trying to listen to on the digital side?

agates · #3 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 01:08 AM

APD, AFD, pretty much anything out there. Do I even need a digital to listen?

hoser147 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 01:13 AM

Give us a State and County and we will know who APd and AFD are and can help you. Hoser

hoser147 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 01:21 AM

My Bad I see you are in New Mexico. From what I see everything listed here in the database are mostly analog freq. which you wouldnt need to buy a Digital Scanner at this time. Most of the channels are conventional,KTR, Mot II systems, but mostly conventional. Unless you have info on these agencies going Digital. Hoser

abqscan · #6 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agates

APD, AFD, pretty much anything out there. Do I even need a digital to listen?

APD/AFD/BCSO/BCFD are almost all digital, only APD/AFD dispatch is analog for you to monitor.

n7jei · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2008, 11:46 AM

And the Albuquerque/Bernalillo systems are Provoice (no scanners, sorry) Kirtland Air Force Base/Sandia National Labs have a P-25 mixed trunking system. but some of that is encrypted.

Sownman · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2008, 12:32 PM

Frankly the combination of a premium membership here ($7.50 per quarter), Win500($35), and a PSR-500 scanner($500) is hard to beat for performance and simplicity. If you're in a county that is already partly digital don't bother with anything short of a digital scanner, you'll just be unhappy.

The PSR-500 is a very newbie friendly radio and with the software and ability to import data from this site it is a piece of cake to program, no need to fear it. I never touched any scanner before last Dec 1 and am now pretty comfortable with them. Lots to learn still but the massive confusion is gone.

Steve

agates · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n7jei

And the Albuquerque/Bernalillo systems are Provoice (no scanners, sorry) Kirtland Air Force Base/Sandia National Labs have a P-25 mixed trunking system. but some of that is encrypted.

Ok, trying to narrow down my choices on a scanner purchase....anyone know about or recommend the Uniden BCT-898T? Good scanner for Albuquerque and surrounding areas?