Need some gift recommendations for a scanner for Philadelphia, PA

bits · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 10:13 PM

Hi,

Please forgive my lack of proper due diligence on this board, but I'm hoping someone can help me. I don't know much about scanners, but I'm looking for one as a gift. Tomorrow is my Grandfather's 81st birthday. He lives in Northeast Philadelphia and about 20 years ago he had a scanner that he absolutely loved. It was stolen in a break-in, and since then he has never replaced it. He's under the impression that scanners in Philadelphia are now illegal, which is why he never replaced it.

I was thinking that a scanner would be a perfect gift for him -- something that he used to love, and would now be something this great man would enjoy. I don't really know much about scanners, but from the little bit that I've read, I'd imagine I need something that can do trunk tracking.

He's an old WWII paratrooper (101st Airborne) and a retired SEPTA bus driver. It seems like scanners can pick up not only the Emergency frequencies (Police, Fire, Rescue, etc.) but also SEPTA and Air. Air and SEPTA would be a great bonus, but not necessary if they are a price jump.

I really don't even know where to begin. A scanner for him will have to be easy to operate, but it seems like you have to program them -- is that true? Is there a base unit type of device that is under $200 that would allow him to pick up Police, Fire, Rescue, etc in Philadelphia? Do I need something that does trunk tracking? I'd imagine so.

Anyway, thanks for your help -- and please forgive my lack of research before posting. I learned about this site from a friend who contributes two scanner feeds (in a different state), and when we started talking about it, it made me think of my grandfather and how much he loved his old scanner. I'm just looking for something that would be easy for him to use right out of the box, is affordable, and would pick up the kinds of things he would be interested in listening to.

He's in Philadelphia County, Philadelphia, PA, US. He's also a Screaming Eagle and a great man. I don't need to have the device tomorrow, but I'd love to have something picked out.

Thanks again.

mciupa · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:31 PM

Hi bits, welcome to RadioReference

You will be hard-pressed to find scanner for under $200 to monitor Philly Emerg Serv., it will require buying a digital scanner.

See what's for sale in the classifieds,you may be able to pick up a used one in a good deal.

dracer777 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 12:06 AM

Like the above poster said, you will need a digital scanner, as a new person here, you probably have no clue which models are digital.

Here are the digital scanners I know about and their approximate prices:

Uniden
Bearcat 396XT(handheld)$500 new, 996XT(base) $500 new(highly recommended)
396t and 996t(handheld and base) I believe these go for $450 new

Radioshack:
Pro-106 $350-500 new(they have good frequent sales)highly recommended radio
Pro-96$280(I do not think you can get these new anymore, and I do not recommend it)

A couple pro-106's are on sale in the classifieds here, don't pay more than 350 for a used pro-106 or 450 for a used 396xt.

If you can bite the bullet and get a new pro-107 or 396xt, do.
If not, try to get a used pro-106, it is a very nice radio.

Hope that helps, post any remaining questions you have

EDIT: if you are buying this for someone as a gift, I DO NOT RECOMMEND A BASE MODEL, get a handheld, they are exactly the same radios, just differrent designs, the base models are not meant to be moved.

jjudson · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:57 AM

Being 81 years old, I might reconsider giving him a scanner to listen to Philly talk these days. A lot has changed in 20 years. It might scare the crap out of him - especially living in the northern parts of Philly. I have been amazed at the battle zone that is going on up there listening to mine.

bits · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 12:52 PM

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the info. Do I absolutely need something digital? My friend seems to think that I don't in order to listen to the police.

jjudson - actually that was a typo -- he just turned 84

But he is in NE Philly, so maybe not as bad as North Philly. jjudson, since you're in the area, do you know if he'll need a digital system?

I was hoping to be able to use this one, albeit analog:

BCT8 - The RadioReference Wiki

Here are the frequencies in Philly:

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (PA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

It looks like the police uses P25 -- is that why I would need digital?

Thanks again for everyone's help.

rvictor · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bits

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the info. Do I absolutely need something digital? My friend seems to think that I don't in order to listen to the police.

jjudson - actually that was a typo -- he just turned 84

But he is in NE Philly, so maybe not as bad as North Philly. jjudson, since you're in the area, do you know if he'll need a digital system?

I was hoping to be able to use this one, albeit analog:

BCT8 - The RadioReference Wiki

Here are the frequencies in Philly:

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (PA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

It looks like the police uses P25 -- is that why I would need digital?

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Unfortunately, it looks like the police and fire are on the P25 system and that's going to require digital. You'll note the D in the "Mode" column denoting digital. Also note that a number of the entries are denoted as "E" for encrypted. These won't be monitorable regardless of which scanner you buy. There's probably still lots to listen to, but wanted you to be aware of that limitation.

The other problem with today's digital scanners (and to some extent today's analog scanners as well) is that because of their considerable capabilities, there is a bit of a learning curve connected with programming and learning to operate them. It would be helpful if your grandfather had access to a computer for programming and also because he could then access some help here if he needs it. Not trying to scare you off, but just being realistic about the complexity of these things regardless of the age of the user. The ideal situation would be if he could hook up with someone locally who could sit down over coffee or whatever and show him how things work. From what you've said about him, it sounds like he's entirely capable of learning what he needs to know if he has some patience and a bit of assistance.

Kudos for what you are trying to accomplish with such a thoughtful gift.

Dick

jjudson · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 10:50 AM

Philly public service channels are definitely digital - and not very good digital at that. The Philadelphia police are constantly having communications problems with their system. There have been times when the entire network went down - endangering their lives. It seems that some of the traditional graft and kickbacks may have done them in when choosing their provider (in my opinion of course). When you do get a signal on your scanner, it is very digitized and hard to understand sometimes.

As Dick mentioned above, digital can be a challenge. Being 84, I'm thinking - if he's like my grandparents - he might not be very technical. You will definitely need to learn how to program these things for him - or have someone program the unit in your stead. I have just started up with digital myself, having bought the Uniden BCD396XT. I have to say, sometimes in the beginning it was a real head banger trying to figure it out.