RadioReference on Facebook   RadioReference on Twitter   RadioReference Blog
 

Go Back   The RadioReference.com Forums > Scanners and Receivers Forums > New User / Getting Started Forum


New User / Getting Started Forum The place for new users to discuss how to get started, and generally feel safe from the rest of the rabid technical community. If you just got your first scanner, this forum is for you.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 10-06-2012, 5:26 PM
Member
   
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ridott, IL
Posts: 16
Default base radio and portable

im looking for something for my house and something i can take with me. i live in northern illinois in stephenson county and trying to find something would def like something with alpha tagging and narrow band dont need anything digital just not sure what are good radios
Reply With Quote
Sponsored links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 10-06-2012, 5:50 PM
russellmaher's Avatar
Member
  Shack Photos
Shack photos
Premium Subscriber
Premium Subscriber
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 589
Send a message via Yahoo to russellmaher Send a message via Skype™ to russellmaher
Default

Hi rcfd34:

Could you please be specific regarding exactly what systems or departments in your area you want to listen to? There are some in your area that use conventional, some use trunking, some use analog and some digital voice transmissions. So to tell you which scanner will work for you, we need to know just what you plan to listen to.

Russell
__________________
SEMPER PARATUS

BCD396T BCT-7 BCD350C PRO-2052 ICOM R-75 BC175XL REGENCY R-1050
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 10-06-2012, 5:55 PM
Member
   
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ridott, IL
Posts: 16
Default

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.1.1; en-us; Galaxy Nexus Build/JRO03O) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30)

I wanna listen to fire weather and police i no the police is going to the starcom but i cant afford anything like that now and some township stuff so im not sure if that will help or not
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 10-06-2012, 6:31 PM
russellmaher's Avatar
Member
  Shack Photos
Shack photos
Premium Subscriber
Premium Subscriber
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 589
Send a message via Yahoo to russellmaher Send a message via Skype™ to russellmaher
Default

It looks like a lot of the good stuff such as Police, Sheriff, etc. has moved to the Starcom system, there are still local agencies like Fire and Town government using VHF and UHF freqs.

I would suggest you ask your question on the Illinois Radio Discussion Forum and get members from that area to help you out.

Russell
__________________
SEMPER PARATUS

BCD396T BCT-7 BCD350C PRO-2052 ICOM R-75 BC175XL REGENCY R-1050
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 10-06-2012, 11:26 PM
W8RMH's Avatar
Member
  Audio Feed Provider
Audio Feed Provider
Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,217
Default

If your going to buy two scanners, a base and a handheld, (twice as much $), you can probably afford one digital handheld, which you can use at home and away, and hear everyone.
__________________
BCD396XT - BCT15X (Feeder) - BCT15 - Bearcat IV - Yaesu FT60R
Columbus Police Citywide Dispatch
Reply With Quote
Sponsored links
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 1:50 AM
gewecke's Avatar
Member
  Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bloomington,Illinois
Posts: 5,424
Send a message via MSN to gewecke
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcfd34 View Post
im looking for something for my house and something i can take with me. i live in northern illinois in stephenson county and trying to find something would def like something with alpha tagging and narrow band dont need anything digital just not sure what are good radios
I may be moving to caroll county near you in the future. There is a lot in your area which is not digital that can be listened to with a analog scanner, but as the other members have told you ISP is on the starcom21 system which will required a digital scanner. I would suggest the pro-106 or gre 500 or gre 800 since these are all portable and can be used in fixed or portable use.
Here's what's in your area to listen to,

Stephenson County, Illinois (IL) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

73,
n9zas
__________________
"Whatever doesn't kill you...will make you stronger"!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 3:24 PM
Member
   
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ridott, IL
Posts: 16
Default

Well i need the base for my parents and the portable is for me so thats why i need both
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 3:57 PM
gewecke's Avatar
Member
  Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bloomington,Illinois
Posts: 5,424
Send a message via MSN to gewecke
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcfd34 View Post
Well i need the base for my parents and the portable is for me so thats why i need both
How important is it for you to be able to hear digital? The only thing digital in your area is ISP. Maybe 1 digital and 1 analog scanner? That would save you some money!

73,
n9zas
__________________
"Whatever doesn't kill you...will make you stronger"!
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 4:01 PM
Member
   
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ridott, IL
Posts: 16
Default

Digital dont really need it i moreless like listening to the fire departments
Reply With Quote
Sponsored links
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 4:04 PM
russellmaher's Avatar
Member
  Shack Photos
Shack photos
Premium Subscriber
Premium Subscriber
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 589
Send a message via Yahoo to russellmaher Send a message via Skype™ to russellmaher
Default

Hello again rcfd34: The most interesting agencies in your area such as State Police, Sheriff, etc. are all on the StarCom21 system so you will need two scanners that are capable of monitoring Trunking systems and Digital voice mode, and with that said, you're going to be looking at $400 - $500 each for new units. The remaining agencies in Stephenson County using Analog voice mode on UHF and VHF frequencies can be monitored with scanners that cost less, but again the comms from those agencies may be less than thrilling. Hope this helps a little.

Russell
__________________
SEMPER PARATUS

BCD396T BCT-7 BCD350C PRO-2052 ICOM R-75 BC175XL REGENCY R-1050
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 4:04 PM
Member
  Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Yonkers, NY
Posts: 173
Default

Go with a Bearcat AT-125(Handheld) if you don't need trunking. It is very easy to program by hand and no computer needed. Has 500 channels and covers up to 512Mhz w/CTCSS/DCS/Alpha-Tagging, Close Call Capturing,etc. For a base...the BC-370CRS is a nice unit but it doesn't have PL or narrow banding. Paul...correct me if I am wrong. That model is being discontinued along w/the BC-340CRS. You can also go w/the new Bearcat BC-355N that just replaced the BC-355C which is base/mobile, preprogramed channels(service search) and has 800 mhz but not P-25.
Hope this is a start. Guys...help this person out here as I am in Yonkers, NY.
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 4:08 PM
gewecke's Avatar
Member
  Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bloomington,Illinois
Posts: 5,424
Send a message via MSN to gewecke
Thumbs up

What russell said is true. Another option would be to purchase used but excellent condition? This would get you what you want while keeping the cost down!
Maybe consider the RR classifieds as there are some good deals to be had right now! Here is one that could save you some $$?

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/c...t/4715/cat/all

73,
n9zas
__________________
"Whatever doesn't kill you...will make you stronger"!

Last edited by gewecke; 10-07-2012 at 4:12 PM.. Reason: Added link
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 4:16 PM
Member
  Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Yonkers, NY
Posts: 173
Default

I have a brand new BCT-15X for sale..never opened in the box. They sell for $219.95 and up. I will sell you my un-opened unit for $182.95 plus UPS shipping.(Add is in yesterday's classified section) I am a dealer in Lower NY selling mainly to volunteer firefighters and this area is all mainly career cuz the unions and economy push out volunteer firefighters. Email back if your interested. Brand new and made in August 2012 in Vietnam. Uniden moved from production China. Also, mine is not P-25 but top of the line analog.
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 10-07-2012, 4:42 PM
gewecke's Avatar
Member
  Amateur Radio Operator
Amateur Radio
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Bloomington,Illinois
Posts: 5,424
Send a message via MSN to gewecke
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob3655 View Post
I have a brand new BCT-15X for sale..never opened in the box. They sell for $219.95 and up. I will sell you my un-opened unit for $182.95 plus UPS shipping.(Add is in yesterday's classified section) I am a dealer in Lower NY selling mainly to volunteer firefighters and this area is all mainly career cuz the unions and economy push out volunteer firefighters. Email back if your interested. Brand new and made in August 2012 in Vietnam. Uniden moved from production China. Also, mine is not P-25 but top of the line analog.
I wish my pro-197 and 106 had the fire "tone out" feature that your 15x does!

73,
n9zas
__________________
"Whatever doesn't kill you...will make you stronger"!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 9:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
All information here is Copyright 2012 by RadioReference.com LLC and Lindsay C. Blanton III.Ad Management by RedTyger
Copyright 2011 by RadioReference.com LLC Privacy Policy  |  Terms and Conditions