Need advice on a new scanner for me!

pro595x · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-2013, 9:54 PM

Hello, i would like to take up the hobby of Police & fire scanning & I'm really confused as to what exactly would be sufficient for me in a police scanner.
The small town i live in i can pick up just a little not much though, police & fire on a old BC80XLT that i bought from a yard sale.
The state i live in is (Indiana) County of (Greene) Town of (Bloomfield)
I also like to listen to County of (Monroe) town of (Bloomington Ind ).
I really like the hand held scanners alot, just need one that will suite my needs & im really confused as to which i need.
P.s. went radio shack & the people there couldn't tell me anything other than try to sell me a BCD 396XT for the ungodly price of $579 & a Pro-106 for $525, thats alot of money for a Scanner Hobby.

Thank you all for your time in reading this and for your recommendations!

W5JER · #2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 1:20 PM

Your in the wrong hobby if you dont want to spend money

Bearcat and Grecom scanners are 2 of the best reputable scanners money can buy.

Take a look at the top 5 or 6 here. They are around $100 or a bit more but still suit your needs.

GRE Police Scanner Radios

pro595x · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 1:36 PM

Ok, i decide to spend the money the first time, then what to buy?
I want long distance reception at least 50 miles + pick up everything in Bloomington Indiana &
Greene county Indiana!

Spitfire8520 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 5:14 PM

Did a quick search in the database for you. While it looks like you can monitor Greene County fine with your current scanner, Monroe County looks like a whole different case. It looks like many agencies in Monroe, including Bloomington, are on Indiana Project Hoosier SAFE-T Trunking System. On top of being on a trunking system, Monroe County agencies appear to be using digital voice on their channels. This would mean you would need to buy a digital scanner (which are going to be pricey). You can try to look for some used selection of digital scanners from ebay, Craigslist, or anywhere else. A list of all handheld digital scanner follows, be sure to do you research and find what would be appropriate for yourself. Asking around the Indiana Radio Discussion Forum would not be a bad idea either.

Current Model:
GRE PSR-500 (Handheld)
GRE PSR-800 (Handheld)
RadioShack Pro-106 (Handheld)
RadioShack Pro-18 (Handheld)
Uniden BCD396XT (Handheld)

Slightly Older Model (less functionality):
Uniden BCD396T (Handheld)

Even Older Model (no 700 MHz, even less functionality):
RadioShack Pro-96 (Handheld)
Uniden BC296D (Handheld)

I hope this helps!

pro595x · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2013, 5:19 PM

Would the Pro-106 be sufficient for my county of Greene & Monroe in Indiana?
Radio shack has the 106 for $424

Rt169Radio · #6 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 9:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Would the Pro-106 be sufficient for my county of Greene & Monroe in Indiana?
Radio shack has the 106 for $424

Yes it would, as it is a digital scanner.

xxdanielt3 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Would the Pro-106 be sufficient for my county of Greene & Monroe in Indiana?
Radio shack has the 106 for $424

Yes, the Pro-106 will work. Its a very good scanner. GRE scanners in my opinion have more bells and whistles but they both get the job done.

revclstoner · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 1:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Would the Pro-106 be sufficient for my county of Greene & Monroe in Indiana?
Radio shack has the 106 for $424

You can also go to scannermaster.com and hamradio.com.

Click on the links below for more information.

GRE PSR-600 | BASE STATION DIG TRUNKING SCANNER CELL BLKD

RadioShack PRO-197 Police Scanner Radio

Spitfire8520 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Would the Pro-106 be sufficient for my county of Greene & Monroe in Indiana?
Radio shack has the 106 for $424

It would be sufficient, but I would actually recommend against buying it at full price. RadioShack has felt the need in the past year to markup their prices so they can put it on "sale" to the original price it used to be at, around $399. There are times of the year where they may have deep discounts on the Pro-106 to prices around $350, or even more rarely $300.

If you want the scanner immediately and are willing to pay around $400, I would definitely recommend checking out the PSR-500. The PSR-500 is almost exactly like the Pro-106 (exception being the external looks). It also includes accessories that RadioShack will charge upwards of $40 more for.

GRE PSR-500 | DIGITAL TRUNKING HANDHELD SCANNER CELL BLKD
GRE PSR-500 Police Scanner Radio

ford8nlover · #10 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 5:36 PM

You can get the GRE PSR-500 on amazon for around $400. Amazon.com: GRE PSR500 Digital APCO-25 Triple-Trunking Handheld Scanner: Car Electronics

pro595x · #11 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 6:18 PM

Ok, so if i bite the bullet on this pro 106, will i need to purchase anything else to get it up & scanning?

Bob3655 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-03-2013, 6:38 PM

Hi and Happy New Year to you. Does your area in Indiana use P-25 Digital or analog? First you need to find out that information. You can buy new handheld scanners or used handheld scanners from Uniden Bearcat/GRE America or Radio Shack. What do you want to spend? That is the bottom line. You can also find used handhelds for sale on this website. For analog, you got the Bearcat BC AT-125, Radio Shack PRO-164, and also some used PRO-97's out there. The PRO-97 has 1,000 channels, does trunking,CTCSS/DCS/SAME Weather Alert,Full backlight Keypad and decent coverage for around $130.00 used and that is with rechargeable batteries, ac/dc adaptor, and stock antenna. The PRO-164 is still around for $209.95 or $189.95 when on sale at Radio Shack. But it is just the scanner alone...batteries and charger extra. if you don't need truning, my advise is the Uniden Bearcat AT-125 as that is a great small handheld with great features and not hard to set up as it has channels in banks, comes with a computer cable,rechargeable batteries and a strap too. It just came out this past year and is very small running on 2-AAA batteries that are included.
Hope this information helps you. If you need trunking....then you have to spend more sir.

73's

Rt169Radio · #13 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 8:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Ok, so if i bite the bullet on this pro 106, will i need to purchase anything else to get it up & scanning?

Yes, like a base antenna, mobile antenna, better HT antenna, batteries, programming software, a stand for it, protective case etc.

lynxrufus · #14 (**permalink**) 01-04-2013, 2:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Ok, so if i bite the bullet on this pro 106, will i need to purchase anything else to get it up & scanning?

The only thing you'll absolutely need is batteries. You will want rechargeable batteries (which will save money), which means you will need a charger.

You don't need to buy anything else but don't expect to take the radio out of the box, turn it on and magically hear everything you want to hear. It's not going to happen, especially since you say you are new to scanning. The box may imply that the scanner is pre-programmed; that's a load of bull. On the other hand, you may read that the pro106/197 is too difficult or even 'virtually impossible' to program. That's also a load of bull. The truth is somewhere in between. There's some work involved. I think it's worth it. You will have to at least read the manual and you will be confused at first. But programming is not rocket science. Read the manual.

You will want software-- if you read these forums, you will get the idea that you NEED software, although that's not technically true. I would actually recommend that you program the scanner by hand to start. But you're going to eventually want software. I held out for about a month and I'm glad I did. But, software or no software, there will be a learning period.

Just to try the software, you'll need a programming cable (around $35). To download data, you'll need a premium membership to RadioReference. The programming cable comes with trial software (arc500) that costs $35 to register (twice that for the 'pro' version). Three other software programs can be downloaded for free trials. Cost to register ranges from about $20 (scancontrol) to about $35 (win500 or psredit500). The choice of software is a matter of personal preference. Each one has good and not so good characteristics. Win500 seems to be the most popular.

Look for the pro106 to go on sale for somewhere around $350. Historically, Radio Shack has put scanners on sale every couple of weeks or so.

Scanning is a great hobby but it isn't free and it takes some effort.

caravanken · #15 (**permalink**) 01-06-2013, 12:28 PM

Every post here is really good information and it is all correct.
I have an analog hand scanner (BCT 346 I think)that works great and has for 8 years. NASCAR is still analog so I keep the 346 but needed a digital.

Santa brought me a PRO-197 and I am delighted. After messing with the manual for a couple hours, I went to my RatShack and got the programming cable and Win500 and threw the book in the drawer. With Win500 and Radio Reference I was programming within 15 minutes. BTW, not all RatShacks are the same. If you look around you might find one owned by a private individual and the prices are MUCH MORE reasonable. Mine in Derby Kansas carries ham gear new and used plus PRO-197's and is known over a wide area as the Candy Store.

If you want to get any distance you need an outside antenna. I put up a RatShack Discone on my tower at 30 feet and can get digital from about 40 miles. The higher you go the greater the distance. Coax feed is RG mini 8. No RF going out no need for heavier coax unless you are in a really electrically noisy area.

73
W0KRD

Bob3655 · #16 (**permalink**) 01-09-2013, 6:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Hello, i would like to take up the hobby of Police & fire scanning & I'm really confused as to what exactly would be sufficient for me in a police scanner.
The small town i live in i can pick up just a little not much though, police & fire on a old BC80XLT that i bought from a yard sale.
The state i live in is (Indiana) County of (Greene) Town of (Bloomfield)
I also like to listen to County of (Monroe) town of (Bloomington Ind ).
I really like the hand held scanners alot, just need one that will suite my needs & im really confused as to which i need.
P.s. went radio shack & the people there couldn't tell me anything other than try to sell me a BCD 396XT for the ungodly price of $579 & a Pro-106 for $525, thats alot of money for a Scanner Hobby.

Thank you all for your time in reading this and for your recommendations!

Radio Shack employees no nothing about scanners as that business isn't their bread and butter anymore. Sorry to be so negative but it is the truth a/programing/frequencies and their prices are way too high compared to Scanner Master in MA. They are ONLY good for parts. They hire morons for sales associates. Sorry but it is true here in my area. It is amazing how they still stay in business. Another rip off for scanners is Galls out of Lexington,KY as they sell a BC-355C for $184.99---that is UNREAL! It is on Page 144 of Holiday 2012 Catalog. I think Uniden would think they are dreaming if they saw the rip-off price.
Again, this is just my opinion except on that Galls Holiday 2012 Catalog. And to top it off, the mobile/base is discontinued too. Amazing how dumb companies can be.

73's

pro595x · #17 (**permalink**) 01-31-2013, 8:14 AM

Ok, finally bit the bullet & bought me a Pro 106, it came to me programmed for the countys i wanted by the person i purchased it from here on radio reference!
My ? Is, on the main menu where it says welcome below that it ask, digital trucking, object orented, PSR 500, what should this be set on? The Owner- welcome is flashing PSR 500.

pro595x · #18 (**permalink**) 01-31-2013, 8:22 AM

Would love to speak to a Pro of a Pro 106 owner so i can learn somethings about this Scanner as it's a little confusing to me at this time! if you would like to help,.please contact me @ racer595x1 at Gmail.com or text me @ 812-384-4409, Mike

revclstoner · #19 (**permalink**) 01-31-2013, 8:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Would love to speak to a Pro of a Pro 106 owner so i can learn somethings about this Scanner as it's a little confusing to me at this time! if you would like to help,.please contact me @ racer595x1 at Gmail.com or text me @ 812-384-4409, Mike

I own a Pro-106. I'll send an e-mail shortly.

Spitfire8520 · #20 (**permalink**) 01-31-2013, 8:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro595x

Would love to speak to a Pro of a Pro 106 owner so i can learn somethings about this Scanner as it's a little confusing to me at this time!

While I wouldn't suggest putting your email or phone number out on a public forum, I would suggest that you read through at least a majority of the Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual. It will certainly help you a lot with general use of the scanner, as well as programming in the future.