back into scanning....again

[stevolene]

hello, not new to scanning, but new to digital scanning, I'm now in the market for a digital scanner, not sure what to look for, but finances are not promising for a new state of the art scanner, I'm leaning towards an older pro 99 or uniden (which is a foreign language) from a programming point of view, any recommendations for a decent digital scanner, in the 250 dollar range? is this possible? thanks for any help

please note my last NEW scanner was a pro 97

[doctordialtone]

Originally Posted by stevolene

hello, not new to scanning, but new to digital scanning, I'm now in the market for a digital scanner, not sure what to look for, but finances are not promising for a new state of the art scanner,

Aww come on now! Between that can of loose change on the dresser, your extensive CD collection and the empties that keep you from pulling the car all the way into the garage, you can't come up with another $150.00?

The Craigslist, EBay RR Classified listings may be your friend. I have Uniden digital scanners and love 'em!

Good luck!

[Rt169Radio]

Originally Posted by stevolene

hello, not new to scanning, but new to digital scanning, I'm now in the market for a digital scanner, not sure what to look for, but finances are not promising for a new state of the art scanner, I'm leaning towards an older pro 99 or uniden (which is a foreign language) from a programming point of view, any recommendations for a decent digital scanner, in the 250 dollar range? is this possible? thanks for any help

please note my last NEW scanner was a pro 97

Would you like a handheld or a base unit? You could look at Ebay or the RR classifieds to find one. Radio Shack, GRE, and Uniden make digital scanners so you would have to find one that fits your specifications.

[stevolene]

it appears the uniden scanners have always been a bit more quality than the tandy's, but from what Ive read they are a bear to program, even with the software, I suppose its apples and oranges, but I dont understand uniden language

[MisterK33]

Another place to consider looking is Universalradio.com. They have a used radio/equipment list that has some decent prices, and it's updated every few days.

I had some gift $ that I was saving, and sold an older PRO 197 on Craigslist last month to get more cash. If I needed to, I was willing to sell a brand new wx radio I picked up last April, and, shockingly, a nice Sony shortwave receiver that I don't use often at all to get the capital to pick up a digital scanner. With all this in mind, I still couldn't consider new units since they were so prohibitively high-priced.

Be willing to look at several different digital receivers for the best chances of getting what you want. I was first looking just for a used PRO 96, then decided expanding to include used PRO 106's/GRE PSR 500's, and maybe stumbling upon a HomePatrol that had a ridiculously low "buy it now" price on eBay I set up a bunch of saved searches on eBay, and finally found a 500 for a $285 "buy it now". I bit the bullet and have enjoyed getting to know my new scanner. Having boatloads of patience, especially when looking for used units helps a lot!

[stevolene]

yee haww!! got me a pro 106 with all the goodies , time to program ........

[Rt169Radio]

Originally Posted by stevolene

yee haww!! got me a pro 106 with all the goodies , time to program ........

Cool, what kind of goodies?

[stevolene]

came with several different aftermarket antennas programming cable and software, (im sure Ill need a different program) battery charger, I hope I can remember how to load the database, digital systems will be a challenge Im sure, not sure rebanding will be needed yet though

[DickH]

Originally Posted by stevolene

came with several different aftermarket antennas programming cable and software, (im sure Ill need a different program) battery charger, I hope I can remember how to load the database, digital systems will be a challenge Im sure, not sure rebanding will be needed yet though

Digital systems are no different than any analog system Similar to the difference between AM & FM.
Rebanding is not required for the Hamilton county simulcast system.

[Fuzy_GSXR1000]

Originally Posted by stevolene

came with several different aftermarket antennas programming cable and software, (im sure Ill need a different program) battery charger, I hope I can remember how to load the database, digital systems will be a challenge Im sure, not sure rebanding will be needed yet though

Good for you!!!

[MisterK33]

Congrats!! Where did you end up getting your scanner? I'm sure you'll LOVE using it, and will find yourself listening to all sorts of stuff

[Chaznsc]

Correction to the link mentioned above

Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942

[maalox]

someone in classifieds section selling a used 396t for $285 that a good deal for your price range . happy scanning