What do you get with newer scanners?

[RadioDad]

Just came back to scanning recently. I have an Icom IC-R5 and a RS PRO-97. My main local agencies (police, fire etc,) are mostly on the same EDACS system. I don't think there are any locals on digital systems.

I have been looking at a BC346XT and have been wondering what it might do for me that my Pro-97 won't.

I am in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Thanks
Rob

[shortride]

I'm not sure about your question. This may help. BC346XT - The RadioReference Wiki

[captclint]

Originally Posted by RadioDad

My main local agencies (police, fire etc,) are mostly on the same EDACS system. I don't think there are any locals on digital systems. I am in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Welcome to RR. While I am not familiar with your area Waterloo County, Ontario (ON) , the Bell FleetNet - Ontario Provincial Government Zone 1 Trunking System, is digital, and some of the talkgroups on EDACS Waterloo Region Trunking System, are digital (see the "D" under mode) but most are Analog, The 346 will be OK for the analog parts of this EDACS system.

[RadioDad]

How can I tell if the digital ones are encrypted? Should I look at a digital scanner?

[captclint]

Originally Posted by RadioDad

How can I tell if the digital ones are encrypted? Should I look at a digital scanner?

They will have an "E" under mode(see Bell fleetnet sys). If you can afford it, it looks like it might be useful for your area. Uniden 396XT would be a good choice, but a bit of a effort to understand and program. Software is your friend Also, the HP-1 is plug and play, but I'd want to double check that it covers your area. GRE is temporarily out of business, so their units would not be updated via firmware, but would be covered under warranty. RS has a lot of GRE, so that might be another concern.

[Spitfire8520]

Some additional information. If you plan on listening the EDACS digital (once again, the ones marked with "D"), there's an issue there, you can't. It looks like anything digital on the EDACS system uses AEGIS. No scanners supports decoding of that digital format. A digital scanner will work with the Ontario Provincial radio system however, please keep in mind of encrypted traffic that is marked with an "E" as mentioned above.

There are plenty of digital scanners out on the market, new and used, if you want to buy one. I wouldn't completely give up on GRE (who also manufacture for RadioShack) for digital scanners.They are often known for their ability to decode digital audio well. The following is a list of digital scanners, you want to double check if they will work for your needs however.

Current Model:
GRE PSR-500 (Handheld)
GRE PSR-600 (Base/Mobile)
GRE PSR-800 (Handheld)
RadioShack Pro-106 (Handheld)
RadioShack Pro-197 (Base/Mobile)
Uniden BCD396XT (Handheld)
Uniden BCD996XT (Base/Mobile)
Uniden HomePatrol-1 (Base/Mobile)

Discontinued:
RadioShack Pro-18 (Handheld)
Uniden BCD396T (Handheld)
Uniden BCD996T (Base/Mobile)

Older Model (less functionality):
RadioShack Pro-96 (Handheld)
RadioShack Pro-2096 (Base/Mobile)
Uniden BC296D (Handheld)
Uniden BC796D (Base/Mobile)

If you only plan on listening to local traffic, then the BCD346XT will work fine. It really depends on what you are looking to monitor. As for what it might give you, the wiki link is really helpful in laying out the features of the scanner. I have a few links to 'Easier to Read' manuals that extensively documents the features of the scanners, you may also discover some features you didn't know you had on the Pro-97. If you navigate the site, you can also find manuals for some digital scanners listed above and learn some of the features that they have to offer as well.

Easier to Read BC346XT Scanner Manual
Easier to Read Pro-97/2055 Scanner Manual

[RadioDad]

Wow, thanks for all the details. I just plan on listening locally. I was wondering if the BC346XT would do a better job than the Pro-97 that I already have.

[captclint]

Originally Posted by RadioDad

I was wondering if the BC346XT would do a better job than the Pro-97 that I already have.

The 346 has a few more bells and whistles(FTO, close call do not disturb, temp lockout, GPS support, combined CTCSS/DCS search, free software), but shouldn't do a better job at your EDACs analog or other local stuff. It would definitely be a major programming change over your bank scanner, but software and the ability to download from here should help.

[RadioDad]

Thanks for all your help.