Check out the Uniden BCD396XT. It does analog trunking and in areas with digital, it can do that as well!
The 396XT would be a better choice than the 346XTC.
While
Newport News itself does not have any digital usage listed, the statewide system, STARS,
Virginia Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) Trunking System, Statewide, Virginia - Scanner Frequencies, is P25 Phase I If state police are an interest, you will need a digital scanner.
Neighboring areas
Hampton City and
York also have digital systems.
Hampton Trunking System, Hampton, Virginia - Scanner Frequencies
James City / York / Williamsburg Trunking System, Various, Virginia - Scanner Frequencies
Not to mention a number of the military bases are also Phase I P25, which the 396XT can handle. Yes, there is a learning curve, but there is free software available,
FreeSCAN. The 396XT, if bought new, will come with a programming cable, but that requires a serial port on the pc. Many new computers do not have serial ports, only USB. If that's the case for the OP, then perhaps consider also buying the Uniden
USB-1 cable.
The 396XT can be found at a number of places online, including
Amazon, for considerably less than the
436HP.
Of course, the 396XT does not have the 'zip code programming', that the 436HP does. It also does not do P25 Phase II, but there is none in your vicinity that I see. Another "easy to program" scanner would be the
Home Patrol 1, however, that's not exactly a true portable. It does run on batteries, and comes with both an ac and dc power adapter. ScannerMaster does sell a
case, with a belt loop, for it, but it is more designed to be used as a desktop scanner. There are windshield and vent mounts available for in-vehicle use.