Newbie Question about Edmond

[BigCat9]

Hello all, i recently moved to Edmond Ok. I am interested in listening to the Edmond Police and Fire. I have read some things about Edmond being a trunked signal. Not sure what that means. My dad can get a good deal on a Uniden BC92XL,T will this work to listen to Edmond, or what kind of scanner do i need to buy in order to listen to Edmond? Thank you all very much in advance for any help.

BigCat

[seamusg]

Originally Posted by BigCat9

Hello all, i recently moved to Edmond Ok. I am interested in listening to the Edmond Police and Fire. I have read some things about Edmond being a trunked signal. Not sure what that means. My dad can get a good deal on a Uniden BC92XL,T will this work to listen to Edmond, or what kind of scanner do i need to buy in order to listen to Edmond? Thank you all very much in advance for any help.

BigCat

The BC92XLT will not track a trunked system. You need a scanner that will track a Motorola type II system.

[fireant]

The BCT-15, Pro 97, Pro 2055, BC 246T, BR 330T would all meet your needs I would go with a uniden they will survive rebanding when it takes place. The unidens are the 246,330 and the 15. If you want digital you will have to spend some $$$ but the others are around 200-220 dollar range. The radio shack scanners are a little cheaper but will likely not survive rebanding so you would then be back at where you are know.

Hope this answers some of your questions if you have others post and we will help you out in any way we can.

fireant

[crayon]

Welcome to the group BigCat9!

Where did you move from?

[plaws]

Originally Posted by seamusg

The BC92XLT will not track a trunked system. You need a scanner that will track a Motorola type II system.

Let's be clear here for our new friend's benefit. The Edmond radio system is on the so-called 800 MHz band, actually up around 850-860 MHz. The BC92XLT is a good radio and *will* pick up those frequencies HOWEVER ... The Edmond system (like OKC, Norman, Shawnee, Tulsa and the state Dept of Public Safety) is trunked radio system.

When the push-to-talk button on a trunked radio is pushed, it asks the system's site controller for an available channel. All the radios in that radios groups are then instantly switched to that channel and everyone hears the message. However, the next time the user talks, they may get a *different* frequency. A trunktracking scanner follows that same data stream (on the "control channel") and follows the conversation.

You *can* listen to the system on a non-trunktracking scanner but it will be frustrating, because the conversation will likely jump from channel to channel and YOU have to play the role of computer and switch channels.

So the complete answer is "yes, the BC92XLT will work but you won't be happy about it."

The Uniden line has two entry-level trunked scanners, the already mentioned BC246T and the SC230. The problem is that they cost about twice what the BC92XLT costs.

Another option is a used radio. Uniden has been making handheld (assuming you want handheld) trunktracking scanners for several years and there are several models available used. See a list here: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index...dheld_Scanners

Unfortunately, the usefulness of most older trunktracking radios is time-limited because of something called rebanding which will change how frequencies are laid out on the trunked systems themselves. This means that older radios (and even some newer ones) will no longer be able to track trunking systems like Edmonds (which are made by Motorola) after rebanding is complete. That will probably be some time in the next 12 - 18 months.

Let us know what you think and welcome to the hobby!

[BigCat9]

Thank you so much PLAWS for the explanition. I learned alot from your reply. Thanks again.

[k5ttt]

The radio shack scanners are a little cheaper but will likely not survive rebanding

The new RS Pro-433 and Pro-528 will survive rebanding. I picked up the 528 on sale for $99. Can't hardly beat that with a stick! 1000 channels to boot.

[plaws]

Originally Posted by k5ttt

The new RS Pro-433 and Pro-528 will survive rebanding. I picked up the 528 on sale for $99. Can't hardly beat that with a stick! 1000 channels to boot.

Wow - excellent price for a trunk-tracking scanner!

[plaws]

Originally Posted by BigCat9

Thank you so much PLAWS for the explanition. I learned alot from your reply. Thanks again.

Any time ... I just happened to be the one that answered this time, but there are lots of folks here with lots of good info.

Peter