Digital vs analogue

wildbilll · #1 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 4:27 PM

I bought a BC346XT to monitoring my home county. the scannermaster help section guided me to the understanding that i largely do not need a digital scanner. so i bought an analogue scanner. the other day i'm talking to someone that has a digital scanner and he's telling me all the stuff he picks up. is scannermaster behind on the latest? if he's right, then i bought the wrong thing for listening in my area. your thoughts, please. i live in franklin county, pa and also monitor washington county, md.

mass-man · #2 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 4:36 PM

If you go to the database tab, and the look at the listings for your county and Washington County, MD you will get all the info you need. Listings per agency are either analog or stated to have moved to the ??? P25 or whatever system, then you scroll down and find the info on that system. As has been said before, it is largely dependent on what your favored listening venue is.

Even if there are agenices you can't listen to, there will be others.

wildbilll · #3 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 7:33 PM

i'll give that a look see. thanks!

xxdanielt3 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 7:42 PM

Are you monitoring just analog frequencies or a trunked system?

W3DMV · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2013, 1:44 PM

Both Franklin County, Pa and Washington County, Md are using digital trunking systems, so you
will need a digital scanner for those systems.

There are still several analog frequencies in use in both counties, but the information transmitted
ion them is limited.

The West Virginia system southwest of you is also digital.

Good luck, and hope they will permit you to return the 346.....

wildbilll · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2013, 5:26 PM

no return i'm sure of it. i guess it's for sale now. thanks for the advice!!!

soberbyker · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 8:14 AM

Digital is the way of the future for sure and a lot are using it now. Your best bet is a scanner that can handle both. My RS Pro-197 does as here are both in use where I am at. You're most likely going to have to spend more $$ for this type of scanner though. Frankly I'm surprised they still sell analog only scanners.

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soberbyker · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 8:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxdanielt3

Are you monitoring just analog frequencies or a trunked system?

The Uniden Bearcat BC346XT the OP bought is a non-digital trunking scanner, so he could monitor a trunked system, but only if it is analog.