Time For A New Scanner???

[Harlock]

I just busted out my old Radio Shack Pro-29 800MHz scanner, and have been having a blast with it all over again.

The question is... Is this scanner too outdated, and do I need to replace it to get to the good stuff???

-H-

[1979lee]

well it depends where you live, what you want to listen to,it you can get what you want with the ole 29 ,i say keep it.
heres a little of what i could find out about your 29
for me here in bakersfield, ca it would work just fine,
no ctss or alpha taging ect but maybe you dont need those , there nice to have though

PRO-29 60-Channel Direct Entry Programmable Scanner
(200-0509) Specifications Faxback Doc. # 19699

Frequency Coverage:

VHF Lo....................................29-54 MHz (in 5.0 kHz steps)

Aircraft...........................108-136.975 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)

VHF Hi..................................137-174 MHz (in 5.0 kHz steps)

UHF....................................406-512 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)

800 MHz......................806.0000-823.9375 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)
851.0000-868.9375 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)
896.1125-956 MHz (in 12.5 kHz steps)

Channels of Operation.............Any 60 channels in any band combinations
(10 channels x 6 banks) and 6 monitor channels.

Sensitivity (20 dB S/N with 60% modulation for AM;

3 kHz deviation for FM):

29-54 MHz............................................... ....0.4 microV

108-136.975 MHz.............................................1. 4 microV

137-174 MHz............................................... ..0.6 microV

406-512 MHz............................................... ..0.5 microV

806-956 MHz............................................... ..0.7 microV

Limit Search Speed/Direct Search Speed.......................20 Steps/Sec.

Scan Speed............................................. ...15 Channels/Sec.

Priority Sampling.......................................... ......2 Seconds

Delay Time (Automatic)....................................... ....2 Seconds

IF Frequencies....................................... .10.8 MHz and 450 kHz

Audio Power:

FM................................................ ......230 mW Maximum

AM................................................ ......250 mW Maximum

Built-in Speaker....................1 7/16-inch (36mm) 8-Ohm, Dynamic Type

Power Requirement...................................+6 VDC, 4 AA batteries
AC Adapter (Cat. No. 273-1662)
DC Adapter (Cat. No. 270-1560)

Dimensions (HWD)...........................6 1/8 x 2 7/16 x 1 11/16 inches
(155.6 x 61.9 x 42.9 mm)

Weight............................................ .........8.11 oz (230 g)

[Harlock]

1979Lee...

Well, I feel a little behind now on what can be picked up; a lot has changed since I got the Pro 29, and I'd like to be able to get what's hot now too.

I DO know that I can't afford one of those digital scanners right now, maybe in about 6 months or so, but they seem to be able to 'catch them all'

I was looking at the current Radio Shack model that sells for around $170 (I forgot the model number). Do you think that would be a good upgrade for the moment, or just stick to what I've got for the time being?

-H-

[gmclam]

I do not think you can go wrong with a PRO-95 or PRO-97 scanner. There are some major differences between the two, and the '97 is supposed to be an upgrade of the '95. The most significant difference is that the '97 has CT/DC tone decoding.

While the PRO-97 lists for $199, you should not have to pay near that. RS has sales all the time for this model at $149 and you can find them new on eBay for a lot less. RS has had sales for the '97 as low as $99 as well.

If you need to hear digital communications, then of course you'll need a digital scanner (such as the PRO-96). But if there is nothing you want to hear that is digital, why spend the extra money? And even if you "need" a digital scanner today, there are some new GRE scanners coming out soon (there are some forums here on RR regarding this topic).

[drbone30]

well i have to differ from gmclam !!! I have a pro 94 and if i want to hear anything here in indiana then i had to go with a digital scanner .. Now if i want to hear volunter fireman tones all day i would keep my 94 but i can tell you somthing now i hear everything ... from state to city cops , fire , rescue, ema's etc... so if there not digital where you are at keep it , but if you are now digital , then get a new scanner ....

[Harlock]

What's the best way to know whether or not my area is mostly digital or analog? I pick up a lot of fire/police/airport comms, but pick up a bunch of other stuff too; from TV stations and cordless phones, to the beeps and bleeps of who-knows-what.

[1979lee]

Originally Posted by Harlock

What's the best way to know whether or not my area is mostly digital or analog? I pick up a lot of fire/police/airport comms, but pick up a bunch of other stuff too; from TV stations and cordless phones, to the beeps and bleeps of who-knows-what.

check the rr database,depending on what part of the country your located.
like gmclam said if you dont need digital go with the pro-97, its been the best handheld scanner i've ever had, and i've had a few

best of luck,

addition

i see that your located in north carolina ASHEVILLE area, (saw your post in the nc forum)

well Asheville Public Safety System
system is a trunked system so your gonna need a trunk tracking scanner and it looks like th
State of North Carolina VIPER System is part digital so youll need the pro 96 scanner, but thats 300-500 $$
Buncombe County Sheriff and the Buncombe County EOC/VFDs looks like they are both conventional, so your 29 will work fine with them.

Buncombe County

Buncombe County Sheriff

Frequency Input License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
155.43000 156.15000 KTR796 RM 91.5 PL 1/5 Sheriff Patrol FM
154.06250 156.05250 KDC300 RM 151.4 PL 2 Sheriff Civil Warrants FM
154.03250 158.96250 KDC300 RM 103.5 PL 3 Sheriff FM
155.69250 159.21750 WPZZ224 RM 412 DPL 4 Jail Ops/Court Security FM
158.80500 153.80000 KTR796 RM 103.5 PL 5 Sheriff Emergency Management FM
151.34750 159.09750 KDC300 RM 6 SWAT/ERT FM
154.83750 KDC300 M Sheriff Scene 1 FM
155.64000 KDC300 M Sheriff Scene 2 FM
159.05250 KDC300 M Sheriff Scene 3 FM
154.01000 173.8 PL Co. PDs Interop Channel FM

Buncombe County EOC/VFDs

Frequency Input License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
45.32000 KDK638 127.3 PL Buncombe County Fire Dispatch FM
154.81500 KTR796 B 91.5 PL 1 Fire Paging FM
155.61000 156.02250 KTR796 RM 103.5 PL FireComm FM
155.56500 103.5 PL Fireground 1 FM
151.43000 103.5 PL Fireground 2 FM
155.73000 KTR796 M 103.5 PL Fireground 3 FM
158.86500 103.5 PL Fireground 4 FM
45.10000 KJH207 RM Buncombe County EOC/VFDs FM
46.56000 KJH207 RM Buncombe County EOC/VFDs FM
460.22500 WPWE607 RM Buncombe County EOC/VFDs FM
460.27500 WPWE607 RM Buncombe County EOC/VFDs FM
460.32500 WPWE607 RM Buncombe County EOC/VFDs FM
460.40000 WPWE607 RM Buncombe County EOC/VFDs FM
460.45000 WPWE607 RM Buncombe County EOC/VFDs FM
154.28000 CSQ State Fire FM
154.44500 703 DPL Airport FM
155.16000 CSQ SAR DOG FM
155.28000 CSQ State Rescue FM
158.80500 103.5 PL M-A Fire Net FM

Buncombe County EMS

The hospital system uses the VHF repeaters and the 10 UHF MED channels for communications with Buncombe County EMS.

Frequency Input License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
460.16250 465.16250 WPWZ319 RM 103.5 PL 1 Dispatch FM
453.41250 WPWZ319 RM 2 Secondary Dispatch FM
463.00000 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 1) FM
463.02500 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 2) FM
463.05000 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 3) FM
463.07500 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 4) FM
463.10000 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 5) FM
463.12500 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 6) FM
463.15000 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 7) FM
463.17500 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 8) FM
462.95000 KEG236 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 9) Dispatch Simulcast FM
462.97500 RM 107.2 PL EMS to Hospital (Med 10) FM
155.23500 WPQA946 RM EMS to Hospital FM
155.35500 WPQA946 RM EMS to Hospital FM
151.43000 155.56500 KDC300 RM 167.9 PL Rescue Dispatch FM
159.15000 158.86500 KTR796 RM 173.8 PL Rescue Private FM
159.15000 159.15000 KTR796 FM 91.5 PL Rescue Talk-around FM
151.19750 156.06750 KDC300 RM 103.5 PL Mercy SRT FM
154.11500 WPMK510 FB2 67.0 PL Mission Hospital Ambulance Service FM
155.28000 KEG236 BM EMS to Hospital FM
155.34000 KEG236 BM 179.9 PL EMS to Hospital FM

Buncombe County Services

Frequency Input License Type Tone Description Mode Tag
155.89500 154.10000 WPMZ440 RM 186.2 PL Air Pollution Control FM
159.91500 158.34000 WPMN371 RM 131.8 PL Asheville-Buncombe College Security FM

Volunteer Fire Departments

Frequency Input License Type Tone Description Mode Tag
155.86500 136.5 PL Barnsardville/Jupiter FM
154.14500 167.9 PL Enka FM
159.36250 155.76000 WQCB291 RM 125 DPL Fairview VFD Private FM
155.00250 154.21250 WPRF784 RM 85.4 PL French Broad VFD Private FM
155.40750 WPRG958 136.5 PL Haw Creek FD/EMS Private FM
154.32500 153.83000 WPDP989 RM 136.5 PL Reems Creek Fire Department FM
154.17500 151.08500 WPQB464 RM 136.5 PL Reynolds VFD Private FM
154.29500 153.96500 WQBD633 RM 136.5 PL Riceville VFD Private FM
154.35500 WPHE287 RM 151.4 PL Skyland Fire Department FM
154.79250 151.03250 KNNN908 RM 516 DPL West Buncombe Fire Department FM

Asheville, City of

Frequency Input License Type Tone Description Mode Tag
158.82000 153.92000 WYU971 RM 151.4 PL Fire FM
857.98750 812.98750 WNYE759 RM 025 DPL AFR Tone Out *Fire Dispatch* FM
856.26250 811.26250 WNYE759 RM 025 DPL ALL Public Safety Conventional FM
856.98750 811.98750 WNYE759 RM 025 DPL ALL Public Safety Conventional FM
858.98750 813.98750 WNYE759 RM 025 DPL ALL Public Safety Conventional *Skyland Repeater* FM
859.98750 814.98750 WNYE759 RM 025 DPL ALL Public Safety Conventional *Peach Knob Repeater* FM

Biltmore Estate/Inn

Frequency Input Tone Description Mode Tag
151.77500 107.2 PL Estate Security/Ops FM
152.37500 157.63500 203.5 PL Security FM
151.80500 107.2 PL Estate Parking Shuttle FM
153.06500 158.35500 107.2 PL Inn Shuttle FM
152.33000 157.59000 365 Inn ops FM
152.45000 157.71000 371 Inn Engineering FM
151.86500 107.2 PL Ops Maintainance FM
154.60000 Winery ops FM

Biltmore Forest, Town of

Frequency License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
155.88000 KNGB485 BM 107.2 PL 1 Police Dispatch FM
155.94000 KNGB485 BM 151.4 PL 2 Police Secondary FM

Black Mountain, Town of

Frequency Input License Type Tone Description Mode Tag
155.32500 154.01750 WPQZ708 RM 203.5 PL Fire/EMS Operations FM
155.88000 WPPF566 MF Police County Law Enforcement Interoperability FM
156.21000 154.71000 KTL560 RM 118.8 PL Police FM

University of North Carolina - Asheville

Frequency Input License Type Tone Description Mode Tag
155.31000 158.88000 WYG462 RM 94.8 PL Police FM

Weaverville, Town of

Frequency License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
155.92500 WPMD396 RM 136.5 PL Fire Dispatch/Link to Buncombe EOC FM
155.77500 WPQG610 RM 171.3 PL 1 Police FM
155.06250 WPQG610 RM 118.8 PL 2 Police FM

Woodfin, Town of

Frequency License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
154.05500 KFE408 RM 151.4 PL 39 Police Dispatch FM
154.87500 KFE408 M Police FM
155.52000 WPRR848 RM 115 DPL Public Works FM

[Stick0413]

Really to be honest with you the scanner you have should be able to pick up everything that was listed (except viper.) What I would do if I was you is use that until you can afford a digital scanner. Then get one of the new GREs (you said 6 month time frame to afford a digital and they should be out then.)

[Harlock]

1979Lee...

That is a very concise list. Thank you! I had some of them; one's that I looked up on the database. Some of them were very updated, like Henderson County, NC as of the past week or two. I can't wait to try some of these out.

Aaron...

I think you're right, man. I am going to wait, and go for the digital scanner. What exactly is the VIPER system? Sorry about asking an off topic n00b q/a, but the name alone sounds interesting.

Also (while I'm OT, and you guys are rockin), If I want to pick up sats/shuttle activity I would need a scanner that performed in the 200+ MHz range, correct?

-H-

[BuiltonAsus]

I would also suggest the PRO-528, which many people said received better than the PRO-97. RadioShack is offering it on sale now.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...rt&tab=summary