Analog Scanner Recommendation

[C4talyst]

Novice here. I have a BC125AT that I bought a couple months ago as an intro to scanning and for sole use in monitoring analog freqs during a state or national emergency. I've found it so far to be a great scanner for that purpose and price.

However, I've also found that I'd like to have more than 500 saved channels, to expand into other purposes, and the ability to label the names of my banks. Any recommendations for an analog-only scanner with great range/clarity and those other features?

Would an ICOM IC-R30 fit the bill here given I'm only interested in analog signals? I know it's not a scanner, but for my purposes, was wondering if it would be a good choice. I have an SDS100 as well that I'm slowly wading into for our local digital stuff. Thanks!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the forums. Why shell out $700 on an IC R30 if you're only interested primarily in analog? If you want to dabble in "digital" but don't want to break the bank, consider the BCD396XT. They surface every so often on the used market. It has 16 character text tagging for system, site, group, channel, etc but don't toss that SDS100 aside as it will come in handy, particularly when tracking P25 Phase-II simulcast systems. Only caveat with the 396XT is that it doesn't trunk track P25 Phase-II which many (though not all) of today's modern day trunking systems tend to be

 

[marksmith]

325p2 is the update to the 396xt (no longer made) and it decodes p25 phase 2.

Has all the labeling options as the 396xt and also has the 500 record limit per system. This is not terrible as you can enter the same system multiple times with different talk groups by categories.

 

[popnokick]

The SDS-100 does analog modulation with features similar to the 325p2. What is the 325p2 gaining for the OP over the SDS-100 he already has?

 

[C4talyst]

The SDS-100 does analog modulation with features similar to the 325p2. What is the 325p gaining for the OP over the SDS-100 he already has?

My understanding is the SDS100 doesn't perform great at analog stuff...consistently outclassed by some of the older analog scanners. Thoughts?

 

[Listener1440]

How about buying a second BC125AT, and save the cost.

 

[LetsGoRailfanning]

Use your BC125AT for railfanning.

 

[C4talyst]

How about buying a second BC125AT, and save the cost.

Not a bad idea...

 

[iMONITOR]

If it doesn't have to be hand held consider the BCT15X. If you wait for sales you can pick them up new for around $169.99, used as low as $125.00. Then if you add ProScan software for programming AND computer control as well as remote monitoring you'll be in Heaven! ProScan will also work with your SDS100

UNIDEN BCT15X 9,000 Channels!

BCT15X BearTracker 9000 Channel Analog Scanner

The BCT15X comes equipped with Uniden exclusive features like Advanced Dynamic Memory System, Close Call RF Capture Technology, and GPS compatibility. See the Owner's Manual web site for more information. Product Overview TrunkTracker III Technology - So you can keep up with the action on...

uniden.com

ProScan

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD3600XLT UBCD436PT...

proscan.org

 

[W2SOX]

Analog signals give you a lot of affordable options. You'll want something with Alpha tagging, Uniden makes since receivers. Also if you can find a used Radio Shack scanner those are also very nice. I also like the BCT15X.

The best investment you can make is the antenna. You're radio is only as good as your antenna system.

 

[bearcatrp]

The R30 is a sweet receiver, no doubt. Scans fast, receives P25 phase I good. Others have posted good suggestions. Me, the R30 would offer you other more options for the future. But, if you stick to specifics from your post, other options are less expensive. When I buy a receiver, I want other options for future possibilities. You have to decide. You won't regret getting the R30 if you can find one.

 

[smason]

If it doesn't have to be hand held consider the BCT15X. If you wait for sales you can pick them up new for around $169.99, used as low as $125.00. Then if you add ProScan software for programming AND computer control as well as remote monitoring you'll be in Heaven! ProScan will also work with your SDS100

This! Absolutely killer setup for analog.

 

[C4talyst]

If it doesn't have to be hand held consider the BCT15X. If you wait for sales you can pick them up new for around $169.99, used as low as $125.00. Then if you add ProScan software for programming AND computer control as well as remote monitoring you'll be in Heaven! ProScan will also work with your SDS100

UNIDEN BCT15X 9,000 Channels!

BCT15X BearTracker 9000 Channel Analog Scanner

The BCT15X comes equipped with Uniden exclusive features like Advanced Dynamic Memory System, Close Call RF Capture Technology, and GPS compatibility. See the Owner's Manual web site for more information. Product Overview TrunkTracker III Technology - So you can keep up with the action on...

uniden.com

View attachment 119056

ProScan

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD3600XLT UBCD436PT...

proscan.org

I was looking for a portable but this looks interesting, especially at that price. I did buy a ProScan license right after I got the SDS100.

 

[Omega-TI]

I was looking for a portable but this looks interesting, especially at that price. I did buy a ProScan license right after I got the SDS100.

I'd be lost without ProScan! Seriously, I'm old, have you ever heard of the saying, "Old dog, new tricks?" Well, ProScan is wonderful (for me at least) to set up and organize my favorites.

 

[StoliRaz]

BC15X/BC346XT. The 346 is hard to find but they have some of the best analog reception I've seen. Great speakers to boot. I bought a 346 brand new in person at ScannerMaster years ago and own a pair of 15x bases. I'm currently trying to locate a 396T/XT but they're proving hard to find and when I do they want $300 for it. For 50 bucks more I can get a 325p2, seems ridiculous.

 

[cherubim]

Look for a Radio Shack Pro-137. They are great analog scanners - sensitive, selective and very fast scanning. Build quality is superb as it's based on the 396T.

 

[gmclam]

You specify analog scanner, so I won't mention models capable of P25. I've always been fond of the old GRE-made models. Not the Whistler re-brands. PSR-300 or PSR-310 hand-held, PSR-400 or PSR-410 base models. The 300/400 are organized as 100 channels in 10 banks (not including talk groups) and the 310/410 employs 20 user-programmed lists and holds just over 1800 channels.

 

[StoliRaz]

You specify analog scanner, so I won't mention models capable of P25. I've always been fond of the old GRE-made models. Not the Whistler re-brands. PSR-300 or PSR-310 hand-held, PSR-400 or PSR-410 base models. The 300/400 are organized as 100 channels in 10 banks (not including talk groups) and the 310/410 employs 20 user-programmed lists and holds just over 1800 channels.

I own a PSR-300 and PSR-400. They're simple to use and sound good but I've always felt my Uniden 15X/345XT ran circles around them as far as reception and build quality goes, especially between the handhelds. Still like them for local use though, they're fun radios to use

 

[gmclam]

I own a PSR-300 and PSR-400. They're simple to use and sound good but I've always felt my Uniden 15X/345XT ran circles around them as far as reception and build quality goes, especially between the handhelds. Still like them for local use though, they're fun radios to use

I virtually always use an external antenna. Typically receiver designs have to balance "selectivity" and "sensitivity". Selectivity is the ability to receive only the desired signal while sensitivity is how weak of a signal you can receive.

Generally I think people feel that GRE-made radios are more sensitive (better at picking up weak signals) and Uniden radios are less sensitive so issues like intermod are less likely. If you're in a rural place (no strong signals near), GRE will likely do you better. If you're in an urban place (near a cell or broadcast tower), Uniden will likely do better.

I've always been a GRE guy because I like to DX (listen to distant signals). The user interface is different on virtually each different Uniden model I own, and not as intuative. Sure GREs are limited to 10 or 20 lists/banks/etc., and Uniden often has 100 selections; but that's part of the problem. For example the way Favorites Lists are navigated on the SDS models is entirely different than the BCD996/325.

 

[lu81fitter]

I've had 2 BCT15X radios for about 10 years now. I also use Proscan. Those 2 have been rock solid performers. I wouldn't trade them. Pick one up. You won't be disappointed! And as W2SOX said, invest a little money in a quality antenna system. A $50 radio with a good antenna will pick up much better than a $600 radio with a crappy one.