Best scanner - Ottawa/Allegan counties

[whitman]

Hello everyone,

Looking to get a new scanner soon. Have a Uniden 996XT (older, use Freescan to program) that I use now with Ottawa (analog) since I think their digital transition is still in limbo, and Allegan just on their digital channels. At some point this will be mostly all digital I'm assuming, with Ottawa and Allegan both having simulcast setups? What would be a good scanner for these two counties long term? Also may want an external antenna of some kind. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[doctordialtone]

Hello everyone,

Looking to get a new scanner soon. Have a Uniden 996XT (older, use Freescan to program) that I use now with Ottawa (analog) since I think their digital transition is still in limbo, and Allegan just on their digital channels. Any recommendations?

Since you already have a 996XT, perhaps a 996P2 would be an appropriate upgrade.

The only other logical choices would be the new SDS models.

Personally, I'd wait until an upgrade is necessary.

 

[smithken]

I agree with doctordialtone, I would wait unless you are having trouble with simulcast. I have a 996T listening to the Wayne County simulcast and I have no trouble. The only other reason to get a new scanner is when MPSCS goes to phase 2 but the way things move in Michigan that could be years. The 996XT is not capable of phase 2. If you have to replace the 996XT because it needs repair and it's not worth repairing then I would get a 996P2. I have a 536HP also and I don't care for it, I can't wrap my brain around its operation, the 996 models make more sense to me.

 

[jack3726]

I've been having trouble deciding which to purchase for MPSCS. At first I was leaning towards the 996P2 then I have read and heard about the dreaded simulcast systems and the 996P2 working very well with them. First I don't have one yet, second I am not in the area to see how well they work on a simulcast on MPSCS. I have read this with a good Yagi antenna will suffice the problem. The other alternative is the SDS models which seem to from the google searches work much better supporting simulcast all the way around. These support the LSM which the 996P2 does not have at least from what I have researched: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/SDS200
The price difference may be worth it if in fact it works much better supporting simulcast.

 

[Bob1955]

I've been having trouble deciding which to purchase for MPSCS. At first I was leaning towards the 996P2 then I have read and heard about the dreaded simulcast systems and the 996P2 working very well with them. First I don't have one yet, second I am not in the area to see how well they work on a simulcast on MPSCS. I have read this with a good Yagi antenna will suffice the problem. The other alternative is the SDS models which seem to from the google searches work much better supporting simulcast all the way around. These support the LSM which the 996P2 does not have at least from what I have researched: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/SDS200
The price difference may be worth it if in fact it works much better supporting simulcast.

jack3726, I personally am going to buy the BCD996P2 as I'm not in love with the SD cards and it takes a while to load them up when turning on a Bearcat BC436HP/BC536HP. However, the SDS-100 will be MUCH better on simulcast. Buy from Bearcat Warehouse located in Maryland and ask for Paul and their number is 877-568-7226. No sales tax outside of Maryland and free shipping too.
Hope this helps you out and have a great Sunday.

 

[whitman]

Thanks for the replies. At this point I'm probably looking at installing an external antenna. Any recommendations?

 

[Ronaldski]

With the counties being multiple tower-simulcast so they have a good signal coverage I wouldn't bother with an outside antenna yet unless you are looking to get the neighboring counties and some more vhf-uhf. If your looking just to listen to those two, more signal is not better, especially in simulcast counties, all you really need is one tower and you'll get the entire county. I would try it with just the rod antenna at first to see how well it works for you.

Other item be sure to have the last and latest firmware as Uniden did some tweaks to help simulcast reception, version 1.07.03 that can be found in the setting in the menu. BCD996XTFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

 

[hardsuit]

Whitman - I recommend Whistler TRX-2 scanner, if too expensive, a Whistler 1095/1098 scanner would work too.
BEST value in my Opinion, as the Whistler comes with EZ Scan Software and the Entire USA & Canada database on the Included SD card.
also you can use the Radio Reference database to Update the Database for FREE.
In addition the Whistler scanners give DMR and NXDN for free for TRX-1.

 

[gpp10x]

I have a TRX-2 I can sell you but personally I don't think it does a very good job on the Detroit Simulcast system.