Can anyone program my MT-2000?

[BLSBoy]

I recently moved to Tampa, and I have my work (from Jersey) MT-2000 with me.
If anyone can program in local freqs (I am a local FD Paramedic, and can show ID) for TFD and local depts so I can monitor and do fire ground photography, I would really appreciate it.

thanks!

 

[tampatracker]

Hello, and welcome to Tampa. Unfortunately I don't have the knowledge or the resources to program a MT-2000, but I'm not sure it will be good for monitoring here in any case (except for the fire dept, which is still vhf hi analog). That may be exactly what you want to hear, however the PD here,( TPD and HCSO) is on an EDACKS 800 MHz system, which is, I believe , unmonitorable with your unit. Get yourself a Uniden 396XT and you'll be all set. If you have any questions ask and I or some of the other locals will try to answer.

 

[BLSBoy]

Is there a way I can hear HCFR, TFD and TTFD only?
I dabble in photography and I used to go to the fire ground on major incidents in Jersey to take pics.
I have (had?) a radio shack PRO 94 (I think). I let a friend in Brevard County borrow it, since I am NO good with programming anything.

 

[tampatracker]

TFD is the only one you'd be able to hear with the MT, if I correctly understand the capabilities of that unit. Temple Terrace FD and PD are fully encrypted, and, like I said the Hillsborough Co system, both PD and FD, are on a EDACKS system which can be monitored with the right scanner.

 

[BLSBoy]

Can you monitor just HCFR (EDACS) and TFD (VHF) on the same scanner?
And just HCFR, or would I pick up all the traffic (SO and TPD) on the same tower?

 

[tampatracker]

No you can monitor whatever you want in any configuration with a scanner like the BC396XT. And with freescan you can use your computer to program the scanner yourself, any way you want it!

 

[BLSBoy]

How much would that run me?
I have an elementary understanding of radios/technology in general, and I would (probably) need help programming it.

 

[tampatracker]

You could get yourself a 396xt new for around $489.00 or a 396T for a bit less. The computer software is Free, as in Freescan, you can always make a donation to Assaf, the creator of the program however. Keep in mind the 396xt is topline, but the nice thing is it can grow with you as your knowledge and understanding of the hobby does. There are other less expensive scanners out there that will get the job done, But iI believe anything worth doing is worth doing right. You could probably find a decent used scanner out there for a lot less, but you'd be taking that chance, if you know what I mean.

 

[BLSBoy]

The software compatable with macs?

 

[tampatracker]

That I'm not sure about. You might try asking that on the Scanning Software page and see. I will try to find out though. PS Freescan is not Mac compatible.