Blindshooter
Member
I'm looking at buying a new desktop scanner. Does anyone have imput on which kind to buy? I'm looking for something with atleast 200 channels and has the built in FM radio. Thanks in advance for the feedback!
Desktop scanners
- Thread starter Blindshooter
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Hi BSer,
Been awhile since you shopped for a new scanner, lol? To get meaningful assistance, you probably need to tell us your location, and details of what you want to listen to. And forget about FM music, that will be heard on a different, and much less expensive radio.
Ditto what rwier said.
The number of channels isn't the issue either. What kind of systems you want to scan are the issue. To recommend any scanner the people in this forum would need to know what or what kind of systems you intend to monitor.
Every good scanner can listen to FM broadcast but what a waste of money if you buy a new scanner to do so when you could get something better a heck of a lot cheaper.
Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668
The number of channels isn't the issue either. What kind of systems you want to scan are the issue. To recommend any scanner the people in this forum would need to know what or what kind of systems you intend to monitor.
Every good scanner can listen to FM broadcast but what a waste of money if you buy a new scanner to do so when you could get something better a heck of a lot cheaper.
Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668
Blindshooter
Member
For those asking I'm in new york city and yes broadcast FM.
You won't have any choices if you are looking for a broadcadt FM sidesaddle on a current scanner. The only one I know of is the Uniden CRS370. This scanner is seriously lacking in trunking or digital capabilities and can handle conventional stuff only. I know a lot of conventional stuff still exists in NYC but a lot of yrunking and digital does too.
But like I said above... most good scanners can be tuned to FM broadcast frequencies. You just won't ever hear stereo and even though it might cost as much as $500 it doesn't make a very good sounding FM broadcast radio because it was not designed to be one.
Would strongly recommend separation of your desires to a scanner and an FM radio. You will likely end up with better radios.
Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668
+1
In addition, you would only be able to listen to either broadcast or the scanner traffic.
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What is wrong with his request? I would love a radio similar to a BC340 that would do a 800mhz trunked digital system. It would make a great bedside radio while the PSR 800 or Pro 18's would handle the daytime "active" radio listening duties. Even @ $500 I would have one.
N8IAA
Member
996XT includes FM broadcast. I occasionally use my 396XT when away from a traditional AM/FM radio.
Larry
KB7MIB
Member
A few of the Uniden scanners include the FM broadcast band. The GRE/Radio Shack/Whistler scanners, to my knowledge, do not. (My PSR-500 does not, so the 600 and the RS/W equivalents most likely do not. I can't speak to the PSR-800 or equivalents.)
As mentione above, you can choose between FM broadcast OR the scanner, you cannot do both at the same time.
For stereo reception, if it's available at all, you'll most likely need headphones.
Also, the audio frequency response will not be as good as a true FM broadcast receiver. The speakers in a scanner aren't designed to handle music. If all you listen to are news/talk stations, that may not be an issue for you.
If you can live with these limitations, take a look at Unidens base/mobile scanners, such as the BCD-996XT. I'm not sure about the 536HP or the Home Patrol.
John
Peoria, AZ
As mentione above, you can choose between FM broadcast OR the scanner, you cannot do both at the same time.
For stereo reception, if it's available at all, you'll most likely need headphones.
Also, the audio frequency response will not be as good as a true FM broadcast receiver. The speakers in a scanner aren't designed to handle music. If all you listen to are news/talk stations, that may not be an issue for you.
If you can live with these limitations, take a look at Unidens base/mobile scanners, such as the BCD-996XT. I'm not sure about the 536HP or the Home Patrol.
John
Peoria, AZ
Nope. Some do, as Uniden, apparently, has it in some of their models.
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I think a very important question that nobody has asked yet is... do you plan on listening to anything else other than FM broadcast? Do you plan to listen to public safety, land mobile, aircraft, or anything else like that? If so please let us know so we can make suggestions..
I don't think many people here would recommend a scanner if all you're planning to listen to is FM broadcast.
WQPW689
Member
Excellent point hfx.
Since NYC Police and Fire are still VHF/UHF analog to varying degrees, he can stay on the cheaper side and still get broadcast AM/FM with a Uniden Bearcat BC345CRS. It'll get air, railroad (couple of Transit Divisions of NYPD on those freqs), ham bands, marine etc, if that's what he's interested in.
Heck, back north I have an ancient RS Pro 2034 that I have NYPD programmed on, but the the 50 channel limit is a pain. Since I go back 2 or 3 times a year, I might get one of these 345's. They're sure cheap enough.
Of course if he wants digital, well, the guys above have let him know.
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