Firstly, I'm a newb here.
Secondly, I have started to read the FAQs.
Thirdly, my question lol.... (or questions! It's a can of worms sorry!)
I have a Uniden BC890XLT. I've had it for years, it used to be my grandfathers. He died before I ever knew about it or how to use it. About 10 - 12 years ago, we used the scanner and it was great. We were able to listen to police, fire, drive-thrus, whatever. I also happened to be able to receive cell phone calls from about 894.000 to 917.000 ish. (which was great fun! lol) I believe because of this, mine was modded or "unlocked".
Now here we are in April of 2009, and I have to ask: What can I do with this thing today? I don't seem to pick up anything anymore... seems everything has gone digital (understandably).?
If I can't really do anything with it.... I'd be interested in opinions on recommended scanners. I'm interested in listening to anything and everything i possibly can... police/fire/whatever.
Its my understanding this scanner is purely analog. Would I then today, need a digital scanner? I have read that you can pick up some digital signals, but with some being encrypted, obviously those you may not be able to. But it gets me thinking, if one of the advantages to digital is security and being able to encrypt, why isn't everything encrypted? and how is it possible today at all that any civilian can listen to anything digital? What kinds of frequencies today are "unmonitorable"?
Sorry for the nightmare of newbie questions... Thank you for your patience.
Secondly, I have started to read the FAQs.
Thirdly, my question lol.... (or questions! It's a can of worms sorry!)
I have a Uniden BC890XLT. I've had it for years, it used to be my grandfathers. He died before I ever knew about it or how to use it. About 10 - 12 years ago, we used the scanner and it was great. We were able to listen to police, fire, drive-thrus, whatever. I also happened to be able to receive cell phone calls from about 894.000 to 917.000 ish. (which was great fun! lol) I believe because of this, mine was modded or "unlocked".
Now here we are in April of 2009, and I have to ask: What can I do with this thing today? I don't seem to pick up anything anymore... seems everything has gone digital (understandably).?
If I can't really do anything with it.... I'd be interested in opinions on recommended scanners. I'm interested in listening to anything and everything i possibly can... police/fire/whatever.
Its my understanding this scanner is purely analog. Would I then today, need a digital scanner? I have read that you can pick up some digital signals, but with some being encrypted, obviously those you may not be able to. But it gets me thinking, if one of the advantages to digital is security and being able to encrypt, why isn't everything encrypted? and how is it possible today at all that any civilian can listen to anything digital? What kinds of frequencies today are "unmonitorable"?
Sorry for the nightmare of newbie questions... Thank you for your patience.
