Is alpha tagging a must?

[samorlando]

I was wondering if anyone has any comments on scanners with alpha tagging Vs. the ones without. I understand its just a name you associate with a frequency, however, being in the market for a new scanner, I would like to know if I should rule out ones with no tagging.
Note: I am an older guy that may have a little difficulty in remembering things. Aslo, do any scanners have a better display than others (easier to read)? You comments always appreciated.

 

[Al42]

I was wondering if anyone has any comments on scanners with alpha tagging Vs. the ones without. I understand its just a name you associate with a frequency, however, being in the market for a new scanner, I would like to know if I should rule out ones with no tagging.
Note: I am an older guy that may have a little difficulty in remembering things.

Yes, I'm glad they invented writing too.

Aslo, do any scanners have a better display than others (easier to read)?

With all the comments I read before I got my 396, and with my old eyesight, I figured I'd probably have some problem reading the display. I don't. I think the extra bright LEDs actually help.

 

[loumaag]

No, alpha tagging is not a "must". But consider this, I have an old BC350A sitting on my desk and I can barely remember what is what on it. I have an old Realistic Pro-2021 (200 ch). I have to maintain a spread sheet to keep that straight. What do you think would happen if I took any of my 300 or 500 channel portable scanners out for a walk or drive and they didn't have tags, I would have no idea what I was hearing by glancing at the screen.

As for the display size, yep, you need to try and take a look at a working radio to get an idea. Most of the Uniden model base/mobiles are bigger and easier to read, the portables (and practically all the RS scanners) have smaller displays, hence smaller writting. Not saying they are impossible to read, just harder.

 

[Voyager]

No, alpha tagging is not a "must". But consider this, I have an old BC350A sitting on my desk and I can barely remember what is what on it. I have an old Realistic Pro-2021 (200 ch). I have to maintain a spread sheet to keep that straight. What do you think would happen if I took any of my 300 or 500 channel portable scanners out for a walk or drive and they didn't have tags, I would have no idea what I was hearing by glancing at the screen.

I would have to echo Lou's comments here.

While not a must, I think that once you go 'alpha', you'll never want to go back.

Joe M.

 

[hcsd35-32]

I also agree that while it is not a "must" it is a very important feature. I have a pretty lousy memory even at my young age and confuse stuff with numbers easily. I won't by a scanner or any radio for that matter without Alpha tagging.

 

[unitcharlie]

I usually monitor two scanners and frequently three while in the car... at the office sometimes as many as five.... most of them have alpha-tagging... makes it much easier than trying to remember what each freq is (although I do know most of the dispatchers' voices).... I still monitor a PRO 46, nice radio but sometimes it seems so old, too!

 

[MacombMonitor]

While all my currently owned scanners have alpha tagging, I actually don't look at them very often. My current setup in my office has all my radios on a desk directly behind me, if I'm sitting at my computer. Normally, I can figure out whos-who, and whats-what, by the dispatcher, and the response. If need be, I swing around an take a peek, but not too often.

Depending how you program a scanner, you should have a pretty good idea what you're listening to, by the bank that is active. I use banks to devide cities, and counties. If it stops on the first bank, I know that's Macomb Twp., the second bank is Michigan Public Safety, etc. I think it's pretty apparent when you're listening, if it's the police, fire, rescue, animal control, etc. It also depends on how many systems you're monitoring.

Another option for some scanners with no alpha tagging, that have a computer interface, is to use a computer, and software, to display whats-what. New scanners like the Uniden BC898T, or the Uniden BCT8, and Radio Shack PRO-2051 and PRO-2052, all have computer interfaces, but no alpha tagging. Using a computer, and software, you can display a radio console with very large text that even I can read from accross the room! You don't need an expensive computer either. The computer I use to control my scanners only cost me $45.00!

Where alpha tagging really comes into play is on a digital system, with talk groups!

 

[radiomonitor33]

"Where alpha tagging really comes into play is on a digital system, with talk groups!"


I would recommend alpha tags. I'm usually pretty good at remembering the freq's & who is using them,but when it comes to TG's it is a definite plus. Alpha tags are also nice if someone else is looking at your scanner & they can read the tags. Each time their is a transmission they can read the tag instead of asking you "Who's that?" over & over again.

 

[BaLa]

although I do know most of the dispatchers' voices

LOL I was gonna post that.


I think most newer Scanners have Alpha Tagging anyways. Except the lower end models.


But I wouldn't buy a scanner without it.

 

[RDCat]

i love alpha tagging

 

[n4voxgill]

Where I live the city is on a trunked system and the county is conventioinal VHF. Frankly, I hardly ever look at the display on the scanner. I can tell by the vehicle numbers which agency it is talking, whether its police or fire. I have some scanners that have alpha tagging and some that don't, but I just don;t need to look. But I scan by ear, not by looking at the scanner.

now if I go on a trip and pick up unknown systems, I do need to look to see if I can figure out who they are sometimes.

 

[KT4HX]

An echo - not required, but I wouldn't go without it anymore personally. I have three systems locally I monitor - Spotsylvania EDACS, Fredericksburg conventional, and Stafford conventional. I can tell which one is active by the sound (and I do recognize dispatchers on the Spotsy system too!). And I commute to work through two other counties, plus State PD. So having the tags is wonderful for me. Keeps me from having to document and/or remember what I have in there (other than bank assignments).

 

[Eng74]

I think it is one of those things where once you have it you use it. For trunked systems I would not get a scanner without it again. I would say that most people listen to the same thing 70% of the time which is when you are in your home area. for that 30% when you are out of your normal area it is great on road trips. You may not need it but once you have it you get spoild by having it.

 

[ILbandit]

I also agree on it isn't a "must" to have, But I'd bet that once you have it, you'll never go back! Sure makes things alot simpler.

 

[pblumer]

I love alpha tagging it helps me keep things straight while monitoring the trunk system here and the one in Warrick County. I also travel to owensboro frequently and have all those put in and it makes it nice to see what I am listening to instead of guessing. I was going to get a pro-2051 but decided to get the 97 with alpha tagging instead that is how much i like it.

Patrick M. Blumer

 

[Otto]

I must say that I really enjoy having alpha tagging a really neat feature. I find it especiall handy when monitoring a large trunked system. I dont need to carry a "cheat sheet" to remember what TG is what.
Works equally as well with conventional systems too. I like the idea of making things a little simpler....


I especially like that my BC246 has an alert tone that you can assign to TG's or Freq's. Kinda gets my attention that a channel I am intrersted in is broadcasting...

I just recently got back into the hobby, and I must say that things have come along way from what I remembered from way back then...(17 years ago)

 

[wwhitby]

While not a must, I think that once you go 'alpha', you'll never want to go back.

Absolutely! Its a great convenience when used for conventional frequencies. Where it really shines is when you label talkgroups.

I won't buy another scanner without alpha tagging!

Warren

 

[samorlando]

Thanks so much for reply guys. I guess Ill continue my search and narrow it down to one with alpha tags.

 

[JnglMassiv]

Put me in the 'will never go back' camp!

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

A scanner without alpha-tagging is like a pickup truck without power steering! :shock: