Lewisville TX Fire scanner

[lewisvilletx]

My son and I listen to the Lewisville FD feed at Lewisville Fire Department Live Scanner Audio Feed , we would like to purchase a portable scanner. Would an analog scanner work or does it need to be a digital scanner?
Thanks
Kevin

 

[billwilliams]

A pro 164 from Radio Shack will work for Lewisville and the surround area. I suggest you buy the programming cable also. Then download the win 97 software. It makes programming the scanner so much easier..
If you go with the 164 I have all the frequencies and talk group ID’s for Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village and the Denton County fire depts. And would be happy to share them with you. Or if you get a 164 and don’t want to buy the cable and software, I can program it for you using my software… I checked the Radio Shack site and they still have the Pro 164 refurbished on sale for $119.00. I just got one to go with my other 164, and it works just like a new one.. RadioShack PRO-164 HandHeld Scanner (Refurbished) : Scanners | RadioShack.com

Good luck. If you have any question you can email me at dotx@tx.rr.com


Bill

 

[n5ims]

While an analog trunking scanner will work for now, you may want to get a digital one if you can afford it. Several area systems are currently digital and more are being built out to go live in the few months to few years. I haven't heard any plans for Lewisville to go digital at this point, but Plano is nearly done building their system and Dallas has started some testing on theirs. There is also a new digital system built to link various other systems (including Lewisville) during wide-area events.

 

[lewisvilletx]

Bill, the Radio Shack website says it has a range of 1000 feet from the radio source. Is that a normal distance for a scanner to have to be within range of a radio source? Is there ONE radio source in Lewisville or more sources? We want to park by the fire stations and listen to the scanner and watch them as they come out, but if there is only ONE radio source 1000' won't get me within any but station 1.
Kevin

 

[billwilliams]

The 1000 foot range you are seeing is a close call or smart search feature on the scanner. Lewisville is on a trunking system and you can listen to them from anywhere in the city.. the 119.00 deal is a web only deal. i think they still have free shipping, and you could have it in about a week. it would take me about fifteen min to program it, and bamm your scanning...

Bill

 

[n5ims]

Bill, the Radio Shack website says it has a range of 1000 feet from the radio source. Is that a normal distance for a scanner to have to be within range of a radio source? Is there ONE radio source in Lewisville or more sources? We want to park by the fire stations and listen to the scanner and watch them as they come out, but if there is only ONE radio source 1000' won't get me within any but station 1.
Kevin

The 1000 foot detail isn't important for what you state you're interested in doing (as Bill explained) I can hear the Lewisville FD dispatch several miles away. One other option if all you want to do is watch the trucks leave the stations (be sure to park safely and not try to follow them to the fire calls) is to listen using the on-line feed on your phone, if you have one compatible. The FD has a feed with the link on this page Denton County, Texas (TX) Live Police, Fire, and EMS Scanners on RadioReference.com (your phone app may use other ways to select the desired feed though).

 

[KC5EIB]

Bill: you forgot to tell him that he can walk into the Radio Shack on 3040 in Flower Mound and purchase a Pro-164 scanner already programed with the Trunk Radio Systems for Lewisville, Denton County, Denton City, North East Tarrant County, Carrolliton/Farmers Branch/Addison and Irving with Dallas City, The airplanes overhead, the Railroads in the area, Storm Spotters and area media.

They also have the Pro-106 (digital) pre programed with additional frequencies and the Pro-107 pre programed like the Pro-164.

 

[billwilliams]

Doug you are right.. Kevin. Doug at the Radio Shack on 3040 is the local scanner man. Doug has helped me several times with problems and ouestions. he can program a scanner to walk and talk.
Bill.

 

[billwilliams]

Kevin, you out there ? have you found a scanner ?

 

[lewisvilletx]

bought pro 164 but need help

Kevin, you out there ? have you found a scanner ?

Sorry, everyone. I appreciate all of your quick responses. I work at a C-FB ISD HS and I am really busy right now and my kid has been sick the past month. I bought the scanner and believe it is programmed correctly but I am not hearing any of the dispatch calls. Of course, it might be (most likely) because I am a newbie to the scanner and am not working it correctly!

It might be best if I drop by the RadioShack on 3040 in Flower Mound and see if they can tell me if it is correctly programmed and give me a quick lesson on the scanner.

Do I need to bring anything besides the scanner and cable?

 

[billwilliams]

If you take it to the Radio Shack on 3040, call first to make sure Doug is working... Or you and I can meet this weekend, and I'll take a look at it..