Looking for a scanner for IMPD

[VFRPilotBrad]

Hello, I searched the forum and couldn't find an answer. Could someone tell me what scanner preferably a handheld scanner I need to buy to pick up IMPD. I have an older scanner that used to pick up IMPD but doesn't now for some reason. Thanks for your help!.

 

[AK9R]

All public safety in Marion County is now using an all-digital APCO P25 system. You need a modern digital trunk-tracking scanner. We have a category in the Wiki for digital trunk-trackers:

Category: Digital Scanners - The RadioReference Wiki

From that list, the GRE PSR-500, Radio Shack Pro-106, or Uniden BCD396XT are your best bets for a handheld scanner.

 

[scannerfreak]

Don't forget the new PSR-800. I've found it does a darn good job on digital simulcast systems. I was just in Indy last week and it was working great on MECA with just the RS 800 MHz antenna. With the record and playback feature I think it's a far better choice then the PSR-500.

 

[W9NES]

I recomend the Uniden 396T and The Uniden 396XT. I know that the Unden 396T is old but there is nothing wrong with using one for MECA./Safe-t Mine Works Great on MECA and Safe-t.My Uniden 396XT also does great on MECA and Safe-t.I would also recomend the Uniden Home Patrol.Viper 43 has one and his works great on MECA and Safe-t.**The Uniden 396T and 396XT are very easy to program vs GRE**

 

[VFRPilotBrad]

Wow..thanks for the responses! I will start researching.

 

[Viper43]

The best one I have found for MECA and the Statewide SAFET system is the Uniden HomePatrol. The HP hears better than rest, including the GRE 600/500 and 800. I sold my 600 because it just wouldn't pick up MECA from 3 miles outside the county.The 396T and XT both work, but the HP does much better.
Even with that, location is everything and some parts of Indy are just plain dead zones. The worst is up near 76th and Michigan, the area of all the towers, even user radios are horrid in that area.

oh, if you use the HP as a handheld get extra batteries, the display eats em! Depending on display settings you can push it from 4 to 5 1/2 hours per charge.

 

[scannerfreak]

I'd read the numerous threads on here about the HP-1's major issues before buying one. I had an opportunity to evaluate one for a couple of weeks and wasn't impressed. The record/playback feature is lacking severely compared to the PSR-800. I also like the ability to view the library just as you would the RR database and select exactly what you want and not have to "avoid" hundreds of stuff the HP imports when you enter your zip.

Of course anything you see here is based upon each persons opinion, and we all could argue until the end of time which one is better, but take a look around the Uniden forum and see how many users have returned their HP's. Some have gone through several..

 

[AK9R]

Opinions are like, um, a part of the anatomy below the waist on the backside in that everyone has one.

I still have my HP-1. It works fine for how I use it. I have no plans to return it.

However, bringing the HP-1 into this conversation doesn't really address the OP's question. He said he preferred a handheld scanner. The HP-1 is not designed to be a handheld.

 

[W9NES]

Bob, You are correct but the Uniden HP-1 can be used as a Base and or a Mobile Application. It can also be used as a Handheld.Viper 43.The Uniden HP-1 is not designed to be used as a Handheld but can be used for that application if the user wishes to do so.

 

[Viper43]

I use it handheld all the time, just need extra batteries doing that if it will be used more than 4 to 5 hours at a time. Fits in the back pocket for walking around and I use an earphone. Now if I could find a case that would be nice but I can still use it without too. EDIT: W9NES- if it wasn't designed to be used handheld it wouldn't have just battery power too. If you look at at the literature it was indeed designed for mobile, base AND handheld use.

As for the recording, it works fine on my two units in all modes, including P25. ScannerFreak, you may have had one that had issues, it happens.I will say it works much better on MECA with the RS 800Mhz antenna than the stock one though.

 

[scannerfreak]

The recording worked fine. What I was saying was the feature set is severely lacking compared to the 800.

With the HP you have to record everything. With the 800 you can pick and choose what to record. Also the playback in the HP is buried deep in the menu and has no functionality. With the 800 you can easily review everything recorded individually which is date/time stamped. You can also choose to play one file, all files, or play from just a certain point. You can also import the audio into the software and view/play each recorded transmission along with Radio ID's captured in that recording and then save the files to your computer.

Not trying to argue which is better, I just wanted to clarify my statement about recording..

 

[VFRPilotBrad]

After reading all the great input from everyone I decided to order the GRE-800. I like the record/playback feature and feel that its more portable than the HP-1 for when I take it flying with me. Thanks again for all the input and can't wait to get it!

 

[scannerfreak]

Good choice. It's a neat little radio. I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you need help with anything when you get it feel free to contact me directly

 

[Viper43]

The recording worked fine. What I was saying was the feature set is severely lacking compared to the 800.

With the HP you have to record everything. With the 800 you can pick and choose what to record. Also the playback in the HP is buried deep in the menu and has no functionality. With the 800 you can easily review everything recorded individually which is date/time stamped. You can also choose to play one file, all files, or play from just a certain point. You can also import the audio into the software and view/play each recorded transmission along with Radio ID's captured in that recording and then save the files to your computer.

Not trying to argue which is better, I just wanted to clarify my statement about recording..

What are you talking about? You do NOT have to record EVERYTHING with the HP and you CAN choose to record whatever you want to. You obviously didn't try it out very well. I record what I want all the time.

 

[scannerfreak]

Viper, I think you misunderstood my post. With the HP you have to "tap" the record button when you want to record, correct? Then this records everything during that "session" until you stop it.

With the 800 you can set each individual conventional channel or talkgroup to either record or not record. I don't have to "tap" anything. The radio records all by itself on the objects I have set to record. I then can go back and review each one individually and not the entire "session" as the users manual calls it.

If I'm missing something here let me know..

 

[W9NES]

Does anyone in the Metro Indianapolis/Marion County area have a PSR-800 monitoring MECA and Safe-t. I would like to see one up up front and hear it for myself.I would also like to see what it does in my area of the NW Side of Metro Indianapolis/Marion County.Would like to do a side by side test a GRE-800 vs a Uniden 396XT.If anyone out there woud have one please feel free to send me a pm so we can get together and do a side by side test.Thank You.

 

[VFRPilotBrad]

*Update* I received my GRE-800 and from my location it was was horrible. I think overall it is an awesome scanner and I loved the features but it sounded like everyone was talking underwater. I just ordered the HP and will have it tomorrow. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it works well with MECA I hope its not my location. I am just south of Eagle Creek airport which isn't that far out in my opinion.

 

[scannerfreak]

Just out of curiosity, was this the first time you've heard digital audio?

 

[VFRPilotBrad]

No not at all....this was truly inaudible. I took the scanner with me near downtown and it was a lot better. Like I said I think it might have something to do with my location.

 

[scannerfreak]

Yeah, it's likely simulcast distortion. If you haven't yet, have a read here:

Simulcast digital distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

When I was in Indy 2 weeks ago it was doing great downtown and the surrounding highways in and out of town. I also monitor the Cincinnati system which is also a CQPSK LSM system and it rocks from my home, but there are definitely areas while driving around I experience multipath issues. I'd be curious to see what the HP does. Be sure to let us know