Need an Assist from the experts please

[stuka95]

I've been exploring this site for a couple of weeks now trying to gain a little more knowledge about the Scanner world and I believe I have a pretty basic idea of how things work. I'm currently working on my 22nd year in the Navy and communications are my life...I'm a talker more than a listener though...warheads on foreheads and air control / data link type of stuff. My problem...I would like to get my dad a decent scanner for Christmas. He lives in Algona, Iowa (Kossuth County) and where he lives is pretty rural (about 12-15 miles outside town). I think I have settled on the PRO-163 Scanner which may be complicated for him but I'm positive it will keep him busy till next year. My question is, can I expect him to pick up police, fire, emergency services ect. with this particular scanner or should I be looking for something else? I really appreciate the assist and hope to hear from the experts soon.

Todd

 

[burner50]

Here is a link to the Kossuth County DB page.

Kossuth County, Iowa (IA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

I'm just south of you in Fort Dodge and I just picked up a Pro-163. i like it so far, and for now it will work just fine in Algona.

 

[stuka95]

Burner50 - Thanks for the quick response. You say for now...would for now be for at least a couple of years from what the "tea leaves" tell you? Also, what ranges can I expect to see on average...or is that one of those factors left to propogation/attenuation ect. I know what it is like for Freq's over water but haven't had much experience over land. Thanks again.

 

[burner50]

The performance you can expect is fully dependent on the antenna system. Stock antenna should do okay in Kossuth County.

I say "For Now", because there is a big push for Digital nationwide.

How long it is until it hits Kossuth County, I dont know.

I can say that there is plans in place for a statewide P25 Digital trunked system. However, there are no plans on how to pay for such a system, nor is there any information on which counties would participate in such a system. :roll: So it may or may not become a reality in the future.

Currently, The State Snowplows are Exclusively digital, and the Iowa State Patrol uses digital on their car to car frequency. To my knowledge, most everything else in Kossuth County is analog. IDK about to the north, But Emmet, Humboldt, Palo Alto, Winnebago, and Hancock Counties are all still analog.