Need scanner recommendation for Methuen area

[KD7HGK]

I've got an older relative that was staying with me for a while here in Knoxville, TN. In the time the person has been here, they grown quite addicted to listening to my GRE PSR 500. This person actually lives in the Methuen area of MA and will be moving back there soon. What scanner would you all suggest for a person not well versed in operating electronics? (this person is 60 years old and knows how to surf the web but not much else. That level of expertise.). This person will primarily be listening to their police in the area and maybe into NH as they are close to the border.

 

[N1BHH]

Best bet is either the GRE or it's Radio Shack branded twin brother the Pro-106. There is quite a bit of P-25 in New Hampshire, if you want to listen to the State Police you have to get P-25 capable scanners. There are also Uniden models which do the same thing.

And as always recommend extra batteries, a quality charger for same and Win500 for programming and editing. And make sure to tell your relative to learn the basics at least, so that quickly adding a few frequencies can be done without need of a computer. And over on Scan New England there are files he may wish to use. I have a few there and there are plenty of others submitted. Plus he can use other Win files to input towards any file.

Win XXX Files - Downloads - Scan New England Forums

The good thing about the GRE 500 and Pro-106 is that you can have multiple customized V-folders stored in the radio. You will have to remember that for the most part the V-folders that come with the scanner are out of date and need to be updated should he want to go to other areas of the country. I have made several V-folders for my varying scanner listening habits and can swap one for another in a matter of seconds. They're all stored and ready to go.

Good Luck and happy scanning.

 

[W1KNE]

While pricey, wouldn't the Home Patrol be a good option for them?
Add the zip code, and a couple of details, and good to go with it.

 

[mcdogg]

About 90% of the Massachusetts local PD's and FD's in the Methuen area are still on conventional analog systems (with the exception being Lowell PD which is full time digital), so a cheap conventional scanner might be a perfect fit and served me well for years. In fact both my dad and grandfather have and enjoy listening to their analog conventional scanners on a daily basis.

If you want a little more excitement, the Mass State Police have a great trucked system in which a bunch of different agency operate on. So for a little more you can get a scanner with trucking capability. As for New Hampshire, about 90% of local and state PD's and many FD have gone digital, same with the FED's.

In my experience GRE/RS scanners have always been easier to program than Uniden, both by hand and by software (I have two of both). But, as W1KNE said, if you got the money then grab a Home Patrol they are very user friendly (despite being a Uniden)

FYI, Haverhill MA PD has unfortunately gone full time encryption and will not be able to pick them up.