New from Atlanta

[IrishTiger]

HI all,

Just getting started here on the forum. I'm actually an airline pilot, so I'm somewhat familiar with certain aspects of radio communications. I'm very involved with my neighborhood, and I do a lot of public safety stuff in my area (near Turner Field). For the past 3-4 months I've been telling myself I need a scanner so I can keep up with what's going on in APD Zone 3. I realize they have some kind of digital system, but that is one area I'm NOT familiar with.

For example, we had a shooting right around the corner from me 2 nights ago. I couldn't figure out what was going on until one of the detectives I know saw me and came over to talk to me. That situation solidified my decision to get a scanner.

If someone would be able to recommend a scanner that would fit my needs (I'd love one that I'd be able to take with me, not desktop) and that would be able to pick up the different frequencies of Zone 3. I'm sure if the instructions are clear I'd be able to program it, but if someone is in the area and could help I'd love it!

So based on what I've said - what are the expert opinions from those on the board here. I'm looking on making a purchase as soon as I can find a unit that will do what I need it to do, and that is reviewed well by you all.

Thanks so much!!!!

Ryan

 

[N8IAA]

Hello, Ryan. Welcome to the GA forum. My suggestion is a Radio Shack Pro-106 if you can find a Shack that still has scanners. The price is reasonable for a dgital scanner. Next best is the GRE PSR-500. It can be had at Ham Radio Outlet in Doraville on Buford Highway just south of Gwinnett county. Both can be programmed with Win500 ( www.starrsoft.com). The advantage the 500 has over the 106, is that it comes with needed accessories: the AC adapter, and the USB programming cable. Another handheld scanner is the Uniden BCD-396XT. It will work well for Atlanta. There is a free app to program the Uniden. It is www.scannow.org . The Uniden comes with a serial cable for programming. Getting a premium subscription here at RR will allow you to import directly to the software and upload the programming to the scanner. With the software, you can customize what and how you want the scanner to work. There are a lot of us in the metro area to help.
HTH,
Larry

 

[MTS2000des]

HI all,

Just getting started here on the forum. I'm actually an airline pilot, so I'm somewhat familiar with certain aspects of radio communications. I'm very involved with my neighborhood, and I do a lot of public safety stuff in my area (near Turner Field). For the past 3-4 months I've been telling myself I need a scanner so I can keep up with what's going on in APD Zone 3. I realize they have some kind of digital system, but that is one area I'm NOT familiar with.

For example, we had a shooting right around the corner from me 2 nights ago. I couldn't figure out what was going on until one of the detectives I know saw me and came over to talk to me. That situation solidified my decision to get a scanner.


Ryan

You mention you "work with public safety". Depending on what you do, another option is getting a COMNET radio on the Atlanta system, typically your agency/employer can provide you one and pay for it, but I do know of two neighborhood associations who have active ID's. COMNET is a subscription service, requires a Motorola Astro 25 Smartzone Omnilink digital radio (an XTS1500 at minimum, with 9600 baud trunking enabled), and a yearly fee.

Depending on who you are you may also be given access to other PD talkgroups, again, this depends on the agency or entity you are affiliated with.

Otherwise, a scanner as mentioned above is a good choice for monitoring. The GRE's seem to work better on simulcast digital 700/800 systems such as the one Atlanta (and most other metro area trunking systems) run. None of them work as good as a system radio, without boring you with technical details, digital scanners can be difficult to get quality audio in some situations.

If you want more information about COMNET, PM me with your contact information.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[IrishTiger]

Hello, Ryan. Welcome to the GA forum. My suggestion is a Radio Shack Pro-106 if you can find a Shack that still has scanners. The price is reasonable for a dgital scanner. Next best is the GRE PSR-500. It can be had at Ham Radio Outlet in Doraville on Buford Highway just south of Gwinnett county. Both can be programmed with Win500 ( www.starrsoft.com). The advantage the 500 has over the 106, is that it comes with needed accessories: the AC adapter, and the USB programming cable. Another handheld scanner is the Uniden BCD-396XT. It will work well for Atlanta. There is a free app to program the Uniden. It is www.scannow.org . The Uniden comes with a serial cable for programming. Getting a premium subscription here at RR will allow you to import directly to the software and upload the programming to the scanner. With the software, you can customize what and how you want the scanner to work. There are a lot of us in the metro area to help.
HTH,
Larry

That's some great information! Thanks!

When I signed up, I went ahead and got the premium subscription because I figured it would benefit me (and it turned out I was right). I definitely want something that's easy to program. I have all Apple computers - but I do have a Dell netbook in case I need to use windows.

Which model I get doesn't really matter to me - as long as I can get APD Zone 3 (primarily) and get decent reception on it. Ease of programming and included accessories are also a perk. But from the way you said it, I get the impression that the programming software for the 500 and Pro-106 is not free, versus the Uniden. Don't get me wrong, I want whichever scanner is better and easier to use, and I don't mind paying for programming fees or software, but as with anything, the cheaper the better! So I seem that you like the Pro-106, but also think the Uniden would work well with APD's system. I'm going to take your advice since again - I know nothing of digital systems.

You mention you "work with public safety". Depending on what you do, another option is getting a COMNET radio on the Atlanta system, typically your agency/employer can provide you one and pay for it, but I do know of two neighborhood associations who have active ID's. COMNET is a subscription service, requires a Motorola Astro 25 Smartzone Omnilink digital radio (an XTS1500 at minimum, with 9600 baud trunking enabled), and a yearly fee.

Depending on who you are you may also be given access to other PD talkgroups, again, this depends on the agency or entity you are affiliated with.

Otherwise, a scanner as mentioned above is a good choice for monitoring. The GRE's seem to work better on simulcast digital 700/800 systems such as the one Atlanta (and most other metro area trunking systems) run. None of them work as good as a system radio, without boring you with technical details, digital scanners can be difficult to get quality audio in some situations.

If you want more information about COMNET, PM me with your contact information.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm not any kind of an official and I don't work for the city, or any kind of security. I'm just the public safety person for our neighborhood, and I work closely with APD and the DA's office to try and improve our neighborhood. I just want a scanner so I know what's going on. There's all kinds of things that happen around here that I want to know about, and the only way to do that in real time is to get a scanner. So I don't think I'd need COMNET or anything sophisticated like that... just a general scanner. Unfortunately, since they've gone digital - I just don't know anything about those kinds of systems. I've tried to educate myself, and I'm learning - but I had a shooting right around the block from me the other night and that has finally made me say to myself "alright, time to pony up the cash to get a scanner."

So based on your recommendation, the GRE would be the best option for me?

 

[b7spectra]

If I'm not mistaken, does COMNET still have the UHF crossband feed?

 

[IrishTiger]

Looks like I can download the Win500 software online, and then order the GRE500 online and pick it up at the Doraville store. Sounds like a winner. Any opposed?

Edit: So I can just use Win500 to program and NOT buy the programming CD at Ham Radio Outlet then which is this: Ham Radio Outlet | SCANNER ARC500-CD | PROG SOFTWARE CD PSR-500/600

 

[MTS2000des]

If I'm not mistaken, does COMNET still have the UHF crossband feed?

Not since they moved to their Astro 25 network. They've never enabled it. AFAIK, the UHF repeater on 191 Peachtree is off the air. Ironic, they bootlegged on that pair since 1990- never bothered to license it- until SOMEONE (ahem...ahem) made mention to his/her friend at FOX 5 about their illegal operation, magically a week later they got licensed. Amazing how that happens.

 

[MTS2000des]

That's some great information! Thanks!





Thanks for the welcome. I'm not any kind of an official and I don't work for the city, or any kind of security. I'm just the public safety person for our neighborhood, and I work closely with APD and the DA's office to try and improve our neighborhood. I just want a scanner so I know what's going on. There's all kinds of things that happen around here that I want to know about, and the only way to do that in real time is to get a scanner. So I don't think I'd need COMNET or anything sophisticated like that... just a general scanner. Unfortunately, since they've gone digital - I just don't know anything about those kinds of systems. I've tried to educate myself, and I'm learning - but I had a shooting right around the block from me the other night and that has finally made me say to myself "alright, time to pony up the cash to get a scanner."

So based on your recommendation, the GRE would be the best option for me?

IMO, the GRE radios are better behaving on the simulcast 700/800 Motorola systems like Atlanta's. I had a Pro96 and Pro106 and both of them did a better job on the Cobb DTRS, than a friends' Uniden BC-396. But lots of variables here, location has a lot to do with it. Some areas are better than others.

I don't have that issue now as I use my work issued radio. but reception at my house on a scanner of the Cobb DTRS of any kind was misery. I got only 40-60 percent of transmissions, despite having a prime site of the TRS close by. But then where I live NOTHING I NEED to work does. My Nextel goes to crap, because I am directly between two sites, and it constantly bounces between them. and Sprint being the hosebag operation that it is, despite a Sprint owned tower being about 500 ft away, it does NOT have an iDEN BTS on it- and they aren't going to put one up there.

So as you see, with any radio system, location and antenna have more impact than anything. Most scanner dealers do have a good return policy, just hold onto your receipt, box, etc and keep it cherry while you test drive it for a few days. The old phrase of "your mileage may vary" applies here. Best thing to do is see if you can find someone in the area that has a scanner and see if you can get them to visit and bring with- or better yet borrow. If I had one, I'd offer- but I sold both my digital scanners as they were useless in my neck of the woods.

 

[N8IAA]

Looks like I can download the Win500 software online, and then order the GRE500 online and pick it up at the Doraville store. Sounds like a winner. Any opposed?

Edit: So I can just use Win500 to program and NOT buy the programming CD at Ham Radio Outlet then which is this: Ham Radio Outlet | SCANNER ARC500-CD | PROG SOFTWARE CD PSR-500/600

Two things-the radios are in stock at the store, and please get Win500. Arc software can get buggy with the GRE scanners. Don Starr, who developed Win500, writes firmware for GRE scanners. My choice. Second choice would be PSREdit500. So, don't order online when the radio is at the store, and definitely don't pay for ARC. It costs more than Win500. Link for Win500 www.starrsoft.com

Larry

 

[Highpockets]

Looks like I can download the Win500 software online, and then order the GRE500 online and pick it up at the Doraville store. Sounds like a winner. Any opposed?

Edit: So I can just use Win500 to program and NOT buy the programming CD at Ham Radio Outlet then which is this: Ham Radio Outlet | SCANNER ARC500-CD | PROG SOFTWARE CD PSR-500/600

If you do decide on Win500, here is a Guide to help using the software, importing from RR and uploading to your scanner:

WIN500 - UtahRadio

 

[IrishTiger]

Two things-the radios are in stock at the store, and please get Win500. Arc software can get buggy with the GRE scanners. Don Starr, who developed Win500, writes firmware for GRE scanners. My choice. Second choice would be PSREdit500. So, don't order online when the radio is at the store, and definitely don't pay for ARC. It costs more than Win500. Link for Win500 www.starrsoft.com

Larry

Thanks for that - I'll just use the Win500. I can buy it online and pick it up at the store, which is what I plan on doing. I've decided on the GRE-500 and the Win500.

Thanks for being so receptive to a new member! I really appreciate everyone's help and input. I wouldn't know the first thing to do. I've only used VHF aircraft frequencies and HF while crossing the Atlantic. This whole digital trunking system and P25 or whatever it is that APD uses is new to me and I don't even know what it all means. I'll have to do more research. I just need to get that scanner and get APD's frequencies (like I mentioned particularly Zone 3 where I live).

Again - I really appreciate the warm welcome.

-Ryan

 

[wise871]

Ryan
You will like the GRE scanner in the Atlanta area. I have the RS 106 which is along the same lines as the GRE500. I'm always visiting Atlanta so there is plenty to listen too. The GRE has great audio on the system. May I suggest the Radio Shack 800Mhz antenna. I used several antennas while up there and the RS800 does a great job on everything in the area. Enjoy the radio.
Dan

 

[IrishTiger]

Ryan
You will like the GRE scanner in the Atlanta area. I have the RS 106 which is along the same lines as the GRE500. I'm always visiting Atlanta so there is plenty to listen too. The GRE has great audio on the system. May I suggest the Radio Shack 800Mhz antenna. I used several antennas while up there and the RS800 does a great job on everything in the area. Enjoy the radio.
Dan

So you think the antenna on the GRE isn't going to be fine for my use right out of the box? I imagine Ham Radio Outlet would have different antenna's too. Do you think I'd notice a substantial difference by using the RS one?

 

[wise871]

Stock antennas aren't really that good, ask many of the users here. Since Atlanta is a 800Mhz mecca, you want an antenna that is tuned more for your area. Do a search on Radio Reference RS800 or Radio Shack 800 antenna and you will find a lot of good post. Sure you can go to HRO in north Atlanta and find another antenna but you can just hit the local RS and get one. It's like night and day over the stock. And the RS does a great job on the other bands like UHF, VHF, and Air. When I visit Atlanta I'm in the Camp Creek area outside of 285 and I pick up tons of stuff on my Pro-106 w/RS800.

 

[mass-man]

Radio Shack 800 mhz antenna.....YES!!!!

 

[wise871]

Take a look at my YouTube link under my name. The latest video is the Pro-106 using a RS800 antenna.

 

[N8IAA]

So you think the antenna on the GRE isn't going to be fine for my use right out of the box? I imagine Ham Radio Outlet would have different antenna's too. Do you think I'd notice a substantial difference by using the RS one?

I believe that they sell the GRE model. It is the same as the RS antenna, being they are the ones who made it for them, since you are in Atlanta, the duck that comes with the radio will work fine on the scanner. No harm in trying the 800 antenna, but I'm thinking overload. They do have a little duck by Pryme that will work great with the scanner. I've had my 106 for over two years, and find less is better most times on 800 with it
HTH,
Larry

 

[MTS2000des]

I believe that they sell the GRE model. It is the same as the RS antenna, being they are the ones who made it for them, since you are in Atlanta, the duck that comes with the radio will work fine on the scanner. No harm in trying the 800 antenna, but I'm thinking overload. They do have a little duck by Pryme that will work great with the scanner. I've had my 106 for over two years, and find less is better most times on 800 with it
HTH,
Larry

and the staff at HRO are fantastic and KNOW RADIO (unlike RadioShaft who will try to sell you some turdy Sprint cellphone and ignore you otherwise). I've been dealing with HRO since they came to Atlanta (and I became a ham about that same time way back during the Regan years!) and they ALWAYS go OUT OF THEIR WAY to help you.

We are very fortunate to even have an amateur radio retail store in the area. We used to have many back in the day, but HRO is about the only one left, short of driving to Chattanooga or Alabama.

Give them a call before you head up there to make sure they have what you need in that particular store.

 

[wise871]

and the staff at HRO are fantastic and KNOW RADIO (unlike RadioShaft

I agree. Everytime we vist Atlanta from Florida I ALWAYS vist HRO Atlanta. The staff there is great and if they don't have it in stock, they order it from the other stores and it's waiting for me when I return home from Atlanta.

 

[b7spectra]

and the staff at HRO are fantastic and KNOW RADIO (unlike RadioShaft who will try to sell you some turdy Sprint cellphone and ignore you otherwise).

Didn't you work at RS?