New to scanners trying to decide what to get.

[Ajconkle]

I live in Bemidji Mn, (Beltrami county). I am brand to to radios and scanners and am just trying to decide what type of police scanner would for to put in my car. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[iMONITOR]

Looks like Beltrami County has a large P25 Digital Phase-1 system with limited encryption.

For a mobile scanner depending on your budget I'd recommend:

Uniden: BCD992P2, BCD536HP, or possibly the new SDS200. Try to get real life feedback from people using scanners in your area. The 992P2 and 536HP can sometimes have a little difficulty receiving signals clearly and you can experiences some distortion from simulcast systems, and the SDS200 will usually cope with them better. However be sure to read up on the SDS200 prior to purchasing and decide for yourself if it's right for you, and make sure you buy it from a dealer that allows returns if you have problems.

 

[ofd8001]

Minnesota is not mobile scanner friendly. You must have a ham radio license or written permission from the state to legally put a scanner in your vehicle.

With that said, a 996 is not recommended for a statewide system because it has limits on the number of things that can be programmed into one system.

The 536 would be a good scanner, unless you travel into metro areas that use simulcast systems. It can have its moments on decoding simulcast systems, as I've seen from trips to MInnesota. The SDS 200 is the best choice in those area.

 

[stmills]

As others have stated without a state scanner permit or an FCC amateur license - scanners and scanner apps are illegal in a vehicle.
Do you have a specific area of interest you are wanting to scan - a specific Fire or Police department- or are you just jumping into the hobby and learning as you go?

 

[iMONITOR]

Minnesota is not mobile scanner friendly. You must have a ham radio license or written permission from the state to legally put a scanner in your vehicle.

With that said, a 996 is not recommended for a statewide system because it has limits on the number of things that can be programmed into one system.

The 536 would be a good scanner, unless you travel into metro areas that use simulcast systems. It can have its moments on decoding simulcast systems, as I've seen from trips to MInnesota. The SDS 200 is the best choice in those area.

ofd8001 gives good advice!

 

[wogggieee]

With that said, a 996 is not recommended for a statewide system because it has limits on the number of things that can be programmed into one system.

the 996 also isn't great with simulcast

 

[peq387ab]

Beltrami County has a mix of 800 MHz and some VHF analog. In Beltrami County the Law Enforcement including Bemidji PD and Beltrami County Deputies are on 800 MHz ARMER and the Bemidji Ambulance Service is on 800 MHz ARMER. Fire Departments are still on analog VHF as for much of NW Minnesota here, they are slowly migrating to 800 MHz ARMER. Same goes for Clearwater County Law & EMS. Cass County in all on 800 MHz ARMER System.

Any of those scanners listed above would work good also a Whistler WS 1065 would work good too.

 

[iMONITOR]

the 996 also isn't great with simulcast

From a vehicle I would agree. However there are exceptions where the 996P2 can work every bit as good as a SDS100/200, my home is one of them.

 

[TailGator911]

For some reason I just don't 'see' the SDS200 in a vehicle. Too bulky and wide, sunlight makes screen fonts unreadable if you don't have a 'night screen - black font/white bkgnd - and intricate menu navigation that would make it difficult to make adjustments while on the go. And, if you have your scan menu QKs all assembled down to Channel level I think changing up your lists would prove very difficult. At least it was for me when I had it in the RV. Just MHO, I think the SDS200 is the perfect home base station scanner. Vehicle? The BCD536HP would be a more ergonomic choice, I believe.

JD
kf4anc

 

[iMONITOR]

For some reason I just don't 'see' the SDS200 in a vehicle. Too bulky and wide, sunlight makes screen fonts unreadable if you don't have a 'night screen - black font/white bkgnd - and intricate menu navigation that would make it difficult to make adjustments while on the go. And, if you have your scan menu QKs all assembled down to Channel level I think changing up your lists would prove very difficult. At least it was for me when I had it in the RV. Just MHO, I think the SDS200 is the perfect home base station scanner. Vehicle? The BCD536HP would be a more ergonomic choice, I believe.

JD
kf4anc

I totally agree! This is why I like the BCD996P2 so much. Simple display with large fonts, no nonsense.

 

[blue5011]

I own three 996XT scanners and have one in the house and use two in vehicles. Plus I have a 396XT handheld. I like them!

The 996XT is very easy to program using Freescan (freeware). W/ Freescan I am able to put the talkgroups I wish to recieve in a particular "channel" and easily block unwanted talkgroups.

Using an outside antenna I can pickup 10-12 different ARMER tower sites.

I live in rural southern MN so not too much in the way of "simulcast" issues.

Know of folks that have HomePatrol and Radio Shack, and you could not **give** me one of them...

 

[wogggieee]

From a vehicle I would agree. However there are exceptions where the 996P2 can work every bit as good as a SDS100/200, my home is one of them.

I only have experience with the 996xt, none with the P2

 

[Bob1955]

Minnesota is not mobile scanner friendly. You must have a ham radio license or written permission from the state to legally put a scanner in your vehicle.

With that said, a 996 is not recommended for a statewide system because it has limits on the number of things that can be programmed into one system.

The 536 would be a good scanner, unless you travel into metro areas that use simulcast systems. It can have its moments on decoding simulcast systems, as I've seen from trips to MInnesota. The SDS 200 is the best choice in those area.

ajconkle, Most every state in USA requires you to either A, hold a valid ham radio license, or B, be a member of a volunteer fie/ems to have a scanner in a vehicle. I remember seeing a map stating of such on this site.
I personally would NOT buy a SDS-200 and have NO problems with my Bearcat BCD-996P2 but there really isn't much simulcasting around here and only (3) police departments in Westchester County, NY are on P-25, and one went encrypted a few months ago-Yonkers.
Hope this information helps you.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

ajconkle, Most every state in USA requires you to either A, hold a valid ham radio license, or B, be a member of a volunteer fie/ems to have a scanner in a vehicle. I remember seeing a map stating of such on this site.
...

Actually only about 5 States have laws restricting the use of scanners in a vehicle.
See:

Are Police Scanners Legal?

Are police scanners legal? Yes, police scanners are legal in the U.S. View details including regional restrictions while driving, committing other crimes + more.

www.zipscanners.com

 

[Bob1955]

Actually only about 5 States have laws restricting the use of scanners in a vehicle.
See:

Are Police Scanners Legal?

Are police scanners legal? Yes, police scanners are legal in the U.S. View details including regional restrictions while driving, committing other crimes + more.

www.zipscanners.com

I beg to differ with you, New Jersey is VERY tough on this!
It's too late to get into this discussion as I have worked from 7:30am-5:30pm opening up a new HomeGoods location.
There was a map posted on this group and NOT by Zipscanners either.