New to scanning- Please Help!

Status
Not open for further replies.

novnet2005

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2004
Messages
8
Location
Novato, Ca
Hello fellow scanners:

I will be purchasing my first scanner very soon. I need your help in deciding what I should buy. I live in Novato California, in Marin County. I understand that the agencies in my area are using trunked systems.
Can anybody suggest a decent hand-held scanner? I really don't know what to purchase. I am hoping not to spend a lot of money. I don't need anything fancy, I just want it to get the job done.
Any advice that you can send my way will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Brian Woodson
 

servo_fan

Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2005
Messages
175
Location
Sacramento, CA
Unfortunately, I believe the rebanding that is coming soon for this part of the country will make all the "cheaper" trunking scanners obsolete for scanning trunked systems as they aren't capable of being upgraded, which will be required post-rebanding. (See the FCC Rebanding thread in The Scanning Forum forum).

They will still work for conventional frequencies, but to survive the rebanding, you will probably have to spend about $200 or more.
 

hotdjdave

K9DJW - Senior Member
Database Admin
Joined
May 10, 2005
Messages
1,720
Location
The Valley (SFV), Los Angeles, CA
It depends on how much you want to spend.

For about $500.00 (give or take, depending on sales and where you buy), you can get one of the top dogs: the Radio Shack/GRE Pro-96 or the Uniden Bearcat BCD396T. Both are digital trunk tracker hand-held scanners and both have pros and cons. Unfortunately, you just missed the Pro-96 being on sale at RS for $399.00. Here is a link to the discussion thread comparing these two scanners: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17894.

For something cheaper that still has trunk traking, there is the new Uniden Bearcat BR330T at about $280.00 or the Radio Shack Pro-97 at about $219.99 (on sale right now for $149.99 at http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...2032052.2032072&allCount=15&parentPage=family).

BR330T discussion: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14869
Sevaral discussions about the Pro-97 here: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14869

Hope this helps.
 

SCPD

QRT
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Messages
0
Location
Virginia
If you want to listen to (Mera) Marin trunked system they are all Digital. So you're forced to go with a Digital scanner
 

Ranch

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
25
novnet2005 said:
Hello fellow scanners:

I will be purchasing my first scanner very soon. I need your help in deciding what I should buy. I live in Novato California, in Marin County. I understand that the agencies in my area are using trunked systems.
Can anybody suggest a decent hand-held scanner? I really don't know what to purchase. I am hoping not to spend a lot of money. I don't need anything fancy, I just want it to get the job done.
Any advice that you can send my way will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Brian Woodson


A non expert opinion here. If you absolutely have to buy one now, maybe get an Analog one at a cheap price so you're not making a big commitment and listen to something. You can use that one for Analog non-trunking use. Even if you just want to monitor locals and county, just think, with 10 Banks of 100 channels of just plain Analog frequencies one scanner will fill up very quickly where you'll want more scanners for just that role. So you don't lose a lot of $ getting an Analog scanner now, if you need something now.

Just one fed Agency that is using non trunked Analog fills up 100 channels easy. You could fill 10 banks with just Analog fed channels really quick. So you're going to need more scanners and by getting a really cheap Analog scanner now at a good price might be best. There are sure to be plenty of sale priced clearances in the near future.

You can wait on the Digital one until rebanding is done, maybe by the next 30% off RS sales in Oct-Dec 2006. Can you wait that long and maybe pick up a new rebanded RS Pro96 at $280 to listen to your County?

I wouldn't commit to a digital one now unless it was really on a low priced sale $280 new like the previous RS Pro96 sale. Spending $499 now and then when rebanding comes along in a year or so, paying RS another $50-80 to send it back to the factory for an upgrade, maybe waiting another year for it to be returned to you........ some people had bad experiences sending their items back to RS, waiting and waiting and getting some other persons scratched up scanner that still didn't work and going through that over and over again with the same scanner. Personally, I'd like to avoid any potential problems.

They will not be digital and you will not hear everything you wanted, but Uniden had a sale on their version of the RS Pro83 that was $80. Sale might still be good, and it has Close Call (Signal Stalker) maybe you'd want to get that or one of the RS $99-150 scanners (pro97 2052...) or just wait until the next sale. These may represent your smallest investment until rebanding when you'll get your Digital scanners.
 

SCPD

QRT
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Messages
0
Location
Virginia
Sorry i have to strongly disagree with this one.
Marin you have no choose you need Digital.
I live in Healdsburg and the thing i can monitor from here beside (digital) Marin, is anything north of it analog.
As he stated he lives in Novato and that is part of the Marin System, there is only about 2 or 3 signals out of Marin he can receive without a Digital Scanner. So with this any non digital scanner you would not know what is going on in your front or backyard




Ranch said:
A non expert opinion here. If you absolutely have to buy one now, maybe get an Analog one at a cheap price so you're not making a big commitment and listen to something. You can use that one for Analog non-trunking use. Even if you just want to monitor locals and county, just think, with 10 Banks of 100 channels of just plain Analog frequencies one scanner will fill up very quickly where you'll want more scanners for just that role. So you don't lose a lot of $ getting an Analog scanner now, if you need something now.

Just one fed Agency that is using non trunked Analog fills up 100 channels easy. You could fill 10 banks with just Analog fed channels really quick. So you're going to need more scanners and by getting a really cheap Analog scanner now at a good price might be best. There are sure to be plenty of sale priced clearances in the near future.

You can wait on the Digital one until rebanding is done, maybe by the next 30% off RS sales in Oct-Dec 2006. Can you wait that long and maybe pick up a new rebanded RS Pro96 at $280 to listen to your County?

I wouldn't commit to a digital one now unless it was really on a low priced sale $280 new like the previous RS Pro96 sale. Spending $499 now and then when rebanding comes along in a year or so, paying RS another $50-80 to send it back to the factory for an upgrade, maybe waiting another year for it to be returned to you........ some people had bad experiences sending their items back to RS, waiting and waiting and getting some other persons scratched up scanner that still didn't work and going through that over and over again with the same scanner. Personally, I'd like to avoid any potential problems.

They will not be digital and you will not hear everything you wanted, but Uniden had a sale on their version of the RS Pro83 that was $80. Sale might still be good, and it has Close Call (Signal Stalker) maybe you'd want to get that or one of the RS $99-150 scanners (pro97 2052...) or just wait until the next sale. These may represent your smallest investment until rebanding when you'll get your Digital scanners.
 

SCPD

QRT
Joined
Feb 24, 2001
Messages
0
Location
Virginia
[You can wait on the Digital one until rebanding is done, maybe by the next 30% off RS sales in Oct-Dec 2006. Can you wait that long and maybe pick up a new rebanded RS Pro96 at $280 to listen to your County?
I wouldn't commit to a digital one now unless it was really on a low priced sale $280 new like the previous RS Pro96 sale. Spending $499 now and then when rebanding comes along in a year or so.[/QUOTE]

there should not be a proplem upgrading the pro96 or the new unidon digital scanner and i don't think the price will come down because of this, with there more analog scanner out there then digital
 

northzone

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
502
Location
Northern California
If you live in Marin County as stated you need a Digital Scanner. Nearly everything in the county is on the digital MERA system expect CHP, State Parks, and a few others. Marin is a 480mhz system so rebanding is not an issue. I see some great deals on pro-96 from time to time. Good luck.
 

Ranch

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
25
sfdf said:
Sorry i have to strongly disagree with this one.
Marin you have no choose you need Digital.
I live in Healdsburg and the thing i can monitor from here beside (digital) Marin, is anything north of it analog.
As he stated he lives in Novato and that is part of the Marin System, there is only about 2 or 3 signals out of Marin he can receive without a Digital Scanner. So with this any non digital scanner you would not know what is going on in your front or backyard


He states "I am hoping not to spend a lot of money." So that rules out getting a Digital RS Pro96 scanner for $499 plus tax because to some of us that is a lot of money. Then rebanding coming along (who knows when) sending it back to RS for upgrade and waiting some more (maybe months to a year and paying $50-80?) until who knows when to get it back all in one piece. A lot of loops to jump and there have been horror stories about people getting the wrong scanner back, damaged, not working and a scratched up one at that.

If he wants to know what is going on in an Emergency or in his "backyard", keep a TV and FM AM radio on and your eyes open. Very inexpensive.

If he has $80-150 spend now, and just has to get something now, something to get the hang of it until the next Radio Shack 30% off sale, he should look at The RS Pro97, and maybe at www.Uniden.com at their model Bearcat 92 XLT if it is still on sale for $74.95 that gives him less features. They're both Analog, usable and affordable. When you can't afford Digital now, then something is better than nothing.

The Pro97 has 10 Banks of 100 Channels each. He can put 100 FBI Analog channels in one bank, 100 DEA Analog channels in another bank, 100 BATFE Analog channels in another bank, Secret Service, GSA, etc. and so on and monitor some occasional traffic far more interesting than county digital, which may I add again, I think he can't afford at the moment and not a wise decision to purchase at over $499 or even at $399 plus tax with rebanding in the near future.

I'm not sure, but I think a friend of mine said he even picked up TV audio on his Pro97.

With Signal Stalker (Close Call) he can also pick up close signals.

When he has money saved to afford digital, and RS has them on sale at 30% off, that is the best time when he should buy if he's still on a limited income and can afford it. This is my opinion if his interest is only as a hobby, because I think he can't afford Digital now and making a big investment like that, with rebanding coming along, a big purchase should be put on hold until more information is available.
 

Ranch

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
25
northzone said:
I see some great deals on pro-96 from time to time. Good luck.

Unfortunately most of the time they're Great deals for the sellers, not unsuspecting buyers. The "sellers" are mostly the insiders who quietly picked up new production RS Pro96-2096 with the latest DSP-chip during the $280 RS each sale then waiting until the sales are over and selling their older model used ones with the old DSP/chip for $400-$499 (without tax)

Happy New Year
 

hotdjdave

K9DJW - Senior Member
Database Admin
Joined
May 10, 2005
Messages
1,720
Location
The Valley (SFV), Los Angeles, CA
Best Deals

You have to scan the web constantly (even daily) for deals on the model or models you want. Find the websites, create a bookmark folder for them, and bookmark them, for later retrieval. As for RS models, there are far less sellers for RS scanners than for others like Uniden.

If you want, I can post some links that sell scanner products.
 

RolnCode3

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2004
Messages
2,255
Location
Sacramento/Bay Area, CA
This would be a good time for the thread starter to read thru the posts and tell us what he's gleaned from them, what he's thinking, and if he can afford a digital scanner (even though he states he doesn't WANT to spend a lot, when faced with the reality of not being able to the vast majority of his local agencies, he might be willing to spend the money).

Remember, MERA is not 800...rebanding is not an issue.

And: "keep a TV and FM AM radio on and your eyes open." Sorry dude. I don't think that's why any of us got into this hobby. We want to hear the action for ourselves.
 

Ben96cal

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
487
Location
Livermore, Ca
re: scanning

The way I'm looking at it you're going to have to buy a digital scanner in the next year. There's talk of Sac going digital, alco building a new digital system for the east bay. as well as Oakland going digital in the next 2 years. Mera is digital, LLNL is digital. San Fran won't be too long behind with rebanding.

I'm sorry to say the way of analog trunking for the most part is gone.. I myself am starting to budget for 4 new digital's to replace my trunking feeds.. My 780's will go to new feed for VHF or UHF scanning since there won't be any edacs in my area after oakland leaves.


RolnCode3 said:
This would be a good time for the thread starter to read thru the posts and tell us what he's gleaned from them, what he's thinking, and if he can afford a digital scanner (even though he states he doesn't WANT to spend a lot, when faced with the reality of not being able to the vast majority of his local agencies, he might be willing to spend the money).

Remember, MERA is not 800...rebanding is not an issue.

And: "keep a TV and FM AM radio on and your eyes open." Sorry dude. I don't think that's why any of us got into this hobby. We want to hear the action for ourselves.
 

Ranch

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
25
RolnCode3 said:
Sorry dude. I don't think that's why any of us got into this hobby. We want to hear the action for ourselves.

Novnet2005 Paying $499 plus tax for a Pro96 after the big sales and secretive discriminatory Radio Shack "insider" promotions just to hear bumbling County digitized Andy Griffith and Barney Fife on a soon to be nationally obsolete radio is a bit too much in price for someone who is not hoping to spend much. Hopefully the thread starter will consider this and hold off on any expensive Digital purchase.

Perhaps he'll also realize that a Radio Shack scanner with Don's easy to use software is one of the best to learn for those just starting out.

Hopefully he will also come to the conclusion that if he can't resist the urge and has to buy something now, paying $80-150 or much less for an Analog scanner with "Signal Stalker" or "Close Call" is more affordable at this time and for a low hobby start up cost gives potential access to many more agencies (real agencies like FEMA, GSA, FBI, DEA.....) on a national basis at a much lower price tag to get him started. Or better, waiting until the next Radio Shack sale-promo. Perhaps he may also be able to pick up his local CHP and various CA/Federal inter op national mutual aid channels with an analog unit if something big happens in his area.

An Analog scanner will still have a key role and hopefully he has not been scared away by those elements saying you need to pay a high price just to get started in the hobby. Novnet2005 we'd like to hear your thoughts as it also helps others contemplating the same.

As a new hobby, Novnet2005 here are some other minor frequencies that may be of interest, like the local security company, in the Navato area are below, not sure how many of these are digital,


43.0600 C R FEDRICK INC
150.8900 NAVE MOTORS INC
154.5700 SCRANTON, DOUGLAS J
154.6000 FEDERAL LICENSING INC
159.6150 DEATRICK, CHARLES L
159.6600 Carlson, Daniel T
453.9500 BEL MARIN KEYS COMMUNITY SERVICES DIST
457.7250 CARA ENTERPRISES
457.9875 INDEPENDENT JOURNAL INC
461.0125 TACO BELL RESTAURANT 4951
461.3875 SPECTRUM RESOURCES
462.8250 PINI HARDWARE, INC.
463.6000 BAY DECKING COMPANY INC
464.5500 LAO; ATLAS LICENSE COMPANY
466.2000 BIRKENSTOCK INC
466.8000 ARTHUR J LANG ASSOCIATES INC
466.9750 MAC ANDYS AUTO PARTS INC: Dennis C. Brown
467.2875 OPG-SRT
467.9000 CARA Enterprises Inc
468.5250 BRIGHT STAR SECURITY INC
468.6500 MOBILE RADIO RESOURCES
469.0750 LAO
469.5000 BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA EXPLORER POST 392
469.5500 GRATEFUL DEAD PRODUCTIONS: SPECTRUM RESOURCES 469.8125 MOBILE RADIO RESOURCES: FEDERAL LICENSING, INC. 486.4875 DAN AZEVEDO TRUCKING INC
486.6125 F CLEMENTINO & SON CONTRACTORS INC
486.6875 ASCENCIO, DAVID G

County is not the holy grail, it represents a very minor entity in the overall grand spectrum of things and to some (many) the word "Agency" refers exclusively to Federal, not to Andy and Barney.


"We want to hear the action for ourselves."

RoInCode3 If you "want to hear the action for [yourself]" and are possibly regrettably not suited for immediate active or reserve US military service, let me know and I'll post some links to US Contractor jobs overseas in Iraq where your enthusiasm and high motivational spirit can be appreciated to the fullest. You'd be surprised how much action even a "food service" specialist hears.
 

RolnCode3

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2004
Messages
2,255
Location
Sacramento/Bay Area, CA
You're killing me dude. First, I am a peace officer here in California. Carry gun, badge, make arrests, drive a light bar vehicle, go on patrol. I've got a job. I use the scanner at work for mutual aid, and to keep track of agencies that aren't programmed into my mobile, or are not on our trunked system (CHP and many outside counties).

Now to the thread - it's NOT just the Sheriff's Dept (and Barney Fife they aren't...real agency, they are) on MERA. It's every single public safety agency in the County. All of those "interesting frequencies" you posted won't amount to a single hour of listening to the public safety agencies. Guaranteed.

The -96 can be had for under $400 between RS themselves, and Ebay. The -96 is NOT a "nationally obsolete" radio. It will be supporting rebanding (which doesn't even apply to MERA).


Ranch said:
Novnet2005 Paying $499 plus tax for a Pro96 after the big sales and secretive discriminatory Radio Shack "insider" promotions just to hear bumbling County digitized Andy Griffith and Barney Fife on a soon to be nationally obsolete radio is a bit too much in price for someone who is not hoping to spend much. Hopefully the thread starter will consider this and hold off on any expensive Digital purchase.

Perhaps he'll also realize that a Radio Shack scanner with Don's easy to use software is one of the best to learn for those just starting out.

Hopefully he will also come to the conclusion that if he can't resist the urge and has to buy something now, paying $80-150 or much less for an Analog scanner with "Signal Stalker" or "Close Call" is more affordable at this time and for a low hobby start up cost gives potential access to many more agencies (real agencies like FEMA, GSA, FBI, DEA.....) on a national basis at a much lower price tag to get him started. Or better, waiting until the next Radio Shack sale-promo. Perhaps he may also be able to pick up his local CHP and various CA/Federal inter op national mutual aid channels with an analog unit if something big happens in his area.

An Analog scanner will still have a key role and hopefully he has not been scared away by those elements saying you need to pay a high price just to get started in the hobby. Novnet2005 we'd like to hear your thoughts as it also helps others contemplating the same.

As a new hobby, Novnet2005 here are some other minor frequencies that may be of interest, like the local security company, in the Navato area are below, not sure how many of these are digital,

. . .

County is not the holy grail, it represents a very minor entity in the overall grand spectrum of things and to some (many) the word "Agency" refers exclusively to Federal, not to Andy and Barney.


"We want to hear the action for ourselves."

RoInCode3 If you "want to hear the action for [yourself]" and are possibly regrettably not suited for immediate active or reserve US military service, let me know and I'll post some links to US Contractor jobs overseas in Iraq where your enthusiasm and high motivational spirit can be appreciated to the fullest. You'd be surprised how much action even a "food service" specialist hears.
 

Sac916

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
1,401
Post # 15 was probably the most absurd post I have read to date.

"County is not the holy grail, it represents a very minor entity in the overall grand spectrum of things and to some (many) the word "Agency" refers exclusively to Federal, not to Andy and Barney."

" (real agencies like FEMA, GSA, FBI, DEA.) "


Completely absurd and inappropriate. The posters on this thread are trying to help out this individual with a scanner purchase for HIS geographical area. Based on his desires and interests.

Hearing the 1 FBI or DEA transmission ( that is not digital or encrypted ) is not all that thrilling for a beginner. Neither is listening to Taco Bell as you suggested. The focus on the majority of beginner hobbiests are the FIRST RESPONDERS. The people getting the original report and the first on the scene. That is the excitement for the majority.

There is one educational thing about Ranch's post. It educates those new to the scanner hobby that there are all types of enthusiasts out there. A huge spectrum. Some friendly and informative, others are grumpy and elitists.
 

Ranch

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
25
antfreq said:
There is one educational thing about Ranch's post. It educates those new to the scanner hobby that there are all types of enthusiasts out there. A huge spectrum. Some friendly and informative, others are grumpy and elitists.



Elitists views:

1. Secretive discriminatory Radio Shack Friends and Family 30% off promotion the Elitists quietly and hurriedly took advantage off (Pro96 for $280)

2. Only thing worth listening to are bumbling digitized Andy and Barney: Masters of neo-ionosphere

3. You MUST buy a digital scanner to listen to ONLY Andy and Barney, they are the ONLY "agencies." No other agencies or worthwhile listening exists

4. Display of a post count

5. Display of images by screen name and other symbols to show a "status" and you're different from us aka elitism


Non-Elitist views:

1. Listen to what you can afford and enjoy, don't let high prices and Elitists dissuade you from the hobby

2. You do not have to buy a digital scanner now at a high price, have the honest Elitists tip you off to special manufacturer deals, like the discriminatory insider Radio Shack friends and Family promotions well in advance so you can buy a new digital Pro96 or Pro2096 for $280

3. A cheap affordable Analog scanner still has its uses (Weather alerts, CHP, CA/National Mutual Aid: ICALL, N. CA CLEMAR, ITAC 1, Region wide, ITAC2 ITAC3 N. CA FED/LOC, ITAC4 CLEMARS, local Novato: Taco Bell, Local Private Security, Boy Scouts, etc.), FBI, DEA, INS, BATFE, Secret Service, DHS, IRS, USPS, FAA, FWS, Dept. of Labor, State Dept, GSA, U.S. Attorney's Office, Military, NTSB, and so much more that can not be listed

4. There is more to the hobby than just listing to bumbling Digitized Andy and Barney

5. Don't get taken advantage of by seemingly "friendly" and "informative" Elitist profiteer characters who want to peddle their goods and take advantage of you.

6. This may be a good site for discussion, sometimes with the addition of comedy, of differing view points: Stay at home Elitists and average Joe's like you and me, the ultimate decision is yours.

7. Don't let the "interests" of others determine your interests. What is "interesting" is up to the hobbyist to decide. These interests vary. Each has its merits He, She or "it" does not have to be an Elitist to enjoy the hobby. The duration of transmissions do not determine quality, you do.



How did you know his desires and interest was County? Do you posses an Elitist supernatural notion of supremacy as well? A notion that Andy and Barney are perhaps better than Taco Bell, the Novato Boy Scouts, BRIGHT STAR SECURITY INC, Feds, CHP, Fed/State Inter Op Mutual Aids, Average Joe on the CB, etc.? Talk about Elitist.

I'm trying to help him based on his pocket book, not scare him away from the hobby with what may be high prices or into worshipping a seemingly "Friendly" and "informative" moonlighting Andy and Barney who just happens to have this for sale.........

If he can't afford a digital unit, he's more than welcome to the hobby with or without a scanner. Even a cheaper analog unit is enough for now and provides enjoyment.
 

Ranch

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
25
RolnCode3 said:
I've got a job.


As stated your "job" leaves you longing to hear action. Your abilities should be maximized during a historical moment in history. The Country needs men like you up front. Pass the torch to someone else. Change jobs and go to Iraq as a US Contractor. That's ONLY if you don't measure up for immediate Active and Reserve US Military service in Iraq and other "hot" spots, I'm trying to help you based on your interests. Iraq is the place for you. You definitely need to hear some action on a different band of frequency.

BTW Did you qualify for POST by addressing people as Dude? In passing, a word of free advice, when you're there in Iraq, don't address anyone "Dude," some US Soldiers and Contractors may respond in a frequency you never imagined.

Now to the thread: As stated earlier, even if you can't afford Digital, don't give up on the hobby, a simple cheap Analog unit is better than nothing and has its uses as described earlier. Or if you can wait, save up and also buy a good digital unit during a manufacturer sale and special promo (the good people on this site will tip you off and help you when it is time). Preferably wait for rebanding to be complete so the unit is not nationally obsolete. Buying an obsolete unit now and then sending it back to the manufacturer to be scratched up and operated on with a payment has posed many problems and very long delays for some, so try to avoid that by waiting until rebanding is complete.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top