Hi! I am looking for a scanner that I won't have to replace for some years will the 2051 get that done? We move quite often and I want to make sure if I buy a 2051 that I won't need anything else. Please provide any info you can. Thanks
Pro-2051 Will it get everything? I need advice...
- Thread starter w9pma
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N4JNW
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The 2051's are good scanners if you're only interested in scanning conventional frequencies. I used to have one, and got rid of it, and I'm glad I did because of all the rebanding mess that's taking place. There's a big thread going on about rebanding, so I won't go into details. Long story short, when/if rebanding hits your area, or an aprea you happen to be in, an older trunking scanner, such as the 2051 is essentially useless if the area is a Motorola trunked system.
If you want a good scanner that is rebanding compliant, pick up the RadioShack Pro-433. It's actually made by Uniden, and will trunk all types of trunking systems, and scan your conventional frequencies as well. The only thing the 433 does NOT do is scan digital transmissions.
You said you're on the move frequently, so if I was going to buy, I'd buy once and forget it. I'd buy a digital scanner. A digital scanner does it all. Digital, Trunking, Conventional, and they're rebanding friendly. You'll pay dearly for a digital scanner, but you'll be rewarded in the long run with a scanner that you can hear most things on.
If you want a good scanner that is rebanding compliant, pick up the RadioShack Pro-433. It's actually made by Uniden, and will trunk all types of trunking systems, and scan your conventional frequencies as well. The only thing the 433 does NOT do is scan digital transmissions.
You said you're on the move frequently, so if I was going to buy, I'd buy once and forget it. I'd buy a digital scanner. A digital scanner does it all. Digital, Trunking, Conventional, and they're rebanding friendly. You'll pay dearly for a digital scanner, but you'll be rewarded in the long run with a scanner that you can hear most things on.
software?
Okay and I just got home from buying the 2051, lol I can always take it back.
Is there a free downloadable program I can use to set this up (Programming software)? I have an interface cable. Thanks
-Also: What other digital scanners are there besides Pro 433? I want to research them. 73s
Okay and I just got home from buying the 2051, lol I can always take it back.
Is there a free downloadable program I can use to set this up (Programming software)? I have an interface cable. Thanks
-Also: What other digital scanners are there besides Pro 433? I want to research them. 73s
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madnachos
Member
I dont care much for the Pro-2051..in fact..I kinda hate mine. Lots of superior scanners out there for the same price or a few bucks more.
madnachos
Member
The lack of alpha tags and its controls are my biggest gripe. Its also a PITA to program, but I do have ARC433 so that is no biggie. Its not a bad scanner...its just not as good as any of my other scanners so it almost never gets used. They are OK if you find one cheap, but once you get up around $150 or so you are much better of finding a deal on a BCT15 since they can be had for just over $200. My BCT15 just laughs at my 2051 ;-)w9pma said:
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
w9pma said:
The PRO-433 is not a digital trunktracker - it is analog only. You have, however, come to the right place to start your research. Start it here These are all the digital trunktrackers currently available. This page is set up like an index; click on a model number, and you will be taken to that scanner's article (wiki speak for 'page'). Everything about these scanners is laid out here in detail. (click on the blue text - they're hyperlinks)
You didn't say whether you were looking at handhelds or base/mobile units. Generally speaking, I think it's safe to say that, on the Radio Shack side, the PRO-96 and PRO-2096 - the only 2 digital RS/GRE trunktrackers - seem to hold their own; in fact, you can easily start an argument about Uniden vs.GRE trunkers and which one likes one or the other better.
On the Uniden side, the BCD396T (handheld) and BCD996T (base/mobile) are pretty much at the top of the heap. While there are free tools for the Unidens, I don't know of any for the RS models.
Since you are on the go, it would pay for you to become a premium subscriber. Depending on what scanner you decide to get, there is software available that will allow you to download directly from the databases on this site, insuring that the data you use is as up to date as it can be. For the PRO-96/2096, a program called Win96 from Starrsoft has this capability. For the BCD396T, ARC396, and for the 996, ARC996. Both of these ARCxxx programs are available from Scanner Master. A subscription is quite cheap, and well worth having downloadable data available to you.
You might not understand this right now, so file this away - whatever you do, you should do 2 things;
a. Avoid Scancat Lite Plus like you would a FCC citation;
b. Do not let an otherwise well-meaning RS employee pre program your PRO-96 or 2096, if you go that route.
If you don't understand trunking, our Wiki has links to articles that can help you out there, as well. With more and more areas going in that direction, it is an important concept to understand. You need not get real in-depth - just become familiar with some of the terminology and how it applies to your scanner, and you will be on the right path. You will learn that no scanner made gets everything - there are some protocols that cannot be scanned. What you buy and where you go with it will determine what system(s) you can hear, generally speaking.
73s and GL...Mike
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mjthomas59
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If you want 1 scanner and only 1, buy a digital. Whether you pay retail prices, or pick one up off of ebay new or like new is entirely up to you. If you buy from ebay, make sure that the seller has some sort of non-DOA guarantee as well as a reasonable return policy.
If you buy a Radioshack digital (pro-96 or pro-2096) do yourself a favor and get Win96 and become a premium subscriber. You can fill up a scanner by usingthe software and premium subscription in less than an hour. Once you learn the software it will only take you a few minutes(literally) to program your area.
I picked up a 2051 off ebay for 75bucks shipped and installed it in my truck. It works just fine for me, but as was mentioned no alpha tags is a pain when you are talking about 1000channels to try and remember. Controls are familiar to me because i also have a BCT-8(they are basically clones other than memory capacity) so i have no complaints in that department.
All in all if you don't want to have to worry about needing to upgrade in the future, just buy a digital and be done with it. I would recommend Uniden, but i have both a pro-96 and 2096 and there is nothing wrong with them, i just prefer the dynamic memory in the unidens.
If you buy a Radioshack digital (pro-96 or pro-2096) do yourself a favor and get Win96 and become a premium subscriber. You can fill up a scanner by usingthe software and premium subscription in less than an hour. Once you learn the software it will only take you a few minutes(literally) to program your area.
I picked up a 2051 off ebay for 75bucks shipped and installed it in my truck. It works just fine for me, but as was mentioned no alpha tags is a pain when you are talking about 1000channels to try and remember. Controls are familiar to me because i also have a BCT-8(they are basically clones other than memory capacity) so i have no complaints in that department.
All in all if you don't want to have to worry about needing to upgrade in the future, just buy a digital and be done with it. I would recommend Uniden, but i have both a pro-96 and 2096 and there is nothing wrong with them, i just prefer the dynamic memory in the unidens.
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