Purchasing a newer Scanner?

[AC2OY]

Hi guys as you might have noticed I'm very new to this amazing,informavite forum! I have been into scanning sine my Father's friend turned me on to his acient Bearcat back in the late 70's I bought My realistic Pro 2004 back in 86 so I hear the New Jersey Sports Exposition Authority and the local Poilce on the 800Mhz band. But now it appears that the technology is seriously stepped up...LOL My question is what type of a scanner do I need today to listen in on Federal,Militery,Triple Trunked and all that good stuff?!! Thank you ALL for your help so far!!!!

 

[Awesomeman92]

First of all, welcome to the site! Second of all, most federal activity has gone to P25 digital, if you want to go with a RadioShack model I'd highly recommend the Pro-197/Pro-106 (base/handheld), my 197 has very good audio quality on digital systems. If you'd rather go with a Uniden, I've also heard good things about the BCD996XT/BCD396XT (base/handheld). It just depends on your tastes and what is in use in your local area.

 

[AC2OY]

Thank you awsume it seems like the Undien is all I see! checked out the local Radioshack they had no clue what I was enquiring about all they knew is that they have a new hald held and its digital but you narrowed it down to three for me!!!

 

[ranger821]

Michael. go to the Radio shack site and look at there scanners there. Rarely do the folks in the SHACK's know much about the scanners. Rhe ones that do, know them inside and out. I own a a Pro 97, Pro, 82, and my newest one , the Pro 197. The 197 is a great scanner. Suggest very strongly you get the programming cable, and software to program it.

 

[AC2OY]

Very sweet thank you Ranger!!!!

 

[SCPD]

I would also look at the Uniden BCD996XT (base) and the BCD396XT (handheld) models.

 

[AC2OY]

Well I did it Ranger went out and bought a Pro-197 have to read a bible on how it works,operates,programs,...lol Radio Shack Gave a trial CD/Driver disc if even more confused that if I were to program it manually! Perhaps imformation overload or I just have to do alot of reading HERE and learn this new Technology.

 

[ranger821]

Michael. Save yourself a lot of grief and spring for the cable and software. I was lucky. I had someone here that had the same file so I used his. I have been reading and learning since Dec 2010. The 197 is a great scanner. You made a good choice. You have the premium sub so that makes it easy. go to utah radio and copy the win 500 how to. you can get a 30 free trial with most of the scanner software. I am not an expert on these things, but there is a lot of folks out here that are willing and have the knowledge to get you through it.

 

[AC2OY]

Thank you ranger I did infact buy the usb cable and they gave the software but its a 7 day trial so I have a week how to figure it out...LOL!!!

 

[ranger821]

radio shack software or win 500 software?? Make sure you go to utah radio and get the how to. It made a world of difference for me.

 

[AC2OY]

it says butel radioreference.com thats diffrent huh?

 

[GROCKSHD]

Free trial of Butel... pretty sweet. Make sure you learn that radio inside out. There may be times you will need to program it without software.

 

[RIG]

Well I did it Ranger went out and bought a Pro-197 have to read a bible on how it works,operates,programs,...lol Radio Shack Gave a trial CD/Driver disc if even more confused that if I were to program it manually! Perhaps imformation overload or I just have to do alot of reading HERE and learn this new Technology.

I too am new to the technology of current scanners. I ordered my pro-197 directly from radio shack online and just got a delivery notification phone call from fedex stating it will be here tomorrow and needs to be signed for. I went to three Radio Shack stores and none have the model available there to purchase. Good luck with it. My first uniden I bought in the late 70's had crystals and the next bought in the early 80's was direct entry frequencies which was new and hot then haha. The one you just bought has a big learning curve from all I have read. Sure hope it's easier than some say it is.

Rob

 

[AC2OY]

Free trial of Butel... pretty sweet. Make sure you learn that radio inside out. There may be times you will need to program it without software.

I'm can't figure out the software I'm slow like that but I did program some freq's in!!! Then I discoverd Signal Stalker II? Geez Loisue!!!!! This lil B@#*% is bangin!!!!!!!

 

[ranger821]

Rig. Not to worry. You do need to understand how the scanner works. Like Michael, it will take a little time to get it right and with the help of the folks here, it can be done. It's no piece of cake. I had it easy. My buddy helped me. Maybe someone up there in NJ near you can help you get a handle on it. By all means,ask questions when you get stumped. The software is not that hard. I got it down after going to utahradio and copying there win 500 how to and used my RR sub.

 

[AC2OY]

I know ranger i'm figuring out stuff as I go along the scanner is amazing that signal stalker feature is sick it hits everything!!! If I can only figure how to go here in user cp and disable the e-mail notifications I'll be good!!!...LOL

 

[ranger821]

I sent you a PM about that. I think. I am old so sometimes I have to make sure I did things. There should be a place in there that you UNCHECK to stop the emails. Check your PM's.

 

[AC2OY]

I too am new to the technology of current scanners. I ordered my pro-197 directly from radio shack online and just got a delivery notification phone call from fedex stating it will be here tomorrow and needs to be signed for. I went to three Radio Shack stores and none have the model available there to purchase. Good luck with it. My first uniden I bought in the late 70's had crystals and the next bought in the early 80's was direct entry frequencies which was new and hot then haha. The one you just bought has a big learning curve from all I have read. Sure hope it's easier than some say it is.

Rob

Thanks RIG not for me I'm not a computer wiz or a true teckie but love thie S#@%...LOL I'm slowly getting it,It scans at warp speed and since I accidently enabled signal stalker mode it is finding everything in range even the state police, all there other private channels (sort of) this scanner is simply amazing! Now all I havta do is master it! If I can help holler we'll learn together and pass the info along like your supposed do!!! GOOD LUCK HAVE FUN!!!!!