Recommendations for a P25 capable scanner that can connect to a computer for logging / recording?

[leicanthrope]

I've been using an SDR setup (using SDRTrunk) to primarily monitor the Dekalb Public Safety P25 system, along with some of the other local P25 systems on occasion (i.e. North Fulton Regional Radio System Authority (NFRRSA), Atlanta Public Safety P25, and Fulton County Public Safety P25). I'm running into some of the limitations of an SDR set up, such as the the inability to monitor more than one system simultaneously without purchasing more gear, and the difficulty of scanning a handful of conventional frequencies as well (mostly likely aviation).

Thus I'm sniffing around and considering purchasing a regular scanner, but I've been out of the loop for a number of years, and hoping for some recommendations. Mobile versus handheld isn't much of a concern for me.

With the SDR set up, I've got the ability to selectively log radio traffic. The program I use generates a folder full of MP3 recording the traffic on the talkgroups that I specify. I get a lot of use out of that, and would like to find a scanner that has the capability to connect to a computer and work with some sort of control software that could accomplish this. Does Uniden make such a beast?

 

[Reconrider]

you have a few choices.
TRX1 / TRX2 from whistler
Uniden you have a few more
sds100 / sds200 <- these are around the 650-700 dollar range and do fantastic with LSM / simulcast - basically the only ones that will do well in scanner form
bcd436hp - this is the same as the sds100 just doesn't have the simulcast sdr chip - it's around ~400 last I looked
bcd325p2 - I think this is the model before the 436 - Never owned one myself so I can't say how good or not it is.

Personally, I'd use the 436 or the sds100 as they're both portables.

 

[footage]

P25RX.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Regarding the software piece, consider Proscan. Its radio traffic logging capabilities are second to none. Plus you can filter results, record only certain talkgroups, export to various formats for spreadsheets, etc. See list on website for compatible scanners

 

[N8IAA]

I've been using an SDR setup (using SDRTrunk) to primarily monitor the Dekalb Public Safety P25 system, along with some of the other local P25 systems on occasion (i.e. North Fulton Regional Radio System Authority (NFRRSA), Atlanta Public Safety P25, and Fulton County Public Safety P25). I'm running into some of the limitations of an SDR set up, such as the the inability to monitor more than one system simultaneously without purchasing more gear, and the difficulty of scanning a handful of conventional frequencies as well (mostly likely aviation).

Thus I'm sniffing around and considering purchasing a regular scanner, but I've been out of the loop for a number of years, and hoping for some recommendations. Mobile versus handheld isn't much of a concern for me.

With the SDR set up, I've got the ability to selectively log radio traffic. The program I use generates a folder full of MP3 recording the traffic on the talkgroups that I specify. I get a lot of use out of that, and would like to find a scanner that has the capability to connect to a computer and work with some sort of control software that could accomplish this. Does Uniden make such a beast?

You can't simultaneously monitor more than one system at the same time on any current scanner. Period.
The same with conventional frequencies.
That's why most of us use multiple scanners to achieve that goal.
Something everyone missed in your post.
Almost all of the scanners mentioned, especially the Whistler, have the ability to record. But, only one TG at a time. One frequency at a time.
Just the physics of scanning.
HTH

 

[natedawg1604]

You can't simultaneously monitor more than one system at the same time on any current scanner. Period.
The same with conventional frequencies.
That's why most of us use multiple scanners to achieve that goal.
HTH

If you buy more SDR dongles you CAN monitor multiple systems/talkgroups simultaneously with programs such as OP-25, or DSD+ Fastlane. The great thing about DSD+ is it's a command line program and takes up almost no CPU/Memory, so you can run numerous instances with great ease. If you are serious about monitoring a lot of stuff at once, also consider getting a stridsberg multicoupler, which sends 1 antenna signal to 4 or 8 different RF inputs.

 

[Reconrider]

If you buy more SDR dongles you CAN monitor multiple systems/talkgroups simultaneously with programs such as OP-25, or DSD+ Fastlane. The great thing about DSD+ is it's a command line program and takes up almost no CPU/Memory, so you can run numerous instances with great ease. If you are serious about monitoring a lot of stuff at once, also consider getting a stridsberg multicoupler, which sends 1 antenna signal to 4 or 8 different RF inputs.

I have 3 going right now and firefox uses more memory than dsd+ does and it's like 6 windows that're open

 

[leicanthrope]

You can't simultaneously monitor more than one system at the same time on any current scanner. Period.
The same with conventional frequencies.
That's why most of us use multiple scanners to achieve that goal.
HTH

It's possible. I've already done it on my SDR set up.

I'm not expecting to monitor every single bit of traffic on multiple systems simultaneously. I'm thinking of scanning through one system to see if there is activity on chosen talkgroups, then scanning through the next, then scanning through a list of conventional frequencies. Priority given to some frequencies / talkgroups, etc. Basically the same thing that scanners traditionally do.

The problem is that each dongle can only cover a limited amount of bandwidth. To cover the systems I would like to cover, I'd have to buy more dongles. Plus, an SDR set up sorta sucks scanning conventional frequencies with the software that's out there. That's why I'm weighing my options as far as possibly buying a traditional scanner.

 

[TomLine]

rtl-sdr (2) and SDR-TRUNK can do it.

 

[rustyhodge]

The P25RX from Bluetail (as mentioned by @footage) is pretty awesome. Problem is they're parts-constrained right now. But it's a cost-effective stand alone device that can also work with a compute for logging, etc.

Here's an example log from it:

P25P2 856.237500 MHz, TG 929 (P) , SFFD A3,2021-09-12-20:22:56,-75 dbm,24236932, cc_freq 851.250000 mhz,RID 2925,,P2
P25P2 856.237500 MHz, TG 929 (P) , SFFD A3,2021-09-12-20:23:27,-75 dbm,24247853, cc_freq 851.250000 mhz,RID 3731,,P2
P25P2 852.862500 MHz, TG 929 (P) , SFFD A3,2021-09-12-20:23:35,-75 dbm,24260221, cc_freq 851.250000 mhz,RID 331,,P2
P25P2 856.237500 MHz, TG 929 (P) , SFFD A3,2021-09-12-20:25:10,-73 dbm,24261523, cc_freq 851.250000 mhz,RID 3567,,P2
P25P2 856.237500 MHz, TG 929 (P) , SFFD A3,2021-09-12-20:25:13,-75 dbm,24266193, cc_freq 851.250000 mhz,RID 331,,P2
P25P2 856.237500 MHz, TG 929 (P) , SFFD A3,2021-09-12-20:25:16,-74 dbm,24268924, cc_freq 851.250000 mhz,RID 3567,,P2
P25P2 856.237500 MHz, TG 929 (P) , SFFD A3,2021-09-12-20:25:27,-75 dbm,24296010, cc_freq 851.250000 mhz,RID 331,,P2

 

[leicanthrope]

rtl-sdr (2) and SDR-TRUNK can do it.

I've been using a trio of NESDR SMArTee v2 along with SDR-Trunk. It's worked quite well for the most part, with a bit of a "but...." I live right on a city and county line, and at the bare minimum, I'd like to scan and record some traffic from that other county's system. To do both at the same time, I'd need to purchase a couple more dongles, as they're about 100 MHz off from each other. That's what nudged me to post here. Do I buy more dongles, or do I bite the bullet and purchase a proper scanner? The latter is obviously more expensive, but it would also open up my options quite a bit.

 

[TomLine]

Mobility would be an advantage. Cost would be a disadvantage. Do scanners offer computer setup control, streaming, recording and monitoring? Consider the costs of additional antenna capacity?