Retail Scanner Store Locations

[KK4UOC]

Does anyone know where scanners are sold within a reasonable proximity( 50 miles) to the Durham/Raleigh area? By sales, I would expand that to include salespersons who are knowledgeable about the various systems and are able to program the scanner.

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

 

[Bob1955]

Does anyone know where scanners are sold within a reasonable proximity( 50 miles) to the Durham/Raleigh area? By sales, I would expand that to include salespersons who are knowledgeable about the various systems and are able to program the scanner.

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

KK$UOC, I'm not in North Carolina but used to go there on business to High Point/Greensboro area from 1980-2008 as I was in the wholesale furniture industry. I remember when High Point Police was on UHF and I brought down my Uniden Bearcat BC-200XLT. Go onto www.radioreference.com and go to data base, then the state of North Carolina and then your county and see what types of radio system they use. It could be analog VHF/UHF or P-25 meaning digital and then you need to purchase a digital scanner such as Bearcat BCD-436HP, BCD-535HP, BCD-996P2 for a base and handhelds starting with a basic BC-75XLT, BC125AT, then a BC325P2, BCD436HP for the handhelds if you need that. Decide if mobile/base or portable. A base has MUCH better audio and sensitivity too. If you need further help, please contact me here first and we can do this together since nobody has answered you since your posting today from 7:11pm. Have a nice night.

 

[reconrider8]

Hro has a store in Woodbridge va that's about the closest I know of

 

[IcomIcR20]

I agree... the people at the HRO in Woodbridge VA have been very helpful when I have been there. But of course, that is well outside of 50 miles . If you have any radio shacks still open they do sell scanners, but it will be very hit or miss on how knowledgeable the people working there are.

 

[KK4UOC]

Bob1955, thanks so much for your response and extended offer to help. I truly need all the assistance I can get.

I took your advice and checked out N.C. and it appears the majority of what I might be interested in are on VIPER and Phase 1. The two might be the same....I do not know. I am also interested in aircraft and ships when I am at the coast. If correct, both of them can be heard on the older analog scanners.

As for models, I have read about quite a few different models and brands. I think I will be interested in a base/mobile variety. Since I plan to use the radio while travelling, I might be interested in the type which I could put in an area code or city for programming. Based on previous experiences with ham equipment, I suspect it is not as simple as punching in an area code. Do you have an opinion regarding radios of that type?

Again, thanks for the assistance.

 

[KK4UOC]

Reconrider8 and Icomic R20, thank you very much for the responses. HRO would be great for me if they had a location a little closer. I have dealt with them numerous times and every experience was a plus.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[reconrider8]

Viper is a phase 1 system so yes any digital s scanner will work just fine same with wake system

 

[n5ims]

I think I will be interested in a base/mobile variety. Since I plan to use the radio while travelling, I might be interested in the type which I could put in an area code or city for programming. Based on previous experiences with ham equipment, I suspect it is not as simple as punching in an area code.

While it's true that scanner programming isn't as simple as punching in an area code, but there are several where you can punch in a zip code and activate the programming for what's available in and around that zip code (well, those that are in the Radio Reference database anyway). You can also generally limit what is activated by selecting Service Type(s) (e.g. PD Dispatch, FD Dispatch, etc.) and on some even range (within 5 miles of that zip code for example).

There's the Whistler TRX-2 (http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/TRX-2) where the RR Wiki says literally "All USA/Canada services and frequencies are pre-programmed onto the included SD card making the units ready to use out of the box – they can even be programmed by entering your ZIP code". More Whistler options are in the Whistler page on the RR Wiki (http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Whistler_Scanners).

Now if you prefer Uniden, there's the SDS200(http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/SDS200) where the RR Wiki say literally "Enter your ZIP code, service type, and range. The scanner will aggregate a list of nearby radio channels to listen to". It also options a GPS mode where if you attach a compatible GPS unit (generally one of those screen less pucks but check their web site for specifics) "Purchase GPS and cable to have the scanner automatically update its location to pull in nearby radio channels without having to enter a ZIP code". More Uniden options are in the Uniden page on the RR Wiki (http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Uniden_Scanners). Be aware that the SDS200 is their newest model and may not yet be available at all locations (perhaps it still has yet to be released, I don't know for sure).

Amazon has several available online with quick delivery (perhaps even free delivery if you have Amazon Prime) and may even save you the sales tax depending on your location. https://www.amazon.com/Whistler-TRX-2-Desktop-Digital-Scanner/dp/B01H3XYJS0 https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BCD536HP-HomePatrol-Programming-TrunkTracker/dp/B00HZOW5K2