Scanners for Peel Region

[scotte011]

Hey all, I'm pretty new to this scanning business and as of up to now, I've been streaming everything online. I've gone through the forums and read a bunch of threads, and I've slowly been learning the various technologies. Just wondering if any of you pro's can give me some advice on a good scanner that can pick up the Peel region and perhaps the Toronto frequencies, both Fire and Police preferably.

Since I'm new to this, I don't exactly want to dump a ton of cash, so something that's relatively capable that's not too crazy price-wise would be the best bet for me. I don't need anything extremely advanced.. So far from what I've gathered, the PRO series looks like a good bet, but I'd like to have a bit more confidence in the matter before I spend the money!

Thanks in advance!

Scott

 

[rc1990]

Hey all, I'm pretty new to this scanning business and as of up to now, I've been streaming everything online. I've gone through the forums and read a bunch of threads, and I've slowly been learning the various technologies. Just wondering if any of you pro's can give me some advice on a good scanner that can pick up the Peel region and perhaps the Toronto frequencies, both Fire and Police preferably.

Since I'm new to this, I don't exactly want to dump a ton of cash, so something that's relatively capable that's not too crazy price-wise would be the best bet for me. I don't need anything extremely advanced.. So far from what I've gathered, the PRO series looks like a good bet, but I'd like to have a bit more confidence in the matter before I spend the money!

Thanks in advance!

Scott

I have a Uniden 246T (analog trunk scanner) and it works great to pick up the Toronto Public safety system (police, fire and ems) and their emergency services conventionnal freq., as well as Peel region trunk system (police and fire), Bell Fleetnet (provincial ambulance radio system). However, Uniden doesn't makes the 246T model anymore but they made the 346XT model to replace the 246T. You'll be able to get ALMOST any comms in Toronto and Peel. Only the digital stuff you will not be able to hear like the OPP, RCMP.

There has been some talk that Toronto Public Safety system might switch from their current analog system to a digital one. If they do, you won't be able to hear them with the Uniden 346T. DurhamRadio sales the 346T model for 250$. Here the link for additional info on the scanner and its description: Uniden BC-346XT Handheld Scanner 3rd Generation Trunktracking III

I'll also recommend you to buy a programing software, especially if this is your 1st scanner, because programming a trunktracker scanner by hand is a pain in the a** . It's MUCH easier to program your scanner on a computer and after you transfer your data to your scanner via a cable. The program I used is ARC246 (which would be ARC346 if you buy the 346T model.) It's a user freindly software, in my opinion. The ARC software cost around 39$ but there is also free programming software like BCTool (bcTool) and FreeScan (ScanNow.org - The Home of FreeSCAN!). Also, if you don't have it, you'll need a cable to transfer your data from your computer to your scanner (arround 40$) : Software & Computer Interface Cables - Durham Radio Sales and Service Canada

Like you said in your post, you don't want to buy a scanner that's gonna cost you a fortune. Digital scanners starts at arround 500$ or so new.

The Uniden brand are a bit more expensive but I like them more than others brands (GRE, Icom, PSR...)

There is a scanner store in Toronto but I forgot its name.

Hope this helps!

 

[EJB]

Wirelessly posted (LG-GR500FD/V10a Teleca/Q7.1 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

Hi. Peel is currently using a analogue Motorola system and this is easy to find a scanner to monitor. Check out the wiki page of this site for a good list. Pretty much all the scanners now are easy enough to program using software although I cannot understand any of the GRE or Pro scanners from Radio Shack but there are others here that love them and own them.

 

[bigcam406]

check out the GRE psr 300 handheld.its cheaper than the Uniden,and once you get the hang of how to program it and how it operates,you'll be very satisfied imo.

 

[Chrome69]

i personally would spend a little bit more and go digital. In the event that Toronto and Peel switch. I personally like and use Uniden. But its a matter of personal taste... If your going to buy a Digital talk to TorontoKris on here he is the cheapest for new Uniden digitals..

 

[torontokris]

Thanks for the kind words. I sell the BCD396XT and BCD996XT digitals for $500 brand new no tax, programmed for all GTA area and OPP ontario wide

For analogs i sell the BC346XT and BCT15X for $250 brand new no tax programmed for everything in the GTA (tor york peel durham)


If the original poster is looking into the used market you will need a TRUNKTRACKING scanner...
lots of sellers will say their scanner DOES peel or york or toronto, but its not a TRUNKTRACKER so you hear everything, you cant narrow/hold on one division. You hear everything randomly. Only trunktrackers can hold on a certain division.

Here is a list of the ANALOG trunktracking scanners

GRE
PSR-300
PSR-310
PSR-400
PSR-410
PSR-700

RADIOSHACK
Pro-107
Pro-160
Pro-162
Pro-163
Pro-164
Pro-2050
Pro-2051
Pro-2052
Pro-2053
Pro-2055
Pro-2066
Pro-2067
Pro-433
Pro-528
Pro-90
Pro-91
Pro-92
Pro-93
Pro-94
Pro-95
Pro-97

UNIDEN BEARCAT
BC235XLT
BC245XLT
BC246T
BC346XT
BC780XLT
BC785D (without the card its analog only)
BC895XLT
BC898T
BCT15
BCT15X
BCT8
BR330T

i personally would spend a little bit more and go digital. In the event that Toronto and Peel switch. I personally like and use Uniden. But its a matter of personal taste... If your going to buy a Digital talk to TorontoKris on here he is the cheapest for new Uniden digitals..