SDS100 for Nova Scotia - Return or keep?

[SouthShoreNS]

I haven't used a scanner in years but wanted to get back into it so I purchased a SDS100. I thought I had researched and knew RCMP was encrypted ,but mistakenly thought EMS was at least not encrypted. But, I recently discovered EMS is in fact encrypted. I live on the South Shore up towards Yarmouth and I haven't received my scanner yet as it is still in transit.

My questions are simple... is there still enough out there to make it worthwhile to keep the scanner? Does anyone see the writing on the wall where within the next 5 years it will be worthless as everything will be encrypted or cellular based?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[ve1sef]

Yes, there's still:

Fire, EMO. Lands & Forest, DOT, Aircraft, Marine Radio, Amateur Radio.

 

[iMONITOR]

Yes, there's still:

Fire, EMO. Lands & Forest, DOT, Aircraft, Marine Radio, Amateur Radio.

The SDS100 doesn't excel at any of those bands. It's sweet spot is 700-800MHz bands, P25 simulcast and you're paying a big premium for that.

 

[ve1sef]

Agreed, a BCD436HP or BCD 325P2 would meet your needs for scanning in the Maritime.

 

[R0am3r]

The SDS100 doesn't excel at any of those bands. It's sweet spot is 700-800MHz bands, P25 simulcast and you're paying a big premium for that.

I own the SDS100 and SDS200 scanners and find they work great across much of the VHF and UHF spectrum. I have directly compared these scanners with my BCT15X analog scanner and find the SDS series radios work just as good when using a proper antenna with decent feedline. It also helps to understand how to utilize the SDS filters. I typically monitor everything from the Airband, MILAIR, VHF/UHF Business, Police, and Fire services. P25 simulcast, DMR, and NXDN reception in one box is a huge bonus. There are lots of opinions regarding the SDS radios, but most of the complaints are from people who don't own them, don't know how to use them, or are still using the OEM antennas.

 

[west5alpha]

Even with SDS 100 it still needs upgrade to pick up NXDN , DMR

They are pricey, wish I was able to afford one

 

[ve1sef]

To answer the original question, If the SDS100 is already paid, then I would keep it

 

[west5alpha]

Yeah, dude should keep it. Lots of NXDN and DMR in Halifax area.