Sept., 2019, best Scanner (futureproofed) - Any SDR scanners?

[K845rp]

9-21-2019

Hi All,

looking for some advice - our local SCANNER FEED IS DOWN (again).
So I want to set up a backup for whomever does it on Broadcastify local scanner feed.

Our local Public Safety radio dispatch is 800 Mhz Public Safety (they also use Computer Aided Dispatch
or CAD). The recent change to 800 Mhz needs upgraded scanner (as We used to listen on the cheap handhelds in the
146.xxx MHz freq. -- no more there!

I see the uniden Bearcat SDS100 is $699.00 (WOW!!!) and I really (really) am NOT
going to buy something that pricey that could be obsolete in a Year - this is getting silly as
as it seems to be a cat-and-mouse game to keep the People who pay for everything not be
able to monitor - We are not there yet - just need a better scanner.

ANY ALTERNATIVES TO THE SDS100 (handheld)?

Last I knew, We pay through TAXES for all the equipment (and the local Gov. doing encryption
for really got me

SO LOOKING FOR OPTIONS?

Any Suggestions?

THanks in advance,
KD8UTL

 

[N8IAA]

What feed?? What state?? What city/area???

Understand you're upset, but you forgot the basics.

 

[buddrousa]

My 16 channel Regency programmable scanner cost me $499 dollars in 1980 my SDS200 cost me $699 do6in 2018. My boss 70 mustang cost $3500 dollars in 1970 today a boss 2019 cost over $50000.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

My 16 channel Regency programmable scanner cost me $499 dollars in 1980 my SDS200 cost me $699 do6in 2018. My boss 70 mustang cost $3500 dollars in 1970 today a boss 2019 cost over $50000.

Considering $499 in 1980 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1,553.67 in 2019, your SDS200 was quite a bargain
The 2019 Boss Mustang, not so much of a bargain compared to the 1970 price.

 

[jonwienke]

I see the uniden Bearcat SDS100 is $699.00 (WOW!!!) and I really (really) am NOT
going to buy something that pricey that could be obsolete in a Year - this is getting silly as
as it seems to be a cat-and-mouse game to keep the People who pay for everything not be
able to monitor - We are not there yet - just need a better scanner.

ANY ALTERNATIVES TO THE SDS100 (handheld)?

The SDS100 and -200 are SDR-based, meaning that much of the functionality and upgradability of the radios is in software, rather than hardware. They will handle simulcast correctly, and the only thing that will render a system unmonitorable is encryption. They aren't going to be obsolete in a year.