Smartnet II Handheld

[tweiss3]

What handheld options are available for a scanner that will do a trunked Smartnet II rebranded system? Am I stuck with BCD325 as the first in the lineup to do smartnet?

 

[GTR8000]

I wasn't aware that Motorola rebranded their Type II systems! Just busting chops (it's rebanding, not rebranding).

Many scanners are capable of tracking a rebanded Type II system. You have many options for older scanners that you could pick up pretty cheap, unless you want a brand new current model. I suggest looking at the list of scanners by manufacturer in the RR wiki, there is a whole table for each brand that shows whether they are reband capable (which of course only applies to 800 MHz systems).

 

[tweiss3]

Thanks, I'm really looking for the handheld equivalent of the BCT15X. Its looking like that may be the BC246T. Now to track one down.

 

[62Truck]

Some type II systems have talkgroups that are p25 so I would double check the system you want to scan to see which mode the talkgroups you want to monitor are using.

 

[tweiss3]

No P25, strictly analog. I currently listen with a 15x, but the last outage was longer than my UPS could run for. I'm trying to figure out the most economical way to listen to the electric crews in an extended outage without dealing with unhooking the scanner from proscan/rack, or going out to the car to listen. Other option is to find an XTS and learn NAS, but I'm checking every other option first.

 

[62Truck]

If you decide on a scanner, you can use of those portable power packs that are commonly used to charge cell phones and you'll get decent runtime if the power is out for an extended period of time. I actually use a adapter that has two USB jacks that slides onto my drill batteries. With my 5ah battery I can get a few days out of it.

 

[GTR8000]

The handheld equivalent of the 15X was the BC346XT, a fantastic little handheld. You can often find one on eBay for a good deal. Don't even bother with the 246T, too old.