Southgate/Downriver Scanner

[StahlMaster]

I am new to the area and need to know what type of scanner I'll need to monitor the Downriver/Southgate police, fire and E.M.S? I have a Uniden BC142XL and Radio Shack Pro-51. It's been 10 years or so since I've bought a scanner. What is my best value? I'd like a desktop and handheld.

Thanks

 

[brent30]

Well in Michigan for the most part, all law enforcement are on digital, So your better off to sell those two scanners and get a digital scanner, because you will be able to monitor all bands from VHF to 800mhz. It doesnt really matter which one you get but if you a get a radioshack one like a pro 106 or a pro 197. Both are nice scanners, but I do also like the uniden bcd396t. Your choices for a digital scanner are:
Pro 106
Pro 96
Pro 2096
Pro 197

Bcd396t
Bcd396xt
Bcd996t

GRE-500
GRE-600

There are a few other from uniden that require a digital card, but I have had no experience with them. But hope this helps

 

[StahlMaster]

Yep. I knew I'd have to retire the old scanners. My old community still uses the analog radio so the scanners did fine. Thanks for the info. If I buy a scanner thru one of the advertised sites, they charge $150.00 to pre-program the scanner for one county. Is this something I should do? I live in Wayne County MI.

D

 

[brent30]

What I would suggest is buying one from Radioshack and they will program it for free. Or buy on then get the free software from freescan and do it yourself, but it may be complicated. If not many people will do it for you for around $30. On ebay you can have it dine for like $18. It really depends on what digital scanner you want to get the most help.

 

[bigbluemsp]

You can get a GRE or Radio Shack and get PSREdit for a trial (30 Day) and someon can send you a file and you can upload it.

 

[SCPD]

Downriver scanning

I am new to the area and need to know what type of scanner I'll need to monitor the Downriver/Southgate police, fire and E.M.S? I have a Uniden BC142XL and Radio Shack Pro-51. It's been 10 years or so since I've bought a scanner. What is my best value? I'd like a desktop and handheld.

Thanks

I use a Pro 96 from Radio Shack.

 

[brent30]

For a handheld I would recommend a BCD396xt, or the BCD396T. They are smaller than the others and i find them easier to operate, but thats a personal preference. And for a desktop I love the Pro 197 its very user friendly.

 

[StahlMaster]

What is the differance between the BCD396xt and the BCD396T?

 

[brent30]

here is the wiki link

BCD396XT - The RadioReference Wiki

if you scroll down to the features all the ones in bold are the new features on the XT. I have a bcd396t and it does everything I need it to, and it has more than enough memory. The BCD396XT is also a very nice scanner, but I may not be worth the extra money for the feature unless you are gunna need some of the undated features. Although I must admit the LED color choice is nice. But to me its not worth the extra, just a personal opinion. Hope that helps