Uniden scanner comparable to Pro 97? Help...

[EarthQuake]

I'm new to the scanning world. I have pretty much decided to get a pro 97 or pro 95. i just sold my uniden 200xlt to fund (partially of course) my next scanner. I really have not considered another uniden. what are your opinions on a uniden product and what would be comparable to a pro 95 / 97? My location is Tulsa OK and I would want to monitor TPD, TFD, and a few surrounding counties. Thanks for your input / help / suggestions!!!!

 

[n2mdk]

The Uniden that is comparable to the Pro-97 is the BC246T, it costs a bit more but has some pluses, one is it will be rebandable when and if needed. It's much smaller and therefore easier to carry around. It's major plus in my mind is it's DMA memory system, which once you get it figured out makes it easier to organize and then choose which systems and talk groups you want to monitor. There are some minuses as well like no Milair and the inability to see the numerical TG IDs once you alpha tag them.
I like both my Pro-97 and BC246T but I think the Uniden offers me more programming options.
I will say if you pick up a Pro-97 at a good price you would not be disappointed

 

[nexus]

You may want to consider a DIGITAL scanner. I checked out the database on here for Tulsa, and currently it is a MIXED Motorola II system. Mixed meaning that some agencies are using analog voice, and some are using digital voice.

You can look at the database here:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=844

Pay CLOSE ATTENTION to the field labelled MODE. If it says A=analog, E=encrypted, D=digital, and M=mixed analog/digital

Each one of those talkgroups are what I like to call a VIRTUAL CHANNEL. Each one represents a channel spot on the agency's radio. So you should be able to look at the list on the database and determin if the agencies you want to listen to are A, D, E, or M. If they're A then you're ok with just about anything that will scan trunked. Pro 97 OVER the PRO-95. I'll explain that in a second. But the Uniden BC246T would be a good selection too. If any of the groups you want to listen to say D or M then you MUST buy a digital scanner in order to hear them. If they say E, forget it... won't happen, EVER.

There is a thing called REBANDING, where the current public safety 800mhz frequencies are being shifted around, and this will require all radios that are using MOTOROLA to be reprogrammed in order for them to work under rebanding. The same applied to scanners. If your scanner hasn't been made to handle rebanding, or is not flashable to accept the rebanding change then your scanner will be useless for trunked systems which are motorola. The PRO-95 will not work with rebanded systems, so therefore it will be useless unless its EDACS or conventional. Plus its just a way older scanner, it lacks a lot of features that the PRO-97 and 96 have.

The PRO-97 and 96 either have already been modified to handle rebanding or there is a firmware update to fix it. Uniden's BC246T and BCD396T will handle it already out of box. If you can deal with ordering through the net or over the phone, I'd suggest getting a BC246 or GRE PSR-500. The PSR-500 is the replacement for the PRO-96. If you can't wait, then I guess radio shack is going to get your business. Don't expect them to be any help though. THEY'RE CLUELESS!

 

[Raven95150]

Another comparable Uniden model would be the BR330T. It is nearly identical to the 396 but without the digital capability. I don't own one myself, but many people have said it is the best non-digital handheld you can get. Uniden doesn't make them anymore, but some retailers still have them in stock.