I've owned Radio Shack scanners...like my current Pro2006...and Uniden...BC8 and BCT15X. My problem is.....why can we just put in what freqs we want...and scan those easily like the Radio Shack? The BC8 and 15X are NIGHTMARES when it comes to just putting in a few freqs and scanning those. When using software like ARCPro and downloading 12 Bazillion channels from RadioReference, it just becomes an overload for me...and 99% of the channels are never used. Is Whistler any better?....or should I go back to old Radio Shack? PS...I don't do stupid trunking anymore...everyone are encrypting so they can hide from the Public....which I think should be outlawed...but that's another discussion.... Thanks!
Uniden, Whistler, or Radio Shack
- Thread starter burner718
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Well, the Radio Shack scanners were built by GRE/Whistler and Uniden, so there's really nothing special about a 'Radio Shack' scanner.
I'm unsure what you mean when you say you are "downloading 12 bazillion channels." The software allows you to select what you want. Selecting the frequencies takes a little time, of course. You can manually program scanners, too, but it takes a few more steps than it once did.
It's true that the scanners are more complex than they once were, but then radio systems have also become more complex.
I'm unsure what you mean when you say you are "downloading 12 bazillion channels." The software allows you to select what you want. Selecting the frequencies takes a little time, of course. You can manually program scanners, too, but it takes a few more steps than it once did.
It's true that the scanners are more complex than they once were, but then radio systems have also become more complex.
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Welcome to the forum! Many of today's scanners are designed to be computer programmed with proprietary, free, or paid software. The complexity of radio systems in use all but demands it. However, if your monitoring needs are simple, and analog, any scanner can be manually programmed. This site: Mark's Scanners has proven very helpful for most of us in learning how to program and use our scanners. The value to using software is that you can easily delete or lock out any frequency or an entire system after downloading. One of the compounding factors making newer scanners daunting is that the memory architecture has radically changed since the days of the PRO-2006. The more technically complex radios don't use standard channels and banks like the 2006 did. While more challenging to program, there's a lot less wasted memory space. There's little overall difference in complexity between manufacturers as to how they approach programming their scanners. As you can see by my signature below, I own a variety of scanners. The RS PRO-651 was private-labeled for RadioShack by Whistler, so no difference there. Both my Uniden 996xt and 536HP program somewhat differently even though they were built by the same company. I know this is no consolation, but it is a fact of today's radio hobby.
Thanks ya'll...I guess I'm more frustrated......since my local trunking...which used to be easily accessed by my BCT15x,...is now being moved to all encryption....which, as I said above...I believe to be illegal in terms of Public access...unless there is a active warrant operation or something that would be life safety related to the Public Safety personnel. That said...I probably should just try to do a clean default and start anew with ArcPro...only downloading Aviation and VHF/UHF channels known to be accessible.....
I can understand your frustration regarding the encryption issue. It's like having the rug pulled from under your hobby, and there's nothing you can do about it. You'll find lots of posts on this forum regarding the subject of encryption, but the result is that public service agencies are free to do what they want in that regard.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Burner, what system(s) are you trying to hear? Where are you (county/state is fine)? Many people mistakenly think that digital equals encryption, and it simply isn't true.
I am in Lee County Fl. I know some are encrypted...but I think you're right....it is a switchover from VHF/P25 Motorola to God knows what.........as I'm hearing ems units on LCSO freqs as labeled by Radioref....Fire Units on LCSO Jail Freqs.....and Most Fire is also heard on VHF as a dual system. Not sure they (The County) knows what they're doing. Prob a BCD436 would work better......
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Yeah, some systems are becoming encrypted. Others are actually turning encryption off. It's a never ending cycle.
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