What do you recomend

[treecreeper]

Hi everyone, i'm new to this forum and would like some advise. I would like a scanner mobile or base unit., but would like it to pick up as mutch as is possible ie celluler phones, in and above the 800mhz. would i be able to get sutch a scanner, and if so were and how much, thankyou.

 

[N4JNW]

These days, a cellular capable scanner does'nt hardly exist.

Older scanners, were able to be modified to recieve cellular however. Cell phones anymore, are digital, CDMA, GSM, or some other non-analog type service. The only time you're going to be able to actually listen to a phone conversation, is if the cell phone happens to switch over to analog service, which is rare.

Honestly, it's not worth the trouble to even buy and/or modify a scanner to recieve cellular.

Now with that out of the way -

The area/city in which you live, will highly affect your scanner choice. In rural areas, a basic conventional scanner will quench your scanning desire. A good desktop model is going to run you about $100 to $140.

A hand held conventional scanner will run you also around $100.

Now, if you reside in or frequent urban/city areas, there will be two types of scanners you will need. Either you will need a Trunking capable scanner, or, a Digital Trunking capable scanner.

Check the RadioReference Database, and look under your state and county to see what type of system you will be monitoring. If it's Motorola Type 1 or 2, EDACS, or LTR, you can get by with a trunking only scanner. RadioShack has a few models that are really nice. In a base scanner, choose the Pro-2055, or the Pro-433. Both of these are around the $200 mark, and will trunk all three types of systems.

RadioShacks trunking handhelds include the Pro-97 and *New* Pro-528. Again, they both trunk all three systems.

Now, if you're one of the lucky individuals that live in a BIG city, you're probably going to need a DIGITAL trunking scanner. You might want to sit down for this one. These scanners are top of the line, but you get what you pay for. Be expected to spend no less than $300 for a Digital trunking scanner.

A digital trunking scanner, is the SAME as a regular trunking scanner, but, it recieves digital transmissions. No, it still won't work with a digital cell phone. Under your State/County, if you see APCO-25 being associated with anything public service, be prepared to whip out some ca$h.

Some good Digital trunking scanners include the NEW and very pimp, Uniden base (Can't remember the model, sure someone will chime in), RadioShack Pro-2096, and in hand held, RadioShack Pro-96. There are more, so check out the RadioReference wiki and see for yourself.

Hope this helps...

 

[treecreeper]

Brilliant, ok i live in the country and is about 7miles as the crow flies from Brighton.

 

[mnsrefer]

Brighton

Now, if thats Brighton, Michigan, you are in MPSCS Project 25 territory and (if you want to listen to any State Police and increasingly other transmissions) you need the Digital Trunking type of scanner that the respondent did such an excellent job of summarizing for you.
Do what was suggested.
Use this forum's Database and look up the types of transmissions you are interested in for your area.
There is no finer place to research before you buy than here.

Regards;
Mike
Selfridge, Canadian National, Canada and S.E. MI on a 396.

 

[morfis]

If Brighton, England then forget about monitoring cell phones as anaolgue cell phones haven't been used here for a long time.

Also, if you mean Brighton, England, then you are in a good spot for civil airband (close to Seaford reporting point, Gatwick, Shoreham etc) and marine (Nehaven, English Channel) monitoring amongst all the general stuff. The marine side of things would depend a lot on where excatly you are (North of South Downs not as good as on the Downs or the coast).

oh, and you can double the prices quoted by the Americans if you are in the UK

 

[dangitdoug]

Some good Digital trunking scanners include the NEW and very pimp, Uniden base (Can't remember the model, sure someone will chime in), RadioShack Pro-2096, and in hand held, RadioShack Pro-96. There are more, so check out the RadioReference wiki and see for yourself.

Hope this helps...

Ding!!

That would be me chiming in!
Uniden 996T

Doug K

 

[N4JNW]

Thank you!! 5 minutes after posting, it came to me, but I was too lazy to edit. LOL