What I would need to scan in sask.

[ryan433pk]

Hello, I have saved up 450$ and I want to buy a handheld digital scanner. Is there anyone in Saskatoon or surrounding areas that can confirm that I will be able to hear Saskatoon fire tone outs.
Also, can anyone recommend a scanner?

 

[skfire05]

Quote from Colby4601

First off, if you're going to buy a base scanner, I would suggest purchasing a BCT-8 or BCT-15. While the BCT-8 is older, it is definitely one of the better scanners, especially for the city system. If you're looking for something newer and more capabilities, then the BCT-15 would be a good choice.

As for a handheld, I would suggest a digital scanner, as you can monitor Fire and EMS as well as RCMP. And when the City of Regina moves to a P25 system in the coming years, you will already have the necessary equipment. For this, I would suggest the BCD396XT.


I copied this from a prior thread to another user. As far as I know he has run the Regina station for quite sometime. If you have any questions, best try to get in touch with him.

Hopefully this helps you out!!!

 

[harryshute]

And the BCD396XT will be able to handle the fire tone outs. Unlike the older models this one can search for the tones you need.

 

[ryan433pk]

Okay, so I can get the bct-8 and be able to get on the Sask emerg. Trunked system?
I thought that I needed a digital scanner?

 

[harryshute]

The BCT-8 is a base and not hand held.lt will not do what the BC396XT will do including P25 digital and the fire tones.

 

[ryan433pk]

How would the pro-106 do on the Sask system?

 

[harryshute]

The Pro 106 is made by GRE for Radio Shack. Better off to buy a GRE. Here is a copy and paste from another RR thread.

i happen to like my pro 106. just remember, with the 106 you have to buy the wall wart seperate. not sure what else isnt included. For me that wasnt an issue as I always charge my batteries in an external charger since frying a set internally a long time ago. didnt hurt the scanner but wasnt wasting the cash anymore. more importantly, having fried that set when I really needed it, I didnt have the scanner. now I always have plenty of spares on hand too.

 

[ryan433pk]

Thanks for that, what do you use?

 

[smason]

The Pro 106 is made by GRE for Radio Shack. Better off to buy a GRE. Here is a copy and paste from another RR thread.

i happen to like my pro 106. just remember, with the 106 you have to buy the wall wart seperate. not sure what else isnt included.

Depends on the price. I got my 106 on sale when I was in California, even buying the wall wart and programming cable it was way cheaper than the 500.

 

[harryshute]

BC996XT and BC396XT. Had both base and handheld GRE versions but returned them as they were deaf on VHF P25 conventional.

 

[ryan433pk]

Does anyone know if that trunking system titled "Saskatoon" is still valid?

 

[colby4601]

The system in Saskatoon is definitely still valid. It is used actively by Saskatoon Police and Fire. MD Ambulance is on the PPSTN digital system.

If you are wanting a good scanner for the Saskatoon Fire Department, and rural Fire Departments in the surround area using ANALOG frequencies, then I would definitely recommend the BCT-8. As I said, it is older, but it has unparalleled receive capabilities. Also keep in mind, it is a base scanner.

However, if you are looking for something with more updated technology, and something that will take you into the "future", then I would definitely recommend the BCT396XT or the BCD996XT. The 396 is the portable, the 996 the base/mobile version.

Now, when weighing the options of GRE vs. Uniden in SASKATCHEWAN, you need to go with Uniden. Myself, as well as numerous other members in the province, have come to the conclusion that Uniden has fantastic decoding capabilities of the VHF P25 control channels used on the PPSTN. The digital audio is superb. While in the end, a lot does come down to cost, you do want to look for quality. The Uniden scanners have awesome digital quality when used on the systems in this province.

As per usual, if you need further assistance, send me a PM and I would be glad to help you out in any way.

 

[ryan433pk]

I'll be sure to take all of that into account when I buy my scanner.
I thought all of Saskatchewan moved over to that new province wide system. I can hear Saskatoon police on the Saskatoon system? I thought they were encrypted.
I'm thinking about streaming Saskatoon fire on RR, any advice?

 

[colby4601]

Regina City, Moose Jaw City and Saskatoon City still maintain their own radio systems. Swift Current Fire Department also has their own radio system. As far as I know, that's it for independent radio systems in the province. All other emergency service providers are on the PPSTN or analog frequencies such as Provincial Fire.

You cannot monitor Saskatoon Police, as they are encrypted. Their backup talkgroups, however, are in the clear. So, keep those programmed into your scanner.

As for streaming SFS on RR, I would highly recommend it. I streamed Regina Fire and EMS on the site for quite sometime and only stopped doing so do to my own technical difficulties. The only thing I can recommend is a good scanner with good reception, hopefully through an external antenna, as well as a good audio connection between the radio and your computer.

Saskatoon Fire is one of the agencies I really enjoy listening to, and a feed would make that possible.

 

[ryan433pk]

I made an offer on a BCT336XT and I was wondering if you would recommend that scanner, I would be running a external antenna when I'm home with it.
I was pretty pissed when I thought I was going to have to drop 5 c notes on a scanner, glad you helped me.

 

[harryshute]

I hope you mean a 396XT which I'm sure you do. It will work really well on an external antenna. Scanner master has a nice SMA or BNC mag mount that I use on a filing cabinet in the house. It has a great magnet and very thin coax. Just make sure to ditch the stock antenna and get one better tuned to the band you will be using primarily when you are mobile.

 

[ryan433pk]

My mistake, I'm talking about the 346XT

 

[colby4601]

You're going to want the 396XT if you want to monitor any of the digital communications. 346XT will work only with analog systems.

 

[ryan433pk]

Alright, I bought a Pro-106 used for a good deal.

 

[boom38]

I am also in Saskatoon and was wanting to scan Saskatoon fire and ambulance. I used to use a PRO 96 to scan police but since they went to encrypted I got rid of it. I know for fire you do not need digital. What version of Radio shack scanner would I need to scan analog Saskatoon Fire? Any advice would be great.
Thanks