Which Handheld Scanner for my Son. I need help

[68rs327]

My Son loves listening to my old scanner. The problem is it wont pick up but a couple of channels.
I know nothing about scanners and which one I need to pickup frequencies in my area.
He is wanting a handheld scanner. Please help me with which handheld to buy. He is a beginner, so I want a scanner that is easy to use, will pickup the channels in my area and is reasonable in price.
Here are the channels in our area.

Larue County, Kentucky (KY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Larue County, Kentucky (KY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Thanks guys.

 

[scanningisfun]

What model scanner does he have? Most of or all scanners can pick up those frequencies. That is in the VHF band which basically every scanner picks up. There are no other trunking systems [BESIDES THE LTR SYSTEM WITH NO TGID'S FOUND YET] or anything like that I can see so you should be able to pick up those frequencies.

 

[KK4DAN]

Yeah, those all look like your typical VHF channels. I've owned a few scanners, including trunking scanners, but not any of the fancy digital ones, but I'm really enjoying my Pro-137.

The Pro-137 RadioShack scanner used to be a pretty pricey scanner for what it was, but I picked mine up on closeout for $50. - Pro-137 - The RadioReference Wiki. You still may find some around at stores or on other places on the net, maybe even ebay.

Its a 1000 channel non-trunking scanner that covers from 25mhz - 1300mhz with various breaks in there. Its marketed as a Nascar scanner, but all that data can easily be erased and the best thing about it is it supports Alpha-Tags so you can actually mark what each channel is. It also has a neat feature that allowed you to go right to a car number, but with a little outside the box thinking, you can make all the car numbers a quick way to access certain channels which I love. A lot of the fancier Digital ones do Alpha-Tags, but its not as common in the older Simple Non-Trunking scanners, and having 10 banks of 100 channels each is superb. Overall, the coverage and receiving quality of this scanner is pretty good.

I use my 137 mostly to monitor HAM bands, but my local police & fire are still on good 'ole VHF right now although they'll probably be going digital before the end of the year. Even then, I'll still enjoy it for all the Ham bands I monitor and scan.

- http://forums.radioreference.com/radio-shack-scanners/104518-my-pro-137-review.html

If you can pick one of these up pretty cheap, that would definitely not set you back much and keep your son happy for awhile.

 

[thomast77]

I took a look at the database. I am assuming he wants a portable to carry with him where he goes? So I looked at all the surrounding counties too. And there are a bunch. They all use VHF/UHF except the city of Fort Knox in Hardin county which is UHF digital some of it appears to be encrypted. Also the State Police are using UHF digital. If you want to pickup all the surrounding counties and/or State Police you will need a Digital scanner. I like Uniden so I would get the bcd396xt if it were me. Maybe put up a radio shack VHF/UHF antenna 20-014 or a discone antenna at the house to increase your range while at home. It should be easy enough to program with a subscription to radioreference and a program called freescan. If you dont want to mess with all the programming you could look at the new Uniden Home Patrol scanner. Just enter the zip code for your area and it programs itself.

If you are not interested in State police then a conventional scanner like the Uniden SportCat SC230 Scanner 2500 channels is enough to cover all the conventional analog channels in your county and surrounding counties. All that being said if you just want to cover your county's Conventional Analog repeaters. A Uniden bc72xlt will be more than enough.

Summary: It all depends on what you want to listen to. But with a digital scanner you will be able to pickup the State Police which should boost the amount of traffic you are hearing in you area.

And I don't know the Scanner law is in Kentucky. So if he wants to carry it around with him he may want to look into the law, Here in Florida you would need an Amateur Radio License which is easy enough to get these days,

Edited to say: All of these scanners mentioned above can be found at http://www.scannermaster.com/Uniden_Scanners_s/267.htm

Hope this helps.
Tom

 

[68rs327]

What model scanner does he have? Most of or all scanners can pick up those frequencies. That is in the VHF band which basically every scanner picks up. There are no other trunking systems [BESIDES THE LTR SYSTEM WITH NO TGID'S FOUND YET] or anything like that I can see so you should be able to pick up those frequencies.

He has a Realistic Pro-2020 VHF/UHF Scanner. He can only pick up two channels and one of those is the weather? He would also like to listen to the next county over. The have a larger police department.
Hardin County, Kentucky (KY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
I was told by someone else that in order to listen to these channels I would need a digital scanner?

 

[68rs327]

He has a Realistic Pro-2020 VHF/UHF Scanner. He can only pick up two channels and one of those is the weather? He would also like to listen to the next county over. The have a larger police department.
Hardin County, Kentucky (KY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
I was told by someone else that in order to listen to these channels I would need a digital scanner?

The guy at Radio Shack is the one who said I need a Digital Scanner?
I found this on the internet about the Realistic Pro 2020

the Realistic Pro 2020 scanner covers 410 to 512 megahertz (MHz) UHF and the following VHF bands: 138 to 174, 108 to 136 and 30 to 50 MHz. These ranges include National Ocean and Atmospheric Administratin (NOAA) weather broadcasts, the 2-meter amateur band and local emergency communications, among other things.

Read more: Specifications of the Realistic Pro 2020 Scanner | eHow.com Specifications of the Realistic Pro 2020 Scanner | eHow.com

 

[IowaGuy1603]

The guy at Radio Shack is the one who said I need a Digital Scanner?
I found this on the internet about the Realistic Pro 2020

the Realistic Pro 2020 scanner covers 410 to 512 megahertz (MHz) UHF and the following VHF bands: 138 to 174, 108 to 136 and 30 to 50 MHz. These ranges include National Ocean and Atmospheric Administratin (NOAA) weather broadcasts, the 2-meter amateur band and local emergency communications, among other things.

Read more: Specifications of the Realistic Pro 2020 Scanner | eHow.com Specifications of the Realistic Pro 2020 Scanner | eHow.com

To hear the Harden County frequencies that have P25 in the mode column you WILL need a digital scanner

The rest of the frequencies in the 3 links you provided---you SHOULD be able to receive with the Pro 2020


http://www.rigpix.com/rs-realistic/realistic_pro2020.htm

 

[68rs327]

To hear the Harden County frequencies that have P25 in the mode column you WILL need a digital scanner

The rest of the frequencies in the 3 links you provided---you SHOULD be able to receive with the Pro 2020


RigPix Database - RadioShack/Realistic - Pro-2020

Maybe I need an Antenna? The Realistic 2020 has a pull out antenna but maybe I need to put an antenna in the attic or on a pole? I can't imagine why he can only get the Campbellsville, Ky police and Not a more local channel. Campbellsville, Ky is about 30 miles from my house. The Sheriff and Hodgenville, Ky. City Police are only 5 miles away? doesn't make sense to me?
If I just need an antenna with this antenna work? Deluxe Discone Scanner Base Antenna Lifetime Warranty | eBay
Ad says "30-1300 Mhz Scanner Antenna, Transmit on 2 meter amateur, VHF MURS or Marine bands and 70cm Ham band. Receive 30-1300 Mhz., including UHF and VHF Ham,Police/Fire/Rescue/EMS, Business and Marine Radio."

 

[tampabaynews]

You should be able to receive everything in Larue and all but three channels in Harris (the ones with P25). You have to make sure you have the frequencies programmed into the scanner or else you won't get them. But remember, your scanner will not allow more than 20 channels.

If you want to receive those three digital channels in Harris, you will need a digital scanner. An antenna will only help you with reception, not receiving digital. With the limited area you want to receive you may not need to get an antenna.

 

[IowaGuy1603]

Maybe I need an Antenna? The Realistic 2020 has a pull out antenna but maybe I need to put an antenna in the attic or on a pole? I can't imagine why he can only get the Campbellsville, Ky police and Not a more local channel. Campbellsville, Ky is about 30 miles from my house. The Sheriff and Hodgenville, Ky. City Police are only 5 miles away? doesn't make sense to me?
If I just need an antenna with this antenna work? Deluxe Discone Scanner Base Antenna Lifetime Warranty | eBay
Ad says "30-1300 Mhz Scanner Antenna, Transmit on 2 meter amateur, VHF MURS or Marine bands and 70cm Ham band. Receive 30-1300 Mhz., including UHF and VHF Ham,Police/Fire/Rescue/EMS, Business and Marine Radio."

That antenna should work fine for you . Radio Shack has one similar.

 

[68rs327]

You should be able to receive everything in Larue and all but three channels in Harris (the ones with P25). You have to make sure you have the frequencies programmed into the scanner or else you won't get them. But remember, your scanner will not allow more than 20 channels.

If you want to receive those three digital channels in Harris, you will need a digital scanner. An antenna will only help you with reception, not receiving digital. With the limited area you want to receive you may not need to get an antenna.

I programmed the frequencies and it wont pick up any of them. The only frequency it will pick up is the Taylor Co. Police and Weather? I programmed 151.49750 for Hodgenville, Ky City Police and Sheriff and nothing. I programmed all the fire dept.'s around and again nothing.

So here is what I have decided.
I am going to buy my Son a new scanner. I told him we can't afford a digital to listen to State police, but we should be able to hear local sheriff and city police, EMS and fire.

So, My New Question: We will be shopping at Radio Shack or WalMart for the New Scanner.
What do you guys suggest on a decent Portable Handheld and a decent Base model for my Son?

 

[68rs327]

I programmed the frequencies and it wont pick up any of them. The only frequency it will pick up is the Taylor Co. Police and Weather? I programmed 151.49750 for Hodgenville, Ky City Police and Sheriff and nothing. I programmed all the fire dept.'s around and again nothing.

So here is what I have decided.
I am going to buy my Son a new scanner. I told him we can't afford a digital to listen to State police, but we should be able to hear local sheriff and city police, EMS and fire.

So, My New Question: We will be shopping at Radio Shack or WalMart for the New Scanner.
What do you guys suggest on a decent Portable Handheld and a decent Base model for my Son?

Whats your opinion on this Scanner Uniden 800MHz Base/Mobile Scanner
Walmart.com: Uniden 800MHz Base/Mobile Scanner: Surveillance Equipment
Key Features:
300 channels
Close call RF capture technology
Temporary lockout
100 channel/second scan speed
Includes AC adapters, DC power cable, and automotive power outlet plug

 

[W2NJS]

I would respectfully suggest that before you spend any money on this scanner project that you become much more familiar with the different bands you need/want to scan, the types of broadcasting being done by your local public service agencies, and anything else that seems relevant to the matter. That 800 mHz scanner from WalMart will receive only one band, but it's probable that you need one that does all of the public service bands. Also, the WalMart thing you listed makes no mention of having the ability to receive digital broadcasts and this is critical in today's world. There are not many locations anymore in the United States where there is not at least one agency using digital. The scanner manufacturers, as well as the Wiki section of this Board, have tons of reading material available which explains everything you need to know before parting with your cash. The last thing is to remember that none of us learned all about this stuff overnight, and you won't be able to, either. It takes time and study but in the end it's well worth the investment.

 

[SCPD]

a psr 800 would be good for him because everything that was fm or one of the mo truncked ch are now digital like p-25

 

[ibagli]

"Everything" is not P25 in his county.

 

[68rs327]

I would respectfully suggest that before you spend any money on this scanner project that you become much more familiar with the different bands you need/want to scan, the types of broadcasting being done by your local public service agencies, and anything else that seems relevant to the matter. That 800 mHz scanner from WalMart will receive only one band, but it's probable that you need one that does all of the public service bands. Also, the WalMart thing you listed makes no mention of having the ability to receive digital broadcasts and this is critical in today's world. There are not many locations anymore in the United States where there is not at least one agency using digital. The scanner manufacturers, as well as the Wiki section of this Board, have tons of reading material available which explains everything you need to know before parting with your cash. The last thing is to remember that none of us learned all about this stuff overnight, and you won't be able to, either. It takes time and study but in the end it's well worth the investment.

Trying to learn all the terms associated with the scanners, someone might as well be speaking Chinese to me. FM,UHF, VHF, Band Width, Digital, Analog, mHz it's a lot to take in.
I would love to buy him a digital scanner, but $400 looks like is what the low end one are selling for.
I wasn't wanting to spend more than $200.
When he grows up he says he wants to be a Ky. State Trooper. I should probably bite the bullet and get him a digital.

 

[KK4DAN]

Whats your opinion on this Scanner Uniden 800MHz Base/Mobile Scanner
Walmart.com: Uniden 800MHz Base/Mobile Scanner: Surveillance Equipment
Key Features:
300 channels
Close call RF capture technology
Temporary lockout
100 channel/second scan speed
Includes AC adapters, DC power cable, and automotive power outlet plug

Like I said earlier, if you are going with a non digital/non trunking scanner then take a close look at the Pro-137. Its a 1000 channels with Alpha tags on all channels. I would venture to say your son will really come to appreciate the Alpha Tags. They have pulled them from Radio Shack's websites, but you can still find some out there, so check all your local radio shacks and see if you can dig one up.

I also just did a search on ebay and you can find them from around $69-$89 on there. - pro-137 | eBay. Some of those are new in box too.

 

[scanningisfun]

I would respectfully suggest that before you spend any money on this scanner project that you become much more familiar with the different bands you need/want to scan, the types of broadcasting being done by your local public service agencies, and anything else that seems relevant to the matter. That 800 mHz scanner from WalMart will receive only one band, but it's probable that you need one that does all of the public service bands. Also, the WalMart thing you listed makes no mention of having the ability to receive digital broadcasts and this is critical in today's world. There are not many locations anymore in the United States where there is not at least one agency using digital. The scanner manufacturers, as well as the Wiki section of this Board, have tons of reading material available which explains everything you need to know before parting with your cash. The last thing is to remember that none of us learned all about this stuff overnight, and you won't be able to, either. It takes time and study but in the end it's well worth the investment.

That "800 MHZ scanner" will pick up VHF/UHF and 800 MHz. It is just advertised as 800 MHz because that is the feature they are banking on people buying it.

 

[scanningisfun]

Do you want to listen to just Larue county or counties surrounding you? If you get a portable scanner I would suggest getting a digital scanner in case you travel.

 

[68rs327]

Like I said earlier, if you are going with a non digital/non trunking scanner then take a close look at the Pro-137. Its a 1000 channels with Alpha tags on all channels. I would venture to say your son will really come to appreciate the Alpha Tags. They have pulled them from Radio Shack's websites, but you can still find some out there, so check all your local radio shacks and see if you can dig one up.

I also just did a search on ebay and you can find them from around $69-$89 on there. - pro-137 | eBay. Some of those are new in box too.

I looked at the Pro-137. Looks like it has a lot of nice features and from what I understand my Son Should be able to listen to local police, fire and ems. I put in a bid on one on Ebay.
If I win I hope it will pick up more than one channel of my son is going to be really disappointed.
I still cant figure for the life of me why the old scanner will only pick up one channel?
I am to the point to where I am ready to throw it out his bedroom window.
Lets hope we get the Pro-137.
Thanks for your help and suggesting the Pro-137.