Which scanner works well in NYC for NYPD and FDNY scanning?

[jamesjahn]

Hi all,

I know there are a great deal of quality scanners out there but I can use a little help in the decision making process of selecting a scanner. I am a news photographer and need to have access to nypd and fdny transmissions to catch a big story as it happens.

Also, what are the main differences between a scanner and transceiver and what is better suited for my purpose?

Thanks for helping this newbie out...

 

[SCANdal]

Jim,

There are a great deal of quality scanners out there...but all of them still suffer from one flaw....allow me to explain...


The main differences between a scanner and a transceiver are:

1) Scanners only receive. A transceiver, if programmed incorrectly, can not only monitor - but can transmit as well (a common practice among those in your business).

2) And the big problem...scanners fall into the broad catagory of consumer grade radio equipment. Translation: They break. How else to sell you another one? Or parts? Or repairs? Transceivers, for the most part are much more durable.

Knowing this...here's what I do. I went out and bought two used Motorola two way portables (one VHF-high band, for FDNY, and one UHF for just about everything else) and programmed up everything I'd be interested in hearing - but with transmit inhibited. Be aware that scanners these days can be reprogrammed on the fly (no more crystals) - something you can't readily do with a two-way radio. But I drop my portable radio while working a scene...I don't have to worry about picking up the pieces and finding a broken screen, broken antenna, broken... (I'd could go down the list of stuff over the years).

SCANdal

 

[CqDx]

I agree Motorola are excellent radios with great sensitivity and virtually no intermod problems you have with scanners

But one thing that bugs me a little is what if a cop saw you having a Motorola just like theirs, I have a Motorola MTS2000 and Saber and I have about 20 channels filled with amateur radio repeaters, the rest are FD and EMS freqencies, but I never feel quite comfortable with putting PD frequencies in.

What do you think? :?

 

[mciupa]

Re: Which scanner works well in NYC for NYPD and FDNY scanni

I (need) a little help in ... selecting a scanner. I am a news photographer and need to have access to NYPD and FDNY transmissions to catch a big story as it happens.
Thanks for helping this newbie out...

Will you need a mobile model to be installed in your vehicle ? ... or a portable to carry with you on the scene ?

For starters check out this mobile from Uniden

http://www.uniden.com/product.cfm?product=BC898T

or for a portable then this one, also from Uniden

http://www.uniden.com/product.cfm?product=BC246T

 

[jamesjahn]

I'd prefer a portable to be able to carry with me everywhere I go. Thanks!

 

[eyes00only]

Jim,



Knowing this...here's what I do. I went out and bought two used Motorola two way portables (one VHF-high band, for FDNY, and one UHF for just about everything else) and programmed up everything I'd be interested in hearing the years).

SCANdal

JUST CURIOUS; No trunking? I'm planning a NYC vacation in July. I would think that digital would be used in the big city!

Jerry

 

[CqDx]

Yes there are trunking, but not on most public safety frequencies

NYPD/FDNY/EMS are in the clear now and not moving to digital at least for some time

 

[eyes00only]

Yes there are trunking, but not on most public safety frequencies

NYPD/FDNY/EMS are in the clear now and not moving to digital at least for some time

THANKS

 

[crashcrew]

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&ctid=1855

 

[Tophtoh]

Re:

NYC is a vey large city, does this have anything to do with not being on a trunking system? Is it too expensive?

 

[crashcrew]

I guess the city never saw the need for a trunked system for PD/FD/EMS....they've been using these frequencies for years. Perhaps they feel if it ain't broken why fix it?

 

[crashcrew]

...I remember back around 1977 or so having to get crystals for my 4 channel Bearcat scanner to listen to FD.....the very same frequencies that are in use today.

 

[mciupa]

...I remember back around 1977 or so...the very same frequencies that are in use today.

Hey, wasn't that the year of the blackout during that summer ?
I bet you there was some interesting monitoring during that event !

 

[ThornyO5]

Re:

This is very true and I agree. I hear of all these agencies going digital trunking and their current radio work fine. They say it's due to 9/11, this was terrible don't get me wrong but we can't make our whole lives revolve around this unfortunate event.

 

[mciupa]

..we can't make our whole lives revolve around this unfortunate event. (Sept. 11th)

Unfortunately our lives do, it's now called the "new" normal .
Border and airport security will never revert back to pre- 9/11.

 

[Jay911]

Border and airport security will never revert back to pre- 9/11.

I agree with you on this, but I also agree with the original poster - it's nigh-on shameful to attribute spending extra $ on a digital system vs. a perfectly functioning already-in-place analog system to issues "stemming from 9/11".

 

[i5adam8]

Digital Trunking

I agree with "If it aint broke,don't fix it".I live in Michigan,and almost all public safty agencies are going to digital trunking systems.I have a Pro-96,and can hear most of the departments that I like to moniter,but there are some agencies that have chosen to switch to systems that absoluetly can NOT be recieved by the public(one of my favorite police agencies have chosen this).It is unbelievable that NYPD and FDNY are on conventional systems,especially seeing what a large city New York is.All of you that live there,and love to listen to your favorite agencies are very lucky.The conventional systems of metro-Michigan cites are almost all gone,and will be history in about 10 years.I have nothing against Digital Trunking(It actually sounds great),but it really bothers me to see a department abandon a perfectly good sounding conventional system,that has little or no problems.Just my Opinion,I guess I miss the Old days here.Are there any websites that provide live feeds for NYPD?If so,can someone let me know?Thanks[/u]

 

[Al42]

I guess the city never saw the need for a trunked system for PD/FD/EMS....they've been using these frequencies for years. Perhaps they feel if it ain't broken why fix it?

The old hi-band PD frequencies weren't "broken", but they "fixed" them. (Which is why you still hear "read direct" on a repeater system.) It all depends on 2 things: 1) the amount of money that has to be spent (don't spend all of this year's budget and next year's budget will be smaller) and 2) the guy holding the reins decides where the horse goes.

When you get someone who thinks that a new radio system (or new frequencies or a new type of system) will fix an existing problem, and the money's available, you get a new system.

I doubt that the city will ever go to a trunked system for PD/FD, at least not the type of system available today, but there will be changes every so often. I really thought something was going to change after 9-11, considering the problems with FD having comms problems and PD and FD not being able to communicate. Maybe next time someone invents something new. But getting one of the current systems to give portable coverage all over the city wouldn't be something a sane person would want to design.

As far as a scanner that handles the city well, I have no problem with my RS Pro-95, although I'd probably buy a Bearcat with APCO ability if I didn't have to pay for it (just to allow for future changes). But the 95 does PD/FD just fine.

 

[Jay911]

I really thought something was going to change after 9-11, considering the problems with FD having comms problems and PD and FD not being able to communicate.

I have no experience with NYC other than visiting it once for a week in 1989, but in my opinion, based on the stories I've heard about FDNY and NYPD, the issue of them 'not being able to communicate' has little to do with the radio systems...

 

[SCANdal]

B I N G O !

I really thought something was going to change after 9-11, considering the problems with FD having comms problems and PD and FD not being able to communicate.

I have no experience with NYC other than visiting it once for a week in 1989, but in my opinion, based on the stories I've heard about FDNY and NYPD, the issue of them 'not being able to communicate' has little to do with the radio systems...

Hit the nail on the head, Jay. Well done.