Zip code programming and favorites etc.

[Joe1123]

Hello, I don't want to get too complicated or ahead of myself because I don't even have a digital scanner yet.
But I plan to get one soon, and in all likelihood, it's going to be one of those zip code scanners.
Here's my question ... Back when I had an analog scanner, I used to listen to a bunch of things from different counties. A band of 20 channels might include 4 or 5 different counties (usually sheriff frequencies).
My question is, how hard is that to do when you program by zip code? Can you even do it? I also have no experience dealing with trunking, but I guess the newer scanners figure all that out for you?
What I'm getting at is I don't want to load it with my zip code and then have it scan 1,000 or so channels. I'd probably want to limit it to 20 or 30 or something.
Excited to get a new scanner shortly, but kind of intimidated by the learning curve.
What's your advice for a newbie as far as digital goes?

 

[sibbley]

If you want to limit what you are scanning the best way is to create a favorites list with only the frequencies/systems you want to scan. "Zipcode" scanning will most likely give you more than you want as it uses the entire RR Database. You won't be able to limit to your 20 or 30 channels by your zipcode. You'll get everything in the database within your range. The range is dependant on your input, 0-50 miles.

Keep in mind that even when the range is set at 0, you will get more than your looking for. Of course using a zipcode will also depend on service types which you will need to select.

Whether you buy Uniden or Whistler, this website is a must read for how to use the latest generation of scanners. http://new.marksscanners.com

 

[jonwienke]

You have several different ways to control what you hear with the Uniden scanners.

1. Location Control. You tell the scanner where it is, either by entering a ZIP code or connecting a GPS, and the scanner looks therough its database and/or favorite lists you've created, and automatically scans things in range based on the location coordinates and service range programmed for trunked sites and departments (groups of channels). You can control how far out the scanner will listen by adjusting the scanner's Range setting. Read this for more info:
How it Works: Location, Location, Location

2. Service Types. These are catgories of traffic (EMS, fire, railroad, aircraft, schools, etc) that you can turn on and off individually as desired in the scanner menu. Only channels programmed with active Service Types will be scanned.

3. Avoids. You can manually avoid (disable / lockout) individual channels, departments, or entire systems, either temporarily (avoid is reset when the scanner is rebooted) or permanently.

4. Quick Keys. You can assign quick keys to favorite lists, systems, departments, or individual channels to toggle them on and off by entering the quick key number via the keypad.

If you use GPS to tell the scanner its location, you can travel with the scanner and it will automatically turn channels on and off so it is scanning local traffic wherever you go.

 

[UPMan]

GRE/Whistler uses ZIP code to determine what county you are in, then selects channels from that county.

Uniden Location Based Scanning ignores zip code and county boundaries. It uses the actual location data of the systems in RRDB plus the location/range setting you set in the scanner (either by ZIP code or other method). All entering the ZIP code does for Uniden scanners is set the scanner's location to the middle of that ZIP code and set the range to 10 miles. From there, see How it Works: Location, Location, Location for an explanation of how channels are selected.

You can easily avoid channels, departments, or systems that it might overselect, so you only hear them one time...