Fire Depts 3600 baud or 9600 baud

dick122 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2004, 03:22 PM

Is there an easy way to tell if a digital system is 3600 or 9600 baud? I'm looking to buy a new scanner and not sure if a I want a BC250D or a BC296D. I'm mainly interested in Fire Departments around the country as i will be traveling a lot. Thanks in advance.

milf · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2004, 03:29 PM

One way to tell if a TRS is an 9600 KBPS baud rate, is to look on the DB here... if its an 9600 it will be listed as an APCO-25 standard, if its 3600 it'll be listed as an Motorola Type II with the voice iether IMBE, or mixed mode. As for the best choice, you'd be better off with the BC296D as the BC250D is firstly, discontinued,.. and secondly needing the card seperate.

Mozilla · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 09:34 AM

Actually if you are going to be travelling a lot...I would recommend at least looking at the Pro-96 over the Uniden. The virtual folders make it great for storing areas you are going to be traveling in. Just make sure you buy new, so that you get the 1.3 firmware...there are several posts about that and how to check (power on and hold #3) Combined with the great database here and the 96 software its great combination for travel.
Just something to mull over and do a little research on.

KE4ZNR · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 11:36 AM

Another benefit of owning a Pro96 is that if you park it on a Moto Control Channel it will tell you if it is 3600 or 9600 baud as well as tell you the system ID...I love my Pro96 and I am thinking of getting a couple more...

dick122 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2004, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the info folks!! I did a quick check here of states along the eastern seaboard and it looks like most are 3600 baud or EDACS. Does anyone know what, if any, fire depts. are on 9600 baud? I believe Phoenix, Arizona is or will soon be. Thanks again.

kikito · #6 (**permalink**) 12-13-2004, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dick122

Does anyone know what, if any, fire depts. are on 9600 baud? I believe Phoenix, Arizona is or will soon be. Thanks again.

I'm a long ways from Arizona but up here, Fort Wainwright FD and Eielson FD are in a Statewide VHF 9600 system. Many more FD agencies will follow in the next couple of years.

loumaag · #7 (**permalink**) 12-13-2004, 11:26 PM

You can also check out the Westmoreland County Public Safety system in PA.