G4 or G5 for beginner.

[Michelle0H]

Is the g5 worth another hundred for UHF or VHF?

Will someone with no experience since Starsoft programming software be able to program this pager?

 

[troymail]

Is the g5 worth another hundred for UHF or VHF?

Depends on if you have VHF or UHF in your area (or where you travel) that you want to monitor - conventional or otherwise.... I started with a G4 (7/800 only) and then got a great deal on a G5... problem always seems to be that if you have a UHF model, you end up where you need VHF (it's just luck, right?).

Will someone with no experience since Starsoft programming software be able to program this pager?

The programming software is unique but you'll get the hang of it pretty quick. The biggest drawback is it doesn't do imports from anywhere and you can't bulk cut and paste bulk anything - so it's type or cut and paste one field at a time.... (I created my own work-around to reduce the base configuration cut and pasting).

 

[Michelle0H]

Thanks, troymail. I live in SW Ohio, so I'll have to check it all out. Thanks.

 

[troymail]

I'm guessing you've already done some research but -- just in case:

http://forums.radioreference.com/maryland-radio-discussion-forum/364176-g5-reviews.html#post2865314

 

[JD21960]

G4/G5 for beginners?

I decided (yes) because I like having a NOAA alert weather option programmed for a knob position, SKYWARN HAM capabilities and local VHF FIRE (color) fire-grounds which our locals seem to like using MORE than the expensive digital fire-ground talk-groups. If you have lots of VHF/UHF still around? I'd say yes. As far as ease of programming? We all started from things like Scancat-lite and others. It's just a matter of doing it and learning instead of giving up. The SEARCH box for the forums of this website have everything you need to answer any question, they've all been answered before from Uniden/Whistler to Unication products. That's how I learned Scancat/ARC96/EZSCAN and now the Unication PPS. Youtube videos helped too.

 

[Michelle0H]

Hmmm, troymail...maybe I should keep looking. I don't need a pager, just wanted a good scanner. And I've always needed a good lockout button.

Johnnydollar2, thanks. I still need to look up the VHF/UHF in my area.

 

[troymail]

Hmmm, troymail...maybe I should keep looking. I don't need a pager, just wanted a good scanner. And I've always needed a good lockout button.

Johnnydollar2, thanks. I still need to look up the VHF/UHF in my area.

Ah - ok.... yes, definitely look at the pros and cons....

It's not so much that it is a pager (it is) or a scanner (it isn't but it does have some limited scan features).....

The real reason to get one is if you need to overcome digital simulcast issues for the system(s) you want to monitor. You want to check with others in your area on that in the Ohio forum.

If you don't have to deal with simulcast, get a scanner.

 

[Michelle0H]

Is there a scanner that gets the same reception? And, how do I know if I have to deal with simulcast? (Sorry, told you I'm pretty new.)

 

[davidzimmerman]

Is there a scanner that gets the same reception? And, how do I know if I have to deal with simulcast? (Sorry, told you I'm pretty new.)

I'm in Cleveland got the G5 VHF 8 Months ago and works 100% GREAT for the Ohio Marc's System,Clevelands P25 System,Parma's P25 Harris CRAPY System BEST thing i ever got.
i also got the TRX-2 can't pick up Ohio Marc's at Home sold my Pro-197 so the TRX-2 is a little BETTER but the G5 BLOWS Away the scanner 100%%%%%

 

[AzTac]

Unication Nation

The sad reality is that there are no contemporary scanners that can effectively and consistently handle the intricacies of monitoring modern public safety radio systems. If you buy one of these scanners, regardless of the brand, you are in for a great deal of frustration. After many years of monitoring I had all-but-abandoned the hobby and resigned myself to hearing sporadic clips of conversations. My Uniden Home Patrol had become a $500 paperweight.

You'll be hard pressed to find a single person who reports clear, consistent, uninterrupted monitoring of simulcast systems with a scanner. There are too many variables that effect reception than space permits detailing here, but you can read the problems in other posts.

The Unication receivers have completely changed the landscape. They are professional receivers that are specifically designed to overcome the challenges of simulcast systems and they do it quite well. I'm back to being a faithful listener and my passion for the hobby has been reignited.

I had the same concerns as you regarding the programming. No doubt it's a little intimidating at first, but after watching a couple of YouTube videos on the G4 I found my comfort level increasing. I'm barely computer literate and was able to quickly get my G4 functioning without a glitch. I've since made several changes to the program to tweak the setup and it's now become second nature. (I've had the unit about a month.)

Any perceived shortcomings such as no 'hold' feature can be readily overcome based on how you set up your receiver. The Unication receivers are specifically made to handle systems such as the Ohio MARCS.
I personally don't believe the extra money for the VHF/UHF band feature is necessary. Afterall, if the system isn't already being simulcast, it probably will migrate to it sooner rather than later. The likely exception being rural areas. Nonetheless, this is still a decision only you can ultimately make depending upon specifically what you want to monitor.

Bottom line, don't waste your money on a scanner. Go with a G4 or G5. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

 

[kinglou0]

I personally don't believe the extra money for the VHF/UHF band feature is necessary.

There are plenty of P25 and straight up analog systems that are outside of the 700/800 coverage of a G4. If Phase 2 turns out to be worth the wait, I can see a G5 with the 450-520 MHz split in my very immediate future to along with my eagerly anticipated VHF G5.

It all comes down to what you want to listen to and where you find yourself traveling to. I would love to have a UHF G5 for the times I travel to NYC or Southern California. Something tells me it would survive the dense RF jungles of either region with flying colors.

 

[belvdr]

Is there a scanner that gets the same reception? And, how do I know if I have to deal with simulcast? (Sorry, told you I'm pretty new.)

I'm in SW Ohio as well and in my area, I cannot get my Uniden BCD436HP to work well at all. I'm thinking of a G5 at the moment.

Each location is different, so it may work well for you. If you're thinking of a scanner, PM me and we can possibly meet somewhere and you can watch the 436 in action for you to decide.

 

[troymail]

^^^ this is the best way to help decide!!!! (I know, obviously, right?)

 

[Michelle0H]

Okay, I'm pretty sure I've made up my mind on the Unification. It just seems the scanners won't work for me. At least it's a start. Now, do I need VHF? I'm not sure how to read the database for my area. I'll keep looking.

belvdr...thanks for your offer, but I don't think it will be necessary. I'm sure not much would change between our areas. (I'm in Xenia Township)

AzTac, I would love to have a Unication scanner and I don't understand why it can't be done! Thanks for all your info.

 

[troymail]

Okay, I'm pretty sure I've made up my mind on the Unification. It just seems the scanners won't work for me. At least it's a start. Now, do I need VHF? I'm not sure how to read the database for my area. I'll keep looking.

belvdr...thanks for your offer, but I don't think it will be necessary. I'm sure not much would change between our areas. (I'm in Xenia Township)

AzTac, I would love to have a Unication scanner and I don't understand why it can't be done! Thanks for all your info.

Most of what you'll listen to is probably here:
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=2068

and here:
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=6643

 

[jasonhouk]

Okay, I'm pretty sure I've made up my mind on the Unification. It just seems the scanners won't work for me. At least it's a start. Now, do I need VHF? I'm not sure how to read the database for my area. I'll keep looking.

belvdr...thanks for your offer, but I don't think it will be necessary. I'm sure not much would change between our areas. (I'm in Xenia Township)

AzTac, I would love to have a Unication scanner and I don't understand why it can't be done! Thanks for all your info.

In order to make a truly informed decision on the model, exactly what agencies are you wanting to listen to?

Houk

 

[Michelle0H]

As far as I can tell, it's all MARCS around me.

 

[belvdr]

As far as I can tell, it's all MARCS around me.

Same here.

If you're only listening to that one system, the Unication should work fine and there would no need for VHF or UHF.

 

[radio3353]

[Message snipped]
AzTac, I would love to have a Unication scanner and I don't understand why it can't be done! Thanks for all your info.

You need to stop thinking the Unication products are scanners. They are not. They are pagers. You can program them with multiple systems, but you can listen to only one system at a time. To listen to another system you turn a selection knob which will cut off the system you were just listening to.

 

[Michelle0H]

I never said the Unication products are scanners. What I said is I want a Unication scanner (for the reception quality).