Scanner Question

[completeAudio]

Hi i am new to scanners and would like to listen to my local PD. I am confused on what type of scanner i will need. Iknow they use a trunked system, but im not sure weather i will need the digital scanner or just a normal trunked. Here is their system.

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=197&nopt=1

I am thinking i need the digital....but not sure. I have a real old scanner but i only get bit and peices of the conversations.

Also what are your recommendations on a new scanner?

Thank You

 

[waynesewell]

From the page you referenced: "The system is an Astro-CAI (APCO-25) digital system."

The BC796/296 scanners are the only unidens with digital out of the box. Some of the models can do digital with a separate card installed (BC350?).

Don't know anything about the radio shack models, but some have digital capability. pro-96? The claim is that they handle the sound quality better. Dunno.

At the very least you will need a trunking scanner. That's why you can't follow the conversations.

 

[Dubbin]

At the very least you will need a trunking scanner.

A regular trunking radio will do no good on a digital system :roll:
You will need a digital radio in order to listen to that system. Any of the digital radios should work on that system. RadioShack PRO96, Uniden 250, 785, 296, 796. With the 250 and 785 you will need to buy the digital card. The 296 and the 796 the card is included and with the PRO96 the "card" is built into the radio. There is NO BC350 digital radio, so dont even bother looking for it.

 

[waynesewell]

A regular trunking radio will do no good on a digital system

He said he could hear bits and pieces of conversations with a non-digital, non-trunking scanner, so it's not all digital all the time. He would at least be able to follow those conversations with just a trunking scanner.

There is NO BC350 digital radio, so dont even bother looking for it.

Okay, sorry about that. BC-Something-50.

 

[completeAudio]

Thanks for the replies, I think i understand the system a little better now. I found this,

The system is an Astro-CAI (APCO-25) digital system. The Police and Fire Departments on Boca, Boynton, and Delray are all running fulltime Astro-CAI digital with Local Government as analog. PBSO and PBCFR are all analog except for SWAT, SRT, etc on the County cell.


So since right now i am more concerned with listening to the PBSO i could get a 250 or 785 and always to the upgrade later...right?

Also what is the big difference between the two?

 

[Dubbin]

Okay, sorry about that. BC-Something-50.

Hey I used to have one of those :lol:

BTW Happy 4th to everyone!!!

 

[DJ88]

Just remember one thing. The Uniden BC250D and 785D models can only monitor 3600 Baud digital trunked systems. The newer BC296D and 796D models can monitor both 3600 and 9600 Baud systems.

 

[mlevin]

96 is a better investment, other then buy a non digital trunker now, and then want to by a digital later. Of course, the 296/796 will work just as good, but I'm biased to the 96.

 

[W4KRR]

completeAudio, In order to listen to Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach police or fire/rescue, you need a digital trunk tracking scanner. These agencies are full time digital for police and fire. Public works I believe use analog.

However, Palm Beach County is mostly analog trunking, although there are digital talkgroups in use on the system (3600 baud). So, if your main interest is in one of the cities mentioned above, you need a digital trunk tracking scanner, like the PRO-96 or Uniden BC250 or BC-296, or BC-785 or BC-796. With the BC-250 or BC-785, you have to buy the digital card seperately. It's included with the BC-296 and BC-796; the Radio Shack PRO-96 doesn't require a digital card.