bjlasota
Member
Good afternoon. I'm newer to the scanner ownership and have a few questions. I've been listening to Broadcastify using multiple phone apps for about 3 or 4 years and decided it was time to bite the bullet and invest into a scanner. Before I actually understood anything about my state, I had put on a wish list and received a Uniden Bearcat BC125AT for Christmas this past year. One of my favorite channels to listen to while on the computer was my local city and county police dispatch. The scanner was a breeze to setup with the PC software and I use it quite a lot for my local fire and EMS dispatch. However, after receiving this scanner, I found that Michigan has switched over to Project 25, Phase 1 and that I would missing out on what I originally wanted this scanner for. Below are my questions. For reference, I am located in the very Southwest County of Michigan, Berrien.
1. Can you recommend a good, entry level scanner for being able to listen to Project 25, Phase 1? I was surprised to find that the scanner I have costs around $90 while scanners capable of this new system go up to $1000. I'm hoping that I don't have to break the bank, because I can get by with just using my phone, but like I said, would much rather not tie the phone up all the time. One thing I was able to find from Broadcastify, is that the receiver used for the station I normally listen to is Radio Shack PRO-96, which doesn't appear to be available for sale anymore, unless of course I were to buy one used on ebay.
2. Is there anything that indicates that Michigan will move away from Phase 1 to where if I were to invest in a capable scanner today, 2-3 years from now, I'd have to buy a different one?
3. Would a new scanner capable of trunked stations still allow me to listen to conventional stations that I listen to now with my BC125AT? The idea here would be to sell it used and put that money towards the more capable scanner. If not, I would likely keep it for fire/ems.
4. Is there any reason that purchasing used is frowned upon. Ebay and such?
Thank you in advance for your suggestions and answers.
1. Can you recommend a good, entry level scanner for being able to listen to Project 25, Phase 1? I was surprised to find that the scanner I have costs around $90 while scanners capable of this new system go up to $1000. I'm hoping that I don't have to break the bank, because I can get by with just using my phone, but like I said, would much rather not tie the phone up all the time. One thing I was able to find from Broadcastify, is that the receiver used for the station I normally listen to is Radio Shack PRO-96, which doesn't appear to be available for sale anymore, unless of course I were to buy one used on ebay.
2. Is there anything that indicates that Michigan will move away from Phase 1 to where if I were to invest in a capable scanner today, 2-3 years from now, I'd have to buy a different one?
3. Would a new scanner capable of trunked stations still allow me to listen to conventional stations that I listen to now with my BC125AT? The idea here would be to sell it used and put that money towards the more capable scanner. If not, I would likely keep it for fire/ems.
4. Is there any reason that purchasing used is frowned upon. Ebay and such?
Thank you in advance for your suggestions and answers.