Hello I'm in Taylor County Texas and I am looking to buy a new digital scanner so I can pick up the local police fire and EMS I do not know which one to get that is going to work with the new digital capabilities I want to pick up anything and everything in Taylor County Texas
Welcome to RadioReference, Keith
Looking at Taylor County in the
database, most of the smaller cities, as well as Taylor County agencies, are conventional (not trunked) at this time. Some are using P25 (digital) conventionally.
The City of Abilene is mostly using their EDACS/ProVoice
system. There are four Uniden scanners that can utilize a paid upgrade & receive Province. These are the BCD325P2, BCD996P2, BCD436HP, and BCD536HP. However, most, if not all, of the PD talkgroups have gone encrypted since ProVoice scanning became possible. This information is based on various posts in the Texas forum regarding Abilene. Dyess AFB is using P25 Phase I, but I suspect that sensitive talkgroups may be encrypted, even though not tagged as such in the dtabase.
Abilene, in the next couple of years or so, maybe sooner, will be converting to a P25 Phase II system. While PD may also be encrypted when that change is made, fire, at least dispatch, may remain in the clear. To monitor that system, once the change is made, would require one of the newer scanners, or at least one of the Whistler or GRE(PSR800) older models that can do Phase II.
San Angelo, to your south, is currently using a P25 Phase II system, though most talkgroups are only using Phase I at this time. The other counties around you are mostly conventional, some using P25, the same as Taylor County is.
For scanners that are P25 Phase II capable:
Current Model Uniden:
Note that ALL of the scanners below will receive P25 Phase I & P25 Phase II signals. All (except the HomePatrol-2) can utilize paid upgrades to receive DMR systems or ProVoice.
Uniden BCD436HP (Handheld)
Uniden BCD536HP (Base/Mobile)
Uniden BCD325P2 (Handheld)
Uniden BCD996P2 (Base Mobile)
Uniden Home Patrol 2
This model can be used as a desktop scanner, or with optional available mounts, used in a vehicle. While not really designed as a ‘true handheld scanner’, it does run on batteries and can be carried in a coat pocket or in a small belt tool holster.
Current Model Whistler:
All of the scanners in this group can receive P25 Phase I & P25 Phase II signals. These also can utilize a free upgrade for receiving DMR systems.
WS1088 (Handheld) Has keypad.
WS1098 (Base/Mobile) Has keypad and a detachable head for mobile installations.
TRX-1 (Handheld) Has keypad.
TRX-2 (Base/Mobile) Has keypad and a detachable head for mobile installations.
The TRX-1 & TRX-2 also have an available free upgrade to enable reception of NXDN systems.
Previous Whistler Models that are also P25 Phase I & P25 Phase II capable, also have a free DMR upgrade:
WS1080 (Handheld) (Same as the WS1088, except lacking the numeric keypad)
WS1095 (Base/Mobile) (Same as the WS1098, except lacking the numeric keypad)
The scanners below have a paid upgrade available through Whistler, to make them DMR capable, as well as P25 Phase I & Phase II (all except the Pro-18 were already Phase II capable). This upgrade also makes them eligible for support from Whistler. All are discontinued units. Also see this RadioReference
thread.
GRE PSR-800 (Handheld)
RadioShack PRO-18 (Handheld)
Radio Shack Pro-668 (Handheld)