Here is some more information on the 325p2 that I own as far as frequency range and scanning speed. I did some quick tests and timed how fast it would scan.
It covers from 25 mhz to 1300 mhz minus the frequencies the factory is required by the FCC to lock out. Some frequencies might be left out for convenience too, not sure how all that works.
Frequency Coverage:
25.0000 - 512.0000 MHz
758.0000 - 823.9875 MHz
849.0125 - 868.9875 MHz
894.0125 - 960.0000 MHz
1240.0000 - 1300.0000 MHz
Someone check my math on this ( I suck at match), but this is what I came up with. I scanned from 200 mhz to 360 mhz with a step of 100 khz which equals 1600 different frequencies I believe. It scanned it in roughly 15 seconds which should equal about 107 frequencies or channels per second. So that would be about 2 channels per second. Does that sound right, or do I need to go back to high school lol.
Keep in mind for actual system scanning it will depend on how your file structure is set up and how you have your hold times set. You can force it to scan a particular system for X amount of seconds if you want. You can also set it to hold on a channel for a certain amount of time once it breaks squelch. This is handy if you are trying to follow a conversation.
One of my configurations is:
21 systems
36 sites
107 groups
1110 channels
It will scan the whole memory bank in just under 8 seconds if it doesn't hit on anything.
A second configuration of just my local stuff:
6 systems
6 sites
8 groups
131 channels
It will scan this memory bank in just under 4 seconds I think. It is kind of hard to time accurately, it scans the conventional systems so fast I can't really time it, under a second. Then it takes a couple seconds to scan the trunked sites because of how I have them set up.
On both of these configurations if I optimized the file structure and didn't use multiple systems to scan the same site I could probably speed up the scan times. On the local set up I have it programmed so each service has its own system and quick key. Like Police, Fire, EMS and State Police each have their own systems so I can turn them on and off easily at will. And the larger configuration covers south Michigan and northern Ohio for a total of 8 counties I think. Each county having its own system with some broken down by service type. This way when I drive to Ohio I can shut off the Michigan systems and turn on the Ohio ones. Or toggle them on and off by county depending on where I am in the state.
Lets say for instance if I took my local configuration and merged all the systems so I just had one system for the conventional channels and one for the trunked system it would probably scan them faster. However I decided to sacrifice a second or two of scan speed for the convenience of being able to quickly toggle systems on and off. And there are various ways of assigning quick quick keys and channel tag numbers to accomplish this. Mine probably is not the most efficient way, but it is easy for me to understand and remember.
And like I said in my other post, this can also be accomplished by connecting a GPS and programming the scanner to use it. Then the scanner would automatically toggle systems and channels on and off based on my physical location and the range I specify using the GPS unit.
If I were going to mount a scanner in a vehicle and actually use it while driving around I would probably go with one of the X36 uniden models, or a TRX whislter model combined with a GPS. That way you would have the built in data base on the SD card and the GPS to sense your physical location.
While we are on the subject of Mobile Scanners I would like to mention the legality of it. It varies by location, and don't believe the internet. According to the internet a mobile scanner is legal in Michigan as long as you don't use it in a crime. When I bought my scanner I got it from a local radio shop that services police vehicle radio systems. So there were a few officers in there at the time. And the salesman said he used to be a deputy as well. When I said the internet said they were legal they all laughed. They all assured me that if I got pulled over and had a mobile scanner that was on I would get cited and they would take the scanner. And I could go to court and argue if it was legal or not. Something to consider anyway.
And if you want to know more about the memory structure on the 325p2 here is a good link to an online manual for it.
Easier to Read BCD325P2 Digital Scanner Manual
I am sure the instructions for the 436 are there as well if you go to the home page.
