Looks like a lot of P25 phase 2 in your area. You'd probably want and SDS100 or SDS200.
I think with an SDS you can just put in your zip code and it'll give you systems you can listen to. See what users you want to listen to are on what systems using the radio reference database and pick out of the menus. Research & Reviews on youtube has a pretty good tutorial on how to use that system.
If you want to have some understanding on how these P25 simulcast systems work. Read up on radio trunking, p25 and p25 phase 2. But the gist of it is you have to understand that these systems have a pool of frequencies they operate on. Talkgroups are used, so each group (fire, police, etc) will have their own talkgroups. So think a fire dispatch talkgroup, and then some fireground talkgroups that would be assigned when needed.
I suspect that you are correct on suggesting one of the SDS series scanners. Taking a look at the OPs area, there's a good number of systems using simulcast sites.
Please indulge my ignorance. I've been involved as a FF/EMT since 1977 (retired) and have been away from scanning for a number of years. I'd like to get back into it and am completely and utterly clueless. I have a few questions.
After living in Union County my whole life, I suddenly find myself in Middlesex County. I'd like to listen to the major fire departments in the area (e.g., Newark, Elizabeth, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Union County Fire Mutual Aid and of course FDNY). PANYNJ and NJSP (GSP and Turnpike) would be a bonus.
There's no need to worry about whether either one of the SDS series scanners, or the x36HP models, can handle the systems in your area. Hopefully, someone in your area will chime in on what they'd suggest for the simulcast systems.
1. Is it possible to listen to the above-listed agencies with just one scanner? If so, what would be the best option?
Any of the scanners mentioned are capable of receiving what you want to hear, as long as it is in range. (Again, someone local would have a better idea whether you could hear the more distant systems, such as FDNY).
2. How on Earth does one program these things? I get a headache every time I try reading about it.
4. Is there any reading material available, in simple English, with which I can educate myself?
The "Easier to Read Manuals page is a good place to start::
There are a large number of Wiki articles on programming issue. Multiple threads posted here in the Forums. Also, there's a wealth of videos on YouTube dealing with programming and operation of these scanners.
3. Are there places/people who can program these things for a fee?
There are a number of dealers, such as ScannerMaster or Bearcat Warehouse, that can program the scanner before shipping it to you. However, I try to discourage using one of them. All they will do is append systems from the main database to a Favorites list file, then charge you something in the range of $40 (or more, especially if you request more than one county). You can do that yourself, and use that money elsewhere. Besides, systems periodically get updated, as more users join, or for other reasons. Do you really want to pay another $40 (or more) every time something changes? Once you get comfortable with whichever model you choose, updates are quick & easy to do.
You can download & install Sentinel on your PC before you get a scanner (even before you order one).
wiki.radioreference.com
(The Easier to Read page has instructions for Sentinel as well.)
With Sentinel installed, update the database in Sentinel. Choose the Service Types you want. When shipped, only the Dispatch service types are enabled for Public Safety: Law Dispatch, Fire Dispatch, EMS Dispatch, & Multi-dispatch. You should also enable the related
Tac and
Talk service types for these> Examples like Law Talk, Law Tac, Fire Tac, etc.
Once you set up your Service Types, set your location and a range in your Profile in Sentinel. Once you have done that, you can simply have Sentinel create a Favorites list for you based on your service types and location details. Once you get whichever scanner you choose, ask (here, in your state's forum) if someone in your area will share a programming file.
More on how Location & Range settings are used by these scanners can be found here:
How it Works: Location, Location, Location
The SDS series scanners have a couple of features not present on the x36HP scanners. These include a more detailed, and customizable, display. And, the SDS scanners can use Filters as well as entry of the NAC for trunked system sites. (Those settings are not required, but in some cases, they are useful.)
But, the basic programming structure for
all four of these scanners (436HP, 536HP, SDS100, and SDS200) is exactly the same. They all use the same formats for Favorites lists, as well as programming Systems, Departments, and Sites. So a file from any of these models can be used in any of the others in this group.
