A scanner that does it all?

[cheetoes]

I work for a newspaper and it's time to update our scanners. While we have one Uniden BC780XLT for trunk tracking we need many more. We also have a number of radio cars equipped with conventional 100 channel scanners that need to be replaced.

The problem: within our coverage area we have atleast one digital trunk in operation (all police channels are encrypted) and a number of various analog trunk systems (some with encryption on police channels) and many agencies that use conventional radio systems. I need to find a scanner that is both mobile and base capable and can scan all these systems continuously (meaning that I don't have to scan just trunks, or just conventional systems, at any given time). Also, the base radio will probably never be turned off once it is turned on so it's gotta be good. So far our Uniden has been on for about three years and still going strong. Also, ease of use is definitely a concern since the mobile radios will be mounted in cars and the users aren't very radio savy. Ideally all that the users would ever need to do is turn it on and it will scan all systems programmed into it all the time.
I think for now our budget is about $2400 for eight radios. The base station should be top of the line including digital, the mobile radios could be digital capable and we could buy the chips later if needed to keep costs in line.

 

[pfish]

It would be best if you posted your location so we could see what types of systems are in your area.

 

[click23]

All of the RS and Uniden scanners out now do not use a digital card. If all of the police talkgroups on the digital system are encrypted having a digital radio is not going to help at all for police monitoring. The cost of today’s digital scanners is from$500-$600.

The only new digital base scanner out right now is the PRO-2096 from radio shack $499.99 Uniden’s BC796D and BC785D are older models, but you can get them without the card. Cards are going for about the same price if not more than the scanners now. If you buy them separate they will cost more than a new 2096.

All modern scanners that I know of allow you to trunk and scan at the same time.

You could go out and find some old Uniden BC296D's handhelds. But you have the same problem; if you buy them without a card they will cost more than a brand new model if you go out and buy a card later. If you buy them together they will be less than $50 cheaper than the new models.

The brand new Uniden’s might be a little tricky for the users that aren't "very radio savvy". You could go get a few pro97s and one digital base unit and come in within your budget.
Pro 2096 $499.99x1= $499.99
Pro 97 $219.99 x8=$1,759.92
For a total +tax of $2,259.91

Robert

 

[Al42]

Another thing to keep in mind, if there are any 800 MHz Motorola trunking systems involved, is rebanding, and only Uniden has even offered hopes that the scanners being sold now will be usable after rebanding.

But 8 trunking scanners for $2400 is being penny wise and pound foolish. You can get 8 Uniden BCD396s for less than $3200, and they'd last a while. (And they're all digital, so you can monitor any non-encrypted signals.)

 

[cheetoes]

Geography

The area that we need to listen to is Middlesex County, NJ. The digital trunk is in Edison, NJ. Analog trunk systems include South Brunswick EDACS 866 Mhz with police encryption, Sayreville 500 Mhz Motorola limited encryption of detective talk group , East Brunswick Twp 500 Mhz, Piscataway 500 Mhz, Old Bridge Twp 866 Mhz, Monroe Twp 500 Mhz, and NJ State Police hybrid Motorola I and II 866 Mhz.

Other more specific information about the area can be found at

http://www.jim-robbins.com/radio/middlesex.html

This site has been very helpful to me in the past.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Al42]

Re: Geography

The area that we need to listen to is Middlesex County, NJ. The digital trunk is in Edison, NJ. Analog trunk systems include South Brunswick EDACS 866 Mhz with police encryption

Forget listening to that one with anything less than a radio given to you by the PD.

Sayreville 500 Mhz Motorola limited encryption of detective talk group

Same thing for that talk group.

East Brunswick Twp 500 Mhz, Piscataway 500 Mhz, Old Bridge Twp 866 Mhz, Monroe Twp 500 Mhz, and NJ State Police hybrid Motorola I and II 866 Mhz.

Aside from the two noted, any digital scanner that can handle 500 MHz should be able to pick up all the systems you want, assuming you're within range of the particular system at the time.

 

[poltergeisty]

You must know that the digital scanners hear analog as well. This was somewhat said but just wanted you to be clarified.

Start hounding the PD to give your bureau radios with receive only mode.

I would, in the name of freedom of the press.

This site well help you greatly on any info. you need. Keep in touch.
Boo!-Poltergeisty :-0

 

[Joseph11]

BTW, the State Police are completly Type II. They have been for some time.