Absolute Noob

[DaMunchMan]

I would love to get started @ listening to what is going on around me but have no clue where to even start. Ive read forums and comparison sites but its another language to me. My first thought was to just buy any ol scanner but as with other things in life, not everything works and does what you want so i come to you.

I live in Washington State, King County, City of Enumclaw. i would like to be able to listen to police and fire departments here.

With all the talk about digital vs analog, trucked vs non trunked, ect. What will work for me in my area without breaking my wallet? Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS

 

[ampulman]

Need more information.

Who handles your police/fire, etc.? Local or County (Sheriff)?

Probably get good information by posting in Washington State forum.

 

[W8RMH]

I would love to get started @ listening to what is going on around me but have no clue where to even start. Ive read forums and comparison sites but its another language to me. My first thought was to just buy any ol scanner but as with other things in life, not everything works and does what you want so i come to you.

I live in Washington State, King County, City of Enumclaw. i would like to be able to listen to police and fire departments here.

With all the talk about digital vs analog, trucked vs non trunked, ect. What will work for me in my area without breaking my wallet? Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS

Welcome to RR. Looking at our database it looks like Seattle - King County is analog trunked.

I would recommend the BCT15X - The RadioReference Wiki for base / mobile or the BC346XT - The RadioReference Wiki if you want a handheld. Obtain a premium membership from this site and you can download the system using FreeScan and load it into your scanner.

Click on the items above underlined and in blue for links. This should get you started. Then you can program other systems or frequencies as you go.

 

[ka3jjz]

Hi DaMunch and welcome

Read through this article (anything that's blue is a link) and it will get you going...

Scanning 101 - The RadioReference Wiki

Mike

 

[Rt169Radio]

Hi DaMunchMan,welcome to Radio Reference.I too would recommend the Uniden BCT15X and/or the BC346XT as they are good scanners.

 

[DaMunchMan]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and great help/advice. i found a link with all frequencies in my area KOK657 Scanner Frequencies

last question i have for now is this: im assuming that analog doesnt pick up as much as digital and digital can pick up both digital and analog. is this true? If so shud i go digital as to have more varitiy of what/where i can listen too.

 

[captclint]

The link you found is outdated. Here is the correct one:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=2974

You are correct that digital will get both analog and digital, However, there aren't any public safety agencies on digital in your area. You should verify this in the Washington state forum. There are other agencies that ARE digital. You can see which ones at the bottom of the page that say: Project25.This digital one can not be monitored by most scanners:
King County Metro Transit The others look fairly limited in what type of talk groups(users) are available.

.Digital costs $400-500 and analog is half of that, so be sure you really want to have digital capability, and be sure to ask in the Washington State forum about any future plans for digital,and what they would recommend.