Advice for two-scanner combo for breaking news vehicle?

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itopia

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I am interested in monitoring breaking news events in New York City. I currently programmed Bearcat 72XLT with SOD, FDNY, and NYPD frequencies. Problem with 72XLT is no alpha tags. I need a second scanner that allows in car monitoring with good audio/reception.

I am trying to decide between BC15 and BC246T. The BC15 has great reception but the lack of alpha tags on 72XLT makes BC246T a good choice when I need to monitor news outside the vehicle.

Any advice on which scanner I should purchase?
 

n2mdk

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I think the BC246T would make a good choice if you need something portable. I just ordered a refurbed one myself from eBay.
 

scanfan03

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If you don't need digital, the BC246 is a great scanner. You could also get the wideband version with more quick keys (BR330T). If you don't need trunking, you could get the sc230.
 

trooperdude

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itopia said:
I am interested in monitoring breaking news events in New York City. I currently programmed Bearcat 72XLT with SOD, FDNY, and NYPD frequencies. Problem with 72XLT is no alpha tags. I need a second scanner that allows in car monitoring with good audio/reception.

I am trying to decide between BC15 and BC246T. The BC15 has great reception but the lack of alpha tags on 72XLT makes BC246T a good choice when I need to monitor news outside the vehicle.

Any advice on which scanner I should purchase?

Dump the scanners and go with a commercial radio programmed to RX only.

Most of the news vehicles around here run commercial radios programmed to
RX on public safety.
 
R

rescue31210

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I agree with trooperdude!

If the price is not a problem for you, I would go for the MCS2000 model 2 or 3. Make sure you get the highsplit, 450-512MHz. It does alpha tagging and has WAAYYYY more features then any stinkin' scanner has out there! But If you want a good scanner, the BCT15 IS the way to go for non-digital, and the BCD996 is the way to go for digital. For portables; again, radios are best. If you wanted something basic, go for the MTS2000 model 3. It's 255 channels. Infact, a friend of mine is selling one with all accessories for $275. If you want a portable scanner, the BR330T is deffenately the way to go.

Good luck!
 

itopia

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Scanners in NYP media vehicles

Posted on a behalf of a member of the credentialed New York media. Please do not flame.

Member would like to know about laws regarding scanner use in media vehicles. Police officers know media use scanners to cover breaking news. What are the laws regarding credentialed media operating scanners and monitoring police frequencies? Are these laws enforced for media?

Any members of the media pulled over and harassed when police officer sees scanners in the car? What are the penalties?

Thanks.
 

APX8000

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OMG !!!! How many times are we all going to say this. PLEASE USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION !!!!! There is another post that just started regarding scanner use in vehicles in NY and it has been discussed MANY times on this board.

Go to the library and look up VTL 397. Better yet...have your media person consult with their legal department.
 

crashcrew

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Here's the law:

§ 397. Equipping motor vehicles with radio receiving sets capable of
receiving signals on the frequencies allocated for police use.
A
person, not a police officer or peace officer, acting pursuant to his
special duties, who equips a motor vehicle with a radio receiving set
capable of receiving signals on the frequencies allocated for police use
or knowingly uses a motor vehicle so equipped or who in any way
knowingly interferes with the transmission of radio messages by the
police without having first secured a permit so to do from the person
authorized to issue such a permit by the local governing body or board
of the city, town or village in which such person resides, or where such
person resides outside of a city or village in a county having a county
police department by the board of supervisors of such county, is guilty
of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand
dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both. Nothing in
this section contained shall be construed to apply to any person who
holds a valid amateur radio operator's license issued by the federal
communications commission and who operates a duly licensed portable
mobile transmitter and in connection therewith a receiver or receiving
set on frequencies exclusively allocated by the federal communications
commission to duly licensed radio amateurs.



You can't have a scanner in a vehicle. Period. End of story. Now do with it what you will. The law also says you can't speed, but that doesn't stop anyone.

Now can we please put this topic to rest? :roll:
 
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DaveNF2G

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itopia said:
Posted on a behalf of a member of the credentialed New York media. Please do not flame.

Besides the redundancy of the topic, I would question the bona fides of a "credentialed member of the media" who cannot find this information for him/herself. At the very least they could ask some NYC official, couldn't they? Maybe even write a letter on media letterhead?

Barring that, Google is your friend. So are the Forum Search function and the RR Wiki.

:roll:
 

itopia

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There are dozens of news vehicles equipped with scanners chasing spot news around the city every day. I have not heard of any incident where charges were filed against members of the media for mobile scanning.

Why doesn't NYPD enforce this law? Officers have enough probable cause to check the vehicle for a scanner when a member of the media arrives at a spot news scene, no?



crashcrew said:
You can't have a scanner in a vehicle. Period. End of story. Now do with it what you will. The law also says you can't speed, but that doesn't stop anyone.

Now can we please put this topic to rest? :roll:
 

crashcrew

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itopia said:
Why doesn't NYPD enforce this law? Officers have enough probable cause to check the vehicle for a scanner when a member of the media arrives at a spot news scene, no?

Because they have more important things to worry about..:roll:
 
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