Advice on scanner

[irishman75]

I’m looking to get a scanner. I know encryption has changed dramatically since the last one I purchased back in the 90’s. I want to be able to listen to Anne Arundel Co (police and fire) and other local jurisdictions like BALTIMORE city and county. Something portable but I don’t want to break the bank. I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[emtLarmy15]

Sds 100 is your best bet (might break the bank though). If you only want to listen to one system at a time you could consider the unication g4. I think most others will give you simulcast issues on the systems you mentioned.

 

[irishman75]

The last scanner I remember using (and it worked well was a Uniden bc396xt, that I got via eBay. Will that still do the job? Or has the encryption changed?


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[emtLarmy15]

I believe you should still be able to use it for now as AA and BALTIMORE are currently no worse than phase 1. No scanner can legally decode encryption (and never will) so that doesn’t factor in. AA is currently building a phase 2 system that your scanner will not receive.

 

[emtLarmy15]

As I said above though, you may have simulcast issues using the 396.

 

[irishman75]

I believe you should still be able to use it for now as AA and BALTIMORE are currently no worse than phase 1. No scanner can legally decode encryption (and never will) so that doesn’t factor in. AA is currently building a phase 2 system that your scanner will not receive.

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[irishman75]

Ok, great. I am familiar with how that scanner functions, it’s also not terribly expensive, and I am familiar with the software to program it. Now to just find one


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[irishman75]

When you say “simulcast issues” what do you mean?


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[emtLarmy15]

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Simulcast_Distortion

That’s the long answer but basically it cause garbled transmissions.

 

[irishman75]

So, will it cause problems if I’m listening to the digital transmissions from AACO or Baltimore?


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[emtLarmy15]

I can’t say for sure as I have zero experience with that scanner on those systems. Someone else may come along that can better answer it. I didn’t completely digest your original statement t about the 396 (i thought you already owned it)... it’s going to be short lived for AA county as it won’t work on the system they are building. I don’t know that I’d spend new money on that scanner. I’d say your money is best spent on a sds100.

 

[irishman75]

Ok, any idea on how long before he new system is running. I don’t have $600 for a scanner but I can possibly swing $200 for the 396


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[emtLarmy15]

I’m gonna guess 1-2 years

 

[irishman75]

Ok, I can deal with that. That gives me enough time set aside funds


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[jkahn]

While I prefer Uniden products, you might also look at Whistler's TRX radios. They work well, and the options you pay extra for with Uniden like NXDN and DMR are included in the TRX radio for no extra charge.

 

[irishman75]

Thanks I’ll look into that


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[maus92]

Thanks I’ll look into that


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Stay away from Whistler - they suck on P25 Phase 2 systems, and public safety does not use NXDN or DMR in this area. Check the recent threads about the performance problems of the TRX-1 on the Maryland FIRST system Cecil County site. And rumor has it that Whistler may be exiting the scanner business.

 

[irishman75]

Thank you for that suggestion


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[irishman75]

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. I managed to get a 396xt. Which I all I need for the moment.


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[Larry1275]

u need to get uniden SDS-200 scanner it will work on new state wide radio sys