Advice request from super newbie

[Rjt122]

It's all personal opinion, the hp-2 is a nice radio. It's on the older side and I don't like the user format. Personally, to really future-proof yourself I believe you need a simulcast capable radio like the 100 or 200 or a unication pager or some of the other offerings that handle simulcast... Of course we are talking mo' money but it's the future. Again it's all opinion, depends on systems and location.

Thanks! A newbie follow up question- how does the 100 or 200 or unication future proof me vs the hp-2, is it the simulcast only or is there something else? Thanks again!

 

[trentbob]

Thanks! A newbie follow up question- how does the 100 or 200 or unication future proof me vs the hp-2, is it the simulcast only or is there something else? Thanks again!

Nothing is foolproof so you can't be guaranteed to be future-proofed. The trend in the country as large communication vendors peddle their goods is large simulcast systems. You want to be able to pick them up the best you can while on the move. Along with these new systems comes options for encryption which means no matter what radio you have you won't pick up what is encrypted which is usually the police.

The legions of secret squirrels are growing rapidly, it's just a fact of life for different reasons whether it be government-mandated or law enforcement taking exception to being monitored for free with or without good intentions. A topic for another day.

The Uniden scanners offer the versatility of upgrades that you pay for, you pay for them because they work, you can upgrade to DMR or nxdn for example. Whether Uniden scanners will be supported or upgraded in the future is unclear, no one knows, we are all waiting to see on that one. After a long hiatus it is said that is being attended to.

I'm not a unication pager user but I've had enough of them in my hands to know they are good quality solid units with good reception but not quite versatile as a scanner even though it is thought that they will eventually be.

Best thing to do is research yourself, the information is all here but you have to dig it up. You also have to do a needs assessment based on your particular situation.

HTH

 

[rr60]

Thanks! A newbie follow up question- how does the 100 or 200 or unication future proof me vs the hp-2, is it the simulcast only or is there something else? Thanks again!

All you need to know is right here on RR. Plenty of information. Even the classifieds have clues.

SDS 200

Selling my second sds 200. Had 2 of them sold the one in my car now selling the one in my house. Radio is in perfect condition. My g5 pager is serving my needs more than I thought it would so no need for all these radios. 600 firm. Come with the...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[maus92]

Thanks! A newbie follow up question- how does the 100 or 200 or unication future proof me vs the hp-2, is it the simulcast only or is there something else? Thanks again!

I've owned a HP-2, but I sold it because it was missing a lot of traffic. The SDS 100/200 are the best consumer grade radios on the market. That's where I would spend my money. Forget the 996P2, HP-2, 436 / 536. The can technically receive most P25 systems, but they perform poorly on simulcast sites which are likely to be found in NJ and other populous areas.

 

[icnsltmfg]

Hi, I live in Cedar Grove, NJ Essex County 07009, my local PD and FD just switched to digital and the old scanner we found in the house when we moved in doesn't work. My wife and I enjoyed listening and found it helpful during floods etc. Any advice for a simple, easy to use scanner I can get? I'm not totally tech illiterate but I'm not that great either, simpler is better. Thank you and I apologize if this is the wrong place to post this.

Are there any other towns that you might want to listen to? I am in Essex Fells and have both a SDS100 and 200 because of North Caldwell and EF, however West Caldwell I believe also just switched over and I believe Little Falls....They are not inexpensive, but with Sentinel pretty easy to program for most users once they understand the basics...

 

[wtp]

rjt122 i sent a personal message with some things for any old radio.
look up to the right of this page.