Advise on scanners that will work monitoring Madison, Middletown, and Wallingford

[chriswx]

So, I am looking at getting back into the hobby after many years of no longer using my older analog scanner from Radio Shack, as analog has really seemed to be getting phased out. It all seems fairly complicated now with all the digital trunked systems, I am just trying to get back up to speed.

I currently live in North Madison, close to the Durham line. I am hoping to be able to monitor police and emergency communications from Middletown, Wallingford, and most importantly, Madison. It would be nice to monitor the State Police, as well, but that is not a deal breaker.

The scanners I was looking at include the Bearcat BCD536HP, the BCD996p2, and I was also looking at the Whistler models WS1065 and the Whister TRX-2. I do know about the Bearcat SDS200 and realize it is the best. But, just thought I'd ask about the others as the difference in price is pretty steep.

Thanks for any advise!

 

[W1KNE]

Hi Chris

Well first off, you're not going to be monitoring Middletown PD, as they are fully encrypted.
Middletown and Wallingford are on separate digital trunked systems. Both are TDMA (Phase 2), Middletown has 9 simulcast sites.
Madison, is P25, clear, conventional.

In order from best to worst for your situation, if you want to monitor those and the state police are:
SDS by far #1. 536HP is #2, and 996P2 is number 3. Personally I am not a fan of the Whistler scanners and have seen a number of posts about how bad they are at digital trunking. The 536HP handles simulcast better than the 996P2, but neither are as good as the SDS.
I have first hand proven this on CLMRN.

Most of the fire have analog patches or are analog completely. So that point would be moot for you on the scanner model.

 

[doctordialtone]

Thanks for any advise!

Here's my advice:

I'm in the Cromwell area and my favorite scanner for monitoring this area is the 996P2 from Uniden.

There is a chance that you may suffer some Simulcast Distortion but I've never had a problem.

If you do have a problem, you'll need to exchange your scanner for one of the SDS scanners

I bought my scanners from Scannermaster.

Good luck!

 

[MTACOP]

I'm still working n understanding the SDS when crystals seemed so easy. Driving through CT yesterday and love the SDS100. Treat yourself

 

[dave3825]

difference in price is pretty steep.

If your just looking for home use, a couple 30.00 sdr dongles and Sdrtrunk would be a low cost solution.