Analog scanner

[kio]

Hello Everybody,
I live in the D/FW area and purchased a bc346xtc scanner before I learned that the majority of the 1st responders that I want to listen to have all gone digital. Is my scanner totally worthless now if not what channels could I possibly program in to listen too?
Also anybody recommend a good digital handheld scanner?

 

[wtp]

well...

aviation
business
federal
ham
media
space station
look for digital stations and put them in the new radio
i like the 396xt (2009) myself but prefer the 396t (2005) as i am used to it and it takes less steps to get the job done.
one looks for action and the other hears the action.

 

[kio]

wtp- thanks for the suggestions, I'm new to all of this and always wanted a way to know what's going on in my city. I'll check out the two digital radios you suggested.

 

[willdanl]

Several of the smaller municipalities around are still analog, and depending on where in FW you live may be of interest. Benbrook, Everman, Saginaw, Lakeside are some examples. Arlington is on an analog trunked system but I don't know for how much longer. But you are correct, the bulk of the first responders in the area are digital - Medstar has begun transitioning to the P25 system in the past couple of weeks. Beware that FWPD is totally encrypted and you won't hear them unless they are on the Interop channels for special events or working with other agencies. I have several digital scanners and like things about them all - Uniden 396t, 996xt and 436hp and the GRE PSR800. The 436hp handles the simulcast systems better than any of them. The PSR800 is OK but the menu selection system is cumbersome if you travel around and change systems much - the uniden quick key setup is much more user friendly in my opinion. The 436hp also seems to have better sensitivity than all of them, having better success picking up Parker county and other more distant conventional channels. The main drawback for me on the 396t is the lack of NAC decoding on P25 conventional systems like the DPS - seems to result in more motorboating.

 

[kio]

Willdanl-Thanks for the information, another question i have is about municipalities that have gone digital and encrypted. Can these new digital scanners decrypt all digital encrypted channels?

 

[kio]

And why are my fonts so damn small!

 

[mass-man]

What wtp said...with DFW airport so close, it is worth scanning. Most of the time pretty routine, but you would be surprised how much drama there can be...especially with AA based here.
NO...it if is encrypted, it is encrypted and no scanner can receive that. Big bummer for the folks in FW, cuz there ain't nothing to listen to now...but you will need digital capabilities as there won't be much left that is not digital by probably the end of the year.
So now you've got two scanners, one for analog and one for digital. You are ahead of the game...

 

[kio]

Mass-man, thanks for the info. I haven't bought the digital scanner yet because i didn't want to waist money on a scanner if majority of cities are going to encryption. This really puts a damper on my new found hobby!

 

[willdanl]

Kio, there is still a lot to listen to on the FW Regional P25 system. So far FWPD is the only encrypted agency. While that has been a huge disappointment, Tarrant County SO is in the clear, as are other municipalities on the system like Crowley, Haltom City, NRH, Richland Hills, Bedford, Grapevine and so on. FW Fire is not encrypted. Hurst and White Settlement have their own digital systems and are in the clear too. You are certainly wise to understand the situation before plopping down the money for a digital scanner.

 

[kio]

Willdl- thanks for your input, it's my strong belief that other cities and channels will follow suite with encryption once the "digital encryption" experiment proves successful. Maybe i should wait this out a year or so before i purchase a digital scanner and see how it all pans out.

 

[kio]

Why can i not adjust the font size of my text? It's killing me!

 

[Jimbnks]

You can also Listen to Dallas PD and FD, and SO last I knew, if you live on the Dallas side.

 

[hiegtx]

You can also Listen to Dallas PD and FD, and SO last I knew, if you live on the Dallas side.

Dallas PD & FD use conventional Uhf for dispatch and response channels. Depending on exactly where the OP is located, and also terrain factors, Dallas might be monitorable from there. I can usually pick up Dallas in my SUV somewhere between Weatherford & Fort Worth. Dallas County SO is on conventional Vhf-high, and might be receivable. Dalas has bought a number of new radios, and eventually will have to replace the city's analog trunked system. I would not be surprised if they do not, at some point, convert to a P25 Phase II system. But so far, I've seen nothing with a timeline, or how the city might fund the switchover.