Any Buying Advice for a Sacramento Newbie?

[Silentbrad]

Long time lurker, first time poster…

I’m based in Sacramento, between I5 and Executive Airport. The scanner I have now is an old pro89 that my grandfather left me when he passed on. Ever since I first listened to the Executive tower while hearing the plane fly over my place, I’ve been totally hooked.

My pro89 is pretty limited, so it’s time to upgrade. I’ll need to be able to listen to trunked systems, specifically Motorola Type II Smartnet (for Sac City and County public safety). Rebanding is an issue, because Sacramento is in Wave 1. I’m currently considering the Uniden BCT8 because it appears to be able to survive rebanding, and the Beartracker feature seems pretty interesting.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[RolnCode3]

Does it have to be a mobile, or would a handheld be acceptable?

I can't remember if the Pro-97 will survive rebanding, but if it will, it'll work for the short term. There is a transition in progress to mixed-mode digital, but so far it hasn't affected scanners.

You can also get it on sale from RadioShack.

However, if you have the money, the BC246T would be perfect for this area. You'll be able to listen to everything except Davis. The 396T would solve that problem, but at the premium price. Let us know what your comfortable spending, and whether it has to be a mobile or would the handheld be acceptable...then we can narrow it down more.

 

[Silentbrad]

Thanks for the help, Bill.

I had originally been looking at mobile scanners, but I’m open to a handheld. Is there a big difference in the amount of reception between the two?

As for price level, I’d like to get as close to $200 (new) as possible. I figure that’s just enough to get deeper into the hobby without going all out yet!

I did some preliminary research on the BC246T after reading your post. It looks like a great scanner with solid reviews. I especially like the fact that it appears to have the ability to alpha tag through my pc.

If you were going to go with a mobile, what would you pick up to use in our area?

 

[Sac916]

For the Sacramento area, I have two suggestions, and both handhelds.

By March / April Sacramento County TRS ( WNYR751 ID4328 )
will be mixed mode, Analog/Digital. Somee portions will be analog, while others will be digital APCO25 transmissions.

Expect to see a full digital system in about 7 years.
I just bought a BC-396T, and it is my top choice.

BC-396T $530.00 ( digital )
http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=01-501003


Second up, is the BC-246T which does not handle digital transmissions. There are only a couple digital trunked systems in the region, but expect that to change over the next couple years. Analog components are slowly being phased out and unsupported.

The BC-246T will allow you to listen to a large number of Trunked system as well as handle conventional systems quite well. The dynamic memory is amazing.

BC-246T $220.00 (analog only)
http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=01-500881

 

[Al42]

I had originally been looking at mobile scanners, but I’m open to a handheld. Is there a big difference in the amount of reception between the two?

You'll probably get a lot of hype about that but, for the most part, the only differences between a portable scanner and its mobile sibling (larger case, 12 volt power, larger display) is the larger speaker, giving you fuller (not more realistic, since the transmitted audio is limited in bandwidth) audio and, with some mobile scanners, better shielding due to the metal case. (Those with cardboard backs or bottoms aren't any better shielded than their hand-held equivalents.) As far as raw sensitivity, selectivity, freedom from overload, etc., there's usually no difference, because the circuitry is the same.

I did some preliminary research on the BC246T after reading your post. It looks like a great scanner with solid reviews. I especially like the fact that it appears to have the ability to alpha tag through my pc.

You can program alpha tagging with a computer with almost any of the current scanners. The 246 (and other Uniden scanners) lets you see what the scanner is doing on a computer program, and to control the scanner by computer.

 

[Sacramento_Bill]

I have to second the recomendation on the Uniden 396. It is one fantastic scanner. I recently purchased one and am in absolute love with it. If you can at all save for one I would highly recomend it.

 

[RolnCode3]

What scanner you get should mostly depend on whether you can afford a digital scanner now. If you can, get either the 396T, wait for the BCD996T, or get the Uniden BC896D or Radioshack Pro-96/2096. If not, get a 246T, Pro-97, Pro-95, or something along those lines.

All of the digitals are at least 400 dollars unless you buy one used. They will all continue to work after rebanding. They currently work on the systems, and will work once the digital conversions are done.

So, here's the real choice: Digital now, or digital when you HAVE to have it.

HANDHELD DIGITAL NOW:
Radioshack Pro-96
Uniden BCD396T

MOBILE DIGITAL NOW"
Radioshack Pro-2096
Uniden BC796D
wait for BCD996T

HANDHELD W/O DIGITAL:
Uniden BC246T
Radioshack Pro-97 (might not survive rebanding, not sure)
(many others...may not survive rebanding, may* be no good on TRSs once digital conversion begins)

MOBILE W/O DIGITAL
Uniden BC785D (can do some digital with optional $99 card)
Uniden 780XLT
(many others...may not survive rebanding, may* be no good on TRSs once digital conversion begins)

In short, my recommendation (in order):
BC396D
BCD996T (when it's released)
BC246T
Pro-2096 (difficult to navigate trunked systems, but otherwise an EXCELLENT scanner)
Pro-96 (handheld version of 2096)
Pro-97

* nobody knows how many/which talkgroups will be digital on the converted systems.

 

[swat]

well im getting alot of no ways on the pro 97. i have e-mailed radioshack with my questions and still no amswers back. but im really hoping it will pass the rebanding but i was also told that the cpu board can be changed for around 50 dollars but even then $150 for a pro 97 $50 for the cpu board. your better of getting a pro 96 i would have got it if it fit in my budget.........

 

[swat]

..........

 

[Sac916]

About 3 months ago I bought a Pro-97 on sale.

It's a "good" scanner for conventional freqs. Very good actually.
But when it comes to Trunking, Uniden beats it hands down... in my opinion.

The ability to move through trunk systems and actually switch Talk Groups at will is simple and straightforward.

Moving through Talk Group IDs on the Pro-97 is frustrating and limited, especially for busy Trunked systems.

I now have a 396T which will be my primary scanner, the Pro-97 will be used for "searching" out frequencies.

The 396 does cost about double the Pro-97, but there is a reason for that, and it's worth it.

 

[Sac916]

Additionally, I've found the Close Call ( 396T ) to perform better than the Signal Stalker ( pro-97 ) Both are not true Frequency Counters, but it's still a fun tool.

 

[selgaran]

Try holding down the "HOLD", "3", and "0" buttons on 396T on powerup and thru the powerup sequence...something a little closer to a frequency counter.