Anyone in Northern Michigan using a 996t?

[bigk_54]

Hello, im contemplating buying a Uniden 996t and wondered if anyone is using one up here.

 

[lpapas]

How far north? I'm using one in Tawas.

 

[n211cr]

Or even better give us the city or atleast the county you will be using your radio most in. If what you are listening to 90% of the time is not digital, it may be more worth while picking up the BCT-15, the 996's analog counterpart. Let us know then we can direct you further.

 

[bigk_54]

Antrim County, Kalkaska County, Otsego County, Grand Traverse County are the primary counties. I live in Antrim County and they are soon switching to digtal and Otsego County already has.

 

[rdale]

Then the 996T will be a great choice.

 

[lpapas]

I agree with rdale. Once your county "throws the switch", you won't hear mutch other than ambulance calls on analog. The digital is worth it.

 

[gg750]

Antrim County, Kalkaska County, Otsego County, Grand Traverse County are the primary counties. I live in Antrim County and they are soon switching to digtal and Otsego County already has.

I'm kind of divided on the issue of having digital up here (I live in Traverse City). On one had, I never use it unless I'm out of the area simply becuase there just isn't anything to listen to other than some sporadic MSP traffic. On the other, I go nuts if I don't have it becuase I feel like I'm missing out on something.

As for your specific area, Antrim will only be going partial digital. There are too many dead spots in the county and they don't have (or don't want) to spend the money to fix them with more towers. It will be similar to Leelanau's digital setup (analog mobiles and digital portables, though Antrim may be the other way around), so all of their traffic will still be heard on VHF. So it really only comes down to Otsego and MSP (most of them do most of their communications with county dispatch centers anyway, so you won't be missing much). If Otsego is that important, then of course you'll have to go digital. But if not, I'd save the money and get something less expensive until there is more digital traffic in the area. The savings could be used to get some software, such as TrunkStar (LOVE that program!). Grand Traverse (so I hear, anyway) may start migrating in the next few years, and Antrim may someday decide to fork over the cash and go fully digital, but that could be years in the making as well. As far as I know, Kalkaska have never even considered make the switch, and most likely won't for many years due to financial restrictions.


G

 

[glockken]

996t is your best bet

I have the 996T and live in Rapid City..I can send you a few logs to show you how much they use the system up here in the North...or if you like ...you can send me a message and we can set up a time you can visit and see the scanner in use...I also have the freq's for all the surrounding county's if you decide on going non digital...

 

[JohnJRambo]

Northern Mi./996T

I have my 996T dedicated to scanning just the MPSCS. I use another scanner for vhf comms. I am hearing enough digital traffic to justify the price to myself. However, your results or thoughts may vary. The 996T does the job for me. JJR