martymartin said:
I am just trying to get a Moto to do digital with out giving out my first born...$$$$.
Don't want to spend 500 on a scanner. Scanners are junk compared to the Motorola's.
Can't see spending that much on any scanner. Thanks.
Let's separate the issues a little bit.
Performance:
You say that the scanners are junk. In what way? The things that come to my mind are reception quality and ruggedness. No argument here.
Cost:
You will end up spending quite a bit more to use a Motorola radio as a digital scanner than you will on a scanner. Ignoring the cost of the radio ($300-1500), here is what I came up with. Obviously, if you know someone who has some of these things, it will be less.
1. Computer interface (either a rib+cable or a standalone cable) $100-200
2. Software $400
3. If the radio you buy does not come with a good battery and charger, add $50
4. If the system you are going to monitor is affected by rebanding and your radio firmware doesn't support it, add $75 to send it in to Motorola for a firmware upgrade
5. And then there is the issue that Elroy pointed out of not having system keys. How much will the lawyer and fines be?
Between the scanner and software, I have less than $400 invested in a digital trunking scanner. For that price, I am willing to put up with some occasional poor reception.