Back after 10 years gone, a bit overwhelmed!

[gd9704]

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie here, but my scanning roots go back pretty far. In my youth(late 70's) I enjoyed hours of scanner listening on my dad's original 10 channel programmable Bearcat scanner. Life went on, things got more complicated (trunking) and I lost interest, having other things to do with my life. (You know, drinking, chasing women etc...)

Well, now I'm a married guy with a baby and seem to be spending LOTS more time at home. I dug out my old Realistic Pro-2022 scanner, and got on the net to see what frequencies I could find, as my last issue of Police call is now 11 years old.....

Man, times have changed. I found out that the area I live in (Lake Co, Ohio) has a nifty new digital system in place(APCO-25 ), and it would seem that I'm not going to be able to listen in on what's going on in my neighborhood for less than $500!!!

While the admission price is steep, I have to admit I'm scared to death to get into the scanning thing again--in the old days, you just punched in a few frequencies and away you went. NOW, frequencies, codes, etc........I'm afraid I'll never be able to set up a scanner.

I need some encouragement that the time and money will take me back to the enjoyable scanning days of my youth!

Thanks for listening,
Greg

 

[flyingwolf]

First off welcome back to the hobby.

Second of all. If you decide to take the plunge and get one of the new digital scanners then its a breeze to program once you spend a few hours here in the RR database and with help from the users here you'll be up and running in no time.

 

[cj5]

Greg,

Welcome back. Yeah it is a bit overwhelming, with all the new technology that has emerged since the late 70's, but even though public safety has jumped off the analog wagon, it doesn't mean there aren't other things to listen to out there. Under $500, huh?! Last time I was in Radio Shack, their digital/analog trunking scannner was running for about $475. Although I have heard some firmware downpoints concerning that brand. I went with Uniden's equivalent, and that was my first advanced scanner I ever owned. It's basically just like "punching in frequencies", except now you have more places to punch them into. Digital is not a problem, but it's the trunking that may be a learning curve (it was for me). But it's a cake-walk. You basically have Parent frequencies (i.e. 850.1275 MHz), that contain a list of codes, what I like to think of as Child frequencies. But that is only one type of trunking scenario. There are several others. Any questions, just ask them here. I have found RR very helpful in all aspects of scanning. This new stuff may be scary, but it will take you back, and then some. The prices are a drag, but think back to how much a ten channel scanner cost you or your dad. Now look at the 1000 channel, digital/analog, trunking capable scanners of today, and see why the price is so much more. Believe me you'll have hours of fun with this new stuff

Regards,
CJ

 

[gd9704]

The prices are a drag, but think back to how much a ten channel scanner cost you or your dad.

Yeah, I seem to remember that those units were like 300 bucks, which back then was a ton of money!

I appreciate the posts of encouragement--I've found that if you are really into something, you'll love learning about it.

Now I'm trying to lean all the terms associated with todays scanning. A little bit at a time........

 

[johnyvico]

Well Here Is More Tecno For U . Go On Ebay U Can Get A Good Scanner Like A Pro 96 Like I Did For $320 With A $100 Of Extras . Always Look On Ebay To See What Is Good

 

[eyes00only]

Digital is not a problem, but it's the trunking that may be a learning curve (it was for me).

Regards,
CJ

Trunking is very hard at first, but ya gotta do it. I have never heard of analog digital however.

Jerry

 

[unitcharlie]

Welcome back to the hobby--now it is more of an obsession (because it is so much more involved) but it is more enjoyable than it used to be for me. There are more things to learn more things to find (like maybe entire radio systems that no one has figured out yet!) and there is this really valuable web site.... if you have questions this is the place to ask--usualy quick and accurate replies. Be sure you get the companion soft ware for which ever scanner you buy--it will save hours of punching and make it easier to arrange and rearrange the freqs in your radio....also makes it possible to save entire sets of freqs for travel.... or to trade them with others in areas where you might be visiting. Welcome back! any questions, juat ask!

 

[gd9704]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm doing a bit of research on scanners. Since I live in a APCO-25 county, I would need a digital scanner to listen in to law enforcement at home.....

But, with a new baby and a wife who's decided to be "stay at home," my disposable income has been diminished greatly.......

So, I'm looking for a used scanner.

I've noticed that there's usually a handful of Pro-96s and BC296Ds on the 'Bay at any one time, usually selling in the $300 or so range.

Buying used scares me a little, but I don't know how I'm going to come up with $500+ for a shiny new BCD396T without a bit of "marital discord."

Your opinions are appreciated......

 

[kjfswkr]

don't tell her.

Kevin

PS: welcome back

 

[SCPD]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm doing a bit of research on scanners. Since I live in a APCO-25 county, I would need a digital scanner to listen in to law enforcement at home.....

But, with a new baby and a wife who's decided to be "stay at home," my disposable income has been diminished greatly.......

So, I'm looking for a used scanner.

I've noticed that there's usually a handful of Pro-96s and BC296Ds on the 'Bay at any one time, usually selling in the $300 or so range.

Buying used scares me a little, but I don't know how I'm going to come up with $500+ for a shiny new BCD396T without a bit of "marital discord."

Your opinions are appreciated......

I'd be nervous of used as well. Keep your eyes open for new units that might be on sale. Also check the used equipment forum on RadioReference too.
In the interim, you'll just have to sweet talk her into understanding just how much stuff she'll be able to listen to with you. You will enjoy re-entry into the hobby once you get one and get it set up. Remember too that while it might be a bit of a pain to set up you only have to do that once and with available software for many models, even that's easy.

 

[Swipesy]

With Lake, Geauga and Summit counties plus the Ohio MARCS systems all being trunked systems, and with Lake, Summit and MARCS being digital, you will miss the action in those corridors (except Geauga) unless you go the digital scanner route. Of course most of the East side of Cuyahoga county is not on a trunked system so there is still plenty of action to hear.

 

[Al42]

But, with a new baby and a wife who's decided to be "stay at home," my disposable income has been diminished greatly.......

Are you easy to buy presents for? If not, maybe she could combine Christmas, your anniversary and your birthday into one easy BCD396T.

So, I'm looking for a used scanner.

Unless it's a local sale, and you can try it before you buy, I'd be leery. What are you going to do with someone else's dead scanner?

I've noticed that there's usually a handful of Pro-96s and BC296Ds on the 'Bay at any one time, usually selling in the $300 or so range.

The 96 isn't too bad, although the 396 offers a bit more. But be careful - there are scanners that won't survive rebanding, so if you buy one you'll be in the market for a new one in a couple of years.

As far as programming the new breed of scanners, being the new breed, it's easy - you use computer software to program the scanner. (With Uniden it's all included - the software [although you have to download it], the cable, the external power - even the batteries. With Radio Shack it's all extra.)

 

[eyes00only]

Just convince her that the BABY will love the scanner .

Jerry

 

[wesct]

don't tell her.

Kevin

if you cant be honest, then dont buy.
with a scanner running in the house? something looks new......where did you get that?

not worth it- be honest

wesct

 

[kjfswkr]

hmmm

if you cant be honest, then dont buy.
with a scanner running in the house? something looks new......where did you get that?

not worth it- be honest

wesct

someone is happily married and has complete honesty in their marriage. I like that.

Kevin

 

[johnvassel]

if you cant be honest, then dont buy.
with a scanner running in the house? something looks new......where did you get that?

not worth it- be honest

wesct

My reply would be ... I've had that, just found it in a box from when I moved... lol.
The secret is hiding the receipt, box, bag, and giddyness that accompanys playin with a new toy. I upgraded my MP3 player last friday, first step was giving my wife the old one...made her happy..then mentioned the upgrade.. it went ok. Of course, she's the one that comes home and tells me the new gadgets she's seen, and why don't I have one yet?

(Sorry guys, she doesnt have a sister)

john

 

[Al42]

Of course, she's the one that comes home and tells me the new gadgets she's seen, and why don't I have one yet?

(Sorry guys, she doesnt have a sister)

Yes she does - I married her.

 

[dick122]

Used Scanner

Look in the Equipment For Sale section here in the forums. I picked up a BC296D with a case and two extra battery packs and charger for less than $375. Everything was in mint condition!!

 

[JamesDee]

I was in the same situation you are in now till about a month ago, when I bought the RS Pro 2096 digital trunking scanner. I had previous the RS 2022 also, or whatever it was, I cant remember, but it was about 10 years old, and not capable anymore of receiving the newer frequencies.
I bought my 2096 on Ebay brand new for 380 dollars, and I am more than impressed with it.
Once you become familiar with trunking terminology, programming a digtial trunking scanner is actual easier than the old analog scanners, as all you really need is the control frequency, and the talkgroups all run off that as a result of that one frequency.
And using either supplied software, or second party software in my case for the Pro 2096, programming is actually enjoyable.
So if you have the money, and the desire, make the leap into the next generation of scanners. Just do alot of reasearch first on groups such as this, so as to give you an informed opinion of what it is you want. Just ask alot of questions, and go from there.