Back to the World of Scanning

[tiger65]

Hi,
I have been away from scanning for over 7 or 8 years. I decieded to crank up my old RS scanners (2006, PRO 95) to see what is going on in Knoxville. To my surprise MOT trunking is still going stong. I have reprogramed the PRO95 with all the frequencies from RF and was amazed how good this old scanner is. It appears that do to my limited knowledg very little has changed as far as public service. The RS 2006 is still great but man is it time consumng in re-doing freq and keeping up with the chnls. I have read about all the new scanners especially the digital and now trying to determine if now is the time to upgrade to digital, or purchase a new analog trunking scanner with software to use for a few more years. Actually as well as the PRO 95 is perfroming is there any real need to even consider an analog? If Knox will not go digital in the very near future is there any need at this time to go digital? I would appreciate any comments that may assist me into the next step. All I can say is RadioReference is amazing with the data provided and help for those of us who are trying get back into the scanner world and the new folks just finding what a great hobby this really is.

Regards,
Carl

 

[EZlistener]

As one who traded from a BC780XLT to a PSR600 a couple years ago, I would recommend buying digital when replacement is necessary instead of investing in another analogue-only set for interim use.
#1. Knoxville/Knox County are not yet digital, but all Motorola gear pitched at Public Safety is now P25-capable and when Knox County's present equipment gets to the inevitable end of its replacement cycle, it will be easy to go P25 when the hardware for it is there anyway.
#2. While Knox County is still analogue, other users of interest, such as the National Park and TWRA, are P25 now.
#3. Your analogue scanners may have a little trade value now, but it won't appreciate with age. That's for wine only.
#4. Neighbouring counties plan to use the Tennessee Valley Regional system which requires a digital, trunked, and 700-800 mhz capable set to monitor.
Just my $0.02.

 

[n4yek]

That's a good 2 cents anyway.

 

[tiger65]

Thanks for your reply. If Knoxville goes to the P25 I guess the existing digitals will be able to handle that type. Also I have been using a RS USB scanner/PC interface cable (No. 20-047) to transfer frequencies to the Pro95. Will this cable still be useable with the newer digital scanners?

 

[n4yek]

Will this cable still be useable with the newer digital scanners?

Not sure if it would be able to be used with newer scanner or not, depends on the connection. I know it won't work on the newer Uniden scanners as they are a totally different type of connector.

 

[tiger65]

Agree, I figured the cable would not work on the Uniden. I have been leaning toward the GRE or RS digitals. I would hope the Shack would have a big sale soon since now living on a retirement budget. (lol)'