Beginner and confused

[kenjidm]

Hi all,

First off thanks in advance for the replies if any. I am new to the scanner world and have ONLY listened to the free app version on my iPhone. Now that I am more intrigued, I want to step it up a notch and be able to pin point my specific city PD and so forth (app only does the whole South Bay area).

If someone can recommend me a decent scanner that would be great. I would like to start off with something simple first. I will then venture out to the oohh and ahhs later if need be.

Here's what I found I want to listen too.

Torrance, CA
Torr PD: 506.1625
Torr PD2: 506.2125
Torr Fire1: 506.2625
Torr Fire 2: 506.2875

Southbay Police:470.640
Southbay Police:470.390
Southbay Police:470.810

Gardena, CA
Gardena dispatch *** 470.8125 ***
South Bay Channel 4 (Tac 1) *** 471.1125 ***
South Bay Channel 5 (Tac 2) *** 470.3125 ***
Gardena Police *** 154.8600 *** *
Gardena Police *** 155.6100 *** *
Gardena Police* *** 155.6100 ****


Gardena Police* *** 855.2375 ***

LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) Frequencies:
866.1125 *** LCN01 CITYWIDE
866.1375 *** LCN02 CITYWIDE
866.3875 *** LCN03 CITYWIDE
866.4125 *** LCN04 CITYWIDE
866.6125 *** LCN05 CITYWIDE
866.6375 *** LCN06 CITYWIDE
866.8875 *** LCN07 CITYWIDE
866.9125 *** LCN08 CITYWIDE
867.1125 *** LCN09 CITYWIDE
867.1375 *** LCN10 CITYWIDE

 

[captclint]

Welcome to RR. What you have listed is analog, and there are several scanners that could be used. Just bear in mind that there are some digital systems in your area that you will not get with an analog scanner. For the most part, you can see them listed as Project 25 on the bottom of this page: Los Angeles County,
You did not say whether you want a hand held or a base. This is a good hand held: BC346XT - The RadioReference Wiki and this is the base equivalent BCT15X - The RadioReference Wiki
Because you have listed LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) Frequencies, you need an analog trunking scanner. These are a little harder to master for most scanners, but there is software to help. For the above, the software is free.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

I believe Radio Shack is having a sale on it's scanners. You might want to look at the Uniden BC346XT it is on Sale at Radio shack for 199.99 or you can support Radio Reference advertieser Scanermaster They also have this radio for 199.99. It should cover the range of frequencies you are interested in. Please check the specs to ensure this will work for you.

 

[kenjidm]

Thanks for the reply. I am looking for a handheld scanner, not a base one. Will look into the one you recommended.

 

[JoeyC]

LAPD is digital and conventional. The (partial) trunked system listed above does not carry LAPD, All the other agencies you listed are analog AFAIK.

 

[kenjidm]

LAPD is digital and conventional. The (partial) trunked system listed above does not carry LAPD, All the other agencies you listed are analog AFAIK.

Joey, how come the BCX346XT won't cover? Doesn't the LAPD fall in the following specs?

Frequency Coverage
25.0000 - 224.9800 MHz
400.0000 - 512.0000 MHz
806.0000 - 823.9875 MHz
849.0125 - 868.9875 MHz <-------
894.0125 - 960.0000 MHz
1240.0000 - 1300.0000 MHz

 

[captclint]

Joey, how come the BCX346XT won't cover? Doesn't the LAPD fall in the following specs?

Frequency Coverage
849.0125 - 868.9875 MHz <-------

He said it was digital, and the 346XT will not receive digital, but it does cover any ANALOG transmissions of 849.0125 - 868.9875 MHz If you want LAPD, you would need a digital scanner like the BCD396XT

 

[kenjidm]

So I assume they make scanners, handheld, that will cover everything I am looking for? Of so, what would be best recommended?

 

[N8IAA]

So I assume they make scanners, handheld, that will cover everything I am looking for? Of so, what would be best recommended?

Radio Shack Pro-106 and the Uniden BCD396XT. I have both and like both of them. They receive analog and digital transmissions.
HTH,
Larry

 

[JoeyC]

If that list above is all you want to listen to, then yes the 346XT will do. I was just saying that the LAPD is not on those freqs you listed and yes, they are digital so the 346 will not decode them.

 

[Halfpint]

Well... I guess I am going to be a tad bit different in that I'm going to suggest that Kenjidm seriously consider grabbing a RS PRO-106 before they are all gone. Between Mike's PSREDIT-500 and Don's WIN-500 it's one of the easiest scanners to program *and* with the VScanner files it almost could be considered to be almost 21 scanners in one once Kenjidm loads it. Yeah, I *do* know that GRE has somewhat disappeared but, in my experience with both scanner makers hardware the PRO-106 is definitely the easiest to program either via the scanner's keyboard or whatever software he ends up using. Once Kenjidm gets used to all the various quirks, and I am *not* talking about hardware quirks, that accompany *just scanning* then he can decide whether he wants to start adding in the `quirks' of the newer hardware to what he's doing.

I am probably not the oldest `scannist' on RF but, having been `playing with' `scanning' for around 53 or so years I've watched all sorts `hardware' come and go. Some of which could almost be called `stone knives and bearskins' compared to what we now have. Some of which could also be easiely called `user-hostile'. While both GRE's and Uniden's products are very good right now something like the PRO-106 / PSR-500 are a lot `friendlier' for newbies. *Especially* with either Mike's or Don's software. (I *will admit* that *I* use *BOTH* programs for programming the PSR-500 / PRO-106 `class?' of scanners as there are some things that each has that, at least for me, a `nicer' way of doing some things. But, that is something that is a `personal preference' for me and I've had lots of discussions with others who also use both and sometimes the `preferences' end up just reversed yet the overall useage `software-wise' pretty much remains the same. (Part of why *I* do something with one programmer's program and not so much with the other's software is mostly a `graphics' preference. Mike likes to have, at times, a lot of `windows' to open whilst Don tends more towards trying to keep a lot more towards slightly fewer `windows' open. Another thing, sorry Don, is Mike trys to do his utmost when it comes to having a fairly decent `Help' function/file that can be easiely referred to without having go on line and run around asking all the time when one has a question. But, like I keep on saying, *BOTH* programs are fairly `user friendly'.)

Kenjidm, PM me if you have any questions and I'll try and see if I can clarify things a bit more. I try and `check in' at least once a day if possible.

 

[Tahoe1970]

Hi from the South Bay

I'm in the area and may be able to shed some "local" light on the the subject.
First, it appears the source for your frequency information is old and no longer correct.
For example, 154.86 isn't licensed for anywhere near the SoBay and 155.61 is for MDT data and cannot be (legaly) decrypted.
For updated frequencies for all of LA Co. you should search here:
Los Angeles County, California (CA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Also as mentioned earlier, your reference to LAPD has caused some of the discrepancies in answers. LAPD scanning requires a digital scanner and the 8xx.xxx frequencies you listed are not for LAPD. They are an EDACS system for Los Angeles Municipal Services and can be found here:
Los Angeles City (Municipal Services) Trunking System, Los Angeles, California - Scanner Frequencies

If these are indeed the services/frequencies you are looking for then the scanner must be able to trunk an EDACS system. The good news is that any scanner which can receive digital signals can also (likely) track an EDACS trunking system.

I should also point out that both LA City and LA Co have had discussions to switch most if not all of their services to digital in the future. There are several threads in this LA Co forum which cover this:
Greater Los Angeles & Inland Areas Discussion - Page 2 - The RadioReference.com Forums

You also mention Torrance and other South Bay generic PD. While most of the South Bay cities are currently analog there have been discussions for many to move to digital systems, so once again an analog scanner like the 346XT would not be able to hear them.
Here's a link to a recent discussion of the future of the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority.
http://forums.radioreference.com/gr...8-south-bay-plans-p25-looks-joining-icis.html
Also see the LA Co frequency link above to see who is covered by the SBRPCA and other current freqs.

To make a long story short. I would strongly suggest buying a digital scanner to begin scanning anywhere in the Los Angeles area unless you want to have to upgrade in the next few years. Just for information and since you are new to scanning, analog scanners like the 346XT or the Pro-163/164 can technically receive the signal of a digital system but they cannot decode the channel so that you can hear it unless you want to attach it to a computer and run some software all the time to hear it. This is not at all a practical approach if you are buying a handheld and expect to be moving around. Compare it to an old analog TV trying to watch HD.

As mentioned, the uniden 396XT, Radio Shack Pro-106, and the Uniden Home Patrol are really the only options when looking for a new radio these days. Be aware though that the company that produced the Pro-106 for Radio Shack (GRE) recently stopped production and therefore future parts if needed may be tough to come by.

There are other radios which will work for some of this stuff including LAPD but they are basically only available used these days.

Look through the Wiki here and specifically the "scanning and scanners" section for much more information.

As a last note, for scanning SoCal, I do not know of any source which is nearly as comprehensive or current, than what you can find here at radioreference.

Hope this helps