hello,i have been looking for a scanner because i am interested in listening to the local fire,ems, police in town.i may get a uniden Bc92xlt or bc72xlt.would they be suitable for my needs?i am pretty sure i dont need a scanner with trunk tracking features but what about the ability get digital frequencies?my price range is about $100 and i could go higher.also, would it better for me to get a handheld or "desktop" style?
beginner looking for a scanner
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ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Without a town or county, it's very difficult for anyone to advise you properly. It very much depends on whether your area is indeed using trunking, or even if they are using the new digital transmissions. It is possible that a small conventional scanner might do the job, but we all need a bit more information
Look up your area in the database; that will drive what you would need to hear police, fire and ems in your area. 73s Mike
Look up your area in the database; that will drive what you would need to hear police, fire and ems in your area. 73s Mike
jmp883
Member
KA3JJZ pretty much nailed it down for you. One tip I do recommend is to get a good antenna. It doesn't matter whether you're going to use a desktop, mobile, or handheld scanner, the reception specs are all fairly close to not really make a difference. However, a good antenna, using quality coax cable, mounted as high as you can get it, will really make a difference in what you do (or don't) hear.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Bentley
Member
Well, I guess it depends on how interested you are in listening to your local police department. Being that they operate on a digital frequency, if you purchase any of the scanners you mentioned you will NOT be able to listen to them. Scanners in the $100 range are analog only, unfortunaltey.
If you would like to monitor digital, they you are looking at spending in the area of $500.00 for a digital scanner.
As far as the handheld/desktop unit, thats really a personal preference. The first scanner I purchased was a handheld unit and I was very pleased with it because it has the ability to be used as a desktop unit also (with available power supply & stand).
If you would like to monitor digital, they you are looking at spending in the area of $500.00 for a digital scanner.
As far as the handheld/desktop unit, thats really a personal preference. The first scanner I purchased was a handheld unit and I was very pleased with it because it has the ability to be used as a desktop unit also (with available power supply & stand).
nexus
Member
The question remains though... What agencies are these?
They maybe digital, but are they APCO25 digital? This is the only kind of digital that scanners will receive. If the agency is using MA/COMM or EJ Johnson or even some of the other types of digital like motorola's iDEN then you're not going to be hearing them. It really would help us help you, if you told us what agency, county/city you're interested in.
Just providing the frequency and the Digital PrivateLine info isn't going to help when it involves a digital signal versus an analog signal.
If they were all just analog, you could get by with the cheapest scanner on the market and it would work for you, HOWEVER if they're digital (AND it must be APCO25 (P25)) digital, then you'll need either a Radio Shack PRO-96 or 2096, or the Uniden BCD-396, or 996, or a BC-796D in order to hear them, and only if the digital is APCO25.
Can't answer that for you until you tell us who you're talking about.
They maybe digital, but are they APCO25 digital? This is the only kind of digital that scanners will receive. If the agency is using MA/COMM or EJ Johnson or even some of the other types of digital like motorola's iDEN then you're not going to be hearing them. It really would help us help you, if you told us what agency, county/city you're interested in.
Just providing the frequency and the Digital PrivateLine info isn't going to help when it involves a digital signal versus an analog signal.
If they were all just analog, you could get by with the cheapest scanner on the market and it would work for you, HOWEVER if they're digital (AND it must be APCO25 (P25)) digital, then you'll need either a Radio Shack PRO-96 or 2096, or the Uniden BCD-396, or 996, or a BC-796D in order to hear them, and only if the digital is APCO25.
Can't answer that for you until you tell us who you're talking about.
John_M
Member
youmOnt: If you tell us where you are located people can help you much better. Fill out your account profile with this information. Wecome to RR.
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