Best budget scanner for P25

[ih784]

I’m in need of a decent budget/cheap scanner to scan North Carolina’s P25 Viper system. I’ve got an SDS100 already. I’d really like it to be able to scan marine radio vhf as well. Ideally I’d like to be able to use ProScan or something similar to sentinel to program too. Tell me what to get?

Edit: Would like a base if possible but open to handhelds that would be used as a base.

 

[rk911]

You don't say where you are or which counties you wish to monitor. Assuming the RR database is correct and up to date the Viper system is a Phase 1. I did a veryquick scan of the talk groups in the database and found the overwhelming majority of them are in the clear. I saw only a few encrypted talk groups. Of course, all of that can change and I did not look at every agency. The Viper management could migrate to Phase 2 and/or start encrypting more talk-groups at any time, You surely realize that if you buy a scanner that is a Phase 1 only and the system changes to Phase 2 and/or if more talk-groups go encrypted that Phase 1 radio will become a brick. If encryption goes system wide your SDS radio will be a brick as fas as listening to the Viper system. It will still be good for monitoring maritime users.

But...your SDS radio can monitor both Phase 1 and Phase 2 talk groups. It is considered by many to be the top of the line. Why do you feel the need for a cheaper radio? Are you having issues with the SDS?

I strongly urge you to click the REPORT button in the lower left corner of this message and ask the moderator to move this thread to the North Carolina forum where you can get more specific information about the Viper system, their current configuration and plans for the future. Since your SDS can fulfill your current needs (Viper and maritime) I would NOT buy another radio until you have a clearer picture of where the Viper system is now and its future.

Good scanning.

 

[ih784]

Will do. I’m in Camden county and everything is phase 1. The need or want for a second one is just monitor a specific group and let the sds handle the rest. I thought I’d get more attention here instead of a state specific group thinking there may be a good general purpose scanner.

 

[buddrousa]

A used Uniden 996p2 in our Classifieds for around $300 or new from a Vender will do what you want and is upgradeable if needed as long as you are not dealing with SIMULCAST.

 

[ih784]

No simulcast. However, man that stuff has some range on it. I looked at the 996p2. I’m all for it. But would an SD card based be better? I ask because I looked at a 536. I know you’ve got one or two of each lol.

 

[buddrousa]

A 536 would do the job also but you ask for something budget friendly which made me lean to the 996p2.
If money is no object then the 536 or 996p2 would do you a good job. I see very little if any range difference between my 996p2 536 or SDS200 and my 15's 15x's in my rack do my ANALOG and RR work for me.

 

[ih784]

Right. I’ve found some used ones around that price. My concern is that if a repair is needed, I may as well tack on another 75 bucks or so. I guess the SD card is a nonissue? I’ve only got a few analog frequencies that are in use (sometimes) around me.

 

[KE4ZNR]

I’m in need of a decent budget/cheap scanner to scan North Carolina’s P25 Viper system. I’ve got an SDS100 already. I’d really like it to be able to scan marine radio vhf as well. Ideally I’d like to be able to use ProScan or something similar to sentinel to program too. Tell me what to get?

Edit: Would like a base if possible but open to handhelds that would be used as a base.

Do be aware VIPER will be moving to Phase 2 TDMA in 2025 with NO DDM FDMA fallback so if you limit yourself to a non TDMA capable scanner now then you will only get to use it for about a year before it will no longer work on VIPER.

 

[StoliRaz]

Define "cheap"...at least to me, a $300+ radio isn't cheap. Cheap would be $125 or under.

 

[dave3825]

The need or want for a second one is just monitor a specific group and let the sds handle the rest.

Edit: Would like a base if possible but open to handhelds that would be used as a base.

Since you basically indicate you want to scan from home, the cheapest solution, assuming you have a PC or laptop would be an sdr dongle for 30 something bucks and free software.

 

[ih784]

Since you basically indicate you want to scan from home, the cheapest solution, assuming you have a PC or laptop would be an sdr dongle for 30 something bucks and free software.

I’ll look into that. Will an SDR scan trunked frequencies as well? Do I still hook it up to an antenna? Something new to check out. Thank you!

 

[dave3825]

Will an SDR scan trunked frequencies as well?

Yes sir.

Do I still hook it up to an antenna?

Most definitely. It is a receiver so it would need an antenna.

 

[ih784]

I bought an SDR. If I buy DSDPlus fast lane, can I install it on multiple computers or at least “deactivate” it and run it on another? Thanks! @dave3825

 

[RaleighGuy]

I bought an SDR. If I buy DSDPlus fast lane, can I install it on multiple computers or at least “deactivate” it and run it on another? Thanks! @dave3825

Yes, as long as it is your computer and you are using it vs someone else.

 

[ih784]

Yeah, I’ve got a pc in my shed I’ll probably run it on. But, I’d like to be able to configure it without RDP and see how it works first. I’d just like the ability to swap it similar to ProScan.

 

[ih784]

Since you basically indicate you want to scan from home, the cheapest solution, assuming you have a PC or laptop would be an sdr dongle for 30 something bucks and free software.

I’m looking at DSDPlus Fastlane. I’ll pay the 25 bucks but, I can’t get the free download to work. Anyone know about this?

 

[a417]

I’m looking at DSDPlus Fastlane. I’ll pay the 25 bucks but, I can’t get the free download to work. Anyone know about this?

Which "free download"?

DSD+ Fastlane and DSD+ (avail on the intertubes) are separate and distinct things now.

 

[ih784]

What "free download"?

DSD+ Fastlane and DSD+ (avail on the intertubes) are separate and distinct things now.

I did not know that. Would you be able to post a link? I’m looking at DSDPlus.com.

 

[dave3825]

What "free download"?

Pretty sure you need the public version to apply the FastLane update to.



Go to dsdplus.com. look for downloads.



Then download all of what's circled
extract dsdplus v1.101
then extract the rest of the zipped files into DSDPlus v.1.101 folder. When prompted about overwrites, choose yes.

 

[ih784]

Thank you Dave! I’ve downloaded them and have attempted to run the application(s). Not having any luck and I’m just able to see text files. If shooting the guy some money is what I need to do, I’ll do it. Just wanted to make sure I could get the thing to work lol.