Best Scanner for use in Philadelphia

[wise871]

Can't wait to hear what you guys report and hopefully you capture some video.


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[phillydjdan]

If Saturday doesn't work Sunday is fine also. I have DC power outlets, USB ports and also an A/C inverter unit in case we need to use A/C adapters. I also have a couple of stock Uniden telescoping BNC antennas we can also use. I also plan on bringing a foldup table so we can setup everything.

The plan is to take numerous different video clips. I want to run some video with each scanner using each of the possible scenarios for audio output. First, audio from the internal speaker (which has to be recorded using the camera's internal mic, unfortunately). Then I want to connect each one to my laptop via audio cable and take clips using that setup. If the scanner has both ext speaker and headphone jacks, I'll do both. The goal is to use the laptop for higher quality audio samples. I will edit the audio into the finished video, but for the most part I will not alter it. Some models perform differently when using headphone jack versus ext speaker jack, so we need to document the differences. It may not be important to most, but to someone like me who uses scanners for online streaming, that matters bigtime. We'll test different systems, some which suffer from LSM distortion.

You never know, maybe one scanner will perform or sound better the way you would be using it. Perhaps a different scanner would be better for the next guy if he uses his differently. Whistler and Uniden, you'd better watch the finished video and take notes! lol

 

[Septa3371CSX1]

Saturday works best for me - Sunday is no good.

I'm all portables but I do have a few different antennas that can be tried.

 

[phillydjdan]

Saturday probably sounds like our best bet if Bob can rearrange his schedule. As for antennas, my thought is that we should use a stock antenna, the same one, across the board and also position the scanners in the same place so that we know there are no variations due to better/worse antennas or one scanner sitting in a bad spot versus a good spot. Eliminate as many variables as we can. Aftermarket antennas are a whole other animal, so my focus is to concentrate on the type of antenna that comes with the unit's purchase.

 

[trentbob]

... hey Dan... check your g mail... I think we should do the times and locations in private and we can let Joe know the details on his private email...

 

[trentbob]

P.S....

... Dan and Joe... Saturday looks good for me after noon... I'll know for sure 11am Friday... Joe... we are working out the details on personal email and we will keep you up to date... look forward to meeting with you guys... Bob...

 

[phillydjdan]

Ok, sounds good.

 

[radio3353]

I haven't been this excited since my honeymoon. Best of luck guys with your evaluation. This should be invaluable info for me (and many others) as I evaluate what radio to buy for Bucks Phase II. RadioReference should buy you guys lunch on Saturday for doing this and sharing it with the RR community.

 

[phillydjdan]

Yeah, I'll hold my breath for that lol...

 

[trentbob]

... ok guys it's official... Saturday after noon works for me... so I was thinking... what do you think about (keeping within the kiss principle) that we make this just between the 536, 1095 and 996xtp2... it's up to you Dan as you are the "producer" here... let's firm up the times/ places on the other side and we can let Joe know... still bring all your handhelds guys and I'll bring mine...

 

[phillydjdan]

Great, I'll get all my ducks in a row. I see your point about keeping this simple. I suppose since 7 of the 9 counties in our region are in the process of migrating to 700 phase 2 systems, perhaps the big question is which works best for that? While some folks outside the area still are buying basic digital scanners (due to a lack of phase 2 in their area) we should probably limit our tests to phase 2 and LSM performance. I think we can get away with just testing Camden (for phase 2) and Philly (for LSM). I think for the LSM tests we should do samples while stationary as well as while moving. We can drive up and down Delaware Ave by the port to avoid traffic. One person drives, the other records (I tried doing both once and I wouldn't recommend anyone do it). So I will prepare a checklist so we don't forget anything. And we can always do some clips ofna couple other units using a standard setup just for S & G. So, the primary units will be the 536, 436, 800, 996P2 and 1095, correct? Am I missing any models?

 

[trentbob]

... it's all good... the 3 systems, Bucks, Philly and Camco give a good representation of 3 different types of systems... we could cut out Bucks if you don't want to drive up here... we are however missing a BCD325p2, a significant player here... also... can we use Joe's 668 instead of my 800 as that unit is on the market and the 800 is not (Joe can you program Camco p2 fire if you don't already have it?)... also it just occurred to me that we are on the Pa forum here... the final product (video) should go on a national thread under "p2 smackdown video"... cool... it will be the most read thread, don't you think?... I don't think too many people know what we're doing as this is a very local thread... I could post the thread today nationally to see if we could get a local 325 involved... as the producer it's up to you... we can talk on personal e mail to firm up the time/ place then fill Joe in... Joe, is your 668 available?...

 

[phillydjdan]

Going national might be a good idea. Getting a 325 would be awesome. As for the 800, I had planned on bringing mine anyway. I think the GRE and Whistler variation is essentially the same, but sure, we can test both. I don't have any problem doing both locations. One of the variables I wanted to test for my own reasons was how Bucks sounded on other models using the jacks, so we can do that. So the 3 systems we will test are Bucks (a 500 MHz Smartnet system), Philly (an 800 MHz Phase 1 system with LSM) and Camden Co (a 700 MHz Phase 2 system). I think that covers the 3 major flavors in use in the US.

 

[trentbob]

... I'll make that post (that this is in the planning stage, no promises or ETA but we're attempting the test Saturday)... maybe we can get a response with a local 325... I'm running out the door on assignment (got to make the donuts)... we can talk later on personal email...

 

[trentbob]

... ok Dan... I started a thread "p2 smackdown video" in equipment review forum asking for help with the 325p2 and it's being held up for review... that hasn't happened before to me and I'm not a new user... it may have to do with my recent renewal... I emailed Mike O and asked him to clear it... I also put a note in the "deaththrows" thread (Uniden) and "who has the 1095?" (GRE)... told them to reply here since it was off topic... asked Mods for some latitude... now let's see what happens... talk later...

 

[trentbob]

... also reaching out for a HP-2 if available...

 

[Septa3371CSX1]

I will have my 668 with me. It is programmed with Camden Co's system (as is my 651 which is moot but it's in there so I can look at CC data). I also have the NJICS and the new Bucks Co system in it.

 

[trentbob]

... I'm back... it's a shame they are blocking my thread "p2 smackdown video" in the equipment review forum because they have to hold it for 24 hours because they are saying I'm a "new" member???... it's never happened to me in all he years I have started threads... I'm sure it's because I just renewed my subscription last night... I wish the Mods would see what's happening and clear it as it is so time sensitive... we need a local 325p2 and/or HP-2 by tomorrow and I'm sure that thread would draw a lot of attention... guess you saw I dropped a note on the Bucks 700 thread and 2 others... I'll be around tonight to firm up plans... I will give you my cell phone # on g mail Dan and we will get it to Joe also...

 

[trentbob]

... I found out the hold on my thread in equipment review is protocol for all threads there so I started a thread in the Uniden tavern with a plea for help (and a few more Uniden threads)... now we wait and see if anyone wants to join us with a 325p2 or HP-2...

 

[mikewazowski]

Glad you figured out what was going on in the Reviews forum. We approve all moderated threads as fast as we can but keep in mind that we're volunteers and sometimes other things in life take priority.

I'd also recommend you read the Stickied thread at the top of the forum concerning cross-posting before posting the same topic in multiple threads again.

Your project is an interesting one and I look forward to seeing the results.