Cabarrus County Newbie

[coops9999]

Hello All,
I have recently moved to the United States, Cabarrus County to be exact, and am intrigued by this whole world of scanning and would love to get involved. I am curious as to what type of equipment I would require to scan Police and Fire signals in the Cabarrus area? I have read various posts on Trunked and Non-Trunked systems and am a little confused as to what is being used in my area....

Don't have a lot a 'spare' cash at present and am hoping that my area is not trunked so I can purchase a low cost device to see if this is a hobby that I can pursue.

Would really appreciate any advice that the very experienced members of this forum can offer.

Many thanks.

 

[RMPDCOP]

Welcome to RR.com,
First off Caburrus County and its surrounding agencies utilizes a Trunked System, so you will need a Trunking Scanner. Second good for you it is still an Analog System, therefore at the time being you do not need a Digital Scanner to listen.
I would head over to the WIKI and read up on the basics of what Trunking is and how it works.
Normally you can find a good used Analog Trunking scanner for around $100.00. I would check out the Forsale Forum and maybe someone is trying to get rid off a Radio Shack PRO 97 for cheap.

 

[SKYNET156]

Welcome to Cabarrus!...i am also here to in Kannapolis...
As stated above, you don't need a Digital scanner at this time which is a good thing,
Once things usually go digital, they also go encrypted,
I am not sure how fluent you are in scanner, but if you do have a digital scanner, check out the VIPER System located here, Scanner Frequencies: Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders (VIPER) Trunking System, Various, North Carolina
There is alot going on around our county, check it out and don't hesitate to ask for help!

 

[kg4pbd]

Once things usually go digital, they also go encrypted,

Actually no, they don't.

 

[yardbird]

Coops9999

Please check you PM's and let me know

David

 

[KE4ZNR]

Once things usually go digital, they also go encrypted,

Please don't post wrong information.
I am sure you meant well but:
As kg4pbd correctly stated digital does NOT equal encrypted.
Digital just equals digital.
Users can encrypt digital channels but it is NOT a default
feature. Just like you can encrypt an analog transmission but
it is not a given that every analog transmission is encrypted.
There are hundreds of digital users here in Wake County which are NOT encrypted and there are no plans to ever encrypt their transmissions.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[coops9999]

Thank You

Thank you all for your assistance.... hopefully I'll be able to pick up a reasonable scanner and dive in.....