byndhlptom
Member
I always thought the older Uniden 100XLT/200XLTs were solid performers. Replace the battery pack with newer NimH and get hours of operation. $20-40 should get you a good one.
$.02
$.02
Cheapest/best kid scanner.
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DJ11DLN
Member
Hopefully the scanner will be a "gateway drug" into the radio addiction we all share and will cause the young person to want to get a Ham ticket...then a CCR wouldn't be completely inappropriate because its shortcomings will cause said youngster to want to earn the $$$ to get something better.
doctordialtone
Member
What's funny is this is the 23rd post and the OP hasn't even cared enough to comment 
What's funny is this is the 23rd post and the OP hasn't even cared enough to comment
I can't say I blame him...He asked a simple question and gets a bunch of irrelevant parenting advise. This thread should have been 5-10 replies at the most...
What's funny is this is the 23rd post and the OP hasn't even cared enough to comment
It's only been 2 days.
Better than none
HA! That's what I use!
Thanks. That's exactly what I am looking for, model numbers, and testimonials
So the "kid" is my 21 year old daughter that got a job in Estes Park CO. She knows nothing about scanners and probably doesn't care. I figured if I got her one set up with park and fire stuff she may like it. It would have to have alphanumeric display.
byndhlptom
Member
The Pro-92 will do alphanumeric's, had three of them at one time. Should be in the $30-60 range
$.02
$.02
The Colorado statewide system is still P25 Phase I. I can still use a Pro-96 on this system (I'm in Fort Collins). Your PRO-106 should do well - and has the benefit that you are already familiar with it.
The battery compartment has a lot of circuitry and I believe they are Nicad batteries. Can use use Nimh with Nicad circuitry?
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nd5y
Member
Yes. As far as charging is concerned nickel cadmium (NiCd) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) are about the same.
Nickel based batteries aren't usually interchangeable with lithium based batteries unless you know for sure that any internal or external charger is capable of both types.
wtp
Member
A NiMH in a NiCd charger would overheat, but a NiCd in a NiMH charger functions well.
Modern chargers accommodate both battery systems.
and that is from
Modern chargers accommodate both battery systems.
and that is from
Charging Nickel-Metal-Hydride Batteries – Battery University
Review simple guidelines on charging Nickel-based batteries such as; Do not charge at high or freezing temperatures, do not use chargers that cook batteries and more.
batteryuniversity.com
I got my brand model numbers mismatched. I thought the RS Pro-106 is the same as my PSR600. I have the cable for the PSR600 will it work on the 106?
N8IAA
Member
byndhlptom
Member
scanmanmi
" The battery compartment has a lot of circuitry and I believe they are Nicad batteries. Can use use Nimh with Nicad circuitry ?"
The circuitry is a simple 3 term regulator and associated parts.... I have updated several packs to NiMh with no problems ( w/ greatly increased Ahr capacity). The radios will work with the battery pack removed with an external 12v wall wart, just not very portable ....
But the 100/200 do not have alphanumeric's....
$.02
" The battery compartment has a lot of circuitry and I believe they are Nicad batteries. Can use use Nimh with Nicad circuitry ?"
The circuitry is a simple 3 term regulator and associated parts.... I have updated several packs to NiMh with no problems ( w/ greatly increased Ahr capacity). The radios will work with the battery pack removed with an external 12v wall wart, just not very portable ....
But the 100/200 do not have alphanumeric's....
$.02
slicerwizard
Member
Exactly. I've done the same. The charging circuit is designed for what... 500 mAh NiCads? 2000+ mAh NiMH's don't break a sweat.
Bob1955
Member
scanmanmi-Your "cheapest" BEST bet is the Bearcat BC-75XLT as it is discontinued so look on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. The next model up which I would suggest is the Bearcat BC-125AT and look at that on YouTube but your way above $50 now.
Good luck with your price point as other members have told you and BE careful.
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
The BC-75XLT would be a great beginner's scanner for a kid being introduced to the hobby (in the $50-ish range). If he gets bit by the bug, well, scanmanmi, that's on you, brother lol. Teach him about financial responsibility while you're at it so that he can one day buy his own SDS scanner haha...but OT, I 2nd that motion for BC-75XLT. A great basic operation analog scanner. Can't go wrong there.
I would go with a Pro-106/PSR-500/Pro-661(?) whatever the same scanner is with another model number. It does digital fairly well and they seem to hold up pretty well, IF you get a case for it.
My ex-GF's grandson wanted a laptop when he was five. I found an older Dell on Ebay from a seller who has sold thousands of them and spent $75 bucks for it, and another $20 for a new battery. It still works, but the display backlight died on one side, and his grandmother gave him her old laptop, which is from 2018, and was fairly high end. I got major points from that kid when I gave that first one to him. For $75, it was in amazing shape and was decent at doing all the youtube videos he wanted to watch the other stuff he looked at. He got almost 3 whole years out of it before the backlight messed up, not his fault. I gave him a Pro-106 that I made out of a couple of dead ones. He loves it.
My ex-GF's grandson wanted a laptop when he was five. I found an older Dell on Ebay from a seller who has sold thousands of them and spent $75 bucks for it, and another $20 for a new battery. It still works, but the display backlight died on one side, and his grandmother gave him her old laptop, which is from 2018, and was fairly high end. I got major points from that kid when I gave that first one to him. For $75, it was in amazing shape and was decent at doing all the youtube videos he wanted to watch the other stuff he looked at. He got almost 3 whole years out of it before the backlight messed up, not his fault. I gave him a Pro-106 that I made out of a couple of dead ones. He loves it.
Oh Hell!! Haha. If you have a kid old enough to be curious of scanners, you have a computer.
And what goes better with computers and scanners than a decent RTL based SDR? Top that!!
Put up a decent discone antenna with decent cable and the necessary adapters. Install SDR# with community plugins.
Maybe grab a LNA while you're at it, a Tripp-Lite USB cable.
You're golden!
Start out with DSD+, buy a Fastlane sub. You and your kid are having a blast together.
Reminds me of when I was 8 and my dad brought home a BC-348Q from the USAF surplus yard.
Just look out for the pompous folks here when you ask questions. They can be viscous!
And what goes better with computers and scanners than a decent RTL based SDR? Top that!!
Put up a decent discone antenna with decent cable and the necessary adapters. Install SDR# with community plugins.
Maybe grab a LNA while you're at it, a Tripp-Lite USB cable.
You're golden!
Start out with DSD+, buy a Fastlane sub. You and your kid are having a blast together.
Reminds me of when I was 8 and my dad brought home a BC-348Q from the USAF surplus yard.
Just look out for the pompous folks here when you ask questions. They can be viscous!
kymarkh
Member
My 80 year old mother listens to her BC-75XLT often. She is able to hear some local activity, enough to keep here interested, and I loaded it up with Chirp fairly easily. Was able to pick it up used on Craigslist for under $50. I think this model would be a great kids scanner.
You used Chirp? I don't see it listed here Home - CHIRP
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