Is there a P25 without NAC? What does NAC do and is it need in Comal County?
Does the Pro-96 do the NAC thing?
NAC stands for Network Access Code, and functions similar to
CTCSS and
DCS tones. Click the links here to read up what they are but basically, if two separate agencies or groups happen to be using the same frequency, if they have different tones programmed in, one group will not hear the other; they will only hear the radios transmitting the same tones. This is the same thing that a NAC does, but just the digital P25 equivalent.
The NAC used for CCSO is just to do that, to keep the sheriff's deputies radios from breaking squelch on any transmissions other than their own. The Pro-96 does
not read or use NAC codes, but it will monitor any P25 transmission still the same. The only downside is that you will not be able to differentiate between the same frequency being repeatedly used with different NACs(like DPS does), but CCSO does not do this so you won't have a problem listening to them.
Jerry_M said:
I Googled Radio Shack and didn't find the Pro-96. If it is discontinued and considering how fast electronics outdate would it be in my best interest to look to the most state-of -the-art device.
My old units are Uniden BC700A, Uniden BC7T, and Uniden BC60XT all on power supplies 24/7. They have served my purposes, however, over the years most surrounding counties have disappeared and the other day Comal dumped me.
I intend to use my new scanner between my nest and a guest cabin I have on my property. Probably will not carry it in my truck. On ebay it looks like the current market for the PRO-96's is around $200 - $250. The latest and greatest models are $379 for the PRO-106 and $500 for the Uniden 396XT.
I really miss not knowing what's going on around here so I am going to have to buy something pretty soon.
Yes, the Pro-96 has been discontinued, but given what you stated(and what I assumed) your listening interests/scope was, we thought this might be a suitable lower cost alternative to a newer digital scanner. It is getting a little dated but would still virtually bring back everything that has gone silent on your older scanners. A newer scanner though would leave you well prepared for the next few years and beyond, in terms of listening and flexibility, and the NAC decode function that is now standard on the newest scanners will definitely come in handy.
Looking at what you currently own, a new scanner is going to seem like a alien device until you learn how to use it(which won't take long). Programming these scanners as well also seems to intimidate most new comers, so I would recommend looking into getting a PSR-500. It's the exact same thing as the Pro-106(in fact the company that makes the PSR scanners, GRE, also makes the Pro-106 and slaps the RadioShack brand on it), and cost the same brand new, but the PSR-500 comes with both a wall charger and a programming cable, probably around a $40-50 value if you were to buy them separately at RS. The important thing is that these scanners can be exponentially easier to program using a computer, software that is inexpensive and available for 30 day free trials, and that programming cable I mentioned. In seeing everything laid out in the software when programming, you will begin to understand a lot better both how your scanner works and also how trunking and conventional radio systems work.
You can check on eBay for some second hand scanners that have been lightly used, but make sure they come with all the accessories so you don't have to go buy anything else. Also, you might check our for sale forum here. I just bought a like new in box PSR-500 for my buddy(who like you needed to get a digital scanner so he can listen to CCSO), with some extra accessories and shipping all for $360, and there are many members who are reputable sellers here, but that's just a suggestion. Also just a suggestion, or opinion rather, I prefer the GRE made scanners (PSR-500, Pro-106) over the Uniden digital scanners, because from what I have heard, the GRE line of scanners had superior P25 audio compared to the older Uniden 396T. From what I now hear though, with the 396XT, the audio quality has been greatly improved, to the point it's not too different than the GRE P25 audio quality. But the way I see it, GRE had P25 sounding great a lot sooner, and for much cheaper than Uniden sells their scanners. Like I said, that's just my opinion.
David
