Considering new scanner
- Thread starter kermit1
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ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
The issue of simulcasting aside - I'm unsure whether that would be an issue for you - there are 2 very big issues to consider; the HP2 is basically end-of-life and unlikely to ever be updated. (Hopefully) the SDS200 will be getting some updates, and a quick look at the database shows you do have some MOTOTRBO in the area. The SDS200 can copy that with a (paid) upgrade.
I say hopefully with any firmware fixes because there hasn't been any in quite a while with the death of the former Project Manager. There is a new individual who just came on board, but I greatly suspect he is totally overwhelmed by everything that has been identified as issues. While I hope that there will be some firmware fixes soon for the sake of the SDS200 folks, the fact is that it's likely going to take quite a while.
If you can swing it, the SDS200 would be the choice I would make - warts and all. Scan through the Uniden Tech Support forum for more on that.
Mike
I say hopefully with any firmware fixes because there hasn't been any in quite a while with the death of the former Project Manager. There is a new individual who just came on board, but I greatly suspect he is totally overwhelmed by everything that has been identified as issues. While I hope that there will be some firmware fixes soon for the sake of the SDS200 folks, the fact is that it's likely going to take quite a while.
If you can swing it, the SDS200 would be the choice I would make - warts and all. Scan through the Uniden Tech Support forum for more on that.
Mike
Bolt21
Spark Chariot Driver
SDS series, no contest. What Mike said.
Hello there, I live in Santa Rosa county. There's no simulcast issue here. Maybe consider an 436/536...could save you a little money.
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You ARE IN a Simulcast area. Uniden SDS100/200 scanner or Unication G4/G5 pager are your options.
Also, almost all PD/Sheriff in both counties Escambia and Santa Rosa are "E" Encrypted. NO SCANNER can pick up "E".
Also, almost all PD/Sheriff in both counties Escambia and Santa Rosa are "E" Encrypted. NO SCANNER can pick up "E".
Escambia / Santa Rosa County Public Safety Trunking System, Various, Florida
Escambia / Santa Rosa County Public Safety Trunking System Profile
www.radioreference.com
Correct
That system is somewhat confusing in the database. You see the multiple sites, but each has their own unique set of frequencies, so it is not simulcast. Simulcast is where there is more than one site, all sites using the same frequency set.You ARE IN a Simulcast area. Uniden SDS100/200 scanner or Unication G4/G5 pager are your options.
Also, almost all PD/Sheriff in both counties Escambia and Santa Rosa are "E" Encrypted. NO SCANNER can pick up "E".
Escambia / Santa Rosa County Public Safety Trunking System, Various, Florida
Escambia / Santa Rosa County Public Safety Trunking System Profilewww.radioreference.com
If you click on the site map, it makes it appears as if simulcast:
But each of those locations has a different set of frequencies.
Encryption, though, is prevalent.
Clarky
Member
I use a BCD996P2 to monitor both Santa Rosa & Escambia Counties. It's a decent receiver. It's a lot cheaper than a 200.
doctordialtone
Member
+1 ON THE 996P2.
I love mine!
I love mine!
Who said anything about encryption? He was asking about simulcasting issues. I'm sure the man asking the question and being from the "area" already knows that PD around here is encrypted. But thank you for pointed that out to us local folks that listen here every day.You ARE IN a Simulcast area. Uniden SDS100/200 scanner or Unication G4/G5 pager are your options.
Also, almost all PD/Sheriff in both counties Escambia and Santa Rosa are "E" Encrypted. NO SCANNER can pick up "E".
Escambia / Santa Rosa County Public Safety Trunking System, Various, Florida
Escambia / Santa Rosa County Public Safety Trunking System Profilewww.radioreference.com
Yes sir, this is correct. PD encryption here in Escambia and Santa Rosa. But with being different frequenties on these local sites, there's no simulcast issues to Fire and EMS monitoring.
902
Member
Yep. Exactly.
Industry needs to correct those terms.
Historically I've used "synchronous simulcast" to indicate one conversation on one frequency that appears at multiple locations and is precision timed; and "multicast" to indicate one conversation going out on many different frequencies where either the user or the radio selects the most appropriate site. "Synchronous simulcast" is much more spectrum efficient, but also requires special equipment, like "atomic clock" frequency standards or GPS disciplined oscillators, and data links that are all within strict timing. "Multicast" is just a bunch of linked systems, more like ham stuff, where one conversation goes out over different frequencies at different sites.
But we can also see systems that are hybrids of both, with two independent multicast systems that, within themselves, have simulcast sites.
kermit1
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As for the encryption, that's not a problem for me. I'm LE and have my own radio anyway. I just want a scanner that will pick up everything else that's easy to deal with and has some expandability.
Thanks all for the suggestions so far. Feel free to keep them coming, I love the input.
Thanks all for the suggestions so far. Feel free to keep them coming, I love the input.
Sometimes check for open bands you be surprised how little or how far you can hear from different areas. Once awhile I'll pick up 50 miles to 200+ miles.
Bolt21
Spark Chariot Driver
To answer the OP's question in a nutshell, your best results will be had with an SDS scanner. You MAY do ok with a 436, 996, HP, etc., but you MAY NOT, especially if you're mobile.
If you have the dinero, step up to the SDS. Short of a professional radio, it's the currently the best you can do.
If you have the dinero, step up to the SDS. Short of a professional radio, it's the currently the best you can do.
While I have the HP-2, and it works well for what it's made for, I would suggest that you look, instead, at the 436HP (portable) or it's base/mobile sibling the 536HP. The 436HP is about the same current price as the HP-2, but you can add DMR or NXDN to the 436HP if you need that option. The 536HP is not much more than the other two (I'm looking at Amazon pricing for comparison, but the pricing spread at dealers such as ScannerMaster and Bearcat Warehouse is similar). The large display on the HP-2 is easy to read, but with the x36HP scanners you have more programming flexibility since you can use quick keys. The database scanners (HP series, x36HP & SDS series) are great if you plan on taking your scanner while traveling & use a GPS.
The SDS200 is an excellent scanner, and will do everything the other scanners will do, as well as deal with simulcast. However, you do not appear to have simulcast issues in your county, so that could be overkill. The 996P2 is about $80 less than the HP-2 or 436HP, and would cover the systems around you. The DMR & NXDN upgrades can also be added, but while the 996P2 can receive DMR & NXDN as long as you have the upgrade, it does not have the LCN Finder availability, which can be used to map out a new DMR or NXDN system that is not yet in the database. The SDS and x36HP scanners do have that function.
Is it the rest of the public safety spectrum you want to listen to? I don't think it was asked in this thread. I'm guessing yes, being you're in LE.
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