Deschutes county systems

[42etus]

I am really new to scanning, and live in Deschutes county. I'm looking to get a mobile/base scanner that will work here. I don't know anything about analog vs digital vs trunked type systems. I've looked at various Uniden and Whistler scanners on various websites, but still am in the dark as to what kind of systems are in my area. The last thing that I want to do is to get a scanner that is not very useful here. So, before I make a huge mistake, I'd really appreciate any advice as to which scanners will work well here and which to avoid.
Thanks to all
Paul

 

[Bowlieweekender]

This model would let you receive everything Deschutes has to offer that isn't encrypted. Add a DMR license to this plus a good outside antenna and you'd be golden. https://bearcatwarehouse.com/collec...vqxB_O9r_ub2dnf4tDinpyJMvcJC8O5hoCxQkQAvD_BwE

 

[wtp]

13 (D)	013 (D)	Five Mile	Deschutes, OR	769.93125c	770.44375c	770.71875c	773.58125c	774.29375c
21 (15)	021 (15)	Mt Bachelor	Deschutes, OR	769.43125c	770.16875c	770.95625c	773.04375c	774.58125c
23 (17)	023 (17)	Pine Mountain	Deschutes, OR	769.44375c	773.33125c	773.79375c	774.04375c	774.53125c
29 (1D)	029 (1D)	Sugar Pine	Deschutes, OR	769.46875c	769.95625c	770.93125c	773.29375c	774.08125c
32 (20)	032 (20)	Wampus Butte	Deschutes, OR	769.16875c	770.20625c	770.66875c	774.03125c	774.83125c
100 (64)	100 (64)	Cline Butte	Deschutes, OR	856.7625c	857.7625c	858.7625c	859.7625c	860.7625c
103 (67)	103 (67)	Pine Martin	Deschutes, OR	769.75625c	771.10625c	771.78125c	772.29375c	772.89375c
105 (69)	105 (69)	Black Butte	Deschutes, OR	856.2125	857.2125	858.2125c	859.2125
110 (6E)	110 (6E)	Bend Simulcast

that is quite a few towers.
and i see the simulcast thing there.
so yes, a SDS200 would be called for as it does much better than any other scanner for that.
you might be close enough to one tower and not have a problem, but you would not know until you have a scanner.

 

[gmclam]

You'll want to have either an SDS-100 (hand-held) or SDS-200 (base) if you're looking for a radio/scanner. There's other options that require a PC to use.

 

[ScanRite]

You should be able to get Powell Butte just fine in Bend. It's not simulcast so you shouldn't have an issue with a non SDS series scanner.
Although, I have 436 and a 536 and have never had issues with simulcast.

24 (18)

024 (18)

Powell Butte

Crook, OR

769.45625c

769.71875c

770.21875c

770.94375c

774.79375

 

[ScanRite]

And I notice you're in La Pine, so you'll want to use the Wampus Butte site.

 

[wtp]

and the last line was cut off for bend Simulcast frequencies
856.9375c 857.9375c 858.9375c 859.9375c 860.9375c

 

[42etus]

And I notice you're in La Pine, so you'll want to use the Wampus Butte site.

Wampus Butte is quite close to me, also it's in direct line of sight. That being said, would the BCD536HP suffice for this area, or would I still gain functionality with the SDS200? Looking at ~$200 difference here.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the simulcast thing. I read the wiki and am digesting that. Some forum posts suggest that the SDS200 isn't very strong on VHF. That's also important to me here.
Thanks again to all,
Paul

 

[gmclam]

The SDS scanners are not the best selection for VHF analog signals, but are tough to beat for P25 in any band. It sounds like you're willing to gamble with ~$450. Consider you get the 436 and then find it's not ideal. Now you spend another $650. But then having two scanners is not so bad.

 

[42etus]

The SDS scanners are not the best selection for VHF analog signals, but are tough to beat for P25 in any band. It sounds like you're willing to gamble with ~$450. Consider you get the 436 and then find it's not ideal. Now you spend another $650. But then having two scanners is not so bad.

OK, you convinced me........................Now just convince my XYL!

 

[ScanRite]

The 436/536 will work on the system just fine. But if you spend a bit more, you can get the SDS series.
I missed out on a guy selling his SDS 200 for $300 by 5 minutes. 5 MINUTES! I was 2nd in line.

 

[ScanRite]

Also, you should be able to pick up Walker Mtn in Klamath County which has patched Klamath SO and Fire VHF channels.

31 (1F)

031 (1F)

Walker Mtn

Klamath, OR

769.20625c

770.70625c

773.31875c

773.80625c

774.54375c

 

[bears223]

i live in ridgefeld washington wanted to know what tower sites are close to me
thanks bears222

 

[Baker845]

bears222
being in wash state you likely wont hear much traffic from central Oregon. but check the system sites and see which one(s) are near you. Oregon State Radio Project Trunking System, Varies, Multi-State

 

[bears223]

thanks everyone for giving me hints ill try that

 

[Fielder3]

bears222
being in wash state you likely wont hear much traffic from central Oregon. but check the system sites and see which one(s) are near you. Oregon State Radio Project Trunking System, Varies, Multi-State

West Salem Hills / State radio project system, I occasionally pick up ODOT - Madras, and OSP in The Dalles. Very fun!