Digital Cities

[maro94]

I am purchasing a new scanner and would like to know if any one had any sugestions if i should go digital or not. I am looking at the Bearcat handhelds and really dont want to spend the cash on the digital unless i really need it.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Scott

 

[Junior08]

Just checking, but you ARE located in Massachusetts, correct? If so let us know your location so better advice can be given. Not a lot of digital in Mass, but there is some. Let us know.

 

[maro94]

sorry, I live in the salem , ma. area, i do travel to laconica nh every weekend and would like to monitore there also

 

[Junior08]

That helps!

I'd say you NEED digital then. NH is Full of APCO-25 digital. And You will more than likely be able to monitor some of it from Salem no doubt. It's been discussed at length here, and elsewhere, but as it stands the GRE/Radio Shack Pro 96 (handheld) and Pro 2096 (base model) are head and shoulders above Uniden with regards to digital audio quality. Now, am I dissing Uniden? Not at all. Uniden beats them hands down with regards to features on their scanners, especially the newer BCD396T.

Uniden has an upcoming base model, BCD996T, that is rumored to be a tremendous scanner, ALL the bells and whistles, and then some. Will it have comparable digital audio to the Radio Shack models? It remains to be seen. It's due out sometime this spring. If you are looking at a handheld or portable scanner, you can find a used 96 for probably low to mid $300 range, the Uniden BCD396 used I'd guess in the $400 range? Both models new will run you $500 plus.

Buy what fits your needs, but if it's portability with great digital audio, I'd highly recommend the Pro 96.

 

[maro94]

Thats great info , I really appreciate your time, you made my mind up for me.
I am definetly going digital. I am going to do a little research on UNIDEN / RADIO SHACK.
I have been a die hard BEARCAT fan for years.
NOW THE HUNT FOR THE RIGHT MODEL
Thanks Again

 

[Junior08]

Please post your results, hopefully some other folks will add their 2 cents.

 

[Scanner-geek]

Maro94:

I have a Bearcat 796D and a 250D. I have to say they are great scanners with lots of features and good reception of digital transmissions. I will say that the audio quality, particularly that of the 250D with digital transmissions is POOR. I don't have any radio shack digital scanners, but have used them in the past and they make very, very good scanners.

As for digital in Mass, I listen to none. I use it primarily on road trips. I have used it to monitor NH and Conn State PD, as well as many departments in Florida.

It has always driven me crazy to not be able to monitor a system, which is why I went digital. In Boston it makes up none of my scanning. In Florida, more than half.

Good luck.

Scanner-geek

 

[maro94]

Thanks Scanner-geek,
I just ordered 396 from bearcat. Now all I have to do is figure what computer software to buy.
I also will be doing alot of scanning in NH.

Thanks Again,
maro94

 

[Junior08]

ARC396 from Butel!!!

www.butel.nl

 

[Bill2k]

Real men program by hand!

Just Kidding

Uniden has free software for the 396, but with Arc396 and a donation to RR, you can create trunked systems with just a few clicks. I've created 20 or so trunked systems with extensive talkgroups in just a couple minutes using Arc396 and the RR database. Its a huge time saver!

 

[maro94]

I programed just my area police and fire by hand to get the feel of it.
Now I am going to down load Arc396 to complete my scanning needs.
This scanner is alot more fun than my 20 year old, 16 channel bearcat handheld scanner.
I'm sure I will be needing some more help.
Thanks, Bill