Digital scanner mass confusion

[troymail]

Not necessarily. I don't use any of those, and pick up >95% of traffic on my local simulcast systems (Franklin and Adams counties in PA).

So nice for you - but that doesn't help others.

 

[jonwienke]

Which is the reason for the rest of my post. Which does offer advice to those having simulcast issues.

 

[bob550]

Between us, we have so many varied reception conditions and combinations of monitoring equipment, that I'm willing to give anything that someone advocates a chance. Heck, if somebody posted that they "solved" their simulcast problems by submerging their antenna in a bowl of cherry jello, I might give that a shot. Then someone else might post that: "No, no, no! Clearly lime jello is the only choice!"

 

[troymail]

Jello? Now why didn't I think of that!

 

[slicerwizard]

I have found the State Prison using some kind of frequency hopping? Trunking?

That's what trunking is. Trunk control channels are easy to find, so find it and figure out type it is.

 

[garysvan]

here is some of the digital transmissions available in your state https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4275 get one of the newer scanners with the database already in it. the database is on a removable memory card built into the scanner. you can enter your zip code or city and state into the scanner and be up and working in minutes. there is a computer program with it to do any upgrading if you can click a computer mouse every thing is done through the scanner computer program. click on download upgrade database it does it for you any changes to the whole database for the usa at once. unless something changes on what you monitor you do not need to do any updating. if you decide to get more advanced you can use the computer program to select and make scan lists by department etc. otherwise you can change what you hear right from the scanner. they are still very usable evan without doing a lot of programing. i used mine for over a year before i decided to study it and make it work better. i heard a lot of interesting things in my first year without doing any real programing of it. i can understand why you do not like your whistler ws1025 that is the the lowest entry level model they have i would not waste the money on outdated analog scanner like that unless i had a specific analog thing to monitor with it. you can buy a used scanner at a thrift store for $10.00 and do better.

 

[TailGator911]

Yep, digital scanning can be very difficult and intimidating with all of the new technology out there. When I decided to get back into it a few years ago I bought the 436. I got very frustrated trying to learn and program my simulcast system (Ohio Marcs-IP) only because I had a lot going on at the time with domestic issues (daughter moved back home) and did not have the patience and fortitude to devote to it. I boxed it up and shipped it back to ScannerMaster. Now that things have calmed down here I decided once again to get back into it so this time I bought the 536 and the TRX-1. With the help of some very kind folks here, namely Troymail, I learned how to program them and am learning the scanners inside and out. I can now say that the TRX-1 is the best handheld scanner I have ever owned. I am thinking about buying the 436 again before my next RV cruise. Will be a whole lot easier for me now that I have the 536 figured out. Don't get me wrong, I have far from mastered the technology, I have questions every day, but I am past the learning curve and from my perspective that's a pretty good place to be and far from where I was last summer.

If you are just starting out in the hobby, or returning to it, I would heed most of the wise advice given to you here and take a good long look at the systems around you and ask yourself what you might want to scan that you would enjoy the most, As Buddrousa stated, you have a few new formats around you that could be interesting, As we all know, our interests and target frequencies and systems may change down the road - why not buy a scanner that will do it all? That way, a year from now, you might want to check out a new DMR system or an NXDN system. With a TRX-1 you don't have to pay for any upgrades. Take it from an old ham long in the tooth, have patience - learning this new era of digital scanning is not as difficult as it seems to be, Just something to think about. .

 

[pinballwiz86]

You'd be happy with a BCD436HP. You can run it on 'noob mode' by punching in the zip code. When you get up to speed, you can program it just the way you want it using the free computer software. The scanner has a much better interface than the Whistler line. More features too.

 

[majoco]

+1 on what troymail wrote. I was going to write something similar but he expressed exactly what I was going to say.

Modern digital scanners aren't toys any more. Get a used BCT15 and get your training wheels on it first, find what you're missing, then upgrade, don't try to start at the top.