Digital Signals and Scanners

[BrianZ111]

Hi, first let me say that you've got a great site here, was a nice to find a site dedicated to scanning like this. I was wondering if anyone here could help me out a little though. I have an older scanner, a Uniden BC175XL that I've used to pick up local police/fire/ambulance here for years. It's been good but now I only get static on local Sheriff and City Police frequencies - Portage County/Stevens Point, WI (http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&ctid=3101). I believe if I understand this correctly it is due to the fact that they went to a digital APCO-25 signal and I need to upgrade to a scanner that can receive this type of signal now. Is there anything out there that will allow me to pick them up again without costing me an arm and a leg? I don't need any fancy features, just something that will pick them up. I looked at the BC785D and BC796D but they are out of my price range and look like they have a lot of things I wouldn't need anyway. I was thinking more in the $200-300 range. Is there any other scanners that can pick up a digital signal like this or is there any chance these will come down in price a bit soon? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[JoeyC]

There are NO digital scanners in the $200-$300 range unless you can find one used. Try EBAY.

 

[safetyobc]

Good luck finding one on ebay for that price unless you get really lucky. If they are APCO 25 then the BC250D and BC785D will not work on that type modulation. For APCO 25 your choices are limited to Radio Shack's Pro 2096 (mobile) Pro 96 (Handheld) they are on sale for $450 on RS website. Uniden also has 3 that you can decode APCO 25. Uniden's BC296D (handheld older version) BC796D (mobile) BCD396T (newest handheld) All will run you in the $500 range new. I have seen some Pro96/2096's go for around $350 to $400 on ebay but those have certain CPU's that are older and have Talk Group decode problems. You need to make sure you find one with a CPU 1.3 or 1.4 before you buy. The 1.2 has the TG problems I think. You can compare all 5 and see which you like better and see if it is worth spending the $$$ to listen to PD and SO. It looks like all other agencies in the county are still analog so you aren't scanner deaf. Keep in mind that a RS Pro96 doesn't come with any accessories except the antenna and belt clip new. The Uniden handheld has antenna, belt clip, batteries, PC programming cable and free software. I have the BCD396T and highly recommend it if you want to spend $500+. If not, good luck finding a used RS or Older Uniden in your price range. Hope this helps.

Good luck with fiinding a good scanner.

 

[xusmarine1979]

You could even try the stuff for sale forums on this site.

 

[UPMan]

Since these are P25 conventional (not trunked), the 250 and 785 should work.

 

[RDCat]

I Got A Pro 96 Off Ebay 330.00-in January

 

[Voyager]

If they are APCO 25 then the BC250D and BC785D will not work on that type modulation.

Actually, they will handle P-25 modulation fine. They just won't track a P25 system. They would work fine on a conventional P25 system (such as the link posted) or for P16 control / P25 voice systems.

Joe M.

 

[jimyleg]

there was a guy trying to sell a pro 96 which is what you want...

i got my 396t on ebay for 480.00 i consider myself lucky
thats the gooder one but they are the same

 

[BrianZ111]

Ok thanks for the help guys, I was afraid there wouldn't be anything that low since I didn't find anything when I searched but I thought I'd give it a shot and ask. I wish they would make a cheaper model that did digital. I really don't need 1,000 channels to program, I've been getting by on 16 all this time and I think about 40 would be the max I'd every really need. There's no trunking or anything like that around here that I'm aware of either, I had never even heard of that until I came to this forum. lol I still get a lot here, including a lot from Wood County too, just miss getting the police and sheriff department here though. Maybe I'll have to save up some money for Christmas or something. Thanks again guys for the response.

 

[BaLa]

Keep in mind, that even though you may not need or even be able to 'fill up' all of those 1,000 channels.


Most of the newer scanners that have that many channels in the first place, also have some other advancements, that may make it worthwile to buy one.

I was trying to find some info on the 175 XL you said you had, couldn't find anything quickly.

Anyways,
Signal Stalker/Close Call, is a neat feature and a cool toy to play with.
Alpha/Text Tags are also neat to have.


I only have about 200 or so channels programmed in my Pro 95 also.

 

[BrianZ111]

It was more then 10 years ago when I got it so I've gotten a lot of use out of it and it's probably time to upgrade. For features 16 channels, 1 priority, search, weather search, delay and lockout are about it. Bands are about 30-50, 120-175, and 410-510 I think. I see someone is selling one on ebay right now: http://cgi.ebay.com/Uniden-175XL-Sc...ryZ14956QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I agree that some of those features would be cool, but not absolutely necessary. Just being able to receiving all of the signals in my area is the most important thing. I'll probably take another look at them again in a few months. Thanks.

 

[BaLa]

I don't think they will come down enough in just a few months, unless you get a good deal on a used one, if you're even interested in that.

I know I wouldn't be, If I was spending more than $300 on a scanner it better be new

 

[ibuyscanners]

pro 96 help

I need help with my pro 96 ?
I need to program the state police digital for indiana

 

[mancow]

I have a PRO-96 in good condition for sale for $300.


mancow

 

[flyingwolf]

I buy scanners. PLease start a new thread in the Radioshack forums and you will get help.

Mancow. We have a For Sale forum.

 

[vpsmith]

I now have a digital scanner, though no agencies have digital here yet. When I travel into an area that has gone digital, is there anything that I have to do other than having the correct local frequences?
If there is a mix of digital & analog in an area, does the digital scanner automatically accommodate that?

 

[Al42]

I now have a digital scanner, though no agencies have digital here yet. When I travel into an area that has gone digital, is there anything that I have to do other than having the correct local frequences?

No, you program digital the same way you program analog.

If there is a mix of digital & analog in an area, does the digital scanner automatically accommodate that?

Exactly.