Dual, triple trunking?

[Engine4]

Hi fellas,
The guy at my local Radio Shack wasn't very knowledgeable about scanners. What I would like is a non-digital trunking scanner that will scan 2 separate trunked jurisdictions & conventional freqs (low & high band), all at the same time. The RS website isn't very helpful either. I'm leaning towards the Pro 97, 2051, or 2055. Any thoughts, suggestions? Thanks.

 

[crazyboy]

What type of trunked systems are they?

 

[Engine4]

What type of trunked systems are they?

Analog, Motorola Type II Smartnet (Baltimore & Carroll Counties, Md.)

 

[MacombMonitor]

I'd go with the PRO-2055, or it's hand-held equal, the PRO-97. Don't wait too long, as they are both on sale right now!

 

[Engine4]

I'd go with the PRO-2055, or it's hand-held equal, the PRO-97. Don't wait too long, as they are both on sale right now!

That's what I'm leaning towards right now. You're saying they both do what I 'm looking for in a scanner?

 

[MacombMonitor]

That's what I'm leaning towards right now. You're saying they both do what I 'm looking for in a scanner?

Yes, provided none of your systems are digital. The PRO-2055, and PRO-97 are virtually identical except for the form factor. Be advised however, that when (and if) re-banding takes place, it could have a negative impact on all three of the models you're considering.

For details on re-banding, read the rebanding sticky thread in the Scanning forum.

 

[Engine4]

Yes, provided none of your systems are digital. The PRO-2055, and PRO-97 are virtually identical except for the form factor. Be advised however, that when (and if) re-banding takes place, it could have a negative impact on all three of the models you're considering. For details on re-banding, read the rebanding sticky thread in the Scanning forum.

Nope, neither is digital. I know about the potential rebanding problems, but I have a Radio Shack gift card & nothing else interests me there but the scanners. I presently have an old Pro 91, & I've been wanting to get a new one as this is getting a bit worn out & I was hoping that with a newer model I might be able to get it reprogrammed if & when my area gets rebanded.

 

[Station51]

Not only that.....

Not only that, but both the Pro 97 and the 2055 offer excellent reception and superior sound quality.
Purchase the prgm cable and load freqs from your pc, it doesn't get better than that.

I've had a Pro97 since last May and when the 2055 went on sale last week I bought 2!

This coming from a guy who thought he'd never have another scanner. I started programming my own Motorola, Icom and Yaesu radios years ago, but these days scanners will give you so much more bang for your buck.

Both the 97 and 2055 program with the same software (Win97) so you make your changes then upload to the scanner. (You can do it by hand, but once you try the free software demo, you're hooked. Well worth the $25!)

LIFE IS GOOD!

 

[doctordave]

Engine 4,

Here's a great RR link, dealing with ? of whether the pro-97 (and presumably the 2055) will still be fine w/ monitoring most 800 trunked systems after re-banding finally gets here:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21688&highlight=rebanding

Our MD database listings for Balt Co 800 are quite up-to-date. I don't monitor Carroll trunked, but I presume the data is similarly on-target.

 

[Engine4]

Hey thanks for all the input fellas, I appreciate it.

 

[cbscanman15]

that is typical for radioshack not knowing about their produts scanners espically.Dont surpise me any that radioshack coulnt give you any help that is why after the first radishack scanner i dont get radios from them anymore.I think to get anythng from them is pretty idiotc

 

[blinddog50]

that is typical for radioshack not knowing about their produts scanners espically.Dont surpise me any that radioshack coulnt give you any help that is why after the first radishack scanner i dont get radios from them anymore.I think to get anythng from them is pretty idiotc

Pretty strong words from a 15 yr. old.
You're too young to know but Radio Shack/ Realistic were manufacturing radios before most of today's electronic companies in business.
Except for the drawback of being non-digital I would put the Pro-97 against any other scanner out there.

 

[K2KOH]

that is typical for radioshack not knowing about their produts scanners espically.Dont surpise me any that radioshack coulnt give you any help that is why after the first radishack scanner i dont get radios from them anymore.I think to get anythng from them is pretty idiotc

Dude, I work part time for the Shack, and I've owned radios since way before you were born. RS has some fine radios, the 2096 and the 96 for example. You do NOT have to have an electronics background to work there...you DO have to know how to deal with people, and learn about things along the way.
You also might want to try Spell Check...

 

[tjlewis126]

Radio Shack Guys

Hi fellas,
The guy at my local Radio Shack wasn't very knowledgeable about scanners. What I would like is a non-digital trunking scanner that will scan 2 separate trunked jurisdictions & conventional freqs (low & high band), all at the same time. The RS website isn't very helpful either. I'm leaning towards the Pro 97, 2051, or 2055. Any thoughts, suggestions? Thanks.

I have to agree with the Gentleman above.. The Guys at Radio Shack really r not to knowedgable in the scanning field..after all they r only sales people. I have a Radio Shack 528 triple trunking 1000 channel handheld scanner.. It is programed to triple trunk frequencies all at the same time.. But beleive me i didn't learn anything about it by the guys at the store... I started reading getting bits and peices of information as i carry on w my hobby...The intrenet has been great source of information... The local library has been good for me too.. Books ... Then there is a magazine "Radio Communications" i have not received it yet but i look forward... The only thing i can say is try to learn all u can about the scanners and what each do to get the one that best serves your needs... Education in the matter is been helpful to me and may lead u in a good direction... T J tjlewis141@charter.net

 

[claybarnes]

This is no Joke. I will not say the store, but after I bought my Pro 96 I had to go and explain to their emploees how the new digital scanners operated ( Our city had just converted) I even had to program some of the customers units for them. I thought it was kinda fun. In fact I the ass't mgr called me the other day to get me to explain the difference btween open and closed operation.

 

[N4JNW]

I have helped customers in RS also while I was in there just browsing for myself. I have had the employees, steer customers to ME whilst I was in the store for my own business.

When I walk in, they don't even ask me if I need any help, because it's usually me that's helping them.

It is a pity, but I know I have a job if I ever need one in a pinch!

 

[stdreb27]

It had better be a big pinch if you get a job there. And the little 15 year old kid is right on one thing. Most people in radioshack don't even know what a scanner is. I don't know how many times idiots from other stores would sell a scanner then send them to me to program them. They would say and I've heard them on security tape. Oh yeah I know a guy who would love to program your scanner (since I'm too lazy and dumb to learn) And I don't know how many times, I resold that same scanner under my name. hehe.

 

[gmclam]

The terms are to confuse us

When recently asked if someone could help me, I asked where the scanners were. The person trying to help me asked if I wanted a color scanner. LOL.

These terms used, Dual Trunking, Triple Trunking, Multi-System Trunking are all just marketing hype IMO. These scanners can only receive ONE channel at a time and, contrary to what they say, are really only monitoring one type of trunk or one frequency at a time.

Funny how the PRO-92 is a Multi-Trunking System scanner and can receive LTR, EDACs and MOtorola. The later scanners, PRO-93 & PRO-95 are only DUAL trunking scanners and can only do MOtorola or EDACS (a step backward). The next version, the PRO-97 can do the same trunk types as the '92 but is now called Triple Trunking instead of Multi-System.

 

[dosboot]

I have a Pro-97 had it since December 05 and love it's on all the time. I use it for my Job im a News Videographer to see the look on there face when I pull up and know more about the call then they do helps a lot, and if its a MVA with no injures then I know when to not bother with the call. Anyway getting back to the point I know a guy that worked at the local shack he was the most knowledgeable person there he knew his stuff ( he is a HAM) anyway late last year he was one of the works that were canned by email wow the shack knows how to treat there workers. So now at least in our local shack you need to know what you are looking for are you may never find it. Go in ask for a phoneless cord they will spend hours looking for one.

 

[radthad]

that is typical for radioshack not knowing about their produts scanners espically.Dont surpise me any that radioshack coulnt give you any help that is why after the first radishack scanner i dont get radios from them anymore.I think to get anythng from them is pretty idiotc

Quit drinkin' the hatorade man. I started out PT there and now I'm a full timer. RadioShack is known for their radio equipment because that's what got their foot in the electronics door. Scanners aren't a huge revenue driver for the company any more so they don't do any training on the subject. Other than customer service and store operations, it's all iPod, cell phone, satellite radio, HDTV, etc etc. Luckily, my manager is into Ham and has a fairly deep knowledge. I didn't get an interest into scanning until recently and picked up the Pro 84 when it went on sale for 69.99 recently. I ended up paying about 48 and some change after my discount I'm still not completely up with all this trunking and rebanding, but I'm learning.

And besides, where I live, most of our customers looking for scanners only want our county and nothing else. Pretty sad when you see them forking out $400 for a digital scanner to listen the local stuff that isn't trunked yet.

And to the gentlemen about RS manufacturing their radios....most, if not all, of the cordless phones and scanners are made by Uniden now.