Eastern Ohio Radio scanner advice

[tdenfuny]

Hello, I am interested in listening to the police, EMS, fire, ... in Mahoning County in Ohio. From the "New User" forum I have figured out that I need something that can do Phase 2 and I think that the following scanners should work:

- Whistler WS1080
- Uniden BCD436HP
- RadioShack Pro-668

But I was also told that some places in eastern Ohio uses encryption. I was given a link (Mahoning County, Ohio (OH) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference) but I am not sure how to tell what is encrypted here. I am guessing (really just guessing!) that I would like to listen to the Ohio MARCS - Multi-Agency Radio Communications, Motorola Type II SmartZone Omnilink (since the webpage says that this is where the primary communication happens.)

Anyway, before I go spend $300+ can you confirm that

(1) the above listed scanners should work for primary communication in Mahoning County?

(2) I am right in guessing that I would want to listen to the OHIO MARCS ... ?

I am a complete noob at this.

 

[Nasby]

You will be able to monitor most everything in Mahoning County except Boardman PD which sometimes uses encryption.

It's a good idea to get a digital scanner if you want to monitor Austintown PD and the Highway Patrol.
If you only want to hear Youngstown PD, the sheriff and other municipalities (other than Boardman and Austintown) then any scanner will work. There are great units like the Uniden BC125AT for less than $100.00.

At this point in time, Ohio MARCS IP will be phase I only and will likely remain that way for a while. So in my opinion, getting a phase II capable scanner is not a must have. Especially since there are good deals on digital units like the PRO-651 and PRO-652 for around $200.00.

Also, to answer part 2 of your questions, the scanners you have listed will work just fine if you decide to go that route.

 

[tdenfuny]

Thanks for this. I would mainly be interested in Youngstown PD. Are you saying that they aren't even digital? Would they swithch over sometime soon to something else? (After researching I got the impressions that all of OHIO is going to be on this "new system).

 

[n8jsw]

If you want to go Phase 2 then Uniden also has the 996P2 and the BCD325P2. If you only want a phase 1 scanner then the 396xt is a great scanner to use on any system. I am in Belmont County and the 396xt works just great

 

[Nasby]

I have several contacts in the radio industry in the area and they tell me for a fact that there's no indication whatsoever that Youngstown PD, YSUPD, MCSO, Campbell, Struthers, etc. will be going to the MARCS IP digital system anytime soon (as in the next 5yrs or more).

A big reason is money. The radios are very expensive and there is a user fee involved. The streets of Mahoning County are not paved in gold (or steel LOL). Plus, the analog radio systems work pretty well in Mahoning County. So if it ain't broke...

Send me a Private Message if you want to chat further.

 

[Circa]

Thanks for this. I would mainly be interested in Youngstown PD. Are you saying that they aren't even digital? Would they swithch over sometime soon to something else? (After researching I got the impressions that all of OHIO is going to be on this "new system).

Youngstown PD is sill Analog.

I doubt they will switch from analog, most of the non-state agencies like local PD and FD won't change.

When I saw the MARCS was converting, I thought all agencies would be using the Digital MARCS system, like our PD and Fire.
This is not true, local agencies will remain on their analog frequencies.

Austintown and Boardman have a P25 Phase 1 system but they sometimes use encryption so all we hear is the encrypted noise if they have it turned on when they transmit or dispatch is encrypted and the car isn't and sometimes it's the other way around.

Better off to get a digital P25 though, the Ohio MARCS systems covers the entire state and is converting to full P25 (They are delayed, was supposed to be fully transferred in April.)

Check the Mahoning county section in the MARCS systems to see who is on it currently using them.

Looks like ODoT is on the P25 MARCS-IP and the health department, St. E's, Northside, and Tod's Childrens are using the old MARCS.

I'm a county over and get Turnpike traffic and Ohio State Patrol and Columbiana County Sheriff on the old MARCS.
Sometimes ODoT snow plows use the "County OPs" talk group on the P25 system.

Here is a thread i started, tried to make a list of p25 phase 1 scanners. http://forums.radioreference.com/ohio-radio-discussion-forum/302028-marcs-p25-capable-handhelds.html (It's missing the Pro-668)
Post #17 is where I learned about the local agencies staying analog.

Few links to check out:
Mahoning County frequencies
Austintown Boardman P25 system
Ohio MARCS & MARCS-IP (P25)

A Radioshack Pro-651 handheld will serve you well, digital P25 and Analog, and can be had for $200 or less on ebay. Mine was like $115 shipped(I got super lucky). Pro-652 is the base station version if you don't want a handheld.