Scoopnrunner
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I am looking at a Radtel portable radio and I read CHIRP software programs the frequencies in it. I am not computer savvy so are the software instructions user friendly? Thanks in advance.
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rf_patriot200
Active Member
What are your intentions for the radio ? Ham or Gmrs ?
Scoopnrunner
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Neither. I watch FDNY buffs monitoring communications using high end expensive portable transcievers. If they violalate FCC laws and or FDNY regulations I have no idea. I would like to monitor my local fire department but my budget is limited. Used portable monitors seem to be rather pricey but the so-called CCR' are well within my budget. My query had no intent but to monitor my local fire department. Nothing more.
What is "your" local fire department. Depending on that answer may determine what you need to get. To monitor the FDs I listen to, I need a P25 trunking device. No CCR will do that.
nd5y
Member
You don't need a radio to install CHIRP and start learning it.
They have a lot of documentation on their web site.
If you are not computer and radio savvy then no programming software will be user friendly.
They have a lot of documentation on their web site.
Scoopnrunner
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I monitor Miami-Dade Fire Rescue on Broadcastify at home on my pc. I don't posses that freedom at relatives homes who live their lives on smartphones, laptops and pc's. I just need a portable scanning CCR which appears to be less expensive than new and even some used brand name American made portable and base scanners. i'll figure out a problem for my dilemma. Thanks all for your time and advice.
If you listen to Miami-Dade FD through Broadcastify on your PC you can also monitor them on your phones browser or on apps like Scanner Radio or others. That said, it looks like a CCR will work as they use UHF 450 MHz range mostly in FMN.
If you get out and about at all, check yard sales and stuff. I'm not near you but, last summer I saw several hand held scanners in the 25-50 dollar range that would have worked for 450 UHF MHz range. They're usually a little easier to program from the front panel than some of the CCRs are and I will work way better. Most older analog scanners will get what I saw on the data base for most of Miami-Dade fire.
Scoopnrunner
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I think I'll bite the bullet, get the classified upgrade and buy a scanner from a reputable source. Thanks all.
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