First scanner - do I need I-Calls for Knox?

[kogeki]

Hi everyone. I am looking to get my first scanner and was wondering if I need a Uniden model with I-Calls to listen in on the Knoxville trunk system. I am just learning so I am not sure if I need this or not. I have narrowed my choices down to the Pro-97 and the Uniden BC246T. Thanks for any help!

 

[CORN]

No, not really. I've been scanning 20 years and with the new systems still don't understand I-calls. I listen in on my agencies here in Nashville just fine and have never missed any important calls on my scanner and i've never used the I-call feature. I think you'll be ok, especially since K-town isn't digital.

 

[kogeki]

No, not really. I've been scanning 20 years and with the new systems still don't understand I-calls. I listen in on my agencies here in Nashville just fine and have never missed any important calls on my scanner and i've never used the I-call feature. I think you'll be ok, especially since K-town isn't digital.

Thanks for the quick response. Is I-Calls a digital only feature? From reading I could not tell if it was only digital or if analog trunk systems also use it.

 

[scg]

EDACS analog systems uses them I know.

 

[INDY72]

I-Call is an feature available on MOST trunking systems, though on some, its NOT used , if any at all.. On Others, its used as an talkaround/BS chatter, and yet on a few its used as an tactical/admin thing. Knoxville doesn't use I-Call much, and the system is fully analog currently.

 

[tbenedict]

If your looking at the Uniden 246, check out the BR330T first. I have the PRO-97 and a BR330T, and both are great. The BR330T has the I-call feature as well, but I have never seen any traffic on it.

 

[kogeki]

Thanks everyone. I ordered the Pro-97 off of ebay new for $140 shipped. I can alwasy upgrade later. I want to get a base scanner soon anyways.

 

[INDY72]

If I had known you were looking hard.. I wiould have sold you mine for 127 Shipped.. and Fully Progged for Knoxville and the surrounding areas. OH well.. anyone needs an 97 and needs it progged.. give me an shout.. I accept paypal!

 

[kogeki]

If I had known you were looking hard.. I wiould have sold you mine for 127 Shipped.. and Fully Progged for Knoxville and the surrounding areas. OH well.. anyone needs an 97 and needs it progged.. give me an shout.. I accept paypal!

Ouch, that hurts, lol. That would've been nice. Ahh, I only paid $13 more and I want to program it myself to learn how to use the thing. I just couldn't wait to get one. My stupid radio shack did not have any 97s. They only had the 528s. I decided I couldn't go without the alpha tagging.