First time scanner buyer looking for advice

[st1985]

I'm a long time listener to Edmonton Fire Radio, and a first time buyer looking to pick up a good scanner. What I'm looking to buy is a scanner that would work in both the Edmonton region for Police, Fire, and EMS, and the Conklin region for RCMP, Fire, and EMS (obviously I wouldn't be able to pick up both areas simultaneously). I work on the patch as an EMT and having something that would allow me to listen to local calls in the area would be ideal.

I know Uniden has a couple of good portables, but I'm pretty much clueless as to which specific model would best suit my needs. I'd ideally like to spend $500 or less.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[georgesharpe]

A PSR-800 or Uniden Home Patrol from Radio World in Toronto is what I suggest. The shipping charges are not unreasonable and they are very fast. @ Radioworld Toronto : Amateur & Ham Radios | Auto Navigation GPS | Motorcycle GPS | Truck GPS | Minelab Metal Detectors | Chartplotters | Fishfinders | Ice Flashers | Shallow Water Anchors | VHF Marine Radios | SSB Radios | Shortwave Radios | Scanne

 

[EdmontonFireRadio]

Hi, ST1985. Thanks for tuning in to our website. I'm glad you decided to take the plunge and pick up a scanner of your own. At this point in time you will still be able to listen to EPS however there has been some talk about them moving over to full encryption. At this point in time their dispatch channels are in the clear but it's hard to say how much longer that will be the case.

If you are looking for a good portable, one radio I would strongly suggest is the Uniden 396. You can read about it here - Uniden BCD396XT Compact APCO 25 Handheld Scanner|BCD396XT [UNI-BCD396XT] : @ Radioworld Toronto

The Home Patrol may be another good choice, however it is a little more expensive than you mentioned that you wanted to spend.

Hope this helps to point you in a direction.

Jeff
Edmonton Fire Radio

 

[piaa]

Hi guys i m new to this i am also looking for a scanner. I want to pick up a 396but where can i get this programmed? for EPS EMS and FIre

 

[frazpo]

Hi guys i m new to this i am also looking for a scanner. I want to pick up a 396but where can i get this programmed? for EPS EMS and FIre

You do know that you can program these yourself right? The software is free and chances are you will want to change stuff around after you get the hang of how the scanner works. With the forum as a backup support there is no reason you cannot learn to program the 396xt.

Good luck

 

[harryshute]

I also agree that the Uniden 396XT is a good pick. When buying a scanner look to the future the best you can. In the Edmonton area and Northern Alberta you will want P25 and 700 MHz coverage. Check the AFRRCS thread for comments on the PSR 800 and use on this up and coming system.

For programming piaa I'm assuming you are also in the Edmonton area. CB City in Sherwood Park offers programming on at least Uniden. But you will pay a premium price just for the RR data base which you can access for free.