First time scanner user with a question

[topdogz401]

Hello, I am located in Antigonish, NS and have been interested in scanning and radio waves in general for years. As a hobby, I wanted to pick up a scanner that I could play around with. I have found 2 scanners available used and I am wondering which would be better in my area. I am looking only for analog scanners at this point, but considering the RCMP doesn't have much chatter anyways with the usage of cell phones and data terminals, digital isn't a high priority for me. I am looking to pick up as much as possible on the analog spectrum using the 800MHz NS TMR system, I would also be interested in picking up random things like cab company radios, CB, Marine, Aviation, whatever I can really. The two scanners available are the Uniden Bearcat BCT8 and the Radio Shack Pro 164. A mobile or handheld scanner doesn't matter much to me either, although the handheld would be muc easier to bring with me on the go. Are there any features which makes one better than the other? And am I correct in assuming that by sacrificing digital, I am only losing access to the RCMP?

Your help is appreciated, I consider myself knowedgable about the scanner frequencies, but am very new to actually owning or using a scanner of my own.

 

[hfxChris]

Welcome to the forums!
I would definitely go with the Pro-164 for one very important feature: alpha tagging.
When you program the NS TMR, you can assign "alpha tags" (names) to the talkgroups, so instead of seeing "37040" pop up on your screen you would see "EHS North 1" (or whatever name you give it) - same thing for conventional non-trunked frequencies, so again instead of seeing 153.4100 you would see "Antigonish Fire" or whatever. Makes it a heck of a lot easier to see what you're hearing, instead of memorizing frequencies and talkgroup IDs.

Aside from that they're fairly similar, with a similar set of features, but I would say the benefits of the hand held (easier to take in the car for example) and the alpha tagging would make this a no-brainer.

As for your other question, in your area RCMP is pretty much the only thing you'll hear on P25 digital. EHS, fire and other government talkgroups are analog.

Just a reminder, if you discover any new frequencies that are not in the RR database, please submit them for the benefit of all users. The Antigonish section of the database is somewhat lacking in information.

 

[sleeplesman1]

hibernia is on 130.275000
check out ( Frequency Range Search | Spectrum Direct | Industry Canada) without brackets
check atlantic prov. and search a few mhz at a time.. you can scan the list for things you want to listen to or at least try to listen to. it made my list in east ontario a lot easier to fill in.

 

[novascotian]

Welcome topdogz401. There is a lot to listen to even without digital as long as your interests are wide, as yours seem to be. I know I will be interested to hear from you what you pick up, especially the VHF fire pages on 153.92 and then the actual operations on other VHF frequencies or maybe on the trunk on EO talk groups.

sleeplesman1, I am baffled by your posting as it seems like it was meant for somewhere else?! I dont think there is any way Hibernia will be heard in NS.... that frequency is used for communications with the supply helicopters.. Cougar I think... however it is also used offshore NS as well in the Sable area.... so that may be possible though it is a stretch... again it is normally helicopter traffic and therefore low altitude... I hear it occasionally as the shore office in the Halifax area talks to helicopters going to and from offshore platforms.

 

[ve1sef]

Good day and welcome aboard,
To echo the others there's enough activity on analog radio to survive not having digital.
Canso Dispatch(153.9200) pages most of the Fire Departments on both sides of the causeway.
Most of Antigonish County Fds use the Fairmont Tower(151.9850) a provincal repeater channel,
which also covers most of northern Inverness County as well.
The TMR(Trunk Mobile Radio) System will also provide activity.
Either scanner is a good choice.

 

[topdogz401]

Thanks so much for everyone's insight, keep it coming if anyone has anything to add, I love to learn what I can! I will know tomorrow whether I can get my profile 164 for sure or not, and am very excited to start scanning.

 

[sleeplesman1]

i figure any frequency in the area is good . i get radio signals from places far away. the main thing was the link to the frequency search program. I was surprised the signals that came in when i was on Isle Madame in december.

 

[topdogz401]

Thanks again, I've been reading up on how to program the beast, so that when it arrives, I'll have an idea of what I'm doing, like I said, the theory makes sense to me on how a trunked system works, but programming it manually will be another story haha. Am I correct to assume that I program the 2 control channels as trunked in one bank and then add talkgroups for my area? I'm also assuming that I can program in conventional frequencies in the same bank? Am I able to scan trunked and conventional at the same time?

Thanks again

 

[ve1sef]

Thanks again, I've been reading up on how to program the beast, so that when it arrives, I'll have an idea of what I'm doing, like I said, the theory makes sense to me on how a trunked system works, but programming it manually will be another story haha. Am I correct to assume that I program the 2 control channels as trunked in one bank and then add talkgroups for my area? I'm also assuming that I can program in conventional frequencies in the same bank? Am I able to scan trunked and conventional at the same time?

Thanks again

Yes to all questions.
Which model did you choose?

 

[topdogz401]

Thanks again, I ended up going with the Pro-164, I think the fact that it is handheld was the deciding factor for me. After reading some more about TMR on marscan, I decided that when it arrives I am going to program in all of the control channels in one bank, because of the fact that I do travel all over the province, the question will be what talk groups to program in, although I may use open mode and just lockout the garbage frequencies. I am now looking into things like antennas and other items that may enhance my experience. I ended up getting the scanner for $90 plus shipping and duties from a seller in the states, it is coming from a scanner enthusiast who doesnt smoke or have any pets so it should be in very good shape, the only downside is that it doesn't come with the power adapter (either wall or vehicle), so that will definitely be one of my next purchases, until then I will use a good set of rechargeable batteries. I am really excited to play around with it, my wife thinks I'm crazy that I would enjoy sitting there listening to any frequency, including thing like cabs or the DOT, but it always amazes me to hear the different activity I can pick up using radio waves! I also look forward to reading and seeing tips and tricks to enhance my listening experience. I am located on a hill just outside the town, so my reception should be decent, what kind of antenna should I consider, both at home or on the go?
Anything else I should know or consider?

Thanks!

 

[topdogz401]

Got my Pro-164 today (my wife called and Canada Post just dropped it off)...now to find a way out of work early... haha, but in all seriousness, I am looking forward to checking it out! Thanks again for everyone's help, will post again when I'm actually up and running.

 

[Res21cue]

How is it working?

I am just getting caught up on this thread. I actually work in Antigonish, I can help you get it programmed correctly if you are having problems getting it going.

Let me know!

 

[topdogz401]

It's working wonderfully! I successfully programmed the tmr into my scanner and alpha tagged all of the talkgroups around here, today is the first weekday I had the unit on, and I'm amazed by all of the traffic I'm hearing! I also programmed some vhf frequencies in like canso dispatch and the vfds in the area, I even managed to pick up our local cab company dispatch, My reception is phenomenal, the unit came with an upgraded antenna which appears to be helping my signal out quite a bit, the only annoying part was having to lockout the digital talkgroups that kept popping up, other than that I'm really happy with my purchase, I would have loved to get a digital scanner, but it was definitely not in my price range at the moment.
Thanks for checking in!