First time scanner..

[facexdown93]

Hey guys, I'm brand new to the scanner world, and I'm pretty excited to get started and make this a new hobby. But I need some help, on choosing a scanner. I'm 17 years old so I dont have alot of skill in this kind of stuff, but I have pretty tech savey.
I need a trunking handhelp scanner, something cheap (not to cheap) and reliable. I've been looking into the UnidenBC346XT, unless its a complete piece of crap, which according the reviews its not. The only thing I'm really worried about is programing the scanner..is it really going to be very difficult, especially for someone with minimal experiences like myself? And according to the reviews, in owners manual that comes with it is ridiculous and hard to follow?
Does anyone have any advice for me, about this scanner, and the programming issue I think I'm going to have? Any input is welcome! Thanks guys.

 

[OsloViking1975]

Thats a really good scanner. Tells what area your from. Such as County and State. So we know what kind of System your state uses or your county.

 

[ps249]

Theres plenty of what your looking for in the $200 range. You may want to invest in a digital scanner. I have been buying analog scanners for the past 13 years until my hometown went digital last November.

 

[SCPD]

scanner

That is a good scanner but to save you a lot of money, first decide if you need a digiatal scanner or not if you do in which most places you do anymore . I would highly suggest you look into a program sofware such as Butel or Arc. There maybe some free programs out there but not very many. The program software most of the time comes with a trial version before you buy it. This program will help you program your scanner in a few mins then try to sit there and program it by hand which can take hours. Or you can subscribe to Radio Reference room here and upload the frequencies right into your scanner. The digital world can be very confuseing if you don't know what you are doing. We all have been where your are. You can email me at t_billman@hotmail.com for more help if you like.

 

[ka3jjz]

facex, first off welcome.

You will help others help you if you would put something up that says where you are - county/state is fine. Go to the User CP which is found on the left in the toolbar under the thread title - then go down about 2/3 of the way to put in your location. It's important, because others in your area will then be better able to identify you. Systems across the country vary by type and application, and these are important factors in determining which scanner will work well in your area. Local scannists will be able to guide you in this.

Take some time to read some articles in our wiki. We have a whole section devoted just for newcomers, and it will take some time to understand it all. Look at the blue toolbar under the Scanner Master ad for Wiki. Float your mouse over that then select Wiki Home. There are lots of links (anything in blue - and that applies on these forums, too) in the upper right with stuff to read.

Become familiar with the database entries for your area. In the upper left, right under the site title, float your mouse over Database then Database Home Use the pulldowns to navigate to your area.

Research (and getting the right advice from local scannists) are the 2 keys to getting started in this hobby. We have a forum for every state, and one for every distributor/manufacturer of scanners. Don't fall into the trap of just reading the new posts. Scanning all the forums we have here will better inform you about everything that is supported here.

Get a large glass of something cold, get comfortable and start reading. You're going to be here awhile.

73 (best regards),,,Mike

 

[facexdown93]

Thanks for your help guys, I'm going to take some of your advice, I am from Barnstable county in Massachusetts, which according to this website, most departments and whatnot, use a trunking system, which is another thing I am worried about getting a understanding for. But before I cough up all this money (200 is quite a bit for me...lol) I am going to take some serious time out and do quite a bit of research on these scanners!

 

[ka3jjz]

I lived in Arlington for a few years when I got my first job- man it seems like an eternity ago...

Anyway this website specializes in the New England area - not that I want to chase you away from this one (natch) but this site will help focus your attention on users in your area...

Scan New England - Scan New England - NEWS

73 Mike