Getting a Trunking Scanner

[ScannerSky]

Hi,

I live in a town in Morris County, NJ where our police department is on County TRS (Trunking). I want to be able to listen to things going on, but I need to know what kind of scanner to get and it needs to be easy to program because I am not a technical guru with trunking. Soon, the first aid and fire department will also be switching over to TRS. Can someone tell me what scanner would be best for this and how I would be able to easily program it.

Thanks!

 

[DJ88]

You should let us know if you are interested in a base model or a hand held (portable).

 

[ScannerSky]

I am interested in a handheld model.

 

[ScannerSky]

Also, what is the difference between a digital scanner and a trunking scanner?

 

[DJ88]

Trunking is a type of radio system. Digital is a type of system voice. It can be used on either conventional or trunk radio systems. There are basically three types of scanners. Those that can receive analog conventional systems only, those that can receive analog conventional and trunk systems and those that can receive both analog and digital conventional and trunk systems. If you're confused by any of this, post and I or someone will try to explain further.

 

[RocketNJ]

I would recommend the Uniden 396 handheld digital TrunkTracker. Also if you want easy programming you can buy ARC396 software from www.butel.nl then subscribe to this site. The ARC396 will connect to this site and download and set up the system info for you.

 

[DJ88]

The information on the database here indicates that the system voice for the Morris County Trunk System is both analog and APCO 25 digital, so you will definitely need a digital scanner in order to monitor it. I'm not familiar nor can I monitor the system, so I don't know which agencies transmit in analog and which ones use digital. With that in mind, I would also recommend the Uniden BCD396T. I have one and am completely satisfied with it. Programming it is somewhat complicated though, so I would take RocketNJ's advice and use the software if you decide to get one. There are others on the market such as the Radio Shack Pro 96 and the GRE PSR 500 that would suit your needs.

 

[RocketNJ]

Almost all communications on the system now are digital.

 

[ScannerSky]

Okay, thanks to everyone for the help! Is this software easy to use? Would I be better off figuring out how to program the scanner on my own? Also, the Uniden 396T is really expensive! Would I be able to program the Pro-96 with the software? Is the Pro-96 just as good?

 

[scannersnstuff]

scannersky i'm really not trying to influence you either way.if you decide to go with a uniden why not wait until the bcd396xt <see uniden forum> come's out.it's offering significant upgrade's to the bcd396t.supposedly it's going to be about the same price.gre also make's the excellent psr-500.

 

[northzone]

Why not print out the "Friends and Family" coupon (in the radioshack forum) and go get a RadioShack Pro-96 digital handheld for $266 brand new. That is a good radio with lots of support.

 

[ScannerSky]

Would I be better off with a base scanner rather than a handheld scanner? I heard that they have better reception. I am leaning towards the Pro 96, even though it is a handheld, but I am afraid it is too old and outdated. Am I wrong?

 

[Highpockets]

Would I be better off with a base scanner rather than a handheld scanner? I heard that they have better reception. I am leaning towards the Pro 96, even though it is a handheld, but I am afraid it is too old and outdated. Am I wrong?

You can look here to get an idea what's out there, also some new models will be out soon. Don't go by those prices!

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Digital_Scanner_Comparison_Chart

 

[scannersnstuff]

my personal opinion is you will get more bang for the buck out of a handheld.you can take the h.h. with you.if you use the right antenna,or hook the h.h. up to a base antenna you will have the best of both world's.the reason i did not point out the f&f coupon's at the shack is because lately the shack and it's scanner's have left a bad taste in my mouth.i will not bother boring you with the full detail's.i got a royal screw around from one of their manager's when he made a mistake on a christmas gift card.they would not even comp.me anything to make up for the 3 trip's i had to take to the store to get it straightened out.
the new pro-106 does not come with a wall wart or computer cable.i'm not sure how radioslouch's support will be toward's their new product's.uniden's and gre's have been adequate.

 

[ScannerSky]

What do you think about the Pro-96 handheld?

 

[scannersnstuff]

once again,just my personal opinion.i bought a pro-96 when they first came out and was not very happy with it.my main reason's were 1.i did not think the vhf-hi <mainly listen too> receive was not that hot. 2.did not like the v-folder's. 3.not much digital in my area. i returned it. i bought a bcd396t that i was pretty happy with.i have to say this though <said it on the board at least a dozen time's>. the latest uniden handhelp crop, or "dma" scanner's are not as sensitive as the gre's.this is both good and bad.i would not throw $379.00 at a pro-96 if i had,or could save the money to either invest in a new bcd396xt or a psr-500.they both have a crap load of feature's.feel free to p.m. me off list.i'll answer any question's that you have truthfully.

disclaimer - again.just my personal user experience.individual result's,opinion's and mileage may vary.

i am neither a die hard uniden or gre fan. i like em' both.

remember - get out and vote !.

just a reminder - too much cough medicine = not a good idea !.

 

[ScannerSky]

Okay, thanks. Overall, does anyone else like the Pro 96?

 

[NYRHKY94]

Scannersky:

I've had a Pro-96 for quite some time now and think it's a very good radio, especially for P25 digital sound. The majority of the PD's up here in NH are P25 digital so I get alot of use out of the Pro-96. Analog is very good too in my opinion. When visiting family in Bergen County, NJ I bring it along for use down there and it peforms fine for me. With the RS friends & family coupon this weekend, a new one can be had for $265. Don Starr's Win96 software is great with the Pro-96 as well.

With that said, I too have to agree with the other posters about giving consideration to the newer digitals from GRE and now RS. You do gain a signifcant amount of increased features with those radios over the Pro-96/pro-2096 line and the digital sound is great.

Good luck with the decision!

 

[ScannerSky]

How do I get the RadioShack Friends & Family discount coupon? I looked on the RadioShack forum, but I couldn't find it. I am interested in the Pro-96 because I really don't need all of these extra features. I just need it to do its basic job of scanning my local police/fire/ems departments. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Sybex7254]

Took me less than 5 seconds to find it in the Radio Shack forum.

http://home.comcast.net/~sptokens/RSFamily1008.pdf

Also remember than while I have to admit that $266 (with coupon applied) is a good proce for a digital scanner, the PRO-96 does not come with a AC adapter/charger, rechargable batteries, programming cable and software so if you will want these, it will all be at an extra cost.

I personally would hold out for one of the newer digital scanners (GRE or the soon to be released Uniden BCD396XT) as I like their features more but if cost if a big factor and you don't need all the bells an whistles, go for the PRO-96. I do see it's out of stock online at Radio Shack so you'll have to try and get one in store AND the Friends and Family promotion ends today.

Good luck!