Getting back in the hobby - scanner advice?

[jefflackey]

I was in the scanning hobby for many years, starting back about 1985 or so, and my last scanner was/is a venerable RS 2006. But after being out of the hobby for about 5 or 6 years, I'm a little overwhelmed with all the changes! I went to buy a new scanner and I see capabilities such as trunking, 9600 baud APCO (?), etc. and I realize I am completely clueless!

So - I want to buy a new scanner radio. I'll spend the $500 or so to get one that I can be happy with for several years and that I can grow into if needed. I want to be able to follow the usual - local police, fire, EMS, etc. in the Naperville area (western suburb of Chicago) - it appears from my research that much is trunked here, a topic that is new to me - and as much of the surrounding area as possible. I also like listening in on air and other interesting stuff on the airwaves. I don't want to spend this much on a radio and have it obsolete/have to buy a new one in the next couple of years.

I assume there are one or two most popular (I don't dare say "best" in a radio forum! LOL! ) radios today and that there are some pros and cons of each? Probably a Radio Shack one and a Uniden/Bearcat one? I'd appreciate some comments, advice, and pointers to sources.

I apologize if this has been beaten to death before here - I didn't really find exactly what I'm looking for using the search functions.

Cheers - Jeff

 

[safetyobc]

Take a look at the BCD396T. The memory setup is different from past scanners, but it will be a great scanner. It is due to be released "late summer" and will be in the $500 range. It is a digital trunking scanner (even 700 mhz) It will have many new features including a fire tone out (like a fire pager) dynamic memory, 6000 channels (approx. 3500 with text) The great thing about the new memory is that you can have as many trunked systems as you want as long as there is memory, you aren't tied to the banks and channels anymore. Lots of info and discussion in the 396 forum. You can read lots of posts about it here:

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=17995

 

[John_M]

The BCD396t coming out this late summer would be my first choice. $524.95 at www.Hamstation.com. My second choice would be the Radio Shack Pro-96 at www.ScannerMaster.com for $439.95. The BCD396t will be flash upgradeable and the Pro-96 will be capable of monitoring rebanded systems.

 

[jefflackey]

A handheld, eh? I'd not considered a handheld, I've always used a desktop/base type scanner (a la the 2006.) Are there any significant drawbacks to using a handheld/mobile vs. a desktop/base style unit? I'd just assumed I'd be looking at something for the bedside table, but that's intriguing...

 

[br0adband]

I would think someone should have explained some of the things you seem to be behind on (and it's easy to fall behind with the recent changes in the past 2-5 years). But perhaps you'll ask such questions if needed.

At this point in time, end of May, the best option would probably be as mentioned above: hang on to your money for a bit longer and wait for the Uniden BCD-396T. It'll handle pretty much anything anyone can throw at it and more.

If you're interested in primarily a desktop scanner, that's fine also and I'm sure people will offer recommendations for such a beast, but in all honesty, the 396T will simply be the best scanner there is considering it's current pre-market specifications.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and this forum will be here to answer questions or offer help when that time comes...

Paul

 

[n4voxgill]

A couple of years ago I became convinced that with these large systems with lots of talk groups that trying to program by hand was a lost cause.

The greatest combination going now for programing a scanner is WIN96, the RR Database on this site and either the Pro96 handheld or Pro2096 base mobile. With this combination you can program most systems by just pointing and clicking.

It would be great if they could come up with a combination like tihs for uniden, but for now I see this threesome standing above all others.

The WIN96 program has an import on line that will connect to this site and go into the database. Any systems that have frequencies and/or talkgroups can then be selected here and then transfered to the software and downloaded on to the scanner.

Don Star and Mr. Blanton have done an outstanding job getting this to work.

 

[eyes00only]

and the Pro-96 will be capable of monitoring rebanded systems.

I didn't know the 96 would do 700 MHz trunking!!!
I'm not talking about online with software. I mean in the real world. Of course I could be wrong.

Jerry

 

[Al42]

A handheld, eh? I'd not considered a handheld, I've always used a desktop/base type scanner (a la the 2006.) Are there any significant drawbacks to using a handheld/mobile vs. a desktop/base style unit?

If "base" units were properly shielded there might be a drawback but, since the metal case is pretty much cosmetic, that's not a consideration.

Since most portable/base scanner pairs are the same radio in different boxes, about the only drawbacks are external power supply, smaller speaker/lower power audio output (you can always use an amplified external speaker), smaller screen, smaller keypad, etc. About the only thing I can really see that's different in a major way is that it's much easier to do a discriminator tap on a base unit - there's more room to work and plenty of cabinet on which to put a connector. But the advantage to a portable unit is, of course, the ability to use it when you don't have a house or a car available. Which might come in handy if the reason you're listening is a wide-spread power failure.

As everyone else has said, your best bet would be the Uniden 396. Why? I've always owned Radio Shack but this time I have to give the nod to Uniden for:
Fire tone-out
PL/DPL
Dynamic memory
Military air frequencies
And a few other things Radio Shack forgot.
And Uniden includes the external power supply, the batteries, the computer connection cable - things that cost extra with Radio Shack - about $50 extra at least.

About the only advantage to the Pro-96 is, as n4voxgill said, Don Starr's great software and the ability to grab information from this site. If Uniden's software doesn't measure up, they've published their software interface specs, so someone will come along with some good software.

However, neither one, the Pro-96 or the 396, is likely to become outdated for at least a few years.

 

[BoxAlarm187]

800MHz re-banding and 700MHz trunking are two completely different things....

 

[Al42]

and the Pro-96 will be capable of monitoring rebanded systems.

I didn't know the 96 would do 700 MHz trunking!!!
I'm not talking about online with software. I mean in the real world. Of course I could be wrong.

Jerry

If you put in a bank of search frequencies for the out-of-limit ranges, you can do searches on those ranges without the computer being connected. 700 MHz happens to be one of those ranges.

 

[eyes00only]

Of course I could be wrong.

If you put in a bank of search frequencies for the out-of-limit ranges, you can do searches on those ranges without the computer being connected. 700 MHz happens to be one of those ranges.

Glad I threw in the disclaimer :lol:

Jerry

 

[n4voxgill]

You may be right Jerry, 700 is going to have several bandwidths, I am in the when I hear it I will believe it on Pro96 or BC396.

With P25 Phase III also called MESA under development I look at what things will do today, none may work tomorrow.

Gill

 

[eyes00only]

You may be right Jerry, 700 is going to have several bandwidths, I am in the when I hear it I will believe it on Pro96 or BC396.

With P25 Phase III also called MESA under development I look at what things will do today, none may work tomorrow.

Gill

Pretty much what I thought, but I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer :wink: .

Jerry

 

[jefflackey]

Looks like I have a lot of research to do! But based on what you guys have pointed me to, the BCD396t looks like a nice option. Always nice to be able to pick it up and take it with you wherever (even if it doesn't have that nice, high tech base station look. )

So now I just need to do some homework and see who is the best retailer these days...

 

[John_M]

I didn't know the 96 would do 700 MHz trunking!!!
I'm not talking about online with software. I mean in the real world. Of course I could be wrong.

Jerry, the Pro-96 can't do 700mhz trunking. I should have stated this.
But, for 800mhz Mot systems being rebanded the Pro-96 will be able to monitor these rebanded systems. :lol:

 

[safetyobc]

the BCD396T also will come with full version programming software from Uniden and of course the progarmming cable is included.

BCD396T pictures can be found here: http://www.wayneclemons.com/scanner.html


retailers:

www.scannermaster.com

www.universal-radio.com

www.grove-ent.com/newproducts.html

http://www.scannersunlimited.com/

www.bearcatscanner.com (396 not listed yet, but will be available "late summer")

and there are many many others[/b]

 

[eyes00only]

Jerry, the Pro-96 can't do 700mhz trunking. I should have stated this.
But, for 800mhz Mot systems being rebanded the Pro-96 will be able to monitor these rebanded systems. :lol:

No problem, I was just double checking. I'm try to collect enough cans, so I can afford a 396 in a couple of months :lol: .

Jerry

 

[eyes00only]

BCD396T pictures can be found here: http://www.wayneclemons.com/scanner.html

Nice pics, but darn that's a tiny speaker. I hope the audio is better than with previous Unidens.

Jerry

 

[safetyobc]

I have the 246T which is almost the same size and audio is good for me.

 

[eyes00only]

I have the 246T which is almost the same size and audio is good for me.

That's good to hear. I have a 94, and the audio sucks compared to my 95. I do think the 94 is a more user friendly scanner.

Jerry