Help me spend my money

[exalti]

I currently own a Pro-96 which I like a great deal but as with my other hobbies (SWL and Astronomy) I find the need to increase my equipment numbers so I am in the market for a second scanner. Hmm, let me see.....

I rather like handhelds for obvious reasons. I live in the DFW area so digital trunking is not an issue. We have DPD which is conventional, Plano MOT, Richardson EDACS, McKinney MOT, and Ft Worth is just out of range of Allen and I never go there anyway. I occasionally travel to Austin so P25 capability is nice which my Pro-96 seems to do only so-so for some reason. I prefer Police listening and would like to get into MilAir if I can find a place where it is available around here. PC control would be cool but not required. PC programming is a must.

Dare I say that price is not an obstacle and I want the best chance I have of rolling with the rebanding that is going to take place. I hate to think I would have to buy all new equipment when that takes place. I wish to get another scanner because I carry my Pro-96 from house to truck and exchange antenna very often which lends itself to early hardware failure. I would even get another Pro-96 but where's the fun in that!?


So, may I solicit opinions from the readership? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. You're all a great bunch of folks.

Best,
-Al

 

[John_M]

This is not an easy question due to the rebanding. Read through the FCC Rebanding Thread.

You want Milair, so I would say your best bet after rebanding
is the BCD396T ~$520.00. There is the RS Pro-97 which would be my first choice it is $300.00 less but there is too much uncertainty regarding rebanding with this scanner. To make a decission read through the FCC Rebanding Thread. The BCD396T has all the features that you mentioned,
the Pro-97 is not PC Controllable.

 

[Voyager]

Right now, that's easy: BCD396T

Joe M.

 

[loumaag]

...I live in the DFW area so digital trunking is not an issue. We have DPD which is conventional, Plano MOT, Richardson EDACS, McKinney MOT, and Ft Worth is just out of range of Allen and I never go there anyway. I occasionally travel to Austin so P25 capability is nice which my Pro-96 seems to do only so-so for some reason. ...

Al,
Another point to consider, isn't the DPS changing to P-25 narrow band conventional? Also there certainly is a movement to digital, so this should be factored into your decision. As Joe points out, the BCD396T is certainly a contender for your wants, especially with the benefit of dynamic memory & P25 digital capability.