HELP, please. What is the best overall scanner

[blp3]

I just wiped out all my frequencies on my Pro-94 setting it up for trunking.
Thought it might be a good time to get a new scanner that I can use with a computer interface to upload frequencies.
I listen to everything I can in Catawba and surrounding counties as far as I can go, so the new scanner needs to pick up a lot, mainly at home for now.
I have an outdoor discone and magnetic mount inside antenna (may need to update those as well).
I also have a Uniden handheld Sportcat 200.
I like the feature of no duplication frequencies like my old Bearcat had.
Any opinions on the Pro-97 or is there something else I should look at?
Thanks in advance.
BLP3

 

[jpm]

If there is any digital stuff in your state I would look at either the pro96 by GRE, Uniden models BC296d or the BCD396T scanner. I myself have the BCD396T scanner and love it.

 

[pfish]

Same as jpm said, if there is digital in your area then you should go with the 396t. It supports not only analog (of course) but also digital in the most common trunking formats. It also has tons of features. No need to replace this one for quite a while. It will be well worth your money.

 

[jpm]

When the base version comes out ya gonna get it.

 

[pfish]

I've never owned a base scanner so I doubt that I will. I have kind of a base setup with the 396t now. I have an antenna mounted on my roof and I just hook it up to the 396t, whala "base scanner."

If I was to try a base scanner, I would most likely get the base scanner from the 396t. I bet it will look really good with a blue backlight.

 

[blp3]

I don't have to be concerned about digital here - so far anyway.

 

[n4voxgill]

If you can find a Pro95 you do the non-digital real good. with the money that is going to come flooding out of washington as a result of Katrina there is no telling what changes may occur in the next year in public saftey communications. I would stay cheap until it all shakes out. This will probably spur rebanding that will effect all scanners in most of the country.

 

[blp3]

I agree about the changes that will probably evolve.
I appreciate all the input, however, my husband bought me the Pro-97. And wouldn't you know it, now I figured out the trunking on my Pro-94 with the help of someone from the forum, so it will be a dedicated Hickory scanner now.

 

[jeffmulter]

>> If you can find a Pro95 you do the non-digital real good. with the money that is going to come flooding out of washington as a result of Katrina there is no telling what changes may occur in the next year in public saftey communications.

It's not necessary to have a crystal ball to know that the Pro 95 will become progressively useless as a trunking scanner for Motorola systems after rebanding begins in this region in roughly nine months. If I were to buy a Pro 95 now, the used price would have to be very cheap.

Even as a conventional scanner, using the Pro 95 will require some user compromises as more splinter frequencies are licensed to public safety. If I remember correctly, the selectivity (both frequency steps and FM mode) of the Pro 95 are not adjustable.

With regards to Katrina, I would speculate that the dollars coming out of Washington would be targeted to specific uses, such as the clean-up / rebuilding of the Gulf communities, and replacement of their communications systems ... rather than further enhancements of the communications systems nationwide.

I also think there will be a greater emphasis by DHS and FEMA on targeting natural disasters, rather than acts of terriorism.

It was interesting to note that 11 members of the US House of Reps voted against a bill to provide emergency funding to aid Katrina victims the other day - despite the public support of assistance to those affected by the hurricane - because those House members recognize the implications of adding possibly $500 billion to the federal deficit.

Sooner or later, Congress will have to address that deficit, and the grants coming out of DHS for agencies nationwide to improve communications / interoperability could be a victim.

I recently received a 396D, and expect that it will be a useful monitoring tool for atleast 5 years out. I have no illusions about receiving encrypted comms, Pro Voice, Open Sky or iDen anytime soon. I also expect movement to the next phase of P25 will be really slow (because of the investment).

>> I don't have to be concerned about digital here - so far anyway.

The State of N.C. "Viper" site on Hwy 16 (north of Oxford School Road) should be operational in six months, and will eventually carry some digital talkgroups.


Jeff Multer
Fort Mill, S.C.