Help to choose radio for Montreal County

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kiwi32

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Hello,
I live in Montreal (Montreal County, Quebec (QC) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference precisely near Anjou,and would like to get a cheap and easy to use radio scanner. I am new to this hobby,and don't want to get too involved,but would like to give radio scanning a try. I read a few articles in the wiki and must admit debanding left me confused,so I would like to get your opinion on what would be the best radio for this area.I am looking for a base,non-portable unit, capable of listening to SPVM,port,public services and a few trunked radios like La ronde,gaz metro,centre Bell,casino,if possible. If I understand correctly,I do not need a digital scanner but need a trunking one.I am not sure if any of these channels are affected by the debanding though.I am trying to keep cost as low as possible.I have seen a very cheap radioshack pro-2050,would this be compatible with the suggered channels ? What other receivers would you suggest ? I am about 20min. from downtown,so I assume the signals should be pretty strong,but the receiver would be located downstairs.Do you think installing the antenna in the attic would give a significant boost to the signal ? Thank you for your help.
 

mtlfirebuff

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Montreal, Quebec, Canada
To listen to the SIM you need a digital scanner capable of receiving APCO25 transmissions. For now you do not need one to listen to SPVM. Both SPVM and SIM are changing their systems, this year to a common 700mhz Apco25 system. To listen to this system you will need one of the newest generation of digital scanners. Urgence Sante has opted not to adopt this new system.
 

VE2ZPS

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Louiseville, QC
Hello,
I live in Montreal precisely near Anjou, La ronde, centre Bell, casino,if possible.

You won't be able to monitor le Centre Bell and the Casino since they have highly concentrated coverage; you need to be extremely close (they don't need extended coverage) but you might be able to get La Ronde or Parc Jean Drapeau on their trunking system.
 

VORTAC

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Unfortunately, the entire management of Parc Jean-Drapeau (except Six Flags) is now on MOTOTRBO.
 

plaws

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E Hawkesbury Twp, ON
Q

would like to get a cheap and easy to use radio scanner. I am new to this hobby,and don't want to get too involved,but would like to give radio scanning a try.

Nope, not gonna happen. :p

As Mark notes, Fire is on a P25 (digital) trunked system and Urgences Sante is on an EDACS (analog) trunked system. SPVM is still on good, old UHF (analog) and the SQ are on good, old VHF (though some areas are digital).

I will note that rumors that SPVM is moving, imminently, to a new system (could be SIM's could be RSP, could be RENIR, could be ...) for years, so don't get too excited. :lol:

Given that, you could get a non-digital trunking scanner and set it up for SPVM, SQ, and Urgences Sante (on RSP).

My Mom lives on the West Island and all three services (and SQ) are easily received there, so it should be the same in Anjou. Something about a mountain in the middle of the island.

You'll find that your choices boil down to Uniden and GRE (also branded as Radio Shack). You'll also find that, like Ford and Chevy, people like one or the other and not usually both. I prefer Uniden myself, because as all Uniden owners know, those radios are superior in every way!

Cheap is hard, but eBay is probably a good way to go. Craig's List (if that exists north of the border) is another good source, though without the "buyer ratings" of eBay.
 

DaveH

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Ottawa, Ont.
You won't be able to monitor le Centre Bell and the Casino since they have highly concentrated coverage; you need to be extremely close (they don't need extended coverage) but you might be able to get La Ronde or Parc Jean Drapeau on their trunking system.

If the Casino is like the one in Gatineau (and may be because TAFL listing shows similar TX power,
at least on paper...) the CC might be heard from up to several km away, and may be worth a try if
you are close enough. Then again, I don't know the surroundings of the Montreal Casino, which
might be more built-up.

Dave
 

VE2ZPS

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Louiseville, QC
If the Casino is like the one in Gatineau (and may be because TAFL listing shows similar TX power,
at least on paper...) the CC might be heard from up to several km away, and may be worth a try if
you are close enough. Then again, I don't know the surroundings of the Montreal Casino, which
might be more built-up.

Dave
Hi,

Last time I monitored this system, I was very close by and you lose the signal very fast as you move away from the Casino. I lived right on the other side (in St-Lambert) for many years and even from there you need a very good antenna to have a solid signal.

He should definitely try but getting the CC from the East end (Anjou), I would be extremely surprised but everything is possible.

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