Idiot seeking help with scanner type

[Mike4Lin]

First time poster here. Let me begin by saying that I have no clue about any radio/scanner stuff. Things have come a long way since the 1970s. My daughter wanted a scanner for Christmas to listen to local Fire/EMS traffic. I do know that our county uses 800 MHz and police channels are encrypted. By using info on this site, what I do have is

System Type Project 25 Phase II
System Voice APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive
System ID Sysid: 261 WACN: 926A9

So, what kind of scanner does she need? Used is fine. I'm hoping that I'm not looking several hundred dollars. The Uniden DC3555N that I bought without researching doesn't work (unless I'm completely missing something).

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

 

[jtwalker]

You can’t get a new scanner capable of working on a P25 phase 2 system for less than $350, then you will also need some software for programming it.

For further help we need to know state, county and city this scanner is to be used in. Possibly specific area of city if it’s a large metro.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the RR forums. I'm quite familiar with Atlantic County's trunked radio system and monitor it whenever I'm in the area during the summer. Lucky for you/your daughter, Margate is well within the coverage area of the Atlantic City site so you need not worry about simulcast distortion. Any P25 Phase-II/TDMA scanner on this list should suffice. I've had good results with my Uniden 436HP (handheld) and 536HP (base) on your county system. Though if you or your daughter plan on using it in Cape May County or elsewhere in the state I'd recommend a Uniden SDS100 since many systems in the state have simulcast towers and the Uniden SDSes are the only scanners designed to mitigate simulcast distortion. Best wishes!

So, what kind of scanner does she need? Used is fine. I'm hoping that I'm not looking several hundred dollars.

Expect to spend about $350 or more for a P25 Phase-II capable scanner, even on the used market. Although software defined radios can be acquired for much cheaper. Only drawback is you need a computer and software to control them. These are fine for stationary applications, whereas the portability of a handheld scanner is preferred for travel

 

[sallen07]

So, what kind of scanner does she need? Used is fine. I'm hoping that I'm not looking several hundred dollars. The Uniden DC3555N that I bought without researching doesn't work (unless I'm completely missing something).

You might want to ask the moderators to move your post to the New Jersey forum. I (and many others) can look at what's in the database and speculate but if you ask in the state-specific forum there may be someone who lives near you (and her) that can tell you what works for them. You can do that by clicking on the "report" button on your post and asking to have the post moved. Please do not create a new post since multiple posts with the same question are not allowed on RR.

Unfortunately any P25 Phase II scanner is going to cost several hundreds of dollars, even used. I looked at that system and it appears that the Atlantic City site is *not* simulcast so you may be able to use a Uniden BCD325P2 or BCD996P2. If simulcast is an issue then those aren't going to work. But again, you might want to ask folks in New Jersey.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Here is the DB page for Atlantic County, NJ. Looks like Police are encrypted and a little EMS is encrypted. Should be plenty of Fire and EMS traffic to monitor. There is nothing that we as hobbyist can do about encryption. No work around exist.

Atlantic County Trunking System, Atlantic County, New Jersey

Atlantic County Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[sallen07]

Welcome to the RR forums. I'm quite familiar with Atlantic County's trunked radio system and monitor it whenever I'm in the area during the summer.

And you are in luck, @Mike4Lin ... someone with first-hand knowledge chimed in!!

 

[kny2xb]

Idiot seeking help with scanner type​

First time poster here. Let me begin by saying that I have no clue about any radio/scanner stuff. Things have come a long way since the 1970's. My daughter wanted a scanner for Christmas to listen to local Fire/EMS traffic. I do know that our county uses 800 MHz and police channels are encrypted. By using info on this site, what I do have is

System Type Project 25 Phase II
System Voice APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive
System ID Sysid: 261 WACN: 926A9

So, what kind of scanner does she need? Used is fine. I'm hoping that I'm not looking several hundred dollars. The Uniden DC3555N that I bought without researching doesn't work (unless I'm completely missing something).

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

You're not an idiot, you're a newcomer or a beginner

Welcome to the hobby, when you & her get set up & situated, enjoy!

Check your local pawn shops, I've bought 3 of my scanners at pawn shops, 2 analog, 1 digital

 

[bearcatrp]

To keep costs down, get a used 325P2 or 996P2 to try. Let her use it for awhile to see how it goes.

 

[BinaryMode]

Or monitor Broadcastify. Broadcastify - Live Police, Fire, EMS, Aircraft, and Rail Audio Feeds

Scanners have come a very long way since then and everything is more technical and digital.

 

[wtp]

like hit factor mentioned,
all law is encrypted, you will not hear anything that is encrypted.
on the RR page under mode the TE means fulltime encryption

https://www.radioreference.com/db/sid/7643.

and if you check the broadcastify site, there is no police listed on there due to encryption.