bitmorechoke
Newbie
Hi all, I'm sorry this really is a noob question but I'm hoping you can steer me straight.
I'm a volunteer here in New South Wales (Australia) with both the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service. I believe both services use APCO P25 in the 410-470MHz band. In much of the state there's a large trunked "Government Radio Network', which I believe is P25 phase 2. The GRN hasn't reached where I am yet so there are still separate local PMR systems, which I believe are untrunked P25 phase 1. My understanding is that ultimately the GRN will roll out here and that at some point we'll all be on the same monster system using phase 2.
I want to listen in to local activity while off duty, and also have my own receiver while on duty, especially if it means I can listen in to other agencies nearby. I was seriously considering a SDS100, until I came across references to the G5. To my untrained eye it seems to meet all the right specs (as long as I get the right UHF range) and is a more compact and rugged device, easier to charge on the run etc.
So am I on the right track? Is the G5 a good fit for me? Can I just buy a unit online, from the US, and use it here? Are there pitfalls I need to be aware of? Will a moderately computer-literate newbie figure out the programming side of it? And will the G5 let me scan multiple agencies once they are programmed in?
Sorry for the WOT but obviously it's a significant purchase and my knowledge is weak so I'm keen to avoid doing something stupid!
I'm a volunteer here in New South Wales (Australia) with both the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service. I believe both services use APCO P25 in the 410-470MHz band. In much of the state there's a large trunked "Government Radio Network', which I believe is P25 phase 2. The GRN hasn't reached where I am yet so there are still separate local PMR systems, which I believe are untrunked P25 phase 1. My understanding is that ultimately the GRN will roll out here and that at some point we'll all be on the same monster system using phase 2.
I want to listen in to local activity while off duty, and also have my own receiver while on duty, especially if it means I can listen in to other agencies nearby. I was seriously considering a SDS100, until I came across references to the G5. To my untrained eye it seems to meet all the right specs (as long as I get the right UHF range) and is a more compact and rugged device, easier to charge on the run etc.
So am I on the right track? Is the G5 a good fit for me? Can I just buy a unit online, from the US, and use it here? Are there pitfalls I need to be aware of? Will a moderately computer-literate newbie figure out the programming side of it? And will the G5 let me scan multiple agencies once they are programmed in?
Sorry for the WOT but obviously it's a significant purchase and my knowledge is weak so I'm keen to avoid doing something stupid!