Is an analog scanner worth purchasing nowadays?

[ERADIO]

Hello I live in Bryant,AR just wanted to ask you all for some opinions on analog scanners in this present day. I cannot afford a digital one at the moment. I haven’t owned an analog one in quite some time. Is it worth purchasing one nowadays? I like listening to hams, rail, fire and police. I know law enforcement is probably very limited on analog.

 

[03msc]

Many ham radio repeaters are still analog. As well as GMRS. And a majority of rail radio traffic is also still analog.

You are correct that a lot of law enforcement is operating in a digital mode. Some EMS and Fire is too. Some paging is still analog, though.

Check out the database to see what it shows for your area.

 

[D31245]

You are in luck @ERADIO, virtually all agencies in your county (Saline) - except one - are analog FM narrow mode and are listenable on an analog scanner - although they also operate on P-25 Phase II (and may in the future fully transition) which an analog scanner will not pick up.

Saline County, Arkansas (AR) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Saline County, Arkansas (AR)

www.radioreference.com

Check out the Entity links at the top of the main link for airports and amateur radio frequencies.



Have you looked into which analog model scanner you may be interested in?

 

[03msc]

You are in luck @ERADIO, virtually all agencies in your county (Saline) - except one - are analog FM narrow mode and are listenable on an analog scanner - although they also operate on P-25 Phase II (and may in the future fully transition) which an analog scanner will not pick up.

Saline County, Arkansas (AR) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Saline County, Arkansas (AR)

www.radioreference.com

Check out the Entity links at the top of the main link for airports and amateur radio frequencies.

View attachment 182753

Have you looked into which analog model scanner you may be interested in?

I'm not in that area so I can't say for sure but if you read the notes and look at AWIN, it looks like they are heavily on AWIN and not analog. Could easily be a combination of both but when a county has a laundry list of talkgroups on AWIN that is typically a good indicator that they are using it primarily.

That's why I wasn't going to say they're on analog since there's a good chance they aren't. Wasn't going to take that risk.

Maybe someone in that area will chime in soon and clarify. I'll gladly be wrong but the TGs in the db for them show the big E on AWIN.

 

[KK4JUG]

If it was me, I would try to buy with a view toward covering alll the bases, just in case. For instance, if you travel with the scanner, you're certain to encounter more digital. If you're not traveling with the scanner, analog should be just fine at the present time.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

A software defined radio or more can be acquired for cheaper than an analog scanner if digital comms (sans full encryption) are or will be prevalent in your listening area . One drawback is very little portability, as a computer and software are needed for operation

 

[ERADIO]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I really do appreciate all of that helpful information!

 

[Freemor]

Just wanted to add for other that might be reading this thread and wondering about analog scanners. I got a small handheld one for Christmas. A Uniden SR30C so a fairly basic model by today's standards and I love it.

It's small, it travels well. And I get to hear lots of stuff on it. So as long as people have realistic expectations going in I definitely think it is worthwhile.

At home I listen to plane and boats, and Maine police, EMS, fire, and ambulance. Our local services are on P25 but some of the local rural fire departments still use VHF. Even our town uses both. so if something is going on it's handy having both so I don't miss bits.

Having it for Airband and Marine is handy too as I like to use my SDR for AIS or 1090 watching so with the scanner and the SDR I can track both positions and what people are saying.

When traveling to different locations it is loads of fun because it is a lot easier to pack and set up than the SDR. And in bigger cities I get to listen in on things like rail, taxis, construction crews, air shows, transit, harbor control, and many other things.

So, for me analog scanners are far, far from dead. Though I can see that if a persons primary interests were police or other services that have moved to P25 than maybe not so much. But I wouldn't be without it now.

 

[KK4JUG]

Just wanted to add for other that might be reading this thread and wondering about analog scanners. I got a small handheld one for Christmas. A Uniden SR30C so a fairly basic model by today's standards and I love it.

...and they're $500+ cheaper than Uniden's SDS series.

 

[03msc]

Yes, it all comes down to what you're wanting to listen to. There is plenty of analog traffic in the airwaves and these analog scanners are great for that. If you're wanting to listen to pub safety and the departments are on P25 or DMR or NXDN then you'll be out of luck with the analog scanner alone. All comes down to intended use for sure.

 

[Magnetsteve]

You are in luck @ERADIO, virtually all agencies in your county (Saline) - except one - are analog FM narrow mode and are listenable on an analog scanner - although they also operate on P-25 Phase II (and may in the future fully transition) which an analog scanner will not pick up.

Saline County, Arkansas (AR) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Saline County, Arkansas (AR)

www.radioreference.com

Check out the Entity links at the top of the main link for airports and amateur radio frequencies.

View attachment 182753

Have you looked into which analog model scanner you may be interested in?

Arkansan here. All public safety in Saline County is full-time AWIN. The VHF listed are their old frequencies before they transitioned to AWIN.
Bryant Police is full time encryption along with Benton PD. Fire and EMS are "in the clear" on AWIN. Pretty much the only thing you can listen to is ham and weather on an analog scanner. I think Saline county VFD's may still have simulcast dispatch on VHF and AWIN.

Save your pennies, by a SDS.

 

[D31245]

I stand corrected. 👍