Is it Just Me, Or Is This Hobby Getting Very Boring ?

Sorry to sound like a Debbie Downer, but lately my scanners (even digital one) has been collecting dust now. Just about all the police departments in my area have gone encrypted including the town where I live. I can still pick up FD and EMS on digital, but even they do a lot of communicating via their vehicle CADS and don't say a lot over the air anymore.

I used to love taking my scanner every time I travel to my favorite get away spot (Atlantic City), but aside from PD, even the hotel casinos there have mainly gone encrpyted. When I first bought my digital scanner, I even paid an extra $75 just to have DMR unlocked to hear casino hotel security, which is now totally useless. I have never been a big rail fan or marine boating enthusiast and only really enjoyed hearing PD. I am now on the verge of just selling my BDC436 and leaving the hobby, but afraid I may regret it. I can easily monitor most FD/EMS comms on phone apps in my area. This post is not intended to rag on encryption, but just looking for advice on if I am doing the right thing to sell my BCD436 before no one wants it due to same reasons I mentioned above.

 

[palmerjrusa]

I consider myself fortunate to be in an analog rich environment in north eastern PA. At my location, public safety on the county, municipal and local level remain analog at least for now.

Of course the PA State Police has been E for a long time, as well as a variety of other Commonwealth entities. On the STARNet system I listen to PennDot as well as some PEMA and DCNR activity. STARNet in my area is not simulcast to so my 436 and 996 do quite well.

My listening would cease to a large degree if all public safety went dark, as that has been my primary listening interest from day one.

You're near where I'm located (next state down) and there's actually very little encryption around here.

 

[bearcatrp]

Never know what you pick up on a scanner. Thats the thrill of caching a unique transmission.

 

[sunwave]

A local city bus talkgroup can be interesting. Never know when you hear about someone acting up so bad that the driver wants the police called in to help remove the problem. Also hear about detours and some bus mechanical issues.

 

[D31245]

I'm fortunate that it is still analog rich here in my QTH (Worcester County - North Central Massachusetts) but I listen to other counties as well. Mostly listen on my BC125AT although I scan with my HT's & ICOM 705 as well when the mood strikes me.

Worcester County, Massachusetts (MA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Worcester County, Massachusetts (MA)

www.radioreference.com

I am new to the P25 world and got myself a Unication G5 and am now exploring the world of trunk scanning. The Massachusetts CoMIRs System is not built at that much in my locale yet but am anticipating its completion so scaling my scanner/pager arsenal to be ready when that occurs. I have found - and listen to - the Massachusetts State Police on the statewide simulcast P25C channels - Metro Boston 857.7125 and Central Mass - 854.4125.

So far, I can pick up Worcester on the CoMIRs system and looking at nearby Nashua, New Hampshire, I am just within the coverage circle and imported their P25 Phase 1 system into the G5. I have been enjoying listening to that system as I am a bit closer and have better coverage. The Worcester system goes in-and-out at times, but the Nashua system stays in range for the most part and I also pickup a Merrimack FD Dispatch TG as well.

I have programmed in further P25T locales for when I travel around New England and look forward to testing those when the time occurs.

 

[tss1355]

I feel the same pain. My primary interest is railroads, and my local railroad has switched to tablet computers for authorizations to work crews. So I hear a lot less about what is being fixed where and that is disappointing. Thankfully, train crews are not allowed to use cell phones while the train is moving, so all operations communications still take place by radio.

 

[kc2asb]

I feel the same pain. My primary interest is railroads, and my local railroad has switched to tablet computers for authorizations to work crews. So I hear a lot less about what is being fixed where and that is disappointing. Thankfully, train crews are not allowed to use cell phones while the train is moving, so all operations communications still take place by radio.

I hear a lot less on the railroad channels also. Luckily, the NYC subways and PATH trains in my area are still fairly active on 160 MHz.

 

[scannersnstuff]

I feel the same pain. My primary interest is railroads, and my local railroad has switched to tablet computers for authorizations to work crews. So I hear a lot less about what is being fixed where and that is disappointing. Thankfully, train crews are not allowed to use cell phones while the train is moving, so all operations communications still take place by radio.

The same here. The fire-rescue is in the clear,but does most of the comm's on the mdt. I can't see spending what is projected to be in the neighborhood of $1,000 on a sds 150, to hear one quiet system. I frequently daydream of better monitoring day's. I loved analog vhf.

 

[palmerjrusa]

A local city bus talkgroup can be interesting. Never know when you hear about someone acting up so bad that the driver wants the police called in to help remove the problem. Also hear about detours and some bus mechanical issues.

The local schools are part of the P25 system hear.
Listening to the school bus drivers liaising with the school bus coordinator getting the students to school each day is like listening to a military campaign in full swing with students' antics etc. You can always tell someone has been misbehaving when a school bus driver requests a school administrator meet them when they arrive at the school.

 

[4436time]

Sorry to sound like a Debbie Downer, but lately my scanners (even digital one) has been collecting dust now. Just about all the police departments in my area have gone encrypted including the town where I live. I can still pick up FD and EMS on digital, but even they do a lot of communicating via their vehicle CADS and don't say a lot over the air anymore.

I used to love taking my scanner every time I travel to my favorite get away spot (Atlantic City), but aside from PD, even the hotel casinos there have mainly gone encrpyted. When I first bought my digital scanner, I even paid an extra $75 just to have DMR unlocked to hear casino hotel security, which is now totally useless. I have never been a big rail fan or marine boating enthusiast and only really enjoyed hearing PD. I am now on the verge of just selling my BDC436 and leaving the hobby, but afraid I may regret it. I can easily monitor most FD/EMS comms on phone apps in my area. This post is not intended to rag on encryption, but just looking for advice on if I am doing the right thing to sell my BCD436 before no one wants it due to same reasons I mentioned above.

Nothing will substitute hearing what LE is doing around you, which is likely why you bought the radios in the first place. Fire is a distant second while everything else is just plain boring, IMO. So the pain is real.

As others have said, there's always something to listen to, you just have to decide if it's interesting enough to spend your time and money that way. LE in my county encrypted six or so years ago and I just listen to what's left for entertainment purposes. But I question whether it's still worth it because it has become so sterile. We don't say gunshot wound anymore, we say GSW. Have we really become that soft?

Would like to have a couple of the new Uniden's that are in the works but can't justify it. If my wife and I decide to leave the state, and encryption hasn't taken over wherever we end up, this might change. Otherwise, I'll likely continue using what I have until it's obsolete and just donate them and leave the hobby altogether.

Good luck!

 

[kb2hpw]

Nothing will substitute hearing what LE is doing around you, which is likely why you bought the radios in the first place. Fire is a distant second while everything else is just plain boring, IMO. So the pain is real.

As others have said, there's always something to listen to, you just have to decide if it's interesting enough to spend your time and money that way. LE in my county encrypted six or so years ago and I just listen to what's left for entertainment purposes. But I question whether it's still worth it because it has become so sterile. We don't say gunshot wound anymore, we say GSW. Have we really become that soft?

Would like to have a couple of the new Uniden's that are in the works but can't justify it. If my wife and I decide to leave the state, and encryption hasn't taken over wherever we end up, this might change. Otherwise, I'll likely continue using what I have until it's obsolete and just donate them and leave the hobby altogether.

Good luck!

Yes, we've really become that soft. Here in the Albany, NY area, GSW's are actually common lingo on the scanners. ETOH means drunk, ambulance to ER comms, you'll hear that. Altered Mental Status, Non-Responsive, it's all fairly plain. If I don't know a term, I'll look it up. Sometimes it's a combo of analog scanner listening, and some social media info. Like when Alb Med calls out on "diversion", means they are not taking anymore at the ER until a certain time, you'll find a local FB community page where peeps are chattering about hearing shots fired on N. Pearl St or whatever. Takes more legwork, but there are also more tools available now. Another interesting event few years ago, in the Fall, was when I started to hear a lot of very active chatter on the NYSDOT analog channels (like where the snow plows operate). No snow in Sept, but about PM drivetime they got very active. Lead truck (supervisor?) instructing followers behind, to start fanning out, diverting traffic to a certain exit ramp. Started paying attention to NYSP activity (also analog here) and some FB activity....some poor soul jumped from the upper overpass bridge. No digital comms did I use for that whole event (except for FB social media). LOL moving out of New York State is definitely on the to-do list, I'd gladly move to a place with full encryption, small price to pay. (I'm sure I can find fun analog to listen to there also, I'm a pretty good detective )

 

[K9KLC]

Yes, we've really become that soft.

Yep, indeed it's come to this.

very active chatter on the NYSDOT

I I have some IL DOT TG's in my list and honestly I get some fair stuff off that. In Illinois we don't get too much snow usually where I'm at but honestly those guys are a hoot to listen to when we do get some and I honestly get better road condition off those groups than any of the ISP groups usually. Even in fair weather they report stuff so I leave a couple TG's in near me year round.

I"m lucky here, there's a LOT in the open yet. I monitor mainly for public service and if that goes quiet, I'll definitely have some Unication pagers for sale. It's all about what you're interested in. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[kc2asb]

Nothing will substitute hearing what LE is doing around you, which is likely why you bought the radios in the first place. Fire is a distant second while everything else is just plain boring, IMO. So the pain is real.

I agree. It was tough when my local PD/FD went full time encryption. I was used to keeping up with what was going on around town. Also, many of the surrounding departments are "E" or migrating to it. But, I accepted it and moved on. Now, I monitor very little LE or even FD's.

 

[ynot58]

I like to listen to my radio without turning it on so i can imagine stuff happening and if someones around me i use headphones, they think the radio is on so once in a while i yell out, oh my god!

 

[casemods]

I was working at a hotel last month and asked the guy what radios they use. Apparently it was a WIFI radio 🙄 no fun at all.

 

[kc2asb]

I was working at a hotel last month and asked the guy what radios they use. Apparently it was a WIFI radio 🙄 no fun at all.

This is the future, as well as LTE. Give me back the analog days and hotels operating on color dot frequencies!

 

[ecps92]

This is the future, as well as LTE. Give me back the analog days and hotels operating on color dot frequencies!

many still are, now on FRS/GMRS bubble packs

 

[kc2asb]

many still are, now on FRS/GMRS bubble packs

Smaller businesses probably will for a long time to come, but you have larger operations like Walmart now using FHSS radios.

 

[ynot58]

Not that boring, i just heard police answer a call for two peanuts walking down the street one was asalted.

 

[Omega-TI]

* The following is my opinion from my perspective, and only represents me.
** The results may vary for others.
*** I'm not claiming the hobby is dying.

In the olden days, yes I am that old, radio and scanning was easier, there was much more to listen to and stuff to grab my attention. On shortwave I could spin the dial and always find something interesting, VOA, DW, RA, NHK, RN... etc. On MW there I found more diversity of programming to grab my DXing interest. Scanning seemed easier too. As time went on, most of the SW stuff vanished only to be replaced by mind numbing proselytizers. Scanning thankfully in my area is still 80% of what it was on frequencies I have interest in, but who knows how long that will last.

Now don't get me wrong, SDR's are cool, I like mine, but they are more of a time sink, with all the crap you have to learn and retain... all for what seems like diminishing results. The scale of time investment to benefit ratio is declining and with that, my interest seems to be fading over time as I devotes more time to endeavors with more tangible and/or instant gratification.

Last there is the new shiny toy aspect of the hobby, as the targets of listening interest dwindle and fewer new stuff seems to be manufactured, well that kind of tarnishes thing for me. Also, with radio magazines nearly extinct, it's harder to find new stuff to drool over.

 

[mancow]

Analog is not dead. Here in the Albany, NY area (Upstate NY) there is so much analog activity, all you need is a 6-pack of beer and an analog scanner, for all the week's entertainment you can handle. The cities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy (PD) are encrypted, but so many ancillary agencies are still analog. All of the Ambulance-to-ER simplex freqs are analog, all of the GSW's and other issues are enroute to the hospitals. Many of the County FD's have an analog "portal" either for simulcast or responder paging, alerts, etc. Lifenet has a big presence here, all sorts of injuries being airlifted also to the hospitals here. The NYSDOT which includes plowtrucks, but also other roadway repair, maintenance, traffic re-rerouting, etc are analong (VHF Low). the 3 NYSP analog freqs are a must-have for every scanner nerd here, they patrol with each County Sheriff patrols and are a good measure of what is going on. There are droves of other trucking companies, industry, etc where folks are chatting about traffic closures, having to re-route deliveries, impact to business....etc. The radios are not the problem. You have to make the effort to learn what is active in your area, but the big thing to do, is open your mind a bit and think more creatively. It's more of a cultural problem, not a radio problem. No meaningful knowledge is going to be handed to you, rather you have to seek it out. Do the work. Case in point: there was a car stolen from the City of Saratoga few weeks back, on a Saturday evening. NYSP dispatcher informs all local units (freq 1), units replying are on Freq 2. We were sitting out by the campfire in the backyard that night....I grab another radio (because all of us radio nerds have more than 1 radio right? ). and was able to follow both sides of the action. The NYSP dispatcher says to call off the chase (as per Command decision). Less than 1 minute goes by, now the speeding vehicle crashes, so now it's a traffic accident, all units resume response. Having our cell phones, we were able to bring up the local public accessible traffic cams....there it is. Folks, events like this don't happen every night, but many situations do, and I follow 99% of it on my analog receivers. Analog is not dead. Just do the work.

Analog is quite dead here, I promise you. I can prove it with SDR images. VHF is entirely silent sans a long abandoned encrypted neighboring beaconing VHF TRBO system. Other than GMRS/FRS and a couple of factories UHF is occupied entirely of TRBO systems. Most are silent. About 25% is encrypted. The rest is boring beyond description. VHF and UHF amateur is relatively non existent. Repeaters are never used at all barring one or two in the metro area. All PS other than some EMS and FIRE is 100% encrypted for many, many counties out. The only reprieve is when some multi-agency event happens. They end up having to use a regional TG but that is often nothing more than coordination with a helo or search group. The push for interoperability has rendered outlying agencies unable to interoperate with zero situation awareness of each other due to encryption. Individuals invited to assist with planned events in neighboring jurisdictions can't even communicate and must rely on borrowing the host's subscriber equipment because the crypto is treated like Manhattan Project level commsec.