Is it worth investing in a new digital scanner?
- Thread starter aar9sm
- Start date
Only you would know if the use case is worth the money. The TOPAZ network may be encrypted, but a lot of radio systems are still analog and in the clear.
In my part of the country, many counties have gone P25 Phase 2 TDMA and encrypted, but simulcast on analog VHF in the clear......while some Internet feed providers have claimed "chicken little" the radio spectrum has gone dark due to encryption, they missed the VHF simulcast part entirely. You may need to search for similar situations in your area.
UHF spectrum is widely used in the Phoenix area, if I were down there, I would seek that out first, with a cheap old scanner I already have. Lots to be heard. FRS/GMRS/corporate and more.
In my part of the country, many counties have gone P25 Phase 2 TDMA and encrypted, but simulcast on analog VHF in the clear......while some Internet feed providers have claimed "chicken little" the radio spectrum has gone dark due to encryption, they missed the VHF simulcast part entirely. You may need to search for similar situations in your area.
UHF spectrum is widely used in the Phoenix area, if I were down there, I would seek that out first, with a cheap old scanner I already have. Lots to be heard. FRS/GMRS/corporate and more.
If you love listening to the police, I'd say no.
It depends on:
1) Where you want to monitor
2) What you want to monitor
3) What does ~$700 mean to you (assuming you need a scanner than can handle LSM)
If it's Phoenix and you only want LE and you're not rich; probably not. But it's your call. However, there's always something out there to monitor.
When LEO encrypts, move on and find new monitoring interests. It's what I did when my local yokels flipped the switch. Is the switch imminent in Phoenix? Will Fire and other services remain clear? I'm sure there's a plethora of things in a major metropolitan area like Phoenix to listen to so there shouldn't be a shortage of things to listen to. Consult the database to see what's been documented as still monitorable in your area and make an informed decision on your own
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It is kind of like what Smoky the Bear says Only You Can Answer That Question.
I moved to Arizona in May of 2023. I had a Pro106 and BCD325P with two old Pro97 scanners. I am located in a rural area near San Tan Valley. I mostly listen to DPS, Rural/MetroFire and the local cities from home. When driving I can pickup some from Phoenix area. About a month ago I added another BCD325P so I could scan more systems P2 systems. I could have gone with the SDS100, I just didn't want to spend the money on that scanner at this time. Most of the good stuff is E.
That is what I did and why.
That is what I did and why.
Do you have any interest in civilian or military air at all or strictly emergency services? If just emergency thats understandable. But being you have Sky Harbor and Luke, that would be alot of action. I'm in central Iowa and pick up planes at altitude in Omaha, Kansas city, Chicago, Minneapolis with my Omni-X / Airspy.
Have you ever thought of a SDR to play around with? Not meaning an SDRPLAY or anything to expensive, but cheap $40ish RTL-SDR. You can do alot with them to find out if you want to go up from there. And there is alot of free software if you up to it. Main thing is a quality antenna for your VHF/UHF.
Then you'll find out about HF listening and thats a good time too. But then you need a good antenna for that. I run a W6LVP loop for HF and have a RSPdx-2. Ending up upgrading to that after starting out with a RTL-SDR and a cheap wire antenna.
There is ALOT out there to listen too and discover.
Not only here, but check out HFUNDERGROUND.COM. They have alot of sources.
Some nights it's fun to listen to/ look for pirate radio stations and report them. You think your the only one, next thing you know, people start responding with their reports of what they hear and from where. Kind of a team sport if you will.
Lots of fun.
No SDR as of yet. I did pick up a BCD436HP for a very low price. I did notice quite a few DMR sites in the Phoenix area not sure if they are worth the update. If anyone lives in The Phoenix area and listens to these DMR sites please let me what you think is worth listening to.. Thank you have a great nignt.
Mikr
Mikr
DMR?
If you love listening to security companies, manufacturing, hotels, retail, service companies, airline ground ops,schools, etc. then DMR is your thing.
I bought the Uniden DMR upgrade years ago and have used it three to four times. It was frankly wasted cash.
If you love listening to security companies, manufacturing, hotels, retail, service companies, airline ground ops,schools, etc. then DMR is your thing.
I bought the Uniden DMR upgrade years ago and have used it three to four times. It was frankly wasted cash.
