Is the PRO-97 right for my location?

[Iceman692]

This is my first ever scanner. I am very technologically literate but I don't completely understand the digital references I've been seeing. Anyway, I am looking at buying a Radioshack PRO-97 Scanner. I am looking for somthing to listen to the following things:

-All Lafourche Parish Police, EMS, and Fire
-Thibodaux
-Golden Medow, LA Police and Fire
-Louisiana State Police
-Acadian Ambulance
-All New Orleans transmissions (my secondary priority)

I'm pretty sure I have the trunking abilities but I've been reading things about some kind of digital transmissions so I could be wrong. Thanks so much!

 

[N8IAA]

Your question would be aswered better in the Louisiana Forum. Judging by what is in the database for your state, digital and 700mhz, will be the way to go.
Larry

 

[Iceman692]

Your question would be aswered better in the Louisiana Forum. Judging by what is in the database for your state, digital and 700mhz, will be the way to go.
Larry

Thanks. Mods, please feel free to move.

Is there any digital 700mhz scanners in the $100 price range (used) that you could recommend? Preferably handheld.

 

[ka3jjz]

and the 97 won't do digital. The BCD396T, 396XT, 996, PSR-500, PSR-600, PRO-196 and 197 will. You can read about them by following the links in this article from our wiki...

Categoryigital Scanners - The RadioReference Wiki

73 Mike

 

[steveh552]

And you wont find a digital that is working and not stolen or some other way not in good order for $100. Universal radio has a 396t for $299.99 on their used list. Sometimes you can find the Pro96 or 2096 for around 200-300. Sorry to have to break the news.

 

[kayi4cle]

And you wont find a digital that is working and not stolen or some other way not in good order for $100. Universal radio has a 396t for $299.99 on their used list. Sometimes you can find the Pro96 or 2096 for around 200-300. Sorry to have to break the news.

The Radio Shack Pro-96 and 2096 won't trunk 700 MHz systems.

 

[Iceman692]

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to an online community that is so willing to help a person out. Thanks.

And you wont find a digital that is working and not stolen or some other way not in good order for $100. Universal radio has a 396t for $299.99 on their used list. Sometimes you can find the Pro96 or 2096 for around 200-300. Sorry to have to break the news.

Thats depressing. haha but I'm not giving up.

The Radio Shack Pro-96 and 2096 won't trunk 700 MHz systems.

From what I've seen in the database, all of the agencies in the LWIN system are also in the old analog "State of Louisiana" system, with the exception of the NOPD. (Scanner Frequencies: State of Louisiana Trunking System, Statewide, Louisiana).

And if the first three digits of a frequency (856.23750) is the Mhz then they would all be in the 800 Mhz range. They are trunked but the Pro-97 can handle that, correct? I read that the analog system would become a backup to the digital system once the LWIN was fully implemented. Does this mean that they are simultaneously broadcasting digital and analog? or are the analog State Police frequencies no longer being used in the analog? Furthermore, I read that with the dwindling economy, development of the LWIN has been placed on hold. Does that mean that I can get a few more years out of an analog scanner to see how I like it before I end up spending hundreds? The reason I like the Pro-97 so much is because of its functionality/cost ratio.

I suppose in the end I may just have to cough up the cash.

 

[N8IAA]

From what I've seen in the database, all of the agencies in the LWIN system are also in the old analog "State of Louisiana" system, with the exception of the NOPD.
And if the first three digits of a frequency (856.23750) is the Mhz then they would all be in the 800 Mhz range. They are trunked but the Pro-97 can handle that, correct? I read that the analog system would become a backup to the digital system once the LWIN was fully implemented. Does this mean that they are simultaneously broadcasting digital and analog? or are the analog State Police frequencies no longer being used in the analog? Furthermore, I read that with the dwindling economy, development of the LWIN has been placed on hold. Does that mean that I can get a few more years out of an analog scanner to see how I like it before I end up spending hundreds? The reason I like the Pro-97 so much is because of its functionality/cost ratio.I suppose in the end I may just have to cough up the cash.

Again, ask in LA forum. But, backup means that if the P-25 system goes down, it could use the old analog system. Don't think that they won't implement the new system because of money. There is a city in my metro area that is suffering moneywise, and they are getting their P-25 system up and running despite the fact they can't fix their sewer system and pay firefighters and leo's. Go figure.........
Larry