As bravo14 already noted, Grayson County is using conventional (non-trunked) channels at this time. So, any digital scanner is capable of receiving them. I would not look any farther back than Uniden's XT series, or fhe GRE PSR500 series for a scanner. Those models allow you to enter the
NAC code, which can help you avoid interference from other users on the same frequency. That is especially true on
TX DPS, which is conventional P25 as well, uses some of the same frequencies at multiple sites in the region. To narrow those down to what is in your specific area, the NAC code is needed.
Collin County, to your south, is in the process of converting to P25 Phase II, and will be joining
PAWM, the system used by Plano, Allen, and a few more cities.
Denton County, to your southwest, is now using a P25 Phase II system. If neither of those interest you, and you do not travel a great deal, then a P25 Phase I scanner is all you need for your county, as well as
Cooke (to your west), and
Fannin to your east.
P25 Phase I models that would work for you (and can utilize the NAC code) include:
Uniden Models There may be a few new units in dealers’ leftover stock, but these are primarily are going to be found in the previously owned markets, such as the Classifieds here on RadioReference, on eBay or Craig’s List, other online sites, garage or estate sales, or pawn shops.
Uniden BCD396XT (Handheld)
Uniden BCD996XT (Base/Mobile)
Uniden HomePatrol-1 (Base/Mobile)
These units are capable of P25 Phase I only. No Phase II nor DMR upgrade is possible.
GRE manufactured scanners (Discontinued, GRE shut down several years ago):
GRE PSR-500 (Handheld)
GRE PSR-600 (Base/Mobile)
RadioShack PRO-106 (Handheld)
RadioShack PRO-197 (Base/Mobile)
The above were manufactured by
GRE, which has ceased production and disbanded.
Whistler P25 Phase I capable (No DMR or Phase II upgrade available.)
WS1040 (Handheld)
WS1065 (Base/Mobile)
These are still in production. RadioShack sold a relabeled WS1040 as the Pro-651, and their version of the WS1065 was the Pro-652.
If you do want Phase II capability, either for your neighbors to your south and southwest, or because you sometimes travel to larger metro areas where Phase II trunked systems are used, then you'd need to start with one of these:
Current Model Uniden:
Note that ALL of the scanners below will receive P25 Phase I & P25 Phase II signals. All (except the HomePatrol-2) can utilize paid upgrades to receive DMR systems, NXDN, or ProVoice.
Uniden BCD436HP (Handheld)
Uniden BCD536HP (Base/Mobile)
Uniden BCD325P2 (Handheld)
Uniden BCD996P2 (Base Mobile)
Uniden SDS100 (Handheld)
Uniden SDS200 (Base/Mobile)
Uniden Home Patrol 2
This model can be used as a desktop scanner, or with optional available mounts, used in a vehicle. While not really designed as a ‘true handheld scanner’, it does run on batteries and can be carried in a coat pocket or in a small belt tool holster.
Current Model Whistler:
All of the scanners in this group can receive P25 Phase I & P25 Phase II signals. These also can utilize a free upgrade for receiving DMR systems.
WS1088 (Handheld) Has keypad.
WS1098 (Base/Mobile) Has keypad and a detachable head for mobile installations.
TRX-1 (Handheld) Has keypad.
TRX-2 (Base/Mobile) Has keypad and a detachable head for mobile installations.
The TRX-1 & TRX-2 also have an available free upgrade to enable reception of NXDN systems.
Previous Whistler Models that are also P25 Phase I & P25 Phase II capable, also have a free DMR upgrade:
WS1080 (Handheld) (Same as the WS1088, except lacking the numeric keypad)
WS1095 (Base/Mobile) (Same as the WS1098, except lacking the numeric keypad)
These scanners have a paid upgrade available through Whistler, to make them DMR capable, as well as P25 Phase I & Phase II (all except the Pro-18 were already Phase II capable). This upgrade also makes them eligible for support from Whistler. All are discontinued units. Also see this RadioReference
thread.
GRE PSR-800 (Handheld)
RadioShack PRO-18 (Handheld)
Radio Shack Pro-668 (Handheld)
