Just getting started

[Easttexas936]

Goodmorning after research this was the forum suggested for help. Reading post is almost a different language. Grew up my entire child life listening to scanner would like to relive listen like I used to.... lots have changed.. strange but the radio traffic helps me relax and go to sleep as a child. Trying to get back that.

So my question what would be a good starter model. Don't need a whole lot but I don't know where to begin. If I could find a good used model or even just a baseline starting model would be great because like everything now money can be tight. I do realize it's a new ball game from 25 yrs ago so prices are alot. Dad is a former Leo so I might be able to get all the local frequency plugged in if needed. If it's another way to find the frequencies I need for my area that would be even better so I don't have to ask anyone. He does still have one he uses so if transfer unit to unit I could maybe do that.

So just in short what do yall suggest good base model and maybe good place to find use one. Thank you in advanced any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Enforcer52]

It would help to know what your location is, city and county so we can look at the database and see just what level of scanner you need, and what all you are interested in monitoring. Do you want a hand held or desktop model, will you be taking the scanner when you travel to other areas?

 

[Easttexas936]

Lufkin texas hand held only would only be in the area don't plan on going anywhere. Pd sheriff office and fire. Any other county communications would be bonus. Also not sure with the new systems how far out radius wise you can monitor. Thank you

 

[Listener1440]

Lufkin is in Angelina County, Texas

Angelina County, Texas (TX) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Angelina County, Texas (TX)

www.radioreference.com

73

 

[Enforcer52]

Angelina County will soon be swapping to TxWarn, the towers are already in place, just need the county to start upgrading the mobile units. A Uniden BCD325P2 would be the best to get, but any TrunkTracker model Uniden would probably get you by. I am in San Jacinto County and run the Lake Livingston Area feeds on Broadcastify, so very familiar with our area. From Lufkin area you should be able to pick up Trinity, Polk, Nacodoches, and possibly San Jac counties especially if you setup an outside antenna.

When you decide and get a scanner, let me know and I will help you get it programmed.

You can listen to my feed at Lake Livingston Area Wide Public Safety Live Audio Feed

 

[Easttexas936]

Angelina County will soon be swapping to TxWarn, the towers are already in place, just need the county to start upgrading the mobile units. A Uniden BCD325P2 would be the best to get, but any TrunkTracker model Uniden would probably get you by. I am in San Jacinto County and run the Lake Livingston Area feeds on Broadcastify, so very familiar with our area. From Lufkin area you should be able to pick up Trinity, Polk, Nacodoches, and possibly San Jac counties especially if you setup an outside antenna.

When you decide and get a scanner, let me know and I will help you get it programmed.

You can listen to my feed at Lake Livingston Area Wide Public Safety Live Audio Feed

Thank you so much will get back with you.

 

[hiegtx]

A Uniden BCD325P2 would be the best to get, but any TrunkTracker model Uniden would probably get you by.

I'm not in your area either. (I'm in Dallas.) But I think I would preface the above by recommending only newer Uniden TrunkTracker models. That's in case, when the switchover to TxWARN is made, that P25 Phase II is used. The 325P2 (portable/handheld) or 996P2 (desktop/mobile) are both capable of handling P25 Phase II. The Home Patrol-2 would also work. The next model step up would be the 436HP (portable) and 536HP (desktop/mobile) scanners. Since it does not appear simulcast is being used in your area, a further step up to Uniden's SDS series scanners does not appear to be needed.

Looking at the database, it appears that (currently) the county and a couple of smaller cities, & several county departments, are on this system, which currently uses P25 Phase I. The 325P2 and 996P2 (either one) can handle that mode, but also Phase II, in case when the agencies switch to TxWARN, they also switch to Phase II. (The long discontinued Uniden 396XT can handle P25 Phase I, but not Phase II.)

Looking at the digital frequency search website, there are a number of entities in your county licensed to use DMR, though the database page indicates that, at present, that mode is not in active use. Here in the DFW area, a lot of school districts, businesses, and hospitals use DMR. Should that become of interest, the 325P2 & 996P2 can get the paid upgrade, from Uniden, to enable DMR. The 436HP & 536HP are also capable of being upgraded for DMR. (The HP-2 cannot get that upgrade.)

 

[Easttexas936]

I'm not in your area either. (I'm in Dallas.) But I think I would preface the above by recommending only newer Uniden TrunkTracker models. That's in case, when the switchover to TxWARN is made, that P25 Phase II is used. The 325P2 (portable/handheld) or 996P2 (desktop/mobile) are both capable of handling P25 Phase II. The Home Patrol-2 would also work. The next model step up would be the 436HP (portable) and 536HP (desktop/mobile) scanners. Since it does not appear simulcast is being used in your area, a further step up to Uniden's SDS series scanners does not appear to be needed.

Looking at the database, it appears that (currently) the county and a couple of smaller cities, & several county departments, are on this system, which currently uses P25 Phase I. The 325P2 and 996P2 (either one) can handle that mode, but also Phase II, in case when the agencies switch to TxWARN, they also switch to Phase II. (The long discontinued Uniden 396XT can handle P25 Phase I, but not Phase II.)

Looking at the digital frequency search website, there are a number of entities in your county licensed to use DMR, though the database page indicates that, at present, that mode is not in active use. Here in the DFW area, a lot of school districts, businesses, and hospitals use DMR. Should that become of interest, the 325P2 & 996P2 can get the paid upgrade, from Uniden, to enable DMR. The 436HP & 536HP are also capable of being upgraded for DMR. (The HP-2 cannot get that upgrade.)

Gotcha so basically 325p2 which I think is the one I'm going to get cannhandle the switch 2 phase 2 and can also be upgraded if needed? I'm out of my league here going to research the phase stuff. So I can understand more

 

[Enforcer52]

Gotcha so basically 325p2 which I think is the one I'm going to get cannhandle the switch 2 phase 2 and can also be upgraded if needed? I'm out of my league here going to research the phase stuff. So I can understand more

The 325P2 handles P1 and P2 and can be upgraded with DMR or NXDN. Nothing in our immediate area is Simulcast so you don't need a SDS series scanner. And all the counties surrounding you only use P1 at the present time. The only thing in the area that uses DMR is the prison system, which is low power, so you probably can't receive them in Lufkin anyway. Other that that only a handful of train freqs that use NXDN. So you don't need it either.

I already put a programming file together for you and saved it, so when you get the scanner will be ready to help you get it going.

 

[Enforcer52]

Just found this 325P2 for sale in the classified section, comes with DMR already upgraded (which is $60 to upgrade) and extra batteries and charger.

https://forums.radioreference.com/classifieds/bcd325p2-with-accessories.5644/

 

[Nasby]

When I get home from vacation next week I’ll be listing a lightly used BCD325 in the classifieds for $265.

 

[pb_lonny]

I have owned and used basically every Uniden scanner (and a bunch of other brands) in the past 30 years. I use a BCD325P2 and love it.

 

[Chris0516]

As others have already mentioned. You won't need anything more, than. The 325p2.

TxWarn is the only major system in Angelina County, and. Its' neighboring counties.

 

[windup1953]

I own the Bcd325p2 and it runs flawless in my small home town it grabs everything in my area without a hitch. I did a side by side comparison with my friends sds150 and we grabbed everything together. Grant it we only do ems and local law enforcement and that's all I wanted it for. I'm sure if I was more into scanners it may not suit my needs. If you just want the basic in a small town it's fine. I use proscan and have a radioreference account. Tada!