Lee County advice needed

[Barryr]

As a "Winter snow bird" resident of Lee County (Fort Myers) FL, I am interested in purchasing a new (and my first) scanner. Some research has suggested that the GRE - PSR-500 should be my choice. I would have the selling company program it for me. The question is: is this level of scanner (digital / trunked) scanner necessary for Lee County? Thanks for your advice!

Barry

 

[jack3726]

Unless you plan on using this scanner where your other 6 monthing it and it is heavy into digital I would probably not spend the money on it. You can probably get buy with an in-expensive solution to listen to LEE County the way it is setup today. If they are scrambling and TG's you won't hear them anyways.

 

[K4IHS]

Lee Co will be rebanding soon. So... you'll need a scanner capable of the rebanding narrower frequencies. Also... there is talk that portions of the Lee Co system will go digital. Digital doesn't necessarily mean scrambled. Currently Lee Co is a Motorola trunked 800 type II system. If they go digital... most likely they will go APCO25. Here is a link to the newspaper article about going digital Live Scanner Radio From Ft. Myers, FL

 

[jack3726]

K4IHS, can you expand on your write up, I have a PRO-2052, am I out of luck if they A) reband(don't think so) and B) APCO 25 would the GRE pick them up.

 

[K4IHS]

This link should answer your questions Rebanding - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[K4IHS]

Here's another thread to keep your eye on... http://forums.radioreference.com/fl...m/81668-cape-coral-fort-myers-go-digital.html

 

[sjlamb]

Get a digital... you're gonna need it sooner than later. PSR-500 (same as Radio Shack Pro-106) or Uniden BCD-396XT are the way to go if you want a handheld. Rebanded systems are not an issue for either unit and will provide service on systems throughout SW Florida... and beyond.

 

[gcr33]

If you are not the type to program systems and want a radio with the capacity to keep your Northern systems and your Florida systems try a 396XT. Digital APCO 25 already there.
Pricey yes works fine yes. You can use a program called FREESCAN to program it. There is a learning curve. Freescan is free. Perhaps someone near you can help with it. Check the prices on the web of course the advertisers on Radio Reference.