Long Island Looking to buy new scanner

[Don57]

I live in Suffolk County on Long Island and I’m looking to purchase a new handheld scanner. With my current scanner (Home Patrol) I listen to SCPD , SC Fire Division 1, local townships like Islip and Huntington , along with the villages of Lindenhurst , Amityville , Babylon , Massapequa Park , NYPD , FDNY and fire departments in southeast Nassau County. I am no longer able to listen to Town of Babylon , which I enjoyed listening to and was always very active. I believe they are now phase 2. Would the uniden sds100 be the best choice ? The last scanner I purchased was the Home Patrol 1 when it first came out which has not been updated in quite a few years. I no longer have a PC so my second question is would the sds100 or other scanner be able to be updated thru a phone ? Thanks in advance for any advice. Also is there much using DNR , NXDN or ProVoice to make those upgrades worthwhile ?

 

[trentbob]

Well first of all I live in Pennsylvania LOL, I moved to New York, West Islip, in 1969. I lived in Suffolk County, Hauppauge, Kings Park, Babylon.. eventually moved to Nassau County. Lived quite a while on Long Island and returned in 1985 to Pennsylvania.

Depending if you are on the North Shore or the South Shore, you mentioned both, there is so much to listen to.

Yes the SDS 100 is a great radio with a aftermarket antenna.

If you want to be in the game, you have to purchase a computer, maybe a used outlet that will sell you a laptop with Windows 8.1.. that'll work. That will give you Sentinel, that's how you will program your radio to cover everything that's not encrypted.😉

 

[dave3825]

I am no longer able to listen to Town of Babylon , which I enjoyed listening to and was always very active. I believe they are now phase 2.

Town of Babylon is phase 1 and just not a busy system. Most activity on it is the senior buses.

I no longer have a PC so my second question is would the sds100 or other scanner be able to be updated thru a phone ?

PC or laptop is needed to update the scanner..

Also is there much using DNR , NXDN or ProVoice to make those upgrades worthwhile ?

You should be the one to make that call. Have a look thru the database. No Provoice but there is NXDN and DMR..

 

[Don57]

I’m trying to do some research before buying a new handheld scanner. I’m in western Suffolk County Long Island , I monitor western Suffolk , eastern Nassau and NYC. Both of these scanners seem to have what I’m looking for. The only major difference seems to be the screens. I do not need to have a color screen. As soon as I get some time I will watch some videos on both. Can any members give some input / feedback on these two scanners ? I know on the SDS100 the MDR / NXDN are upgrades that are additional costs. Is it the same on the BCD325 ? I read a couple of things on the internet that made it sound as if they could be downloaded with Sentinel. All help is appreciated.

 

[ka3jjz]

Your biggest issue here is whether your system has any simulcast or not. If I have selected the right one....

Suffolk County Trunking System, Suffolk County, New York

Suffolk County Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

it appears that at in the case of at least 2 sites, there is. The 325 might or might not be able to hear this well. It is highly dependent on where you are in relation to the site you are trying to hear. The SDS scanner is designed to handle simulcast. DMR and NXDN upgrades are available for both scanners.

It is expensive, and there is something of a learning curve, but in the end, this is the game in town for scanners decoding simulcast. We have a VERY extensive wiki which details many things the included owner's manual doesn't (and I see the Easier to Read manual is beginning to catch up). There are also videos on programming linked on page 2 of the wiki, below. You might want to watch the used forum on this board as I've seen used SDSs on there. Good luck

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[wtp]

after my county had gone to 700 simulcast my radios 396T and 396XT dropped have the conversations.
we bought a 325P2 and it did the same. it did work great around the rest of the county.
so we bought a SDS100....it worked great from the start. we get every word everywhere we take it.
i use the 325 and the wife uses the 100.
so i recommend the 100 if you have any questions about simulcast.

 

[mykle315]

I just sold my sds100. It is to complicated for me. I also have the sds200 and 2 bcd996p2. In my opinion the bcd996p2 out performs the sds units.

 

[W1KNE]

It depends on what you're monitoring. Are you monitoring public safety, such as the trunks? Then the SDS would be your choice.
Are you only monitoring analog systems like railroads or aviation? Then the 325 would likely suit you better.

The SDS does handle simulcast distortion. Plus it has a better display and the ability to replay audio. (The 436hp does too.)
But the SDS does also have overload issues with VHF.

 

[dave3825]

I monitor western Suffolk , eastern Nassau and NYC.

As noted, simulcast could be an issue on the 325 and your statement above is too vague. What do you monitor? Which trunked systems?

 

[Don57]

As noted, simulcast could be an issue on the 325 and your statement above is too vague. What do you monitor? Which trunked systems?

I monitor SCPD Trunked , NYS troopers ,NYSDEC , NYSOMH , local DPW’s , Town of Babylon Trunked ,Town of Islip , NYS parks & parks pd , NYPD , FDNY , anything from eastern Nassau county that’s not encrypted. I would like to monitor any local stuff that uses DMR , NXDN.

 

[dave3825]

So two, maybe three trunked systems with Suffolk being simulcast. You did not mention MRRS which is also simulcast.

Babylon Town P25 system is phase one and you should be able to monitor it now.

 

[Don57]

So two, maybe three trunked systems with Suffolk being simulcast. You did not mention MRRS which is also simulcast.

Babylon Town P25 system is phase one and you should be able to monitor it now.

Yes I will be monitoring the LIRR / MTA which I believe is a MRRS system.