Looking for a beginner digital/trunking scanner for my area

[Simplymoonshine]

Hello, looking for advice on getting my foot in the door on a beginner scanner for my area? I’m located primarily in Wyoming, but work in North Dakota. I would like to be able to tune into local police and fire, from what I’ve found it sounds like everything is going digital. Please kick me some info I would appreciate it!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the RR forums. Please reply back with specific cities you'll primarily be monitoring so an informed recommendation can be made for you

 

[Simplymoonshine]

Casper, Wy/ Douglas, Wy/ Stanley, Nd/ Newtown, Nd/ Minot, Nd/ Williston, Nd/ Tioga, Nd

 

[hazrat8990]

If you go with one of the SDS, or x36HP scanners I can help you out.

 

[Enforcer52]

North Dakota law enforcement is mostly encrypted. Ward and Williams LE counties are. Mountrail county LE appears in the clear for now.

Only seeing Simulcast in ND larger cities, so BCD996/325P2, or BCD436/536HP should suffice. Doesn't appear you need an SDS100/200 series scanner.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Casper, Wy/ Douglas, Wy/ Stanley, Nd/ Newtown, Nd/ Minot, Nd/ Williston, Nd/ Tioga, Nd

Lots of territory to cover here, but here are a few notes about ND which may sway your decision:

• New Town Mountrail County
  Police are fully encrypted
  
  
• Stanley (Mountrail County)
  Police are fully encrypted
  
  
• Minot (Ward County)
  Police dispatch is clear, ops channels are encrypted
  Simulcast distortion may be a factor with Minot Metro Simulcast
  
  
• Williams County- City of Williston
  Full or partial encryption (modes TE and Te respectively) used for police

Depending on how important monitoring in Minot is important to you, go with the SDS100 (handheld) or SDS200 (base) to overcome likely simulcast distortion to be faced. Otherwise go with any Uniden on the TDMA list