Looking to Buy Replacement Scanner

[Kiteflier]

Having had a 1980's Uniden Bearcat BC 170 scanner (16 channel), I find there's likely no way to get frequencies on it anymore. So, I'm in the market for a replacement to bring me into the 21st century. It shouldn't take up a large footprint on my table, so small is key. I'm in a rural area that has issues with getting good cell phone reception, but we have good internet service. I'm looking most for emergency info (police, fire..., not truckers), and maybe weather. Any suggestions?

 

[jtwalker]

You would have to list specifics about the state, county and town you are in for someone to give you any advice, or tell you what you might be able to receive with BC170 in your other post.

 

[W9WSS]

As jtwalker advised, you need to provide specifics. Just remember that there is a possibility that public services such as police, fire, and EMS may be encrypted. If that's the case, you can still monitor aircraft, railroads, and other entities with a suitable scanner for your location.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Having had a 1980's Uniden Bearcat BC 170 scanner (16 channel), I find there's likely no way to get frequencies on it anymore. So, I'm in the market for a replacement to bring me into the 21st century. It shouldn't take up a large footprint on my table, so small is key. I'm in a rural area that has issues with getting good cell phone reception, but we have good internet service. I'm looking most for emergency info (police, fire..., not truckers), and maybe weather. Any suggestions?

My suggestion based on your location profile is (first) try a SDR dongle and software for it on your computer, since you indicated you would like a desktop scanner in the home. My second suggestion given the amount of simulcast and Phase II systems in Pierce County I would suggest a SDS200 scanner which is the only scanner designed to handle simulcast traffic.

However, I do not see your city listed in the RR database, so I can not determine if a lesser scanner might work for you.

 

[N7AZD]

I am in midland washington and found my sds 200 works well but I also have the 536 and it works well for pierce county sheriff and fire com along with tacoma and wsp as programmed might consider getting rid of it if I can get the right price i had to program single sites as recommended but it is just collecting dust now as I have the sds 200 now

 

[bearcatrp]

A SDS 200 scanner IF your area is not encrypted. A outdoor antenna above the roof line with a discone to get you going will work. But if your in the boonies, you may need a directional to point toward the area you can listen to.

 

[Blackswan73]

My suggestion based on your location profile is (first) try a SDR dongle and software for it on your computer, since you indicated you would like a desktop scanner in the home. My second suggestion given the amount of simulcast and Phase II systems in Pierce County I would suggest a SDS200 scanner which is the only scanner designed to handle simulcast traffic.

However, I do not see your city listed in the RR database, so I can not determine if a lesser scanner might work for you.

SDS scanners are not the only scanners that work with simulcast systems. Bluetail scanners work as well as the SDS scanners and for half the cost

B.S.

 

[RaleighGuy]

SDS scanners are not the only scanners that work with simulcast systems. Bluetail scanners work as well as the SDS scanners and for half the cost

B.S.

Bluetail is SDR not a true scanner

 

[Blackswan73]

Bluetail Nano is most certainly not a SDR. It is a standalone scanner that only needs a 5v cell phone power supply an antenna and speaker to operate. In fact instead of using the optional case, I am currently designing a case that will allow me to operate it as a desktop or mobile. It is no more an SDR than the SDS scanners

B.S.

 

[jtwalker]

From BTT spec sheet:
In order to address requirement 1, it was noted that there was still large number of the same processor used by the P25RX design available in a different package (BGA vs TQFP). A quantity of these versions of the processor were obtained before they also became unavailable. The BGA version acquired is the desired ‘V’ version of the MCU capable of running at 480 MHz. The 480 MHz clock speed is required for the P25RX-II. The P25RX-II is an SDR design with all of the DSP functionality being performed by the processor / DSP co-processor.

 

[Blackswan73]

Most radios made in the last 10 or 15 years are microprocessor controlled including the ccr’s all the way to the top line Icoms. And the modern scanners. All have microprocessors (read computers) and are technically SDRs. I agree the Earlier Bluetail offerings were more like a SDR dongle, The Nano is not. It can be programmed my just entering a zip code, or it can be programmed with a PC just like a SDS, Whistler, Home Patrol, etc. but it does not need a PC to operate, therefore it is a standalone scanner

B.S.

 

[kruser]

Most radios made in the last 10 or 15 years are microprocessor controlled including the cars all the way to the top line Icoms. And the modern scanners. All have microprocessors (read computers) and are technically SDRs. I agree the Earlier Bluetail offerings were more like a SDR dongle, The Nano is not. It can be programmed my just entering a zip code, or it can be programmed with a PC just like a SDS, Whistler, Home Patrol, etc. but it does not need a PC to operate, therefore it is a standalone scanner

B.S.

The Nano is still an SDR. Look inside, see any typical RF components? Nope, you won't find any other than a few filter caps. The RF, IF, AGC sections etc are all software controlled.
The P25RX and P25RX-II also work standalone without a computer once programmed.
An SDR has nothing to do with a 'dongle'.

 

[Blackswan73]

Most radios nowadays have the mixer, RF, and IF stages on a single chip. Gone are the days of radios with IF cans, you had to align with diddle sticks. This is why China can sell a HT for $20. I would truly hate to have to do circuit work on a modern radio. Those components would cause eye strain in an eagle, let alone my 73 year old peepers

B.S.

 

[Kiteflier]

As jtwalker advised, you need to provide specifics. Just remember that there is a possibility that public services such as police, fire, and EMS may be encrypted. If that's the case, you can still monitor aircraft, railroads, and other entities with a suitable scanner for your location.

Interesting. Is there a means to find out if emergency services are encrypted in my area?

 

[Kiteflier]

You would have to list specifics about the state, county and town you are in for someone to give you any advice, or tell you what you might be able to receive with BC170 in your other post.

Thank you, I will do that in my other post. For this post, I'm in western Washington, Pierce County, Spanaway (specifically, it's the Bethel/Elk Plain/Rocky Ridge area...south of "Spanaway.") It's south of Tacoma, NE of Olympia. We are along one of the south borders to Joint Base Lewis-McChord military base.

 

[N7AZD]

the only encryption is on are in tactical channels and records all others are in the clear lots of activity in your area very interesting listening out there wsp is clear from encryption on their new system and as a bonus i hear seattle and olympia on their site