Lynnwood newbie: BCT15 or BCD996T

[sff]

I'm a newbie, and I've spent a couple hours reading the forums, but I'm still not confident enough to pull the trigger on a scanner.

I'm in Lynnwood (between Seattle and Everett), and I'm trying to decide on whether to pay 2x for a digital scanner. For instance, the Sno Co. Emergency Radio (SERS) has APCO-25 under "system voice," but it appears to be an analogue system (Scanner Frequencies: Snohomish County Emergency Radio (SERS) Trunking System, Everett, Washington). Am I understanding this? Do we have any significant digital systems between Everett and Tacoma?

I'm willing to invest in an expensive digital system if I will get more benefits now and/or agencies will be transitioning to digital in the next 2-3 years -- but I don't want to waste money for no good reason. Any advice on people in our region on whether I should go digital?

Models I'm looking at:
a) Amazon.com: Uniden BCD996T 6000 Channel Mobile Trunking Scanner with GPS Support and APCO-25: Electronics
b) Amazon.com: Uniden BCT15 BearTracker Mobile Tracking Scanner with GPS Support (Black): Electronics

 

[midnightcaller]

I have the BCT-15 there is not much digital in Snohomish County either one wold work just fine

 

[AlmostHandy]

But just to be clear, the scanner would need to be digital to decode a digital voice, even if it's an analog system, right?

 

[sff]

Not sure...

But just to be clear, the scanner would need to be digital to decode a digital voice, even if it's an analog system, right?

Looking at the following page, I thought that maybe you could hear the system anyway (but I'm new and don't really understand): DecipheringTrunkedSystems < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

 

[ka3jjz]

That is correct. The system shown has a few talkgroups which can be digital, and if they decide to use it, the 15 would not be able to decode it. 73 Mike

 

[rodentkj]

Personally I would not bother getting a digi scanner. 99% of the comms on SERS are analog. The other 1% (ERT TG's) are digi encrypted so you will not be able to listen to it anyway.

My 2 cents.

 

[AtomicTaco]

You need a digital scanner if you're interested in monitoring the IWN.

 

[sff]

Personally I would not bother getting a digi scanner. 99% of the comms on SERS are analog. The other 1% (ERT TG's) are digi encrypted so you will not be able to listen to it anyway.

My 2 cents.

Great feed on your website redentkj! Appreciate the info on SERS.

So apart from IWN, are they any other digital networks that I would miss? Thanks everyone for the comments.

 

[lowboy654]

Personally I would not bother getting a digi scanner. 99% of the comms on SERS are analog. The other 1% (ERT TG's) are digi encrypted so you will not be able to listen to it anyway.

My 2 cents.

I agree I have a PSR-500 and a PRO-96 and there is not anything that you can get in the north end that is worth the cost. but great toy's just the same but as far as digital use you most likely will not find the need.

 

[kellykeeton]

unless you want to burn cash (or if you ever leave the NW) just get a 15, IWN is all multicast on simplex anywhoo. ... anyone ever hear anything even light up there? spend extra cash to hear a radio tech do a weekly test.

if you do leave the NW then digi is nice, over the years I now have one of every new uniden all started with a 15. the day it came out.