If you can afford a $30 SDR and a DSDPlus Fast Lane subscription, you can get into the wild world of computer based scanning (unless you are a MacPerson). Unitrunker (free) and DSDPlus FL gives you Provoice and P25P2 trunktracking.
chris
This is a really good idea. An SDR dongle can be had for $20. The software is free. The learning curve is relatively shallow, and for someone who wants to explore what's out there in digital modes to be heard, it's an excellent way to go. For $20, I can monitor control channels, listen to P25 conventional and trunked, amateur DMR, decode paging transmissions, ADSB, conventional FM, aircraft, military aircraft, etc. etc. etc.
If you can't afford $20, you have much more serious problems to think about.
So scanaholic, you have gotten quite a response here in support of your dilemma.
Again, I feel for you and although I do okay being semi-retired I do watch my budget and put a name on every dollar
All of us in the hobby here really want to be able to hear what's going on right where we sit whether it be police and fire or just fire we want to know what goes on in our own neighborhood.
These suggestions I quoted are your best bet, I like the idea of the metal detector but if you can go out and buy one of those then you might as well just get a used ProVoice capable radio LOL. You have made it very clear that both of those would be out of the question and you are indeed, in dire straights, I appreciate your candidness in revealing your situation.
I know if I was in that situation I would get rid of my cable TV that maybe you have done and then I would get rid of Internet service and rely on my phone for access to the internet. I don't have a landline anymore so the phone is essential.
As cg and zz describe, computer-based scanning is your answer rather than abandoning your hobby which is in all of our blood, including yours.
The big question here is do you pay for internet service? Not really a silly question because you're posting here but maybe you are using your phone or have very limited gigabyte service.
I know a guy who does his own private streaming service who has SDR dongles all over the place. Maybe someone could even donate one to you provided you have adequate internet service and a good computer.
Just thinking out loud here.
