Narrowband confusion

[KC0QNB]

Ok I have been out of the loop for a while. I have a RS pro 136, and a old pro46. Looking at the specs both are capable of 12.5 kHz spacing, am I understanding correctly the new narrowband mandate for VHF is 12.5 kHz, so I should be good to go right? Or do I need new gear that can do 6.25 kHz?

 

[mmckenna]

Close. You are confusing channel spacing and channel bandwidth.

The narrow band requirement is for 12.5KHz bandwidth, not channel spacing. Your scanner is likely designed for the 25KHz wide channels. Not a problem, your scanner will receive 12.5KHz bandwidth just fine, the audio will likely be a bit lower but you can fix that by cranking up the volume.

6.25KHz bandwidth is not a requirement, yet, but that is a long ways off. 6.25 bandwidth won't work with analog. 6.25 is all digital (but all digital is not 6.25). You would need a new scanner for that.

 

[KC0QNB]

Thanks for the info. I was looking at a new scanner to replace the PRO46 anyway.

 

[mmckenna]

I'd suggest holding off for a bit before buying a new one. There are a number of changes happening that the scanner manufacturers have not caught up with:
P25 Phase 2 has been out for about a year now, but none of the scanner manufacturers make suitable radios.
NXDN, the Kenwood/Icom and others standard is not supported by scanners yet.
MotoTrbo/DMR is not yet supported by scanners.

Not sure if or when they will be supported, but I'd suggest holding off for a bit to see what happens.

 

[gr8rcall]

I'd suggest holding off for a bit before buying a new one. There are a number of changes happening that the scanner manufacturers have not caught up with:
P25 Phase 2 has been out for about a year now, but none of the scanner manufacturers make suitable radios.
NXDN, the Kenwood/Icom and others standard is not supported by scanners yet.
MotoTrbo/DMR is not yet supported by scanners.

Not sure if or when they will be supported, but I'd suggest holding off for a bit to see what happens.

MMckenna:

let me remind you that GRE's PSR-800 supports Phase II.
Maybe that will help the OP!

 

[rapidcharger]

I second mmckenna's remarks.

Unless every agency you wish to monitor has been accounted for- and by that I mean you know exactly what their plans are and what they'll be using for the next 5-10 years, you'd be crazy to buy a new scanner. Or at least an expensive one.

In the blink of an eye your small town could end up on a digital trunking system. Current digital scanners have a long way to go from what I've been reading here.

 

[mmckenna]

MMckenna:

let me remind you that GRE's PSR-800 supports Phase II.
Maybe that will help the OP!

Thanks GR8, I wasn't aware of that!

 

[gr8rcall]

Thanks GR8, I wasn't aware of that!

It's okay!