Need help setting up home based scanner in Sussex County, NJ

[squale]

I live in Vernon Township, NJ, and I live at the top of a mountain so I think I will get pretty good radio reception. I want to be able to set up in my house a nice scanner where I can pick up Aircraft band (108MHz-137MHz) and also get the local police/fire/emergency frequencies.

I need help doing the following..

1.) Choosing a good scanner

2.) Choosing a good outdoor antenna to mount to my roof

3.) Finding the local police/fire/emergency frequencies in my town

4.) Finding out whether they use TRUNKED systems by me

5.) Info on how to mount the antenna to my roof and how to ground it properly

If anybody could please help me out with the following I would be very thankful!

Thanks!

 

[crashcrew]

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&stid=34

 

[joelincoln]

You will absolutely need a trunked scanner if you plan on listening to the NJSP. And given where you are, I'd bet you do want to listen to them.

I'm not familiar with the agencies in Sussex but you should certainly check out the database here. And also look here...

http://nosoup4u.net:8080/scanner/

Your question should be, do you need a digital scanner? Morris County is using a partially digital system now but I don't know about Sussex.

 

[squale]

well I am in Vernon Township and it looks like they are NOT using a TRUNKED digital system right?

 

[SCPD]

Need Help Setting Up Base Scanner In Sussex County

PD 478.5625 F-1 PL 156.7
PD 478.7125 F-2 "
FD 46.10 F-1 PL 131.8
FD 46.40 F-2 "
FD 465.0625 UHF Downlink to 46.10 PL 218.1
EMS 47.50 PL 77.0


Also, check out other Agencies that you would like to listen to, before you
buy any Scanner.

 

[elk2370bruce]

On the other hand, lots of police coverage in your area is via Troop B of the state police. A trunked scanner is a good idea. The Rat Shack PRO 95 might be a good choice since there is nothing digital up your way and the price, right now, is a good one. A Diamond Discone is an outstanding antenna. Keep your coax runs as short as possible. I prefer Belden 9913 as a good low-loss cable. Enjoy!
Bruce

 

[codethree]

Re: Need help setting up home based scanner in Sussex County

I live in Vernon Township, NJ
I need help doing the following..
1.) Choosing a good scanner
2.) Choosing a good outdoor antenna to mount to my roof
3.) Finding the local police/fire/emergency frequencies in my town
4.) Finding out whether they use TRUNKED systems by me
5.) Info on how to mount the antenna to my roof and how to ground it properly

#1Get on line and shop,Radio Shack & Uniden have great scanners for beginers.Look for "Trunk Tracker III" type scanners that offer PL/DPL features.When you purchase it,send in the warranty card & READ THE MANUAL.
#2Radio Shack has economical ant's & roof mount hardware kits & they come with instructions.
#3Go to this link for your local freqs & click on SUSSEX COUNTY.....
http://www.northwest-corner.com/

VERNON TWP
Police F1 478.5625 PL-156.7 (Police Dispatch & Operations)
Police F2 478.7125 PL-156.7 (Police Channel Two)
Fire-UHF 465.0625 PL-218.1 (UHF link to FIRE F1)
Fire F1 46.10 PL-131.8 (Fire Dispatch & Operations)
Fire F2 46.40 (fireground)
EMS 47.50 PL-77.0 (Vernon and Glenwood Pochuck Ambulance Squads)
DPW 155.8725 DPL-026(Public Works)
For sheriff & state police patrols see the link provided above. :wink:
#4See Above Link.
#5 Info is available on the web for installing ant's & you can always ask here when you are ready to install it.Also see the instructions included with the gear you purchase.
Hope this helps

 

[SCANdal]

He can get away without the capability for it...

The Rat Shack PRO 95 might be a good choice since there is nothing digital up your way

Bruce,

The Sussex County Sheriff's Office can operate digital on their 154.845 repeater.

SCANdal

 

[erikTromatowski]

Re: Need help setting up home based scanner in Sussex County

I live in Vernon Township, NJ
I need help doing the following..
1.) Choosing a good scanner
2.) Choosing a good outdoor antenna to mount to my roof
3.) Finding the local police/fire/emergency frequencies in my town
4.) Finding out whether they use TRUNKED systems by me
5.) Info on how to mount the antenna to my roof and how to ground it properly

#1Get on line and shop,Radio Shack & Uniden have great scanners for beginers.Look for "Trunk Tracker III" type scanners that offer PL/DPL features.When you purchase it,send in the warranty card & READ THE MANUAL.
#2Radio Shack has economical ant's & roof mount hardware kits & they come with instructions.
#3Go to this link for your local freqs & click on SUSSEX COUNTY.....
http://www.northwest-corner.com/

VERNON TWP
Police F1 478.5625 PL-156.7 (Police Dispatch & Operations)
Police F2 478.7125 PL-156.7 (Police Channel Two)
Fire-UHF 465.0625 PL-218.1 (UHF link to FIRE F1)
Fire F1 46.10 PL-131.8 (Fire Dispatch & Operations)
Fire F2 46.40 (fireground)
EMS 47.50 PL-77.0 (Vernon and Glenwood Pochuck Ambulance Squads)
DPW 155.8725 DPL-026(Public Works)
For sheriff & state police patrols see the link provided above. :wink:
#4See Above Link.
#5 Info is available on the web for installing ant's & you can always ask here when you are ready to install it.Also see the instructions included with the gear you purchase.
Hope this helps

Wow codethree, I'm amaized how you get all these pics! Sorry to go off topic, but you think you could find any for any agency of Highland Park NJ of any time period?

 

[codethree]

Thank You Erik for the kind words.
Sorry for the sidebar (off topic) here.
To answer Eriks question,YES I will get something in the way of images for you.
APW

 

[zumdish]

I've heard Vernon portables on 481.7125, is that a seperate freq or an input to F2?

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi Squale and readers,

As for the scanner, choose one with trunking and digital within your budget. Everything is headed that way so get what you'll need down the road so you won't have to go back and spend more money when the need arises. Everyone has a differing opinion on what brand and model to buy, I favor Bearcat and have from the start but that's just me.

The antenna is MOST important, we hams have the phrase "90% of the station is on the roof" and "height is might". That means get it off the ground even if you live on Walton Mountain, ground reflections raise the vertical radiation angle and reduce range. I suggest a discone because it's extremely wide banded so it's all you need unless you want to use a beam in addition, don't substitute one for an omnidirectional antenna. Oh, keep it in the clear, RF hates obstructions nearby and don't forget to ground the mast well, lightning just loves antennas. ALWAYS unplug it from the scanner when not in use, lightning can strike unexpectedly even in a winter snowstorm. Nope, you don't need a fried scanner, not all the charge may be dissipated in the ground, lightning is funny that way.

Another VERY important thing is using low loss transmission line, no point in having an attenuator between the antenna and receiver. On VHF and UHF low loss is PARAMOUNT as loss increases with frequency. Hard line may be impractical and special "gold plated" stuff too expensive so I strongly suggest Belden 9913 which resembles ordinary RG-8U except for being air dielectric as opposed to foam or solid. My second choice is RG-6U which is 75 ohm rather than the normal 50 but the scanner won't mind a bit. You can probably get "spool ends" from the cable company and save them the trouble of tossing them in the dumpster. You'll need F connectors and adapters but it's worth it if you want to go that route and save a bit of cash.