Need info on good scanners

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camfireguy

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Feed Provider
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Mar 23, 2012
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20
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Yakima, Washington
I recently started to broadcast live in my area. I am very new to this but have learned a lot from RR. I bought 2 bc355c's. They are ok, but I want something better. For starters one of the fire channels has a longer frequency that I cannot fully enter in. Also, I live a little out of town and have minor reception issues. My town is not digital (or at least from what I know). Does anyone know what a good (somewhat older) scanner to buy is? Something that allows me to enter full frequencies and maybe something that picks up better reception. By the way, I live near Yakima, Washington if that helps. I just want to provide listeners with a good quality feed but not be broke in the process. I am leaning towards either bc780xlt or bc895xlt.
 

W8RMH

Feed Provider Since 2012
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Jan 4, 2009
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Grove City, OH (A Bearcat not a Buckeye)
I recommend the Uniden BCT15 or BCT15X. I have used them for several feeds including my current feed (give a listen).
They are easy to program, support alpha tags, and the "record-out" function is great for feeds as the audio level is preset.
You can find BCT15's for around $100 to $150 used.

IMHO the BC780XLT and the BC895XLT (the worst scanner I ever owned) are old outdated technology and do not do well with the newer re-banded and narrow-banded systems.
 
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camfireguy

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Mar 23, 2012
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Yakima, Washington
Thank you. I decided to go with your recommendation and buy a bct15x. After searching on ebay I was only able to find a new one for around 225. I will let you know how it works when it gets here.
 

benbenrf

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Mar 27, 2009
Messages
287
Location
United Kingdom
Consider something along the lines of a Watkins Johnson 8617B-S1 - used off eBay or specialist dealer: it'll beat hands-down any +/-$1000 new off-the-shelf scanner/receiver from Radio Shack. Read my comments in reply #8 on http://forums.radioreference.com/sc...-hustler-dcx-discone-antenna.html#post1650353 to understand why I say this. Its a basic reply - happy to go into more tech detail and comparison with any scanner/receiver you may have in mind, if you wish.
 

ghostpirate

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Feb 5, 2007
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90
Location
rutherford co. tn
what would be better a handheld or base scanner?

I live in murfreesboro tn and listen to rutherford co. sheriffs dept and murf. city pd. I was wondering whether a handheld or a base scanner would be better to have to pick up frequencies better? I have an old base scanner bc145xl 16 channel capability with a radio shack indoor telescopic scanner but am having trouble picking up the thp; all i am getting is static, any suggestions on these questions?
 
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