Never used a scanner before question . . .

[JRUNCK]

This is my first post & I just started researching scanners literally about 1 day ago. I've had an interest in them since I first saw one in 1990 when a friend brought one to school for show & tell. I'm now finally trying to really learn out how to use one. I just purchased a PRO-651 scanner that hasn't even shipped yet on a my fiancée would want to kill me if she knew what it costs, late night, impulse purchase ha. So I've never actually been able to use a scanner yet.

Sometimes drunks get pulled over right outside of my condo window and I can watch what's happening. I was wondering if there is a way to find the radio signal that would link me to the situation I'm watching outside of my window. I have a slight idea how the "Signal Stalker" feature would work on the PRO-651 but if the officer isn't talking on the radio at the time I'm scanning I assume it would scan past it. Is there other ways to track down this specific situation on my scanner? If there is already forum topics on this related topic please point me in that direction.

 

[dmack550]

No if you miss the original dispatch and any replies then you will not know what is going on. Most police cruisers these days use laptops for any other information related to the stop and these are not available on a Scanner. The laptops are used intentionally to try and keep more sensitive information off the air and make it easier for officers to get plate and driver information without dispatch assistance.

 

[QDP2012]

Welcome to RR, JRUNCK

In case you have also only visited RR for the first time in the last day or so, here are some hints:

• In the "Big Blue Navigation Bar", the "Databases" menu will take you to the frequency-database (often abbreviated RRDB) that contains "listener-verified" frequencies, which is not simply a copy of the FCC list of frequencies.
  
  Your profile's location is listed as Seattle, WA. So, to find the RRDB information for Seattle, you would click on "Databases", then in the US map, click on the shape of "Washington State"; then on the "Washington map" click on the "King County" shape. This takes you to the conventional frequencies list for King County. You can scroll up-and-down that page to see the frequencies that other listeners have verified.
  
  On the King County page, you will also notice that it links to the "Seattle-King County Public Safety" Trunked Radio System (TRS). This is a "newer" digital "cellular-like" radio system, used by many of the emergency services agencies, including law enforcement.
  
  If the police officer seen from your window, works for an agency listed on the TRS page, then you will need to program the nearest tower's frequencies into your scanner as a "TSYS" (trunked system), and program the appropriate TalkGroup(s) into your scanner, associate the TGs with the correct TSYS, and assign the TGs to a ScanList, and enable the ScanList.
  
  If, after you have properly programmed your scanner, you still do not hear the officer when he/she uses the radio, then I would recommend using the "wildcard" to monitor the TRS, so that you hear all traffic on the TRS, and possibly could discover a new TG.
  
  
• The above is just a glimpse of what you can do with your new scanner. Many people here are very willing to help you learn as you get the scanner and work on its programming.
  
  
• If you haven't, you should seriously consider getting a programming cable, and using appropriate software on your computer to program the scanner. It's much easier than trying to program it from the on-board keypad.
  
  
• For additional reading, you might want to visit the "RadioReference Wiki" Home page, look at the upper-right portion of the page, and use the "Links for Newcomers" that are listed in the blue-background box. They can help get you up-to-speed.
  
  In addition to the owner's manual that might come with the scanner, there is an online manual, written by an RR member, for your family of scanners. It is the Easier to Read: Pro-651/652/106/197 - WS1040/1065 - PSR 500/600 Digital Scanner Manual.
  
  The scanner models listed in the link's title are all equivalent, based upon the same original unit, just manufactured by different businesses, as one business closed and was bought by another. So, as you read other forums here, comments made about any of those units likely will also apply to your scanner as well.

Hope this helps,

 

[mike38015]

Seattle-King County Public Safety Still Analog

The "Seattle-King County Public Safety" Trunked Radio System (TRS) currently is not a "newer" digital "cellular-like" radio system. It is still with a few exceptions an analog system, a new P25 Phase II system is in the works but most likely still 3 years or more out before it goes live.

 

[QDP2012]

Thanks

The "Seattle-King County Public Safety" Trunked Radio System (TRS) currently is not a "newer" digital "cellular-like" radio system. It is still with a few exceptions an analog system, a new P25 Phase II system is in the works but most likely still 3 years or more out before it goes live.

Thanks for straightening that out. I appreciate it. It's tough enough being a beginner, much less getting steered off-track with bad advice. -- Sorry for the mistake.

Thanks again,

 

[SCPD]

Sometimes drunks get pulled over right outside of my condo window and I can watch what's happening. I was wondering if there is a way to find the radio signal that would link me to the situation I'm watching outside of my window. I have a slight idea how the "Signal Stalker" feature would work on the PRO-651 but if the officer isn't talking on the radio at the time I'm scanning I assume it would scan past it.

You'd have to be VERY close for either SS or Close Call to pick up the actual Tx of the patrol car's radio. It's not likely going to be close enough however.

Once your scanner is programmed correctly you can easily monitor the agency that's in your area. SPD only has a handful of talkgroups to monitor anyway.

The hardest part for you will be learning how the scanner works and getting it programmed.

 

[JRUNCK]

QDP2012 thanks for taking the time to type out all the helpful links and info. I've found some of the information you've provided already but it also provides me with a bunch of new information I will be using as I continue to research this. I appreciate it.

 

[JRUNCK]

The "Seattle-King County Public Safety" Trunked Radio System (TRS) currently is not a "newer" digital "cellular-like" radio system. It is still with a few exceptions an analog system, a new P25 Phase II system is in the works but most likely still 3 years or more out before it goes live.

I remember briefly reading a post here on the forms that mentioned the new P25 Phase II system upgrade in the King County area. Since this will make a lot of the channels no longer available in my area for the PRO-651 in approximately 3 years is there other scanners you (or others) would recommend me purchasing that might be more relevant in 3 years time in the $300 dollar range? More specifically are there scanners that will still be able to use the P25 Phase II system in the $300 dollar rage that are as good as the PRO-651?

 

[SCPD]

It's more likely going to be only a couple of years and testing may start before then. You're better off looking into the Whistler or Uniden scanners.

For Uniden, the P2 series (325 or 996) and the HP series (436/536) are all Phase 2 compliant. For Whistler, the 1088/1098 models.

Since you're new to scanners, all of them will have a learning curve. IMHO, I think the Uniden's are slightly easier to comprehend but others will disagree.