New Digital Scanner Purchase

[MZMAN54]

I currently have the Radio Shack Pro-2051 Scanner and want to buy a new digital scanner. The reason i want to upgrade is on my current scanner most of the time i hear only 1 side of the conversation. I am torn between a base\mobile to a handheld. I have looked at the Uniden Beartracker 885 with the CB option and the Uniden's BCD996P2. I realize the Beartracker is limited in what it can do as a scanner. I do like the idea of the CB and the Beartracker option but not all necessary. I have read post here where you can edit the file on the SD card to change the mile range of the 885 scanner. With that in mind would the Beartracker 885 serve me well for picking up local police\Highway patrol and be able to hear both sides of the conversation? On the other side I have been researching the BCD996P2 and it seems to be a good digital scanner but I am confused on these keys you may have to buy. I have read that Uniden charges for them and I have read that Whistler does not. Can someone please give me some professional advice as to a Digital Scanner Recommendation. I am not sold on any manufacture to the other. Just want to be able hear both sides of the conversation. I do not want to buy one only to find I have to buy several more things to make it work for my needs. Thanks For the Help!!

DMR Uniden Upgrade Key
[Add $75.00]


ProVoice EDACS Uniden Upgrade Key
[Add $75.00]


NXDN Uniden Upgrade Key
[Add $75.00

 

[K4EET]

Hi @MZMAN54 and welcome to posting here at Radio Reference! I see you joined way back in 2012.

In order to be sure that we answer your questions to the best of our ability, it would help to know what agency or agencies that you want to monitor. Then we can advise you of what you would need from each scanner vendor to accomplish the task.

 

[hiegtx]

I currently have the Radio Shack Pro-2051 Scanner and want to buy a new digital scanner. The reason i want to upgrade is on my current scanner most of the time i hear only 1 side of the conversation. I am torn between a base\mobile to a handheld. I have looked at the Uniden Beartracker 885 with the CB option and the Uniden's BCD996P2. I realize the Beartracker is limited in what it can do as a scanner. I do like the idea of the CB and the Beartracker option but not all necessary. I have read post here where you can edit the file on the SD card to change the mile range of the 885 scanner. With that in mind would the Beartracker 885 serve me well for picking up local police\Highway patrol and be able to hear both sides of the conversation? On the other side I have been researching the BCD996P2 and it seems to be a good digital scanner but I am confused on these keys you may have to buy. I have read that Uniden charges for them and I have read that Whistler does not. Can someone please give me some professional advice as to a Digital Scanner Recommendation. I am not sold on any manufacture to the other. Just want to be able hear both sides of the conversation. I do not want to buy one only to find I have to buy several more things to make it work for my needs. Thanks For the Help!!

DMR Uniden Upgrade Key
[Add $75.00]


ProVoice EDACS Uniden Upgrade Key
[Add $75.00]


NXDN Uniden Upgrade Key
[Add $75.00

In addition to providing what area & systems you want to monitor, as K4EET has asked, you should also rethink which, if any, of the Uniden upgrades that you may need. First, tho, the prices you list are those that one of the online sellers would charge to install the key for you. You can save $15 to $25 per key by purchasing directly from Uniden. In all likelihood, the ProVoice upgrade would be a waste of time & money. EDACS systems that use ProVoice are a dying breed. The manufacturer no longer supports the equipment, and most of the systems that used it either have already moved to a different format (quite often P25 Phase II), or plan to transition off of EDACS in the near future.

You might find some agencies within range that use DMR. NXDN is possible, but not as likely. Again, your location will be the key to getting you an accurate suggestion.

For the BearTracker 885, you have little flexibility in controlling what you can hear. While you can manipulate the range, you don't have the option of creating a list of only what is of interest to you.

As far as hearing 'both sides of the conversation', that is going to be dependent on the agency involved. Here in Texas, the DPS (Highway Patrol) uses channels (in some areas) where the base transmits on one frequency, and the mobile unit responds on an entirely different one. But even with both frequencies entered, you might not here the mobile side unless you are very close, within a couple of miles or less. That's especially the case where the officer in the field is using a portable (handheld) radio rather than a mobile unit installed in a vehicle.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I have been researching the BCD996P2 and it seems to be a good digital scanner but I am confused on these keys you may have to buy.

Hi there & welcome to the forums!
Do you have any interest in monitoring anything other than law enforcement, fire, EMS, etc? There'd be no reason to purchase DMR or NXDN upgrades if you have no intentions of monitoring businesses, educational institutions, hospital ops, digital amateur radio, hotels, etc. A simple search of the Radioreference database will reveal what DMR or NXDN frequencies or systems are in use in your area so you can make the decision on whether or not you want to purchase the upgrades. DMR is by far the most used of the 3. Today there are fewer than 50 known Provoice systems in service in the USA, they are quite antiquated and are at or nearing their EOL

Can someone please give me some professional advice as to a Digital Scanner Recommendation. I am not sold on any manufacture to the other. Just want to be able hear both sides of the conversation. I do not want to buy one only to find I have to buy several more things to make it work for my needs. Thanks For the Help!!

Where are you located? Can't make a recommendation without knowing what you intend to monitor

 

[TailGator911]

I tried the 885 in my OTR truck and it fell flat. Not so good of a scanner and an even worse CB, IMHO. Good concept in theory, but in reality not so much.

 

[MZMAN54]

Thanks Everyone for the quick response. I am not interested in picking up the schools,business and such. Just law enforcement in my area and while traveling. The GPS intrigued me on the Beartracker 885 so I would not have to find the Police in the area while driving. Here is a list of a couple of towns I want to pick up. And maybe it a user problem\error in setting up this scanner i have now to make it work. Not hearing both sides of the conversion may be a problem with a new radio if I am understanding the info supplied. Thanks again for the help.


Galesburg

STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois Project 25 Phase II

Police using talkgroup 1929 for some operations.

Frequency	License	Type	Tone	Alpha Tag	Description	Mode	Tag
460.10000	KCP286	RM	156.7 PL	Galesburg Police	Police: Primary	FMN	Law Dispatch
460.45000	KCP286	RM	CC 1 TG 1 SL 1	Gale Police DMR	Police: Tactical	DMR	Law Tac
460.45000	KCP286	RM	156.7 PL	Gale Police Ops	Police: Operations/Explorers	FMN	Law Tac
151.29500	WPCK995	RM	156.7 PL	Galesburg Fire	Fire: Dispatch	FMN	Fire Dispatch
154.01000	WPCK995	M		GalesburgFireMX	Fire: Mobile Extenders	FMN	Fire-Tac
159.26250	WPCK995	RM		Galesburg Fire B	Fire	FMN	Fire-Tac
154.04000	KSH388	BM	CSQ	Gale W/St/Pk	Water / Streets / Parks	FMN	Public Works
451.05000	WPTY879	F	125 DPL	Galesburg WDD	Water Data (to Mississippi River)	FMN	Data
155.83500	KCJ548	RM	88.5 PL	Gale Sanitary	Sanitary District	FMN	Public Works
453.16250	KCJ548	RM		Gale Sanit Data	Sanitary District: Data (CSQ)	Telm	Data
453.42500	WQX209	RM	156.7 PL	GalesburgTransit	Galesburg Transit: Buses	FMN	Transportation

Henderson

Henderson Fire Protection District
Knoxville

Knoxville Community Fire Protection District

STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois Project 25 Phase II

Knoxville Police will be migrating to Starcom21 (?)

Frequency	License	Type	Tone	Alpha Tag	Description	Mode	Tag
154.80000	WPPZ758	BM	162.2 PL	Knxvl Police	Police	FMN	Law Dispatch
155.94000	KNBQ243	BM	136.5 PL	Knoxville PW	Public Works	FMN	Public Works
154.43000	KSF683	BM	103.5 PL	Knox Fireground	Fireground	FMN	Fire-Tac

Knox County 911 / ETSB

As of May 3rd all Knox County Fire will be using 151.115 except Galesburg and Abingdon. This is to avoid interference from PeoCo on 154.37.
Agencies: Altona, Elba-Salem, E. Galesburg, Henderson, Knoxville, Maquon, Oneida Wataga, Rio, Victoria-Copley, Williamsfield

Frequency	License	Type	Tone	Alpha Tag	Description	Mode	Tag
151.11500	WQAB208	BM	114.8 PL	Knox County Fire	Fire: Tone-Outs / Dispatch - Countywide	FMN	Fire Dispatch
453.48750	WPLW646	F		Knox 911 RF-T1	Fire: Link to Remote Tx on 151.115 (not D023)	FMN	Fire Dispatch
453.56250	WPLW646	F	156.7 PL	Knox 911 RF-T2	Fire: Link to Remote Tx on 151.115	FMN	Fire Dispatch
458.48750	WPLW646	F		Knox 911 RF3	Fire: Remote Link (Rio)	FMN	Fire Dispatch
458.56250	WPLW646	F	156.7 PL	Knox 911 RF4	Fire: Remote Link (Maquon)	FMN	Fire Dispatch
154.19000	WQLW553	BM		KnoxFire Glv/Clv	Fire: Dispatch - Galva / Clover Township	FMN	Fire Dispatch
154.82250	WQDI399	RM	167.9 PL	Knox Fire AVL	Fire: Automatic Vehicle Locators (Data)	FMN	Data

Knox County Government

STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois Project 25 Phase II

Sheriff is using talkgroup 1926. It is simulcast on VHF.

Frequency	License	Type	Tone	Alpha Tag	Description	Mode	Tag
155.53500	KSC430	RM	136.5 PL	Knox Sheriff	Sheriff: Dispatch [Ch 1] (Simulcast SC21 TG 1926)	FMN	Law Dispatch
151.14500	KSC430	M		Knox Sheriff MX	Sheriff: Mobile Extenders	FMN	Law Tac
155.49000	KSC430	BM	136.5 PL	Knox Shrf Alt2	Sheriff: Alternate [Ch 2]	FMN	Law Tac
159.15750	KSC430	RM	CC 1 TG 1 SL *	Knox Shrf Jail	Sheriff: Jail (TG 1/2)	DMR	Corrections
453.70000	KNDZ876	RM		Knox ESDA	ESDA	FMN	Emergency Ops
159.12000	KSE372	RM	179.9 PL	Knox Highway	Highway Department	FMN	Public Works
453.81250	WPOX945	RM	074 DPL	Knox HouseAuth	County Housing Authority	FMN	Public Works

 

[MZMAN54]

I tried the 885 in my OTR truck and it fell flat. Not so good of a scanner and an even worse CB, IMHO. Good concept in theory, but in reality not so much.

Thanks for your honest opinion

 

[hiegtx]

Thanks for your honest opinion

Taking a quick look at your county, Knox, in the database, as well as your adjacent counties in Illinois, this is what I see:
For Knox. it appears that your Sheriff's office uses a talkgroup on the Illinois statewide system, STARCOM21, but that is also simulcast on their Vhf frequency. Some of your adjacent counties also have limited usage of the state's system, but Peoria County appears to have a number of agencies on STARCOM. STARCOM21 is a P25 (digital) system that is capable of being used in Phase II, though most talkgroups, for now, are only Phase I. Someone in the Illinois forum might be better able to clarify whether there are known plans for more of your counties' agencies to move to the statewide system.

As to DMR, your S.O. uses that mode for the jail. Abingdon uses DMR for their PD dispatch, and Galesburg PD has a tactical channel that uses DMR. There are a few channels listed as DMR in some of your adjacent counties, and one, Monmouth PD in Warren county, is shown as using NXDN. You would need to review those, and then determine whether or nor you want the DMR or NXDN upgrade.

As to hearing only one side of the conversation:
Looking at your county, I see several channels tagged as mobile extenders.



Those normally are often used so that an officer, using a handheld on that frequency, can transmit back to their vehicle, which then relays the voice traffic back to the dispatch center. You would only hear one side of a conversation on these frequencies, and even then, you would need to be very close to the unit.

You also have two channels labeled as remote links. These might be used to forward radio traffic from a part of the county where repeater coverage for units in that area has poor reception. These may be used to relay a transmission back to dispatch from the weak signal area. Again, you would only hear one side of the radio traffic.

Your current scanner, the Pro-2051, is not a digital scanner, so you would not be able to hear anything on STARCOM unless it is also patched to one of the conventional frequencies listed. Both DMR & NXDN are beyond the capabilities of your 2051.

 

[MZMAN54]

Taking a quick look at your county, Knox, in the database, as well as your adjacent counties in Illinois, this is what I see:
For Knox. it appears that your Sheriff's office uses a talkgroup on the Illinois statewide system, STARCOM21, but that is also simulcast on their Vhf frequency. Some of your adjacent counties also have limited usage of the state's system, but Peoria County appears to have a number of agencies on STARCOM. STARCOM21 is a P25 (digital) system that is capable of being used in Phase II, though most talkgroups, for now, are only Phase I. Someone in the Illinois forum might be better able to clarify whether there are known plans for more of your counties' agencies to move to the statewide system.

As to DMR, your S.O. uses that mode for the jail. Abingdon uses DMR for their PD dispatch, and Galesburg PD has a tactical channel that uses DMR. There are a few channels listed as DMR in some of your adjacent counties, and one, Monmouth PD in Warren county, is shown as using NXDN. You would need to review those, and then determine whether or nor you want the DMR or NXDN upgrade.

As to hearing only one side of the conversation:
Looking at your county, I see several channels tagged as mobile extenders.

View attachment 97993
View attachment 97994
Those normally are often used so that an officer, using a handheld on that frequency, can transmit back to their vehicle, which then relays the voice traffic back to the dispatch center. You would only hear one side of a conversation on these frequencies, and even then, you would need to be very close to the unit.

You also have two channels labeled as remote links. These might be used to forward radio traffic from a part of the county where repeater coverage for units in that area has poor reception. These may be used to relay a transmission back to dispatch from the weak signal area. Again, you would only hear one side of the radio traffic.
View attachment 97995
Your current scanner, the Pro-2051, is not a digital scanner, so you would not be able to hear anything on STARCOM unless it is also patched to one of the conventional frequencies listed. Both DMR & NXDN are beyond the capabilities of your 2051.

Thanks Alot Steve for digging into it for me. WOW How do you keep it all straight? So I need to get a scanner that i can upgrade with DMR and NXDN if it does not come with the scanner?

 

[hiegtx]

Thanks Alot Steve for digging into it for me. WOW How do you keep it all straight? So I need to get a scanner that i can upgrade with DMR and NXDN if it does not come with the scanner?

Unless less you wanted that one agency in Warren County, I would not bother with NXDN. While you're not overrun with DMR users, there are some that you might want, so that capability might be to your advantage.

Your county does not have much (yet) on STARCOM, but even if more of your county agencies move there, the site in your county is not simulcast. Peoria County has a simulcast site on STARCOM, but you may be far enough away that simulcast won't bother you. That's something that you may be able to get answered in the Illinois forum.

Most of STARCOM is using P25 Phase I, but the system is capable of P25 Phase II, so I would make sure that whatever you buy is Phase II capable.

In the Whistler scanners, a TRX-1 (handheld) or TRX-2 (base/mobile) would give you P25 Phase I or Phase II, plus DMR & NXDN. Those scanners have the full RadioReference database in them via Micro-SD card. While none of the Whistler scanners truly track a DMR or NXDN system, you can program the talkgroups you want, and if the system is not extremely busy, they may do a reasonably good jov.

While these next Whistler models are discontinued, you can still find them, especially pre-owned. They also have the database, and will do P25 Phase I or II, along with DMR, but are not capable of NXDN:
WS1080 or WS1088 (handhelds)
WS1095 or WS1098 (base/mobile)

In the Uniden line, the BC325P2 or BCD996P2 would work, but you would need to add the DMR upgrade if you want that option. These can be programmed with FreeSCAN for P25, but you would, instead, need ProScan or ARC-XT for programming DMR or NXDN.

The BCD436HP & SDS100 (handheld), and BCD536HP and SDS200 (base/mobile) are database scanners, which makes them easy to use while traveling if you also use a GPS. The DMR upgrade would be needed if you wanted that mode. Again, for only that single agency, I would not bother with NXDN unless you really felt it was needed. The SDS series scanners are overkill for your area, as they were designed to deal with Simulcast systems. As noted, only your neighboring Peoria County has a simulcast site, and at your distance, it might not be an issue. (I have a number of simulcast systems here in the DFW area, but as I am far enough away, I don't have problems.) If you planned to travel with your scanner, and would be going to, or passing through, a large metro area, then it's almost a certainty that you'll run into simulcast systems. These database scanners can be programmed with Sentinel, which is provided by Uniden at no cost. ProScan and ARC536 have more capabilities, but Sentinel is quite useful. For the database scanners, you can update the database in the Sentinel software, then write that data to the scanner. With the updated info loaded in the scanner, you can get started scanning with entering your location, and a range, using the main database.

 

[MZMAN54]

Unless less you wanted that one agency in Warren County, I would not bother with NXDN. While you're not overrun with DMR users, there are some that you might want, so that capability might be to your advantage.

Your county does not have much (yet) on STARCOM, but even if more of your county agencies move there, the site in your county is not simulcast. Peoria County has a simulcast site on STARCOM, but you may be far enough away that simulcast won't bother you. That's something that you may be able to get answered in the Illinois forum.

Most of STARCOM is using P25 Phase I, but the system is capable of P25 Phase II, so I would make sure that whatever you buy is Phase II capable.

In the Whistler scanners, a TRX-1 (handheld) or TRX-2 (base/mobile) would give you P25 Phase I or Phase II, plus DMR & NXDN. Those scanners have the full RadioReference database in them via Micro-SD card. While none of the Whistler scanners truly track a DMR or NXDN system, you can program the talkgroups you want, and if the system is not extremely busy, they may do a reasonably good jov.

While these next Whistler models are discontinued, you can still find them, especially pre-owned. They also have the database, and will do P25 Phase I or II, along with DMR, but are not capable of NXDN:
WS1080 or WS1088 (handhelds)
WS1095 or WS1098 (base/mobile)

In the Uniden line, the BC325P2 or BCD996P2 would work, but you would need to add the DMR upgrade if you want that option. These can be programmed with FreeSCAN for P25, but you would, instead, need ProScan or ARC-XT for programming DMR or NXDN.

The BCD436HP & SDS100 (handheld), and BCD536HP and SDS200 (base/mobile) are database scanners, which makes them easy to use while traveling if you also use a GPS. The DMR upgrade would be needed if you wanted that mode. Again, for only that single agency, I would not bother with NXDN unless you really felt it was needed. The SDS series scanners are overkill for your area, as they were designed to deal with Simulcast systems. As noted, only your neighboring Peoria County has a simulcast site, and at your distance, it might not be an issue. (I have a number of simulcast systems here in the DFW area, but as I am far enough away, I don't have problems.) If you planned to travel with your scanner, and would be going to, or passing through, a large metro area, then it's almost a certainty that you'll run into simulcast systems. These database scanners can be programmed with Sentinel, which is provided by Uniden at no cost. ProScan and ARC536 have more capabilities, but Sentinel is quite useful. For the database scanners, you can update the database in the Sentinel software, then write that data to the scanner. With the updated info loaded in the scanner, you can get started scanning with entering your location, and a range, using the main database.

Again Thanks Steve, I will go back to surfing to see what is out there on the models you listed above. I was actually just looking at the Whistler TRX2 scanner this afternoon. I appreciate your help

 

[hiegtx]

Again Thanks Steve, I will go back to surfing to see what is out there on the models you listed above. I was actually just looking at the Whistler TRX2 scanner this afternoon. I appreciate your help

The two TRX models have had some steep discounts in the last few weeks. Those might be gone now, but keep your eyes open. Don't overlook garage or estate sales, pawn shops, and thrift stores. Sometimes you can find a diamond in a ditch because the seller has no idea what the radio is actually worth, and they just want to get rid of it.

This sale is over, but here's an example of what the sale price was.

Amazon TRX-1 on sale $366

Brand new. Ships and sold from Amazon. Not sure how long that price will last.

forums.radioreference.com

 

[MZMAN54]

The two TRX models have had some steep discounts in the last few weeks. Those might be gone now, but keep your eyes open. Don't overlook garage or estate sales, pawn shops, and thrift stores. Sometimes you can find a diamond in a ditch because the seller has no idea what the radio is actually worth, and they just want to get rid of it.

This sale is over, but here's an example of what the sale price was.

Amazon TRX-1 on sale $366

Brand new. Ships and sold from Amazon. Not sure how long that price will last.

forums.radioreference.com

Steve
Pulled the plug on the TRX-1 Today. Amazon dropped the price to $399.00. I have downloaded the software so i can get used to it. Here is the Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/Whistler-TRX-1-Handheld-Digital-Scanner/dp/B01H3XYNUO/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=trx-1&qid=1612560514&sr=8-2

Thanks
Mike

 

[N9JCQ]

Welcome to the addiction Mike. I bet the TRX-1 will work well for Galesburg and the ISP on Starcom. I was going to recommend the Uniden 325P2 which I use up here in the north burbs of Chicago. It works well for me. But the TRX-1 is also a fine radio and you got it at a great price. I think you will need to be a subscriber to Radioreference in order to download data from the database into your radio. One thing you will learn with scanners is that nothing ever stays stagnant. That goes for radios as well as frequencies and trunk systems too. Learn how to program the radio and you'll really love the radio and the hobby.
Joe Buffalo Grove, IL

 

[MZMAN54]

Welcome to the addiction Mike. I bet the TRX-1 will work well for Galesburg and the ISP on Starcom. I was going to recommend the Uniden 325P2 which I use up here in the north burbs of Chicago. It works well for me. But the TRX-1 is also a fine radio and you got it at a great price. I think you will need to be a subscriber to Radioreference in order to download data from the database into your radio. One thing you will learn with scanners is that nothing ever stays stagnant. That goes for radios as well as frequencies and trunk systems too. Learn how to program the radio and you'll really love the radio and the hobby.
Joe Buffalo Grove, IL

Thanks, Joe looking forward to messing with it. Looks like Covid is going to be around for a while so might as well be doing something.

 

[MZMAN54]

To all that help with the great info THANKS. Like I mentioned I did buy the Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Scanner. For what I am using it for it works great. I bought the Remtronix Antenna and it is a welcome addition to the scanner. Also got the Panasonic BQ-CC55 Battery Charger with 2 sets of the Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries and they are working great as well. Last about 10hrs on average and just 2-3 hrs to charge. The sound is real clear on it and the range is amazing. The one thing I need to work on is the sound is not very loud when in my truck or car. So an Amplified Ext Speaker is in the budget. Like most have said it does take a little time getting use to the software not difficult though. I am still trying to tweak a few things on it but all in all I am enjoying my new scanner. Thanks Again Gang!!