New member, new hobby scanner recommendations for GTA

[tcc13]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the scanning community and thinking of picking up the hobby but have 0 experience/knowledge. I live in the GTA (Toronto) and from my research I've done most of the local emergency services here have encrypted systems so it is hard to listen in on what's going on. I also want to be in a position to be ready in case of a SHTF scenario.

I've been interested in the Uniden BCD 436HP or BCD 325P2. Though I've read the latter is pretty bad on eating batteries.

So my question is because of where I live is it even possible to listen in on anything remotely interesting and would those models I listed be a good choice in a SHTF scenarios?
I'm also looking at GMRS radios too for comms.

tia

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[gary123]

TFD and EMS are in the clear last time I listened. the 436 will pick them up fine.

 

[Enjoi19]

TFD and EMS are in the clear last time I listened. the 436 will pick them up fine.

Location dependant - there are many areas where simulcast distortion makes the 325 and 436 not too happy in the Toronto area.

 

[Enjoi19]

Now that I have a minute to sit down and type things out more...

Effectively every police department in Ontario is encrypted, except for the OPP, who eventually will be (though there's some time to go).

Luckily, Toronto, Peel, and Halton regions have unencrypted fire services. Toronto Fire is a VERY busy system, along with TEMS. York Region has unencrypted fire dispatch channels. Durham and Hamilton are fully encrypted. Niagara Region's fire departments are open to listening as well

The BCD436HP and 325P2 are very optimal for listening to the OPP, EMS outside of Toronto, air traffic, rail, etc. Due to an effect called simulcast distortion, it can be difficult to receive Toronto, Peel, and Halton fire departments at times on those scanners. Sometimes it will work great, sometimes it won't. It's all very location dependant. It might work in one spot, you go down the road and it doesn't or comes through distorted, then walk 20 feet up the road and it's good again. Your mileage may vary.

The Uniden SDS100/200 is the optimal route to go for these systems, as it was designed to handle these simulcast systems. It does however crack the wallet open pretty good (about $1000 CAD). Other options including learning about SDR, which requires a computer and a little playing around to get going, but would function using a few $50~ dongles and antennas. Depending on where you are in Toronto, you may receive quite a bit on this, but the learning curve is a bit steeper than a scanner.

Another option is the Unication G4/G5, but, they aren't a traditional scanner - they only can work with 1 system and 1 site at a time (Toronto has 4 sites, for example, North/South/East/West). They are also a bit up there for price, but work exceptionally well if you only want to listen to 1 thing at a time (I use mine to only listen to TFS).

 

[tcc13]

Thank you everyone for the information.

I was looking at the SDS100 but as you have mentioned Enjoi19, it hurts the wallet and me (if I tell my wife..lol )

So, with whichever scanner I decide to purchase and where I'm located I would be able to pick up all those unencrypted services mentioned (i.e. Peel/Durham/Hamilton/etc)?

Just wondering if there are other brands of scanners to consider (Whistler??)

 

[Enjoi19]

All sort of depends where you’re located. It’s a larger geographical area than we realize sometimes . If you’re towards the east end you may be able to pickup some of Durham EMS / OPP, and towards the west you’ll have a better shot at Peel Fire. Location and antenna are a big factor in everything and takes some trial and error to see what works best at times. If you’re willing to let us know the sort of general area it may help to guesstimate what coverage could be (eg, northeast, etc)

I tried a Whistler TRX-1 a few years ago when I got in to the hobby and it was dreadful in Toronto. The 325 and 436 were somewhat better. I move around a lot and am mobile most of the time so, I needed something that worked everywhere. The SDS100 was stellar. I use the Unication pagers now for the P25 systems. If I went back in time, I would’ve just went for the SDS in the first place and not spent months messing around with the other stuff. I had no idea how much I was missing out on until I got into radios that actually worked.

If you’re strictly planning to use it from home, SDR may tickle your fancy if you have the time and willingness to tackle the technical side. It’s the cheapest option overall but the larger learning curve.

 

[tcc13]

I would want to be mobile so a handheld unit is my preference.

My general location would be approximately north-east (if you consider downtown Toronto to be the center).

I'm kind of the same way. I would want to purchase something once and be done with it.

Other than the obvious for what a scanner is used for (listening), are there other scenarios where one would come in handy or in an emergency?

 

[EJB]

Location dependant - there are many areas where simulcast distortion makes the 325 and 436 not too happy in the Toronto area.

Wise words from a thoughtful smart member. When I lived in Burlington and was close to the Halton Region towers, I had no problem with the older scanners like the HP1, the 396T, and XT scanners. But, when I moved to Hamilton further away from the towers anything but my SDS100 was hit or miss.

The SDS series were designed for these types of radio systems. Expensive yes, but worth it if you are truly passionate about the hobby.

 

[mrweather]

Yes it's old, my but BC796D really struggled with the Peel Trunk simulcast system. My SDS200 has zero issues.

 

[tcc13]

So I've been doing more reading and I'm leaning more towards the SDS100 since most of the services around me and the GTA use simulcast.

Are there additional add-ons I need to purchase for the scanner (DMR/NXDN/waterfall/GPS/software/antennae/etc)??

Also is there a preferred retailer that has good deals?

tia

 

[Forts]

I would definitely recommend adding DMR, then possibly NXDN. Both are heavily used in the GTA.

 

[gary123]

About the only dealer I know of would be Radioworld. They tend to have a good stock of just about everything. The other option is Amazon followed by some of the bigger USA retailers. Canadian pricing seems to be virtually identical across the board. When spending a $1000 for a unit I think I would prefer to walk in and walk out with the unit in hand. Also buying from a reputable source gives you that nice warm warrantee should you have an issue.

 

[EJB]

I bought my BCD 325P2 from Amazon. I find RadioWorld to be really expensive. I also have trusted ScannerMaster for purchases.
Call them and compare prices that RadioWorld charges. It's an independent store and I normally try to support them. Maybe Lakeshore Communications sells some scanners still. I worked there for literally 3 days, lol, expensive but they had warranties and good people once working there.

 

[mrweather]

I agree Radioworld can be expensive, but it depends. Right now, Scannermaster lists the SDS200 for US$700 (currently out-of-stock) whereas RW lists it for CA$1039 (in-stock).

Just doing the math on currency exchange, shipping and taxes, it's pretty much a wash. Plus, if you buy locally it's logistically a lot easier dealing with any warranty issues.

 

[tcc13]

Thanks guys. Looks like Radioworld might be the place and like gary123 said I'd like to walk in/out with the product and feel confident that there's a "local" store for warranty purposes.

Would they be able to add DMR to the scanner? and would I benefit upgrading to the remtronix 820s antenna over the stock?

 

[mrweather]

The digital mode upgrades are done by the end user through Uniden's website. I don't know if RW could do that for you.

I haven't upgraded my SDS200 yet though I may in the future as there seems to be more railroad activity around me using NXDN.

 

[tcc13]

Went to RW today and although the website said it was in stock (at the time I left), it wasn't Now it says it's on order and I'm on a BO list.

The gentleman I spoke to was very friendly and introduced me to HAM radio (I was also inquiring about comms/GMRS). So that may be another hobby I may pick up..lol.

 

[gary123]

Its a shame you made the trip for nothing or al least nothing hardware wise. Sometimes a phone call is a good idea. "Do you have a xxx in stock? Yes? Could you put one aside form me I will be there in 2 hours I am coming from yyyyy". Just remember if you do ask anyone to hold a product then you should keep your side of the bargain and show up as promised.

 

[tcc13]

Yah that was my mistake. I was "in the area" so I thought I would just drop in.

 

[Enjoi19]

Would they be able to add DMR to the scanner? and would I benefit upgrading to the remtronix 820s antenna over the stock?

You can get the DMR/NXDN upgrades directly from Uniden (Here's a working link because the one on their own site on the DMR/NXDN page doesn't work right). I don't believe Radioworld sells it. Other distributers tend to tack a few dollars on, and when you're already going USD -> CAD, every dollar counts!

Try the stock antenna first and see how it goes. I found it relatively decent for Toronto's 700Mhz system when I was using the SDS100.