New Scanner Purchase

[PoliceScanner1029]

I'm in the market for a handheld trunking scanner, upgrading from analog. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which brand to buy? My uses for this radio will be primarily outdoors and occasionly around the house when I am away from my desktop unit.

Right now I have a Radioshack Pro 197. My only issue with it is that there is a few agencies I monitor that are still on VHF. That being said, the 197 doesn't do a very good job picking up VHF freqs.

Any help in this area of purchase is appreciated!

 

[mule1075]

Your best bet is to search thru the threads here and find what best suits your needs.I just picked up a 396xt and I am enjoying it a lot but that is what fits my needs yours could be different.As a side note if you have not tried already try the ATT on the vhf freqs on the 197 it could make a world of difference.HTH

 

[SCPD]

There are lots of different handheld trunking scanners out there for the new user. The problem with most of them is they are quite expensive. Like mule1075 said, there are different scanners for different needs. If I were to get a new trunking handheld I would probably go with the Uniden BC346XT Handheld TrunkTracker scanner. Its on the low end of the price range for these types of scanners at around $240.
Uniden BC346XT Handheld TrunkTracker III Analog Police Scanner, 3xAA Battery, 9000 Dynamic Channels, Public Safety, News, Ham, Marine, Railroad, Air, CB, FRS/GMRS, Racing, Special Pre-Programmed Service Banks, SAME Weather Alert, Unlimited Priority C

But if price is not an issue, go with the GRE PSR-500 Digital APCO-25 Triple-Trunking Scanner

Newegg.com - GRE PSR-500 DIGITAL APCO-25 TRIPLE-TRUNKING HANDHELD SCANNER

The scanner is made by RadioShack so it is easy to get serviced because most cities have at least one radioshack.

Well, thats all I got.

Happy Listening!
Adam

 

[Rt169Radio]

Where do you live? That will help with finding a new scanner, in some places you need a digital trunking scanner instead of a analog trunking one.

 

[JStemann]

There are lots of different handheld trunking scanners out there for the new user. The problem with most of them is they are quite expensive. Like mule1075 said, there are different scanners for different needs. If I were to get a new trunking handheld I would probably go with the Uniden BC346XT Handheld TrunkTracker scanner. Its on the low end of the price range for these types of scanners at around $240.
Uniden BC346XT Handheld TrunkTracker III Analog Police Scanner, 3xAA Battery, 9000 Dynamic Channels, Public Safety, News, Ham, Marine, Railroad, Air, CB, FRS/GMRS, Racing, Special Pre-Programmed Service Banks, SAME Weather Alert, Unlimited Priority C

But if price is not an issue, go with the GRE PSR-500 Digital APCO-25 Triple-Trunking Scanner

Newegg.com - GRE PSR-500 DIGITAL APCO-25 TRIPLE-TRUNKING HANDHELD SCANNER

The scanner is made by RadioShack so it is easy to get serviced because most cities have at least one radioshack.

Well, thats all I got.

Happy Listening!
Adam

The OP mentions upgrading from analog to digital. The 346 won't do the job. 396xt from uniden, radio shack and GRE have a few as well.The pro-106 looks to be pretty close to a handheld version of your 197.

The GRE 500 or 800 would also work. However, GRE shut down manufacturing last fall, it is unknown when they will start back up again. So, you may have an issue finding a new psr 500 or 800.

I'm kinda surprised your having an issue with receiving on the 197. I doubt the handhelds will be much of an improvement over the 197 you already have. Might try experimenting with different antennas.

Jeff.

 

[KI5FKE]

I'm in the market for a handheld trunking scanner, upgrading from analog. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which brand to buy? My uses for this radio will be primarily outdoors and occasionly around the house when I am away from my desktop unit.

Right now I have a Radioshack Pro 197. My only issue with it is that there is a few agencies I monitor that are still on VHF. That being said, the 197 doesn't do a very good job picking up VHF freqs.

Any help in this area of purchase is appreciated!

Consider the portable Pro-106 or the GRE PSR-500; I don't have a problem receiving VHF on my Pro-106. As stated earlier try using the [ATT] button on your Pro-197, or consider investing in a better antenna. Just my $0.02!