New to Scanners

[phishermanjohn]

Hello,

I am in Belleville, IL and I just got my first scanner from radio shack a pro 94, but i am going to be taking it back b.c it is a bit difficult to use. I was wondering if anyone could reccomend me a scanner that is easy to use, relatively inexpensive (offer me your used equipment), can track digital (ISP and SCCSD), and can also be used to listen to the analog channels in the area. I mainly want to be able to use my scanner in my car or home so a hand help is preferred. I dont want to spend a fortune.

Also could any give me some pointers on using scanners, i am anxious to get the most from my scanner.

Also, what are the fire dept. freq's for the belleville area? Do they have freqs other than dispatch?

Thanks for the help,

John

 

[KB8UYC]

Well,

If you think that the pro-94 is hard to use, you are going to have fun with the new line of scanners. If you want to monitor anything digital here is a list of scanners:

Radio Shack GRE Pro-96-$449.99

Uniden BC-796(base) $519.00+
Uniden BC-296(HH) $519.00+

Uniden also has the BC-785(base) currently only recieves 3600 baud digital systems
and the BC-250(HH) currently only recieves 3600 baud digitial systems.

The pro-94 probably would have done you just fine, but you have to take the time to read the manual and read various posts and figure it out. Again though, if you want anything that does digitial your going to have to fork out the money.

Eric

 

[Thunderbolt]

Belleville is located in St. Clair County? If so, St. Clair County are in the process of implementing a a new 9600 baud digital trunked system that will be a subsystem of the Illinois State Police StarCom 21, which is a statewide system that will cover the entire state in a few years. Moreover, all of the police, fire, EMS, and ESDA will move over to the new countywide system.

You will need a scanner like the Pro-96, or better yet the Uniden-296D, or the base/mobile version, which is the Uniden-796D that can decode the 9600 baud data channel on these newer Motorola systems.

Good luck!

73's

Ron

 

[CAT]

Also, if you get a PRO-96 you won't have to program a thing because you can download an Illinois file here: http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/freqs.html#96
Just upload that to the scanner and you'll be all set to go!

 

[LarrySC]

More important than the scanner is someone in your area that has been scanning for at least 10years that you can use for support. Check with local media, public service, and yes Radio Shack to see if they know of someone in your area that has top grade equipment and software for programming scanners. Is there someone in your area that makes their own up-to-date freq list for conventional and trunking. A person that really knows whats going own will usually point you in the right direction with most questions. If you get close to finding this person then have them program a scanner for you. This will save hours of banging your head against the wall and if they dont charge over $40 to do it it's worth every penny. Then get your own software. Backload the program from the scanner to your computer. Now you can set it up even better as you learn. A good friend is worth the same if not more that the scannr. Good Luck.

 

[phishermanjohn]

is illinois ISP using 9600 or 3600. the database and boards conflict on this.

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

Could not agree more

Larry from SC has the best idea yet, we Chicagioans can only feed you chicago relate information and information on the little we know that is merging. Radio Shacks, the true ones are there to provide great support, however the true ones are hard to fine. Thanks to the crew in Tennesee I was provide with atype freq list, because I did not prepair myself a head off time. And yes, Thunder Bolt is a great resource with providing pretty good update info. Its to bad we do not live around you, but I highily suggest a communications hobby group, they will point you in the right direction.

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

Could not agree more

Larry from SC has the best idea yet, we Chicagioans can only feed you chicago relate information and information on the little we know that is merging. Radio Shacks, the true ones are there to provide great support, however the true ones are hard to fine. Thanks to the crew in Tennesee I was provide with atype freq list, because I did not prepair myself a head off time. And yes, Thunder Bolt is a great resource with providing pretty good update info. Its to bad we do not live around you, but I highily suggest a communications hobby group, they will point you in the right direction.