New to scanning

[bautista55]

Hello. I live in Elgin Illinois, Kane county. I know that police in Kane is encrypted but the other stuff is no. I also live close to DuPage and cook counties. Everything is simulcast. What would be the best scanner for my area, TRX-1 , Sds100 or unication G5 vhf. Thank you in advance. The sooner I can decide which one, the sooner I can get started.

 

[KK4JUG]

Personally, I'd get the SDS100. It'll handle the simulcast. The bugs reported early on have pretty much been taken care of. This one will let you listen to just about everything, both at home and when you travel.

 

[bautista55]

Thank you for such fast response.

 

[JD21960]

I agree with KK4JUG in this case the Uniden SDS 100 is probably your best bet to guard against future progress and blend in the old analog too. Depends on what is your priority really. I use the G5 over in Kane Co/Elgin all the time, PERFECT for Starcom21. Vhf isn't it's strong-point unless you're IN the town of the tower or site you want to hear. Any regular "scanner" can do better as the G4/G5 has an INTERNAL antenna only for VHF-UHF stuff. You also can't MIX P25 and analog on one ZONE with the G4/G5 Pagers. It's one thing only each Zone. You can also try monitoring different Starcom21 SITES where all 3 come together in the Elgin area on the SDS100. The Unication lacks that, only lets you hear one SITE at a time. It does so perfectly of course. I experimented by making a wildcard talk group/Monitor ZONE and adding all 3 SITES from DuPage/Cook/KANE and trying the Unication G5 that way. Works great when roaming but will settle on the ONE site with the best signal based on pre-set data-error rate. Took a trip from Chicago to Decatur IL that way and the G5 was seamless and perfect.

 

[KK4JUG]

One other thing: the SDS100 will accommodate a GPS if you travel. I just returned from Wichita (back to Columbus, GA) and, as usual, the GPS performed flawlessly to and from.

 

[bautista55]

I agree with KK4JUG in this case the Uniden SDS 100 is probably your best bet to guard against future progress and blend in the old analog too. Depends on what is your priority really. I use the G5 over in Kane Co/Elgin all the time, PERFECT for Starcom21. Vhf isn't it's strong-point unless you're IN the town of the tower or site you want to hear. Any regular "scanner" can do better as the G4/G5 has an INTERNAL antenna only for VHF-UHF stuff. You also can't MIX P25 and analog on one ZONE with the G4/G5 Pagers. It's one thing only each Zone. You can also try monitoring different Starcom21 SITES where all 3 come together in the Elgin area on the SDS100. The Unication lacks that, only lets you hear one SITE at a time. It does so perfectly of course. I experimented by making a wildcard talk group/Monitor ZONE and adding all 3 SITES from DuPage/Cook/KANE and trying the Unication G5 that way. Works great when roaming but will settle on the ONE site with the best signal based on pre-set data-error rate. Took a trip from Chicago to Decatur IL that way and the G5 was seamless and perfect.

Thank you for the help. Since you live in Kane, is there stuff to listen to since police is encrypted here? And how about DuPage and Cook from here? Would be great to hear first hand from some one who lives here. Thanks again. Have a great day.

 

[bautista55]

One other thing: the SDS100 will accommodate a GPS if you travel. I just returned from Wichita (back to Columbus, GA) and, as usual, the GPS performed flawlessly to and from.

Thank you for the imput. Have a great day.

 

[VASCAR2]

The State Police, IDNR, SOS and the Toll Road are not encrypted and a lot of fire Departments are still on VHF. I listen to medical MERCI frequencies for EMS and air traffic occasionally (air shows & warbird fly ins). During bad weather I listen to Illinois DOT for weather and road reports. There is also railroad radio traffic you can monitor which was interesting when the UP Big Boy steam engine was in the area.

I have a BCD325P2 and it is very dependent on location in LSM simulcast areas. I’d recommend a SDS 100/200 since you live in Kane County. I spend time in various parts of the state where my BCD325P2 and BCD996XT work fine but if I lived where there was LSM simulcast I’d get at least one SDS type scanner.

 

[bautista55]

The State Police, IDNR, SOS and the Toll Road are not encrypted and a lot of fire Departments are still on VHF. I listen to medical MERCI frequencies for EMS and air traffic occasionally (air shows & warbird fly ins). During bad weather I listen to Illinois DOT for weather and road reports. There is also railroad radio traffic you can monitor which was interesting when the UP Big Boy steam engine was in the area.

I have a BCD325P2 and it is very dependent on location in LSM simulcast areas. I’d recommend a SDS 100/200 since you live in Kane County. I spend time in various parts of the state where my BCD325P2 and BCD996XT work fine but if I lived where there was LSM simulcast I’d get at least one SDS type scanner.

Thank you so much for that info. I think I know now the way to go. Such great help. Thank you again and have a great day.

 

[werinshades]

Their might be DMR and NXDN traffic you might be interested in too. This can be added at a later time if you'd like and only requires you to register your scanner at My Uniden.

 

[bautista55]

Their might be DMR and NXDN traffic you might be interested in too. This can be added at a later time if you'd like and only requires you to register your scanner at My Uniden.

Thank you for the help. Have a great day.