New to Scanning

[W8KIC]

This is an absolutely indispensable resource and cannot imagine what it would be like without it! I’ve been a ham since the spring of 1977 and operate primarily high speed CW the old fashioned way using my ears and what little gray matter is still in existence at the age of 60. I also do some contesting but haven‘t been as active as I once was. I’m quite sure you’ve had more than enough of this sleeper so let me get right to the point: The world of scanners has changed from my first exposure to them back in the late 60’s, where the days of rockbound scanners was considered “state of the art” and synthesized radios were just barely moving into their theoretical stage of life! Fast forward to the fall of 2019 and I acquired an SDS 200, which obviously does far more than I could ever ask from a scanner, although it’s nice having the additional capabilities, should I ever decide to delve further into this awesome hobby. Reality being what it is, I’m a bit floored at the learning curve that’s required in order to interface with this device, as well as to comprehend how P25 trunking systems work but this is indeed the future and there’s no turning back. I live in the Northeastern Ohio area in one of the surrounding east side suburbs of Cleveland and was wondering if there are any scanner clubs or groups in my area that I might be able to get involved with? I’m apartment bound and “throwing the switch” is just not conducive to maintaining a decent relationship with my neighbors every time they sit in front of their flatscreen televisions or listening to their stereos. Scanners as we all know are a different story all together and unless or until the dreaded “E word” changes everything, I hope to be enjoying this pastime for as long as I possibly can. Thank you for your patience in reading this rather lengthy missive and I hope everyone has a great day today! By the way, I‘m using a Hustler discone antenna mounted off a chimney which is about 50 feet off the ground and feeding it with just over a hundred feet of RG7 coaxial cable that had a rather lengthy distance to get into my ground floor apartment. Dan

 

[Hit_Factor]

The state of the art is Uniden SDS100 or SDS200.

I'm not sure that RG7 is appropriate for this application. Hopefully someone will chime in.

 

[Swipesy]

Your location is a hot bed for Public Safety action. There is plenty of activity on VHF/UHF/MARCS/GCRCN systems. You probably don't even need an outside antenna to catch all the action of Heights-Hillcrest, Cleveland, East Cleveland, Euclid, etc. etc. You have acquired a great radio and you just need to get it programmed. I am a Whistler radio user so I can't help you with the programming of your Uniden. Use the RadioReference database for all the UHF/VHF frquencies still being used and also for MARCS and GCRCN for your communities of interest. You can hear Shaker on MARCS TG 13562 and 56303 and Conventional 423.7750 and 423.9750.

 

[W8KIC]

Your location is a hot bed for Public Safety action. There is plenty of activity on VHF/UHF/MARCS/GCRCN systems. You probably don't even need an outside antenna to catch all the action of Heights-Hillcrest, Cleveland, East Cleveland, Euclid, etc. etc. You have acquired a great radio and you just need to get it programmed. I am a Whistler radio user so I can't help you with the programming of your Uniden. Use the RadioReference database for all the UHF/VHF frquencies still being used and also for MARCS and GCRCN for your communities of interest. You can hear Shaker on MARCS TG 13562 and 56303 and Conventional 423.7750 and 423.9750.

Thank you! I’m actually two blocks away from SHPD and they are still on the analogue system. Why they haven’t moved over to the Hillcrest network is a bit baffling. Also, while Cleveland Heights is still on their legacy analogue system, I’ve been told that they will be moving over to MARCS in the not to distant future. However, I’m still unable to receive ANYTHING from Cleveland Heights PD, which is a bummer seeing as that CH is a bordering municipality of Shaker. I can hear the CH Fire Department on Hillcrest, as well as their assigned home frequency on their analogue network but I’m beginning to wonder if CHPD has quietly gone the encryption route. I’m a bit reluctant to just walk-in and ask them if they’ve done just that as they’ll probably think my desire to know is based on some nefarious plan to undermine them. Lol! Where in Northern Ohio are you located if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[EdAzalia]

Cleveland Hts PD is active right now on TG 56768 on GCRCN - very busy.

Greater Cleveland Radio Communications Network Radio IDs - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[EdAzalia]

CHPD logged since 1100 today along with two other systems I'm scanning besides GCRCN;
i11001 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0069 (dispatch)
i1846143 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0005
i1846156 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0001
i1846167 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0004
i1846169 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0001
i1846183 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0005
i1846191 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0001
i1846192 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0002
i1846194 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0002
i1846196 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0002
i1846206 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0003
i1846208 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0003
i1846213 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0005
i1846225 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0015
i1846226 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0001
i1846230 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0004
i1846232 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0003
i1846243 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0001
i1846248 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0002
i1846251 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0013
i1846254 56768 Cleveland Hts PD GCRCN / Police 0002

 

[Swipesy]

Dan, sent you a Private Message.

 

[EdAzalia]

newbie - no PM yet
actually may work on this new version "conversation"

 

[Swipesy]

Not so Ed. Went through