New to Trunking Scanners

[Aviation_Scanner]

I had a conventional radioshack scanner years ago when I was a volunteer firefighter, which later stopped working, so obviously had to dispose of it.

Fast forward to the end of December 2023, I bought a used, good condition Radio Shack Pro-164 Scanner and ended up purchasing ARC300 programming software for it and a USB programming cable.

My questions are as follows:
1. Is programming a conventional frequency the same (or similar) to my conventional radioshack scanner?
2. How do I tell if a frequency is part of a trunking system?

Thank you in advance for the assistance/replies.

 

[RaleighGuy]

My questions are as follows:
1. Is programming a conventional frequency the same (or similar) to my conventional radioshack scanner?
2. How do I tell if a frequency is part of a trunking system?

1. The RR wiki has the information on your scanner and the Easier to Read PRO 164 Manual will help with programming conventional frequencies.

2. Looking in the RR database is the easiest way to to tell if a frequency is part of a trunking system and what kind of trunking system it is. In your case the trunking system used in the Houston is a P25 Phase 2 system (different than a TYPE II system), one that your scanner is not able to decode. While there are many analog frequencies listed in the database page they are usually kept as back ups and not usually used.

Harris County, Texas (TX) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Harris County, Texas (TX)

www.radioreference.com

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

So in other words, only the systems that are listed on the RR wiki page for my scanner will work and of course, all unsupported systems should be avoided.

 

[CHHTX]

So in other words, only the systems that are listed on the RR wiki page for my scanner will work and of course, all unsupported systems should be avoided.

It all depends on what you're wanting to scan. I lived in Houston (Cypress) for years and there's a lot to listen to with the correct scanner. You mention you were VFW but your name also implies aviation. What exactly are you wishing to listen to? (FWIW, you can listen to both but unlikely without one of the SDS100/200 scanners.) If you want anything with Fire/EMS or Police, you'll want to listen to TXWARN that Raleighguy linked. To do so with that, you'll want one that can handle simulcast and Phase 2 (tech name APCO Project 25 Standard), so that points to the Uniden SDS models.

To hopefully help a little more, I'd start with the base wiki page. The RadioReference Wiki.

And hopefully a final edit, scanning has changed a LOT since you messed with it before. As much as I hate to admit it, it has become expensive and more complicated than it used to be. On the GOOD side though is that it's not impossible to learn and there's a LOT more features than ever before. It's fun and this site is a gold mine for information to help.

 

[hiegtx]

So in other words, only the systems that are listed on the RR wiki page for my scanner will work and of course, all unsupported systems should be avoided.

The RR system type compatibility list on the Wiki page that RaleighGuy linked are all analog system types, including the older Motorola Type I & Type II trunked systems, as well as EDACS & LTR. EDACS is end of life, and just about all users either are in the process of changing to a newer system type,or soon will be. Here in the Dallas/Forth metro area, just about all of the former LTR systems have switched to a digital format, primarily DMR. I'm not in the Houston area, but that could be the case in your area as well.

1. Is programming a conventional frequency the same (or similar) to my conventional radioshack scanner?
2. How do I tell if a frequency is part of a trunking system?

Programming analog conventional (non-trunked) channels is something that your current scanner, Pro-164, can do, as can all current model scanners, including digital trunk tracking scanners. Conventional channels are listed on a given county's database page, showing the frequency, licensing, and mode. If analog, the mode would usually show FM or NFM. If the mode was listed as P25, DMR, or NXDN, then a digital scanner of the appropriate model & capability is required.

For agencies and companies using trunked systems, those are listed in a table of the systems for a given county, such as this one for Harris County. As already noted, for just about anything public safety related in the Houston area, you would need a digital scanner that can handle P25 trunked systems. Most of the users are already using Phase II, or will be upgrading to Phase II (fromP25 Phase I) if they use TxWARN.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

The RR system type compatibility list on the Wiki page that RaleighGuy linked are all analog system types, including the older Motorola Type I & Type II trunked systems, as well as EDACS & LTR. EDACS is end of life, and just about all users either are in the process of changing to a newer system type,or soon will be. Here in the Dallas/Forth metro area, just about all of the former LTR systems have switched to a digital format, primarily DMR. I'm not in the Houston area, but that could be the case in your area as well.


For agencies and companies using trunked systems, those are listed in a table of the systems for a given county, such as this one for Harris County. As already noted, for just about anything public safety related in the Houston area, you would need a digital scanner that can handle P25 trunked systems. Most of the users are already using Phase II, or will be upgrading to Phase II (fromP25 Phase I) if they use TxWARN.

No use crying over spilt milk, but Unfortunately, a digital scanner was out of reach for me budget wise.

Looks like I will be listening to ATC & my local area fire/ems agencies.

 

[hiegtx]

No use crying over spilt milk, but Unfortunately, a digital scanner was out of reach for me budget wise.

Looks like I will be listening to ATC & my local area fire/ems agencies.

If you use your PC, you can get one of the SDR dongles. There is software available, including free or very low cost, that will allow you to monitor your local digital trunked systems. Depending on which one you get, some of the SDR devices start at about $25 and up, so for much less than $100, you could listen using your computer. I have not gotten into using that method as yet, but there is a forum for how this is done, and a lot of members here on RadioReference that can give you some guidance.

Of course, that’s not something that you can grab and head out the door, but as long as you are at a fixed location with a PC (desktop or laptop) available, you can listen in.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

If you use your PC, you can get one of the SDR dongles. There is software available, including free or very low cost, that will allow you to monitor your local digital trunked systems. Depending on which one you get, some of the SDR devices start at about $25 and up, so for much less than $100, you could listen using your computer. I have not gotten into using that method as yet, but there is a forum for how this is done, and a lot of members here on RadioReference that can give you some guidance.

Of course, that’s not something that you can grab and head out the door, but as long as you are at a fixed location with a PC (desktop or laptop) available, you can listen in.

I might forget about it, but it is an option, only issue is the house I am in has double pane windows & not sure if the signal will penetrate, as my PC is across from the window.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Thanks for all the replies.
I am a little disappointed that I won't be able to scan digital trunking systems with my current trunking scanner, but with that being said, I have plenty of conventional frequencies to put in

 

[hiegtx]

I might forget about it, but it is an option, only issue is the house I am in has double pane windows & not sure if the signal will penetrate, as my PC is across from the window.

Glass is unlikely to create a problem. Metal siding on the outside walls, and/or foil backed insulation are more likely to cause an issue. My has has aluminum siding, but I still can receive systems at some distance from me, including some neighboring counties.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

No use crying over spilt milk, but Unfortunately, a digital scanner was out of reach for me budget wise.

Looks like I will be listening to ATC & my local area fire/ems agencies.

So I take back what I said above...
I found the Uniden BCD325P2 to be affordable, although I will have to spend some money on getting the DMR/NXDN upgrades, but some area agencies that I would like to listen to use P25 PII for the most part.

 

[KevinC]

So I take back what I said above...
I found the Uniden BCD325P2 to be affordable, although I will have to spend some money on getting the DMR/NXDN upgrades, but some area agencies that I would like to listen to use P25 PII for the most part.

Keep in mind that a LOT of what's worth listening to in the Houston area is simulcast and the 325 isn't the best choice for that.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Keep in mind that a LOT of what's worth listening to in the Houston area is simulcast and the 325 isn't the best choice for that.

Well, seeing as how I cannot afford a $500+ scanner, will have to work with the limitations

 

[JTexas539]

SDRs like the RTL are well worth it. Grab 3 and a couple retuned moto ht antennas for 700/800 plus a couple pigtails and some way to securely mount all of them. (If you use more than 2 or 3 SDR you will want a POWERED usb hub.

Then download SDRtrunk/unitrunker and you have a less than $200 and maybe even less than $150 depending on how you do it scanning setup.

 

[dave3825]

Yup. Unless you're looking for something to carry around, a couple of 30 dollar sdr dongles and free software will do wonders. In the end, a scanner only lets you listen to one thing at a time. With sdr and the right software, one can record many talk groups simultaneously and playback how ever wanted.

 

[jetscanner]

And with SDRs you can always create a personal audio stream for your smartphone which, imo, is the real ticket. I did this a few years ago

You can stream with a scanner, but imo, I'd rather do it with SDRs, as I don't like leaving a handheld on 24/7 as its far more costly to replace and electronics aren't fail proof over time. Plus you can even remote in to your machine from your phone and adjust whats tuned in.

When you're around town you can always tune in (who doesn't always have their smartphone?) And you don't have to leave a scanner in the car/Texas heat

My .02