Newbie looking at sds200, whistler trx2 & bcd 996 & bcd536 and thinking of getting the bcd536 .what are your experienced opinions?

[Nebbybiotch]

Please any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[aprswatcher]

First off you need to tell us your location.
State, County, City/township.
What do you want to monitor? Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, aircraft, amateur radio.
The more information you give, the easier it will be to recommend scanner radios!
73, Rex

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Yes, please help us first by providing your location or Radioreference database link(s) to system(s) of interest so we can get eyes on the database and identify potential issues (encryption, simulcast distortion, among others) to be able to make an informed recommendation for you. Welcome to the RR forums, specific info goes a long way here

 

[lbashaw]

I have the SDS-200 & BCD536, as well as the 996P2. Decide what you are wanting to listen to, and then research Radio Reference to see what systems are out there. Don't overspend on a scanner that is more than you need. Also, be aware that many larger agencies are going to full or partial enryption. To my knowledge, there is no commercial/consumer scanner available that will receive encrypted transmissions.

Research some of the posts on this website...there is a monumental amount of collective knowlege free for the asking on this site. A while back (as an example), I had a knowledgable user on this site get on the phone with me and patiently walked me though some issues. That's just an example of those that are more than willing to assist.

But before reaching out and asking questions, know what geograhic area you're interested in, as well as what you're wanting to listen to. That helps potential mentors to know how to respond to your inquities

 

[Nebbybiotch]

Please any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

1st of all hello and thank you for such a quick responses.
My location is Orange county New York. 75 miles north of NY City. Interested in fire , police, EMS, maybe some local department of transportation & airports. I am willing to buy more than needed as to potentially " future proof" much as possible for future changes such as different interest or technology. Again thank you.

 

[Nebbybiotch]

1st of all hello and thank you for such a quick responses.
My location is Orange county New York. 75 miles north of NY City. Interested in fire , police, EMS, maybe some local department of transportation & airports. I am willing to buy more than needed as to potentially " future proof" much as possible for future changes such as different interest or technology. Again thank you.

Please any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

Regards to encryption how is it legal? I thought the laws were written for we as citizens have the legal rights to monitor our local & state communities.

 

[KevinC]

Regards to encryption how is it legal? I thought the laws were written for we as citizens have the legal rights to monitor our local & state communities.

Unfortunately you thought wrong.

And before we get way off topic, we’re not going to debate encryption here or get into transparency or whatever. But feel free to discuss what scanner would be best for you.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Getting back to the inquiry at hand: my recommendation for Orange County, NY based on the models you're looking at would be the SDS200. You're likely to face a well discussed, well documented issue on the forums known as simulcast distortion if you try and monitor with most other scanners. Also, mode "TE" talkgroups are fully encrypted (only a handful on this system known to the database) so you won't be able to monitor these.

Orange County Public Safety Radio System (OCPSRS) Trunking System, Orange County, New York

Orange County Public Safety Radio System (OCPSRS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

North simulcast:


South simulcast:

 

[GTR8000]

1st of all hello and thank you for such a quick responses.
My location is Orange county New York. 75 miles north of NY City. Interested in fire , police, EMS, maybe some local department of transportation & airports. I am willing to buy more than needed as to potentially " future proof" much as possible for future changes such as different interest or technology. Again thank you.

Orange County public safety agencies operate on the 700/800 MHz CoRNet P25 Phase II system, which is simulcast (2 cells, north and south). The Uniden SDS series are the only scanners that were designed specifically to properly decode P25 simulcast modulation, and would be your best bet for monitoring that system. You likely won't be satisfied with any of the other scanners you mentioned, as they tend to fall short of providing reliable decoding of P25 simulcast modulation, despite what some others may claim.

 

[mshumeyk]

You likely won't be satisfied with any of the other scanners you mentioned, as they tend to fall short of providing reliable decoding of P25 simulcast modulation, despite what some others may claim.

I completely agree with GTR8000 and Whiskey3JMC. My SDS100 performs very well on the new P25 Phase II system currently being rolled out in Broome County. Some of the conflicting reports of BCD436/536 Phase II performance are due to the fact that when used in a location very close to one of the towers that is also shielded from the other towers these scanners can do fairly well. I live less than a mile from the nearest tower and at home my 436's performance just about matches that of my SDS100. However, when I tried both scanners at a central location within eyesight of multiple towers the 436 performance was mediocre while the SDS100 reception was still excellent. Go with one of the SDS scanners.

 

[mass-man]

Quick caveat…the SDS models are reported to be less than stellar on the 108-136mhz air freq! If that’s high on your hit parade of scanning, a BC125AT might be wise! Seems in pursuit of great digital, simulcast scanning, something had to be left in the dust! Plus you’ll soon find one scanner is not enough😁