Newbie needs advice for Analog vs.Digital in GTA
Hello,
I am just getting into this hobby and I was looking for some advise as to the type of scanner I should be purchasing to be able to get some action within the GTA (from Oshawa to Burlington and Downtown to Newmarket).
I understand that a lot of agencies are switching to Digital and that would be the way to go - but the price difference between an analog capable scanner and a digital one is ~ $200, so my question is: if I buy an economical analog trunking scanner (i.e. GRE PSR-310/700, Radio Shack PRO-107, Uniden BC-246T), will I be able to hear sufficient analog activity from Police/Fire/EMS/Media over the next 12 months (and then I can upgrade), or will I really need to bite the bullet and go digital (i.e. GRE PSR-500, Radio Shack PRO-106, UNIDEN BCD-396T).
I see most of OPP frequencies are listed under "Motorola Type II SmartZone" with PL /CSQ tones, with very few listed as DPL/NAC tones, as well as not many under Project 25 - but I'm not sure how current these are...
Obviously, given today's recession, I would like to start in cost-effective analog way, but if I'm not going to be able to listen to any action, will this have been a waste of money and be better off waiting a few more months until I can afford the extra coin for a digital scanner?
Any suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you kindly.
Hello,
I am just getting into this hobby and I was looking for some advise as to the type of scanner I should be purchasing to be able to get some action within the GTA (from Oshawa to Burlington and Downtown to Newmarket).
I understand that a lot of agencies are switching to Digital and that would be the way to go - but the price difference between an analog capable scanner and a digital one is ~ $200, so my question is: if I buy an economical analog trunking scanner (i.e. GRE PSR-310/700, Radio Shack PRO-107, Uniden BC-246T), will I be able to hear sufficient analog activity from Police/Fire/EMS/Media over the next 12 months (and then I can upgrade), or will I really need to bite the bullet and go digital (i.e. GRE PSR-500, Radio Shack PRO-106, UNIDEN BCD-396T).
I see most of OPP frequencies are listed under "Motorola Type II SmartZone" with PL /CSQ tones, with very few listed as DPL/NAC tones, as well as not many under Project 25 - but I'm not sure how current these are...
Obviously, given today's recession, I would like to start in cost-effective analog way, but if I'm not going to be able to listen to any action, will this have been a waste of money and be better off waiting a few more months until I can afford the extra coin for a digital scanner?
Any suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you kindly.
Last edited: