Newbie Questions

[jaysinsr]

Sorry, I'm sure you guys get these alot. But believe me, I've searched and searched for these questions and haven't found them. So please exuse me if these are in any way redundent or lame.

I have a Uniden BC350A, and would like to keep up on emergency activity while in rout to my home and work. I live in a mountain area. Is this scanner, when hooked up in my truck, good enough to achive what I need it for? Also, do they need to be programmed or "set up" like C.B.'s? And lastley, what is truncking, or the trunck function? Do I need this?

Thanks!

 

[Colin9690]

If you live in a rural area, chances are that your area DOES NOT use trunking. Trunking is a set of radio frequencies that are SHARED by all city services. It is much more efficient than using 1 frequency for each city service. Once a user wants to talk the radio automatically selects a frequency to transmit on. These are generally not used in most rural areas.

And yes, you will need to program your radio. Just look up your county on this site and punch in the frequencies.

Hope This Helps,

 

[Colin9690]

Oh, yes. Look at the link on the left side of this site's homepage. Under ONLINE CONTENT, you will see the link called TRUNKING INFORAMATION. You can look there for the basics until it gets all technical. :wink:

 

[jaysinsr]

Right-on, thanks! I checked out some people's shacks on one thread, so what is all the differant set ups for? Do you need more than one radio to do differant things?

 

[Colin9690]

Personally, I don't think so. Some people are so into the hobby that they use one scanner for one particular purpose, like 1 for FD, 1 for PD, and so on. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I only have 1 scanner (PRO-93) and I am crazy about the hobby. I'd say 1 scanner is definetely enough for a beginner. As you get more into it, you might find your self looking for a more capable one, like me.

 

[jaysinsr]

Ooohhh, very cool. So I checked out the RR Database...and lets say it really doesnt make any sence to me. Who could I get to assist me, I live in Lake Arrowhead CA and work in Riverside. We have a lot of the major roads cut off do to the mudslides and sink holes, so I'd like to get it set up as soon as I can. Thank you for all your help!

Jason

 

[Colin9690]

What you can do is go to the left side of the homepage and click on MEMBER LIST. You can enter your city in there, or citys around you and it will show you the usernames for people that live in the city that you looked up. Then you can Private Message them and ask them whatever you need.

 

[jaysinsr]

Right-on, once again, many thanks!

 

[nwadler]

I think what he has is great but based on his location and being in San Bernardino county there is mainly trunking. I would say upgrading to a pro95 would be his best bet.

 

[nexus]

What you can do is go to the left side of the homepage and click on MEMBER LIST. You can enter your city in there, or citys around you and it will show you the usernames for people that live in the city that you looked up. Then you can Private Message them and ask them whatever you need.

Another thing he can do is go into the California FORUM on here and talk with fellow scanner owners in his own area for some more info.. But let's look at the database and see what he has in his area shall we?

(pause)

Lake Arrowhead is in San Bernardino County, looking at the database shows that all County Law Enforcement is using TRUNKED RADIO SYSTEMS (TRS) Mostly Motorola Type II systems which can be scanned with a TRUNKTRACKER scanner, NOT with your BC-350. Actually in my honest opinion I don't think the BC-350 is all that good as a "Scanner" and I know because I own one. It has no keypad to enter in frequencies, and its designed to scan "preprogrammed" bandplans for various agencies.

You'll be able to use that radio to scan FIRE and EMS but don't count on much law enforcement.

If you want something that will work well for your area, look at buying a Uniden BC-246t. It's a small handheld unit which just came out and it only costs 220 dollars and is an excellent scanner for all bands including trunked radio service.

Click on this link to see your county's frequencies. You'll notice that all of the cities police are using Motorola Type II Smartnet Trunked systems. And then they go on to list things like Colleges and fire/ems which apparently are still using VHF.

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&ctid=218

To learn more about the BC-246t go here:
http://www.scannermaster.com/store/01-500881.html

 

[nexus]

I think what he has is great but based on his location and being in San Bernardino county there is mainly trunking. I would say upgrading to a pro95 would be his best bet.

Yeah the Pro 95 would be an excellent choice too. If he didn't want the latest bells and whistles...
And radio shack has it on sale right now for $149.99 from $199.99

 

[jaysinsr]

Way cool! Thank you all for your help. This helps out ALOT! The reason I went with the BC350 is it's price first off. I got it on a discount rack(explains why it does nothing for me) for $25.00. And it can be mounted in my glove box. I love that! Is there something out there with a good rep. that can be set up in my glove box or above my visor for that clean custom appearance, but not hundereds of dollors? Once again, you guys have been most helpfull, and thanks for everything!

 

[INDY72]

Radio Shack Base/Mobiles, that might suit your needs....

PRO-2067, PRO-2052, PRO-2053, PRO-2066

You can usually get these on eBay for around 140-200... the 2052 is on sale at RS for 149.99.

For the latest stuff.. your going to have to come up off the wallet,.. it costs more. Be glad you area is not digital exclusive... or youd need to spend about 500 for a digital capable scanner.

 

[nexus]

And in Uniden's defense they make the new BCT-8 which is just a little bit wider than the bc-350 but its still compact...

25 dollars isn't bad but its not going to do you too much. the BCT8 has a full keypad and does TRUNKING which is what you need. All for about $170 dollars. the Dimensions are 7.06"Wx 6.10"Dx 2.44"H.

product info link:
http://www.uniden.com/productpop/00_productpop.cfm?prd_code=BCT8

where you can get it:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/electronics-frsradios-scanners/bcnewmobscan.html

 

[jaysinsr]

Now I like that. And that looks like a clean install too. I'm looking to do something like a mix between redneck, fast and the furious and 007 with my rig. And this looks like what I'm in need of. Though I like being able to hook the pro96 to a computer to configure it... I may just wait a few months, save and go spend 2-400 on e-bay for something with digital trunk, and the ability to flush mount for awsome looks. Once again, you all are awesome. Thank you all for your help, and.....YOU ROCK!!!

 

[INDY72]

Also as the 2096 is now out with Beta Testors.. itll soon hit the shelves.. and comes with both mounting kits- DIN, and standard mini rack.

 

[nexus]

Check out this link to see some really nice mobile installs of the PRO-2067

http://www.pro-92.com/photos.htm