Newbie Shopping for Scanner

[porkweez]

Hi. We're in Yadkin County, and have enjoyed Broadcastify. Thinking about buying a scanner for home... any recommendations?

 

[KK4JUG]

Just off hand, I'd say get either the Uniden SDS100 or SDS200. That will permit you to listen to just about everything you're entitled to. They're a little pricey but they're the most versatile scanners on the market. The 100 is portable and you can easily take it with you if you travel.

 

[RaleighGuy]

You don't appear to have issues with simulcast in Yadkin county, and have a number of analog VHF frequencies (which some people report the SDS has issues receiving), you do have several DMR systems. For this reason I do not feel the SDS series scanner is needed. I would recommend a Whistler TRX which comes with DMR included or the UNIDEN 436, 536 or 996 which would require a DMR upgrade (about $60-70).

 

[NCFireman11]

If you just want to listen to Yadkin Sheriff, EMS, and Fire dispatch, something like a Uniden BC125AT or BCT15X will work fine as all of these utilize the VHF frequencies listed in the database. Any non-digital scanner will work. However, if you want to listen to NCSHP, the Yadkin Co VIPER TGs (which are infrequently used), or surrounding counties (Iredell, Forsyth, Surry), you'll need a digital scanner such as a Uniden BCD 436/536, 996. You can certainly purchase a SDS 100 or 200, but there are cheaper options, even if you want to listen to VIPER. In other words, it all depends on what you want to hear.

 

[Tobydog]

Since Yadkin is not going away from vhf anytime soon any of those recommended should work. Yadkin and Wilkes still use vhf, but as another post said some surrounding counties using VIPER and other systems require a bit more technology to monitor. Start small and work up

 

[porkweez]

Great ideas... thanks! Now I've got some terminology to learn and directions to explore. It's a great start.