Newbie: suggestion for my first scanner

[scanner_usa]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to Scanner... I'd like to buy my first scanner to listen to local police, ambulance, highway patrol... My budget is < $200. When I searched for scanner on google, there are tons of hits. I don't know which one to choose. I went to the local RadioShack and saw Pro-94 (1000 channel, dual trunking handheld scanner). I sounded pretty nice but not sure if it will do the trick.

Anyone has a recommendation for my first scanner < $200?

Thanks

8)

 

[eyes00only]

Welcome to the website. I'm fairly new to this site myself, but have been in the hobby for many years. A few suggestions, things I have learned; specify your location, and exact system you are inquiring about; there are no stupid questions; the scanners keep getting more and more complicated; last but not least, a small amount of money really helps the webmaster keep this site up and running. I'm the paranoid type, so I snail mailed a check to Lindsay.

Sincerely,

Jerry

 

[K5MAR]

It would help if you posted where you live. Then somebody in your area could make a recommendation based on listening requirements in your area.

Mark S.

 

[SAR923]

Indeed. A Pro-94 may be perfect where you live if most of your communications are conventional VHF/UHF or non-digital trunked. If you happen to live in an area where most of the systems are digital trunked or, even worse. encrypted, then a Pro-94 would be about worthless unless you want to use it for a weather alert radio. It's impossible to make decent recommendations for newbies without knowing exactly where you live.

 

[eyes00only]

It's impossible to make decent recommendations for newbies without knowing exactly where you live.

100% correct, BUT (o) , where the heck is Sonoma?..............lol

Jerry

 

[scanner_usa]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the reply. Sorry, as a newbie, I didn't know what to post. I live in Melbourne, FL (Brevard County).

From this website: http://home.cfl.rr.com/scanner/ , I see that most of the actions are in 800Mhz. So would the Radio Shack Pro94 be sufficient for me to listen to Police, Ambulance, public services... in Melbourne, FL?

If you think i can get a better deal with another scanner somewhere else, please recommend.

Thanks

8)

 

[INDY72]

Yes the PRO-94 would work nicely on the Brevard County EDACS TRS. Just remember you can't monitor the Florida Highway Patrol on the State of FL EDACS system as FHP and most state agencies run 100% full time encryption which no scanner will hear.

 

[SAR923]

It's impossible to make decent recommendations for newbies without knowing exactly where you live.

100% correct, BUT (o) , where the heck is Sonoma?..............lol

Jerry

LOL. Jerry, you must not drink much wine. Sonoma County is in Northern California. I'll add it to my profile though.

 

[INDY72]

Where we all learned to say Gallo as in Ernest and Julia Gallo.. lower priced but nice wines.

 

[Pro-95]

Famous wine in a box country, or were you see tanker trucks with winery names on them. :shock:

Oh wait that's Franzia Wineries.

 

[eyes00only]

LOL. Jerry, you must not drink much wine. Sonoma County is in Northern California. I'll add it to my profile though. [/quote]

MY BAD. I never was a wine drinker. My dad went to school with the Gallo brothers.

Jerry



GO BRONCOS, trying color again