Noob

[dentkiller]

Hello all... so i thought i could just buy a scanner turn it on and pick up police frequencies lol after doing some online research this is not the case... I even read that certain scanners are better for certain areas so i come to you with some questions before i buy... I should also tell you im looking to use this scanner for police, fire and just public safety in general..

I want a scanner that's good for a beginner but also something that i will not want to replace with a better version when i get the hang of it.. And what would be the better choice of scanner for the chicago land area??

Thanks

 

[TGP]

Uniden or Radio Shack scanner that Handel's digital trunking.
You will have to be able to scan the StarCom 21 network.
If you get one online from a reputable scanner source have them pre program it for your area
to start,then as you learn how you can tweak it.
Programing is hard to understand at first.
On line programing software helps.
Tom

 

[W8RMH]

Hello all... so i thought i could just buy a scanner turn it on and pick up police frequencies lol after doing some online research this is not the case... I even read that certain scanners are better for certain areas so i come to you with some questions before i buy... I should also tell you im looking to use this scanner for police, fire and just public safety in general..

I want a scanner that's good for a beginner but also something that i will not want to replace with a better version when i get the hang of it.. And what would be the better choice of scanner for the chicago land area??

Thanks

In your case i would recommend the PSR-800 - The RadioReference Wiki

Pre-programmed. Yes you can just turn it on and listen. Great for beginners and it is state of the art.

 

[dentkiller]

In your case i would recommend the PSR-800 - The RadioReference Wiki

Pre-programmed. Yes you can just turn it on and listen. Great for beginners and it is state of the art.

It seems the PSR-800 is dependent on a computer system and i don;t like that

 

[N9JIG]

The PSR800 does require a computer to set up properly and make updates, but once that is done then it operates independently. The Home Patrol works in a similar fashion.

Other scanners, like the PSR500/600 and the Uniden XT series may be programed by hand but are a lot easier done by computer.

While I tend to prefer Uniden's due to some of the features they have you should probably try both the GRE and Uniden radios hands on before making a decision. Also, download the owner's manuals from their respective websites, see which one seems easier to understand.

Also, if you are in the Chicagoland area, stop by the next CARMA Meeting or Friday Nighter. We will have several models of scanners there and you can see them in operation. We have a get-together this Friday night (See the message I will be posting soon...)

 

[dentkiller]

Looking at some reviews and lurking the forum here.. it seems the Uniden BCD396XT is the scanner to have.... is this to much of a scanner for a noob like myslef???