Novice needs help

[nikoli1129]

Hello, I am a total novice and don't know what model scanner I need. I own a newspaper and want to monitor the local police department band.
I was told by the telecommunications guru that I need a scanner with the following: 7000/800, trunk tracking, p25 capable, TDMA I and II, and digital capabilities.
Does anyone have any model recommendations they can offer?
Regarding price, I don't want to spend $1,000 but am willing to go better than the cheapest available.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[hiegtx]

Hello, I am a total novice and don't know what model scanner I need. I own a newspaper and want to monitor the local police department band.
I was told by the telecommunications guru that I need a scanner with the following: 7000/800, trunk tracking, p25 capable, TDMA I and II, and digital capabilities.
Does anyone have any model recommendations they can offer?
Regarding price, I don't want to spend $1,000 but am willing to go better than the cheapest available.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

Welcome to RadioReference, nikoli.

There are a number of scanners that will cover what you've listed. But in order for anyone to give you a more precise recommendation, a little more information is needed. First, your location. City, or county, and State are sufficient. If you know the name of the system that needs to followed, a link to it's database page, or at least the name, would be helpful.

Also, are you looking for a base/mobile model, to either sit on a table or desktop, or mounted in a vehicle? Or is your preference a portable (hand-held) unit, that can be carried, or using an ac adapter, also used at a fixed location. Fill in some of the blanks and you'll get a much more useful response.

 

[ka3aaa]

here is some food for thought for you. most police departments have gone to or are in the process of going with encryption so you will not be able to listen to them because there is no scanner on the market that decodes encrypted transmissions. I'm not saying every police department is but there are a lot that are.

Also you would want to purchase a scanner that can decode p25 phase 2 comms. and it could cost you aprox $750.00 depending on what you decide to purchase.

I would recommend that you do some research on your own and make your own decision because you will find out that there is no best scanner for everyone, everyone has their own opinion.

 

[mauiblue]

I've owned Uniden scanners since the mid 1980s. I love the features and it is a very popular brand. I bought a Uniden BCD436HP recently and it covers all what I need. It is so much easier to set up than older generation scanners. Enter your local zip code, choose what you want to receive from the database, set your local time and then listen. The newest Uniden SDS100 scanner is the latest scanner that Uniden has to offer.

Good luck in your search for a new scanner.

Sent from my coconut frond hut using Tapatalk

 

[wtp]

guru

when i moved to florida i was told by many "in the know" that my county could not be heard.
the truth was that they went to 800 analog trunking.
it might be best to tell us what system you want to listen to.