Old scanner user coming back

[KI4GNX]

I haven't used my scanners for about 30 years. I'm retired and want to start listening again. Looks like everything has pretty much gone digital and trunking. I have been looking at the BCD996P2. Didn't really want to spend that much but would like to have my options open. I have spent HOURS on the RR site and don't remember where I saw anything. Would this be better than the BCD436HP?

If I were to go with a handheld would I give up anything? I am looking at the BCD325P2 and BCD436HP.

Looks like you have to pay for keys to unlock Uniden features. Are all their scanners that way? That really drives up the price. What about Whistler?

I was originally looking at the TRX and then the SDS scanners but some things that I read on the RR site made me think otherwise.

What would be the easiest to use and program? I would like to monitor sheriff and fire depts. I assume I can still use my old analog scanners for aviation. I live in Greenville,SC 29669. Thank you.

 

[RandyKuff]

Take a look here and post back what you are interested in monitoring...

Greenville County, South Carolina (SC) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Greenville County, South Carolina (SC)

www.radioreference.com

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

If you have an interest in monitoring the Palmetto 800 system where it appears your county agencies are operating, at the least you'll need a scanner that can track P25 Phase-I. Any scanner in the screenshot below should be able to track the system in theory


One caveat though: Site 023 (Greenville County Simulcast) contains simulcast cells so there's a possibility simulcast distortion may be a factor to your monitoring experience. There are a number of workarounds mentioned in the wiki but they work for very few people. The only surefire way to combat simulcast distortion is to monitor with a Uniden SDS100 (handheld) or SDS200 (base) Yes, they are the most expensive but they track simulcast systems properly. Best wishes with whatever you decide to purchase & 73!

 

[sallen07]

What would be the easiest to use and program? I would like to monitor sheriff and fire depts. I assume I can still use my old analog scanners for aviation. I live in Greenville,SC 29669. Thank you.

OK I'll start at the end. It looks like most public safety traffic in your county is on the state-wide P25 trunking system:

Palmetto 800 Trunking System, Various, South Carolina

Palmetto 800 Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

If you scroll through the list of sites and look for Greenville you'll see that the site is named "Greenville County Simulcast", and if you click on that site name and then on the list of FCC licenses you'll see that there are several towers associated with that site. Unfortunately, none of the older scanners were designed to handle simulcast. There's a chance that you will "win the simulcast lottery" at your location and they will work for you, but as with all lotteries the odds are very much against you.

The Whistler scanners do not handle simulcast well, nor do the BCD996P2/BCD352P2 or BCD536HP/BCD436HP, although the last might be slightly better. The SDS100 and SDS200, on the other hand, were created specifically to monitor P25 simulcast, and should work quite well for you. Yes, there are some hardware issues that affect both models, but they are by no means universal and there are many posters here on RR that have either or both and are very happy with them.

If I were you I would get an SDS.

Yes, Uniden charges an extra fee to unlock DMR, NDXN, and Provoice on their scanners, but none of those are needed to listen to a P25 system. They do that because they pay a license fee for each scanner that has those enabled. The Whistler TRX1/TRX2 can decode DMR and NDXN without an extra fee but they do not trunk-track DMR or NDXN trunking systems, they just check each voice channel for traffic. In many cases that will work fine but on a busy system you may miss traffic you are most interested in. None of that is relevant to listening to the P25 system anyways.

 

[N4DJC]

Most activity is on P-25, the Palmetto 800 system. I use a SDS100 and 200. Depends on your location as to how simulcast will affect reception. I live about a mile from an Anderson County Simulcast tower, the simulcast is not too bad here for a 436 as a base radio, but if I use it in a car it’s pretty terrible.

I hear Greenville County public service agencies pretty well here on a rubber duck, but can’t hear the city services until I get to about the I-185 off ramp.

 

[KI4GNX]

Who has the best price on a SDS200?

Is there a glossary somewhere that has the meaning for all the abbreviations?

 

[pdhall54]

I haven't used my scanners for about 30 years. I'm retired and want to start listening again. Looks like everything has pretty much gone digital and trunking. I have been looking at the BCD996P2. Didn't really want to spend that much but would like to have my options open. I have spent HOURS on the RR site and don't remember where I saw anything. Would this be better than the BCD436HP?

If I were to go with a handheld would I give up anything? I am looking at the BCD325P2 and BCD436HP.

Looks like you have to pay for keys to unlock Uniden features. Are all their scanners that way? That really drives up the price. What about Whistler?

I was originally looking at the TRX and then the SDS scanners but some things that I read on the RR site made me think otherwise.

What would be the easiest to use and program? I would like to monitor sheriff and fire depts. I assume I can still use my old analog scanners for aviation. I live in Greenville,SC 29669. Thank you.

Check out the P25RX at this site, P25RX Digital Police Receiver With Bluetooth Audio Support. Purchased one last October and it handles P25 P1 and P2 simulcast extremely well. It is not a "scanner" per se but works equally well in fringe and strong signal locations.

 

[KI4GNX]

Does the programming cable come with the SDS200?

 

[jonwienke]

It's a standard USB-micro. You probably already have several.

 

[jtwalker]

Who has the best price on a SDS200?

Is there a glossary somewhere that has the meaning for all the abbreviations?

They are $700 everywhere. What to look for is free shipping and no sales tax being collected. You should check with Bearcat Warehouse about these two points.

 

[N4DJC]

They are $700 everywhere. What to look for is free shipping and no sales tax being collected. You should check with Bearcat Warehouse about these two points.

Scannermaster as well, no sales tax plus free shipping. But they’re both out of stock.

 

[WB9YBM]

I haven't used my scanners for about 30 years. I'm retired and want to start listening again. Looks like everything has pretty much gone digital and trunking.

welcome back!

 

[timhir25]

Yes, welcome KI4GNX. There are plenty of people in the RR who can help you. Just ask your questions
and you will get answers.
Tim

 

[KI4GNX]

I looked at about 10 different places this afternoon and everyone is sold out. I found a used one for $100 off on ebay but by the time I got back it was gone. I guess I have time to learn. Unfortunately I learn much better by doing. Makes more sense to me that way. Thanks for all the input. Would I miss out on much by going with a BCD536HP or a BCD996P2? I think I saw some of those for sale.

 

[jonwienke]

Would I miss out on much by going with a BCD536HP or a BCD996P2? I think I saw some of those for sale.

Quite possibly, as none of those models consistently handle simulcast well. There's a reason the SDS models are in demand...

 

[ohiogator]

Remtronix sells factory refurbs sds200 with warranty and upgraded antenna for $599, no tax.

Sds100 are 549.

 

[timhir25]

Bearcat Warhouse is taking backorders for the SDS200 for their March shipment. They have the SDS100
in stock. My mouse has been hovering over that add to cart tab for that SDS200.

 

[KI4GNX]

Remtronix sells factory refurbs sds200 with warranty and upgraded antenna for $599, no tax.

Sds100 are 549.

I know I'm tired but I went to the Remtonix site and there isn't a buy now button.

Bearcat Warhouse is taking backorders for the SDS200 for their March shipment. They have the SDS100
in stock. My mouse has been hovering over that add to cart tab for that SDS200.

Do you think they can deliver or is this just a ploy to hang on to your money?

 

[ohiogator]

I know I'm tired but I went to the Remtonix site and there isn't a buy now button.

You have to call to order.

Raj Gounder
REMTronix Inc.
17508 Murphy Parkway
Lathrop, CA 95330
PH: (209) 390-4826 Option 3
FAX: (209) 624-3153

 

[N4DJC]

@KI4GNX I sent you a message.