P25 Trunked Scanner Recommendations

[Kklewin]

Hello all.....new to this forum. Our local PD (Bozeman, MT), moved to an 800mhz trunked system a while back. It seems its time for a new scanner. I assume a P25 capable scanner would work? Recommendations?

Also, I dont know much about trunked systems, but radio reference lists a system ID, WACN, and frequency....is this all I need and how difficult is it to set up?

Cheers!

Kurt

 

[doctordialtone]

how difficult is it to set up?

Of the thousands of users here on RR, most of us have programmed our own scanners. There are tons of manuals and resources to help you learn.

Here is a listing of scanners for your review.

Uniden Scanners - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Here is an article on Trunked Radio:

Trunked Radio Systems - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

You can learn a lot by reading these pages and asking questions.

I recommend the 996P2 and 325P2 models

Enjoy!

 

[devicelab]

For value I'd suggest the BCD996P2 (mobile/base) or BCD325P2 scanners. The TRX-1 is also a good choice (especially if you want to record and playback later) but at slightly higher cost. All (3) scanners are capable of P25 Phase 1/2, DMR & NXDN modes -- the Uniden scanners require a paid upgrade for each of those modes however. The TRX-1 has support for all three out of the box.

IMHO, I believe the Unidens are easier to configure and set up. If you've never done it before then it can seem daunting but it's really not that complicated. The P25 mode handles just about everything for you. All you need is the control channel frequency of the site you're monitoring and you're essentially done. Then you can let the scanner run and find Talkgroup IDs (channels) which you can later add friendly labels, etc.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube on how to configure these scanners and for the most part they're the same -- with subtle differences in the software used. For the above Uniden scanners I'd recommend using FreeSCAN (a free 3rd party software package.) There's also paid 3rd party software which may have more features, etc.

(And yes a [Windows] computer is required to program the scanners these days. For the most part it's a one time configuration of the scanner.)

I highly recommend learning how to do it yourself. It makes the hobby more enjoyable and you'll become more proficient in how your particular scanner works.

The newest line of Uniden scanners are very expensive and their programming is completely different. If this is your first scanner then I'd recommend one of the above to keep your investment costs down.

 

[marksmith]

Not from the area. But the Bozeman area appears to have gone on the area wide Phase 1 system. Generally any digital scanner can receive phase 1, but you might need to wait and hear from someone in the area as to the simulcast situation with this system. Looks like there is specifically a Bozeman 800 site but I don't know if it is subject to interference from simulcast distortion among sites on the system.

In some cases these sites can interfere with each other, and it can have a very big impact on what radio you want to buy. Someone local and more familiar should be able to tell you this.

 

[sallen07]

Someone local and more familiar should be able to tell you this.

I totally agree ... if you click on the "Report" link (bottom left of your post) you can ask one of the moderators to move this thread to the Montana forum, where you may find someone who lives near you that can provide more insight than those of us from far away can do!

 

[Mastiff2013]

Get the big daddy SDS200.

 

[gmclam]

Once you make the jump to digital, it is silly if you don't get a Phase II capable scanner. It's a short list of scanners that support that. There is no comparison of scanners presently available to the SDS-100 or SDS-200.

 

[Kklewin]

Good info. Thats my fear. I can listen on scanner radio but all the different agencies drown out each other (police, fire, ems, campus police, sheriff). Seems to be a trunked system, but is their a way to listen to the local police talk group only? Maybe they are all on one talk group?

 

[doctordialtone]

but is their a way to listen to the local police talk group only? Maybe they are all on one talk group?

With a scanner - yes.

 

[Kklewin]

Does anyone know if Bozeman PD has their own talkgroup? The only scanner radio input for gallatin co has pd, fire, ems, campus pd all on one feed and everyone blocks everone else out. Before trunking I had a broadcastify feed on the clear freqs, would like to just have Bozeman PD feed only. Possible?

 

[Kklewin]

Yes to individual talk group or yes to all on one talk group? (Im a slow guy w a land grant degree...lol)

 

[doctordialtone]

Does anyone know if Bozeman PD has their own talkgroup?

Did you look in the Database?

RRDB | Montana Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Montana (MT)

www.radioreference.com

 

[doctordialtone]

Yes to individual talk group

There should be a Talk Group for each agency that you can switch on and off.

Look up your local agency and you will see the various Talk Groups

Here is a list of your Talk Groups

Montana Public Safety Communications System Trunking System, Statewide, Montana

Montana Public Safety Communications System Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

RRDB | Montana Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Montana (MT)

www.radioreference.com

 

[Kklewin]

Did you look in the Database?

RRDB | Montana Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Montana (MT)

www.radioreference.com

All I can find online is system id, wacn, and control freq. Didnt see any talk group IDs.

 

[GTR8000]

Montana Public Safety Communications System Trunking System, Statewide, Montana

Montana Public Safety Communications System Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

It's all right there on that page for the Montana Public Safety Communications System P25 system

 

[u2brent]

Yes to individual talk group or yes to all on one talk group? (Im a slow guy w a land grant degree...lol)

With a scanner you can just monitor TG's (Talk Groups are virtual Ch's on a trunking system, generally assigned to specific users/purposes) that are of interest to you (the rest can be ignored); While listening to a feed is convenient as you note you will miss things that you'd not want to miss and you have no control of that on a feed. [Unless your the feed provider of course]

You can monitor just one, or as many as you want, avoiding the ones you don't wish to be bothered by..

 

[Kklewin]

Lol, if I would look at the second page its there. Thank you. Can most new scanners monitor two talk groups? (Bozeman PD dispatch and tactical?)

 

[Kklewin]

I am slow.....found it on page two! Thanks!

 

[doctordialtone]

 

[doctordialtone]

Can most new scanners monitor two talk groups?

Most new scanners can monitor thousands of talk groups

That's why they're called "scanners"