Yes and no depending if talkgroups on said system are FDMA (Mode D in the RRDB) or TDMA (Mode "T in the RRDB). The former can be monitored with a Phase-I scanner if the system is Phase-II capable. Modes "DE" and "TE" indicate full encryption so these talkgroups cannot be monitored with any scanner. Please post the database link(s) to the system(s) in question if you need further help
Not true! There are other much less expensive options that will reliably receive simulcast transmissions. For example you can purchase a $40 usb dongle. The only drawback to this option is it requires a dedicated computer. Also there is the Bluetail Nano. This is an approximately $175-250 standalone scanner that can operate independently of a computer. In fact, you can even program it without a computer. The drawback to this operation is you need an amplified speaker, such as a $20 JBL Bluetooth speaker. The only advantage I find to the Uniden SDS series is the ability to decode NXDN and DMR. I would dump my SDS in a heartbeat if I could listen to NXDN with my Bluetail. In fact, I may do that anyway. I’m thinking that when the new Indiana encryption law takes effect, I’m going to wish I hadn’t spent $700 for a SDS. I don’t even use it much anyway since I got my Bluetail setup. But anyway the SDS scanners are definitely not the only option for simulcast phase 2
The OP is looking for a scanner. I certainly understand that there are alternatives. My Unication G5 handles our local P25 Simulcast systems perfectly. My SDRPlay RSP1 fed into SDRTrunk and Trunking Recorder gives me operating advantages that none of my other scanners can. However, the G5 is primarily a pager who's off-label use happens to be a scanner substitute. The use of an SDR and computer-based software requires more knowledge and effort to get to the point where you can actually listen to transmissions. So yes, my statement is technically wrong, but practically correct.
I do live in Patrick Co but I’m 5 minutes from Henry county (which is where I work and spend most of my time) would I need phase 1 or 2 for Henry County Henry County, Virginia (VA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
I know nothing of BTT but know there is no way you can program it without a pc but instead using a zip. Where does the data that zip code is matched up against come from? Just doesn’t make logistical sense, but feel free to prove me wrong.
I programmed mine by entering in a control channel freq. no pc. Yes, to program via zip code you have to have the database on a sd card, same as all zip code scanners, all the way back to the first zip code scanners by GRE/RS. My point was you don’t need a pc to run the scanner like you do with a sdr. Like I stated, I first programmed my Nano with nothing more than a control channel frequency. It worked fine for reception, but it wasn’t able to identify the talk groups transmitting. That took entertaining the talk group names via a pc. You can actually import all the program information from Proscan. I actually had all the info I needed from my Home Patrol 2 file, which I programmed via zip code.
Actually, that is becoming more and more a possibility, since I have my eye on a Drake R8. The only thing my SDS can do that my Bluetail can’t, is receive NXDN, and the only thing I want NXDN for is railroads. So selling my 4 month old SDS is starting to look more and more a viable option.
