New to the forum, but not new to scanners. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Currently, I have a BC785D and a Pro-97 handheld. At least a year ago, I quit being able to receive Portland police and fire on both scanners. At some point later, I figured out this was most likely due to rebanding. Without thoroughly researching what that meant and due to a general lack of free time, I relegated myself to listening in on mostly Washington Co and/or conventionally scanning halves (or less) of conversations in PDX. Now that I have the time and energy to pick things up - I realize (or have convinced myself) that I need a new scanner to monitor PDX public safety. I was checking out the databases listed on this site and was moderately concerned by this:
Portland Public Safety 700MHz P25 Radio System Trunking System, Portland, Oregon - Scanner Frequencies
Since there were no talkgroups listed that I seem to be interested in and I presume that all the traffic I am interested in - is on the original (rebanded) system. I have decided to purchase a BCD996XT. Then I read this:
http://forums.radioreference.com/or...5-looking-hand-held-scanner-trunktracker.html
Halfway down this thread there is a very recent post by Ensnared, that says "...If you are considering the purchase of a scanner capable of monitoring the Portland analog public safety system, you might consider the possibility of being left behind when they migrate to this system. Hence, you would have wasted your money. "
My concern is that I may be purchasing a scanner (BCD996XT) that is heading toward obsolescence. Is rebanding complete for Portland and the 996XT will be fine for the foreseeable future? Or is the P25 system listed going to be the wave of the future for Portland Public Safety and I will need a new scanner sometime soon?
Currently, I have a BC785D and a Pro-97 handheld. At least a year ago, I quit being able to receive Portland police and fire on both scanners. At some point later, I figured out this was most likely due to rebanding. Without thoroughly researching what that meant and due to a general lack of free time, I relegated myself to listening in on mostly Washington Co and/or conventionally scanning halves (or less) of conversations in PDX. Now that I have the time and energy to pick things up - I realize (or have convinced myself) that I need a new scanner to monitor PDX public safety. I was checking out the databases listed on this site and was moderately concerned by this:
Portland Public Safety 700MHz P25 Radio System Trunking System, Portland, Oregon - Scanner Frequencies
Since there were no talkgroups listed that I seem to be interested in and I presume that all the traffic I am interested in - is on the original (rebanded) system. I have decided to purchase a BCD996XT. Then I read this:
http://forums.radioreference.com/or...5-looking-hand-held-scanner-trunktracker.html
Halfway down this thread there is a very recent post by Ensnared, that says "...If you are considering the purchase of a scanner capable of monitoring the Portland analog public safety system, you might consider the possibility of being left behind when they migrate to this system. Hence, you would have wasted your money. "
My concern is that I may be purchasing a scanner (BCD996XT) that is heading toward obsolescence. Is rebanding complete for Portland and the 996XT will be fine for the foreseeable future? Or is the P25 system listed going to be the wave of the future for Portland Public Safety and I will need a new scanner sometime soon?