PRO-164 Advice

[robturpin]

Hello Everyone,

I am brand new to scanning and just received Radio Shack PRO-164 handheld scanner as a gift. I live in Elwood IN and all of the Police in my 5 county area including the IN State Police have switched to this new "SAFE-T APCO25 800MHz digital trunked system". I'm fine with buying a cable/software in order to program my scanner, but before spending any more $$, I really need to know two important things:

* Can the PRO-164 access all of the new SAFE-T APCO25 800MHz digital trunked systems?
* Would a base unit (under $150) work better and get better reception?

Thanks

 

[moustache]

The PRO-164 will not be able to listen to any digital systems, it is an analog only scanner. As far as base vs. handheld, it is more a matter of what you want to do with it. If you want to take it with you where ever you go, then the handheld is the way to go. Reception is more a matter of the antenna, the rubber duck on the 164 is not that bad, if you want to improve reception than a new antenna is the way to go no matter what scanner you have.

 

[robturpin]

Thank you Moustache!

In that case, I will definitely return the PRO-164 and get one that does Digital. I mainly want to listen to Police and Fire at home, so it doesn't matter so much about the portable vs. base decision as much as price and being able to use an outside antenna.

Are there any decent digital trunking scanners for under $150 that will work with an outside antenna? Is any brand necessarily better than the rest?

Robert

 

[N1BHH]

You won't find any digital capable scanners right now under $300, the Pro-106 is available for $350 right now until the start of the new year. Buy it and a couple sets of batteries, a smart charger and have at it. I suggest downloading the manual and reading it thoroughly. It's a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it you won't be sorry.

PRO-106 39,000-Channel Digital Handheld Scanner - RadioShack.com