Pro-97 vs Digital Scanner??

[hoymut]

In brief I'm wondering if I made a mistake purchasing my new Pro97 instead of a Scanner capable of decoding Digital signals? How prevelent is the newer Digital Technology? How soon do you think the older analog systems will be discontinued?

I was programming my new Pro-97 for my local Air frequencies the other night. I live in northern Utah and I'm interested in monitoring Private, Commercial (SLC) and Military (HAFB) air traffic. I think I've found most of the Ogden Airport and SLC frequencies and I can even hear HAFB traffic, but one of the Docs I found on line mentioned that HAFB was using a Motorola Type II system and listed the Frequencies. However, after entering the Freqs I couldn't hear anything so I continued to research and found that HAFB had converted to a "Digital" system. I'm new to all of this stuff so I'm concerned that SOON my Pro-97 will be out dated.. I know Technology is ALWAYS changing, but I'm hoping to get at least a few months use out of my new investment

 

[b52hbuff]

In brief I'm wondering if I made a mistake purchasing my new Pro97 instead of a Scanner capable of decoding Digital signals? How prevelent is the newer Digital Technology? How soon do you think the older analog systems will be discontinued?

I think analog will be around for a while. It depends on your need if you made a mistake.

If I lived in Utah and wanted to go to an airshow at Hill AFB, I would make sure I had a radio that received digital. Pre-9/11 and pre-kids, I would attend shows with two radios and a frequency counter. I'm not certain how I'd get all that stuff past security plus the stuff I need for the kids. And I'm not sure I'd have time to work all of it.

So for me, I'd like to have one radio that 'does it all'. Meaning capable of receiving everything I'd reasonably want to hear at an airshow.

Now the reality is that not one radio can do it all. And the Pro-97 has (as I understand) a very nice Signal Stalker II) setup. I think that would be a reddeeming feature for airshows. I have contemplated buying a Pro-97 just for that use (adding it to my BCD-396T). However, I thikn I'm going to wait and see how rebanding affects the Pro-97. It may get dumped at really cheap prices, but I digress...

My main point is that asking your question is a little like asking if you should like chocolate ice cream. It all depends on you and how you want to use the radio.

 

[cristisphoto]

Resources included

I own the Pro 97 and the BCD396T
and I find them both in use.
Often at the same time, (both are on) lol!!!
Locally 99% are analog buuut ,
in the immediate surrounding areas ..
there are digital transmissions...

So yes, to repeat previous post it all depends on your need, wants, budget etc
Whats works for me may fail for you, and vice versa.....

Bith Uniden and Radioshack have Downloadble PDFs of their receivers manual...
Look at them study them and that shoud help.
It helped me on my purchases.....

Uniden.com
Radioshack.com

http://www.strongsignals.net/index.cgi

Scannersunlimited.com

You probaly are aware of these but I am including them for those in the Forums whom are not aware..
Crista

Oh and I do find the Pro 97 a bit more sensitive in regards to "signal Stalker" , conventional scanning etc...
Just FYI...

 

[Stavro35]

I own a Pro95 Pro96 and Pro97.. I got the Pro96 after our move to Bainbridge island Washington. I got it due to the fact that I was picking up digital noise on some of the federal frequencies used by various agencies. Day one it paid off to have the Pro96
I was hearing clear digital voice on an ATF frequency and digital noise on the Pro97. So I deleted that frequency from the Pro97.

I hope this posting help's someone decide what scanner is right for them.

 

[VernM]

To address your question on the AF digital system, I suspect it is their ground radios for security, etc., that they are mentioning. All air to air and air to ground in civil aviation and military training and cross-country remains analog.