Pro164 for last 20, what models for next 20?

[jugdish17]

It’s been 20 years since my last scanner purchase and now I know even less than before. I believe my beloved pro-164 has kicked the bucket.
I’ve perused the forums looking for discussions on scanners that would fit my desire, which is listening to Seattle and King County sheriff on Motorola trunking talk groups.
I came across threads about agencies going to digital and P25 which would impact what you can pick up.
Whistler appears to be have more negative than positive reviews. Bearcat/Uniden appears to be well liked.
I literally only listen to those 2 Motorola trunked systems and looking for a brand and handheld model to use for the next 20.
I hope I’ve provided enough details avoid a “what scanner should I get” type of question.

 

[scannerizer]

Funny you post this. The PRO 164 happened to be MY first ever trunking scanner. Go figure !

Anyway, you would need something than can decide P-25 Phase 2. While RS no longer exists, Whistler makes scanners actually based on Radio Shack models. I own a TRX 1, which is portable and has a mobile/desk brother - the TRX 2

Uniden is ultimately the “Apple of police scanners,” and for the clearest reception, the SDS100 (portable), or SDS200 (mobile) is recommended. You can also go with the BCD325P2, or the BCDx36HP models.

If money is tight, might I recommend an SDR dongle (such as SDRTrunk) and an open source client (Rdio scanner)? Radio basically is a virtual presentation of a police scanner, ingesting calls from an SDR program like Trunk Recorder.

 

[nessnet]

I live in the Puget Sound.....
Simulcast is prevelant, so, I strongly recommend:
An SDS100 for a handheld/portable - SDS200 if you want a base/mobile mounted radio.

Anything else and you will regret it, (because of the simulcast).

And yes, everyone has switched, or very soon will be to PSERN, the new P25 II 800MHz system

 

[Grego]

I am in the Puget Sound area too. The Federal money and the upgraded technology, I would get something that will take you today's systems. Your local systems will be upgraded, and your investment will be silenced. Washington State has gone to the Phase 2 on their networks.

I have the SDS100 and works well but the BCD436HP I had, before it was stolen, worked very well.

Keep putting money in your piggy bank!

 

[nessnet]

One caveat......
It is possible that once all users/depts are transitioned, and they decom KCERS, they flip the switch on encryption.
SPD hasn't yet - other than the TGs that were already encrypted on KCERS before they made the transition to PSERN.

So, who knows, but it is something to be aware of if considering a $600+ investment on a radio for LE monitoring.

 

[jugdish17]

I live in the Puget Sound.....
Simulcast is prevelant, so, I strongly recommend:
An SDS100 for a handheld/portable - SDS200 if you want a base/mobile mounted radio.

Anything else and you will regret it, (because of the simulcast).

And yes, everyone has switched, or very soon will be to PSERN, the new P25 II 800MHz system

Thanks for the input. Spoke with Scannermaster this am and will go with that model. Doesn’t get better than to have first hand recommendations. SM is about 3 weeks out to even start an order. I’ve gotta find something sooner. It’s like not having your belt on, doesn’t feel right scanner less

 

[nessnet]

All major vendors sell them.
Are you a Prime member?
Check them, they should have one...(?)

Pro tip:
Order a Remtronix REM-842S

 

[wtp]

online it says in stock.
scannermaster and uniden.

Police Scanners, Radios, Programming, Accessories | Scannermaster.com

Radio Scanners

With a mission to make life better, Uniden is creating easy-to-use, affordable, cutting-edge technology you trust.

uniden.com

 

[Wilrobnson]

Uniden is ultimately the “Apple of police scanners,” and for the clearest reception, the SDS100 (portable), or SDS200 (mobile) is recommended. You can also go with the BCD325P2, or the BCDx36HP models.

The Apple of police scanners. That checks out. A phone that practically has to remind their sheep army to breathe because they've ceded all basic functions of their lives to the ghost of Steve Jobs; and a scanner that 99% of users employ to download the database here and never explore the RF spectrum.

 

[jugdish17]

All major vendors sell them.
Are you a Prime member?
Check them, they should have one...(?)

Pro tip:
Order a Remtronix REM-842S

I’ll check Prime and maybe order from there. Otherwise, they said today it wouldn’t ship for about 2-3 weeks due to an annual inventory or something.

 

[nessnet]

I’ll check Prime and maybe order from there. Otherwise, they said today it wouldn’t ship for about 2-3 weeks due to an annual inventory or something.

Get a REM-820S antenna too.
The stock antenna is a complete POS and you'll need a good 800MHz antenna in Western WA.
This one is the best.

Or, if you travel around the state, WSP still uses VHF and you'll want something more wideband, like an REM-842S

 

[devicelab]

They said today it wouldn’t ship for about 2-3 weeks due to an annual inventory or something.

If they can't bother to ship a scanner for 3 weeks due to inventory then they're either A. completely incompetent and/or B. full of sheet.

 

[R-32]

Golf will be a nice hobby.

 

[devicelab]

Golf will be a nice hobby.

It is a nice hobby. Damn expensive too.

 

[StoliRaz]

and a scanner that 99% of users employ to download the database here and never explore the RF spectrum.

Hmm, kind of sounds like the TRX-1/2 🤔

It is a nice hobby. Damn expensive too.

So....no different than scanning, except they can't encrypt the fairways so you can't use them

 

[Wilrobnson]

Hmm, kind of sounds like the TRX-1/2 🤔

I have 5 TRX 1s and not a single one has anything from the 'database' in it.

I may not be the best source of info for the highway patrol in my area, but if you want to know what frequency the wireless doorbell at their Crime Lab is using, look no further...

 

[StoliRaz]

I have 5 TRX 1s and not a single one has anything from the 'database' in it.

Straight from Whistler's website-

• Uses an industry-standard MicroSD card to store the RadioReference data library and all of your programming - capacity for millions of stored objects! Supports cards up to 32 GB

I'd say it's likely that just as many TRX users just download from the database and never explore the RF spectrum (SDRs are better for that anyways)

 

[JimClark]

So an old Radio Shack Pro-97 user here that would like to update since the 97 crapped out. Looks like in the Seattle/ King County area you have to spend at least $600 to get a P25 phase II scanner that is capable of picking up the police in the area?

 

[gmclam]

So an old Radio Shack Pro-97 user here that would like to update since the 97 crapped out. Looks like in the Seattle/ King County area you have to spend at least $600 to get a P25 phase II scanner that is capable of picking up the police in the area?

Yes, if you want a scanner. Other options to monitor include dongles that connect to a PC.