I am probably going to get the BC246T because my other scanner is dyeing. I was looking at the picture, and the display screen reads:
Ft. Worth Police
East Side Patrol.
Does the "East Side Patrol" part mean that the scanner can display which unit is talking? If not, what does it mean?
Picture:
http://www.uniden.com/images/images500/BC246T.jpg
Also, bigzelectronics.com has a lot of scanners at a good price. Are they legit and safe?
Thanks!
Dan
The "East Side Patrol" on the scanner used in the display picture represents the talkgroup being monitored, not an individual unit. Fort Worth PD is on a trunked radio system. Start with
trunking basics in the Wiki for more information on how these systems work. As Mark already noted, you'd need to look at either the GRE PSR-500 (handheld) or PSR-600 (base/mobile) if you really want to monitor individual unit radio id's. (The Radio Shack equivalent model numbers are Pro-106 for the PSR-500, or Pro-197 for the PSR-600). These are digital radios. Brand new, their price range is $450-$500.
To listen to Fort Worth Police (and Fire, if that also interests you), you'll need a scanner capable of tracking this
system. The BC246T would handle that, as would a number of other scanners. As also noted, the 246 is now discontinued, replaced by the BC346XT. While you don't need a digital scanner for most of the DFW metro area for now, you may in the near future (say a couple of years). For now, digital scanners are only required if you also are interested in Tx DPS, Parker County, Mansfield, and Grand Prairie.
As for bigzelectronics.com, I also have not heard of this vendor. They have no rating at resellerratings.com (no history, good, bad, otherwise), and also none at the BBB site either. The ~$109 ballpark price they show for a 246T is for a refurbed unit. They list a new one @ $195+, more than well established scanner dealer Grove Enterprises, $189.95. A number of other dealers still have stock on the 246 as well, besides also having the replacement model (BC346XT). Remember that a refurb unit normally carries only a 90 day warranty; a new one has a one year warranty.