RADIO SHACK PRO-51 20-308 (not the A) 11A3 200 CHANNEL

[TroyR]

I know someone that has this scanner forsale and I wanted to know if it was any good and would pickup cell phones? RADIO SHACK PRO-51 20-308 (not the A) 11A3 200 CHANNEL, I think he said he has had it since like 1993?

He also has a bearCat BC80XLT. Will this BearCat pickup cell phones?

Which is better to get?

By the way I searced the forums for this info and didnt really get nothing, along with searching the heck out of google.

 

[Dubbin]

It should be able to get cell. Now its time for everyone to pop in here and tell you all about the laws and how illegal it is to listen to cell.

 

[TroyR]

I know the FCC made a law back in the early 90's and they had to quit making them able to recieve cell.

So is it illegal to own one? If so why are they sold all over the net and the government not collected on them?

 

[Al42]

I know someone that has this scanner forsale and I wanted to know if it was any good and would pickup cell phones? RADIO SHACK PRO-51 20-308 (not the A) 11A3 200 CHANNEL, I think he said he has had it since like 1993?

He also has a bearCat BC80XLT. Will this BearCat pickup cell phones?

Which is better to get?

Will they pick up the 800 MHz cellular frequencies? Maybe.

Will you be able to hear CDMA or TDMA cell phones? No. A scanner will only let you hear analog calls. 1) Most calls made today are digital from start to finish. 2) Many cell phones sold today don't even have an analog mode.

Can you monitor digital cell phone calls? If you're one of several government agencies or a cellular carrier (you aren't either one), you can buy a receiver that can (for many thousands of dollars).

 

[LottomanInAz]

Will they pick up the 800 MHz cellular frequencies?

Sure they can.

It's 10PM in Phx right now and I just picked up my Pro-51 12A3 and turned it on. Son of a gun. Immediate analog cell phone calls.

As a matter of fact, I get continuous analog cell phone activity from 6AM to midnight every day of the week. There is constant spill over from digital to analog all the time and millions of phones that do it.

It was the same in California and the same when I was in Oshkosh. I use my Pro51 on the road and my Pro2032 at home.

I just saw a pro2032 sell on Ebay for $26. I forgot to follow the auction and missed it.

Go for it, It's fun.

I'll probably tick some people off, but I find this a fun part of this hobby and won't lie about it.