Recommended SDR/scanner for Augusta, GA/CSRA
- Thread starter kent1966
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N8IAA
Member
Have you bothered to look at the database for the area? You might find your answer
It is on South Carolina's Palmetto 800 Phase I, P-25 digital system. You won't need to spend much to get a WS1040 handheld, or WS1065 base/mobile. No simulcast to worry about. Might suggest getting Win500 at starrsoft.com . HTH,
Larry
Ryangn
Member
They are not encrypted and like Larry said they are on the Palmetto 800 system and you will need a digital scanner. However with that being said Richmond County approved this year to start looking into their own system and who knows how that will play out. I would keep that in mind when shopping that something may or may not change down the road and if they do implement their own system who knows what it will be (phase I or phase II or DMR or NXDN or who knows). I am sure though that if they actually do this it will not happen for a few years.
The following is from one of my posts in 2015:
"Now that the voters in Richmond Co. have approved the SPLOST, I predict:
1. Motorola, of course. Not sure about other departments, but I believe the fire and sheriff's departments have been 100% Motorola since the 1980s. The sheriff did have some General Electric mobiles in the 1970s.
2. Encrypted.
3. No sharing of the new (and adjacent) Columbia Co. system which I believe has 5 sites. I would love to see a coverage map of that system as I suspect it encompasses a significant chunk of Richmond Co.
4. Zero interoperability with other jurisdictions.
Seems like I read that the new radio system would cost a mere $16 million dollars."
"Now that the voters in Richmond Co. have approved the SPLOST, I predict:
1. Motorola, of course. Not sure about other departments, but I believe the fire and sheriff's departments have been 100% Motorola since the 1980s. The sheriff did have some General Electric mobiles in the 1970s.
2. Encrypted.
3. No sharing of the new (and adjacent) Columbia Co. system which I believe has 5 sites. I would love to see a coverage map of that system as I suspect it encompasses a significant chunk of Richmond Co.
4. Zero interoperability with other jurisdictions.
Seems like I read that the new radio system would cost a mere $16 million dollars."
Ryangn
Member
I remember when Columbia County built their system they tried really hard to sell surrounding counties to get on board but no takers. If I remember correctly they all said they couldn't afford it. Maybe they have convinced Richmond County??? Anyways I agree with you gman my prediction is Motorola (since that's what they already have) Phase II fully encrypted and not sharing Columbia County's system. The less interoperability with others the better seems to be the thing these days.
Yes, I did look in the database and saw the data hadn't changed appreciably since last having a scanner. I thought it wise to confirm with folks still in the hobby before dropping 5-600 on a new scannerHave you bothered to look at the database for the area? You might find your answer
HTH,
Larry
I am assuming(I know its dangerous lol) that those are various encryption schemes? Any idea if a unit exists that can adapt to any of those?
Ryangn
Member
If you are talking about phase I or phase II or DMR or NXDN those are not encryption schemes. They are various digital modes. They are only encrypted if the agency chooses to. Not all scanners do all digital modes but the newest ones do.
been looking this AM at uniden scanners capable of these modes, retails are in 5-700.00 range. Any other players in the "game"? AOR looks nice but 1000.00 just is too hard to swallow
N8IAA
Member
If you want one of the latest scanners that does Phase I/II, DMR, and NXDN, there is a TRX1 in the For Sale forum for a really great price. Great way to get into scanning the new digital modes without paying an arm and a leg
Larry
Larry
Ryangn
Member
For the most part Uniden, Whistler or go the SDR route. Uniden and Whistler are both getting ready to release new models early 2019 if you want the latest and greatest but expect to pay $$$.
I have the Uniden 436 and the SDS100, both seem to perform similarly.
I wondered if anyone had any more details about the planned radio change in Augusta. I know the company that lost out put up a formal petition late last year but I wondered if anyone had concrete technical/system details on the new Motorola system -- beyond Gman's info in this thread. I'd really hate for the new system to be encrypted.
Been having some issues with reception this morning and it made me think that maybe they changed something.
City's IT director defends purchase of more costly radio system
I wondered if anyone had any more details about the planned radio change in Augusta. I know the company that lost out put up a formal petition late last year but I wondered if anyone had concrete technical/system details on the new Motorola system -- beyond Gman's info in this thread. I'd really hate for the new system to be encrypted.
Been having some issues with reception this morning and it made me think that maybe they changed something.
City's IT director defends purchase of more costly radio system
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