RS Pro95 file request

[N5TWB]

I am coming to the DC area (Bethesda MD, specifically) the week of 5/23 and would like to have a file I could load to my P95 to listen to during my time there. I will be at the Bolger Conference Center for training as a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award examiner.

Thanks in advance for any assistance or advice for interesting listening.

Also, if anyone has any advice on good, active ham repeaters, I also intend to bring my VX-7R.

 

[ka3jjz]

This should go to the Maryland forum, but what the heck....

I'm not sure what you might expect to hear; Bethesda is in Montgomery county, which is astro digital, so your PRO95 won't cut it for that. Much of this part of Central Maryland is digital now; the same is true for DC Fire and police.

As to ham repeaters; there are several possibilities.... here are a few URLs go get you started.

Montgomery county Md.

ARTSCI list of Maryland rptrs

Montgomery Amateur Radio Club

and here's a couple of Yahoo groups that might be able to help, if nothing shows up in the Maryland forum;

.p95 files

PRO93-95

73s Mike

 

[N5TWB]

Thanks, Mike. I guess the Pro95 can stay home or I can hope for a windfall so I can buy a digital scanner before the trip. Which one have you found to be the best for use in the MD/DC/NoVA area with the heavy use of digital trunking there?

I appreciate the ham repeater leads since you can't know the level of activity from just the Repeater Guide.

 

[ka3jjz]

I don't have a digital yet either. Being out of work for almost a year does not help the radio budget, that's for sure

I really can't say that one is 'better' than the other; much too broad a statement. Some folks like the audio of the PRO96 better than the Uniden; others like the Uniden because it can be PC controlled and has milair right out of the box (unlike the PRO96, which needs software to get that).

I'd suggest reading the comparisons in the Uniden and RS forums if you're really interested. I am not familiar with OK systems in your area and if P25 digital is even being used there. It would be an expensive toy to buy just for one trip; but if you come back here many times, perhaps it is time to investigate and make a decision.

As an aside, our little local group - the Capitol Hill Monitors - has a page of files for ARC250 users (the most popular software for the Uniden digitals) and Win96 (ditto for the PRO96/2096). So either way you go, you're covered.

You also might want to keep in mind the upcoming rebanding. The BC296 and PRO96 will, at least as is known now, either be reflashable (296) or may not need any changes at all (96). It might be tempting to buy a BC250D or 785D with the digital card. I would advise against it, since it's been mentioned that these 2 scanners will not be reflashable once rebanding takes place (they are being discontinued, actually).

73s and safe journey...Mike

 

[N5TWB]

Digital is coming to Oklahoma City in the form of EDACS Pro-Voice rather than Project 25 so there is no scanner solution when the conversion is made. I am certainly not going to make a purchase just for the trip, barring an unanticipated windfall between now and then. I do appreciate your thoughts concerning the potentials on re-banding and flash conversions of current models.

My main scanning interests concern avoiding traffic problems on the freeways and severe weather. Neither of these interests will be affected by the choice of M/A-Com for Oklahoma City police and fire.

Thanks for the link to the Montgomery ARC website. I will try out that wide-area system.

Good luck in resolving your employment situation. BTDT for three months in 1999 - definitely not interested in a repeat.

 

[dc2wheel]

Good timing - I'm actually in the process of getting together a list of the DC areas analog frequencies. Though the District & most counties have now gone digital, there is still a lot of analog traffic out there. Not only are many police & fire dept's still running an analog patch [at least for dispatch], but many federal agencies are still analog. This list also includes 2m & 70cm ham repeaters in the area. I'll either post a link here or pm you when I get it together [should be a week].
-dc2wheel

 

[N5TWB]

dc2wheel --

I look forward to seeing your results -- appreciate your assistance.