Scanner for Washtenaw County Simulcast MPSCS

[W8AWT]

Hi All,

I am researching scanners for the Washtenaw County Simulcast of the MPSCS. Although I will mostly be using it connected to an outdoor antenna in the house I think I should go with a portable one. I have set aside up to about $150 for this and I am looking for recommendations on a scanner around this price (used of course) that will work well in this situation (I have heard that not all scanners are acceptable for Simulcast systems. Is this correct?) What's your trusty old scanner for Washtenaw County Simulcast MPSCS?

Thanks and 73,
Augustine W8AWT

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[Ronaldski]

For a brand new one, 150 won't do it, for a phase II Uniden looking at ~350-370.
You will want to get a phase II capable one since rumor has it MI could go to phase II digital from current phase I sometime in the future, otherwise you would need another scanner if-when they do!

Look at https://forums.radioreference.com/michigan-radio-discussion-forum/356989-phase-2-a.html#post2799619

Current - Uniden 325p2, 996p2, home patrol 2, 435hp, 536hp

Side note for first time people with digitals they will be very difficult to program short of getting a subscription from here and using software to program them, The last 3 above models you can input the zipcode to program them. Although it is very wise to hook up to a pc to get any firmware updates available and database updates for the scanner that come out weekly.

 

[W8AWT]

For a brand new one, 150 won't do it, for a phase II Uniden looking at ~350-370.
You will want to get a phase II capable one since rumor has it MI could go to phase II digital from current phase I sometime in the future, otherwise you would need another scanner if-when they do!

Look at https://forums.radioreference.com/michigan-radio-discussion-forum/356989-phase-2-a.html#post2799619

Current - Uniden 325p2, 996p2, home patrol 2, 435hp, 536hp

Side note for first time people with digitals they will be very difficult to program short of getting a subscription from here and using software to program them, The last 3 above models you can input the zipcode to program them. Although it is very wise to hook up to a pc to get any firmware updates available and database updates for the scanner that come out weekly.

Ok thanks for the Information. I was never thinking of buying a new one. Also, I think I'll go without phase 2 for now since I can. Some of the Radio Shack scanners such as the Pro-197 are around $150 on ebay right now Ok thanks for the Information. I was never thinking of buying a new one. Also, I think I'll go without phase 2 for now since I can. Some of the Radio Shack scanners such as the Pro-197 are around $150 on ebay right now, how would it work?

Thanks and 73, Augustine W8AWT

Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

 

[Ronaldski]

Far as an antenna goes, if you do get one, to get the radio to not be influenced so much by simulcast is get a yagi since its directional. An omni directional like a discone will make it worse since then you would pull in all towers.
Additionally when it comes to 800MHz the distance you can pull in farther normally is just your neighboring counties since as I assume you know being a ham, the higher the frequencies, the distance they can be picked up drops off.

With digital all you really need is to get one tower since the towers will carry all the same traffic.
This thread is for the PSR600 which is the same radio as the 197.
https://forums.radioreference.com/gre-scanners/342732-simulcast-digital-distortion.html

I had noticed those with the older 197... well no news is good news, seemed to do better than the whistlers since at least they did get radio traffic, although by no means did they do that well and did get a lot of garbled audio with just the rod antenna.

Other ideas, you can in upper right of the site you can use the search box.

 

[jaspence]

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