Scanner Recommendation for Ottawa

[VA3TFC]

I haven't owned a scanner radio for probably close to 20 years and I'm looking at getting back into the hobby but now I see most everything interesting to monitor in my area uses some sort of digital trunking systems that I have no idea about. Monitoring the police is out of the question since they use encryption. I think I can monitor the fire dept. if I have a scanner that will receive digital transmissions. Also most of the other city and transit services use digital or trunking systems. Since I am somewhat "new" at the hobby what would you folks suggest for a decent handheld scanner radio? I am thinking portable so I can carry it with me and use it at work.

Thanks!

 

[VA3TFC]

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Let us know your location..... state, county, and city. What type of scanner you need is very dependent on what type of systems are in use in your area. We can look up the location you provide in the RR database and make recommendations from there.

Sorry if my post was a little vague. I am located in Ottawa Canada and have looked at the RR database for my city. I also apologize if this was posted in the wrong forum.

 

[lamarrsy]

I haven't owned a scanner radio for probably close to 20 years and I'm looking at getting back into the hobby but now I see most everything interesting to monitor in my area uses some sort of digital trunking systems that I have no idea about. Monitoring the police is out of the question since they use encryption. I think I can monitor the fire dept. if I have a scanner that will receive digital transmissions. Also most of the other city and transit services use digital or trunking systems. Since I am somewhat "new" at the hobby what would you folks suggest for a decent handheld scanner radio? I am thinking portable so I can carry it with me and use it at work.

Thanks!

Hello, I’ve taken a look at your region in the database; there’s still a ton of things you can listen to, that is not encrypted.
I would suggest a Uniden BCD436HP portable scanner, as with it, you will be able to use what you see here in the database, be it analog FM or trunking, or P25 digital (Bell Fleetnet). This scanner has radioreference database on its microSD card, and you can update it weekly, it’s free.
This scanner do not receive the DMR mode out of the box, but you can buy a « key » anytime later to add it to the scanner (there are DMR systems in your region).
The free Uniden Sentinel software will help you create what is called « favorite lists », in which you will add what interests you, from all the systems, frequencies, services, in the database.

‘Hope this helps !

 

[webstar22]

I haven't owned a scanner radio for probably close to 20 years and I'm looking at getting back into the hobby but now I see most everything interesting to monitor in my area uses some sort of digital trunking systems that I have no idea about. Monitoring the police is out of the question since they use encryption. I think I can monitor the fire dept. if I have a scanner that will receive digital transmissions. Also most of the other city and transit services use digital or trunking systems. Since I am somewhat "new" at the hobby what would you folks suggest for a decent handheld scanner radio? I am thinking portable so I can carry it with me and use it at work.

Thanks!

Ottawa Fire and Police and part of the transit system are all encrypted.
Save yourself the money, now is not the time to buy.
Even if you wanted to listen to the OPP and EMS, within 2 years give or take they will be encrypted as well.

 

[VA3TFC]

Ottawa Fire and Police and part of the transit system are all encrypted.
Save yourself the money, now is not the time to buy.
Even if you wanted to listen to the OPP and EMS, within 2 years give or take they will be encrypted as well.

Thanks for the info. Instead of purchasing a new $500-$600 scanner I found an old 300 channel Radio Shack Pro-93 handheld scanner for cheap online. It just arrived at my workplace in the mail this afternoon but I was off work today so I have not checked it out yet.

 

[613scanner]

For low cost scanning of the public radio system and DMR scanning as well, you can get by with a USB RTL-SDR dongle if you are tech savvy (around $40) . If you are running Windows, I would recommend paying for DSD+ (either 1 year of updates or lifetime , 1 year sub to software updates is enough and wont stop working after that year) .
Public system is mostly OC Transpo minus Security (sometimes they turn off the encryption by accident). It is good for traffic updates at times, and during extreme weather as spotters. You also will get Bylaw which seems to always be in the clear.

IMHO, if you are scanning from home and have a computer, using SDR dongles is the way to go if you are willing to setup software.
There is no real need to spend for the new digital scanners, if you are unsure if there is anything left encrypted that you personally find interesting.
SDR dongles can decode all kinds of things too. For exampl,e you could receive your water meter every time it sends out usage data on a ISM band, or receive weather satellites or see local overhead aircraft with ADSB or a number of other things.

The only downside to SDR dongles is the form factor. But my scanning is 99% at my desk and for the rest I am using a small laptop or using a Uniden handheld with Close Call to confirm how accurate the TAFL search engine results are.

 

[EJB]

Ottawa Fire and Police and part of the transit system are all encrypted.
Save yourself the money, now is not the time to buy.
Even if you wanted to listen to the OPP and EMS, within 2 years give or take they will be encrypted as well.

Never underestimate the slow speed of which the radio communications and it's clients move. There's still stuff to listen to.

Thanks for the info. Instead of purchasing a new $500-$600 scanner I found an old 300 channel Radio Shack Pro-93 handheld scanner for cheap online. It just arrived at my workplace in the mail this afternoon but I was off work today so I have not checked it out yet.

I'm not sure what a PRO 93 can do these days, I had one back in 2002.

If I was in the market I'd get a used Home Patrol 1 or 2. They are very user friendly.

I also recommend Uniden 436 or their base 536, the SDS series are expensive but outstanding.

The 325P2 is perfect for out and about.

If their is alot of dissatisfaction with the oncoming encryption I'm sure some members here will be glad to sell you their gear as well.

For low cost scanning of the public radio system and DMR scanning as well, you can get by with a USB RTL-SDR dongle if you are tech savvy (around $40) . If you are running Windows, I would recommend paying for DSD+ (either 1 year of updates or lifetime , 1 year sub to software updates is enough and wont stop working after that year) .
Public system is mostly OC Transpo minus Security (sometimes they turn off the encryption by accident). It is good for traffic updates at times, and during extreme weather as spotters. You also will get Bylaw which seems to always be in the clear.

IMHO, if you are scanning from home and have a computer, using SDR dongles is the way to go if you are willing to setup software.
There is no real need to spend for the new digital scanners, if you are unsure if there is anything left encrypted that you personally find interesting.
SDR dongles can decode all kinds of things too. For exampl,e you could receive your water meter every time it sends out usage data on a ISM band, or receive weather satellites or see local overhead aircraft with ADSB or a number of other things.

The only downside to SDR dongles is the form factor. But my scanning is 99% at my desk and for the rest I am using a small laptop or using a Uniden handheld with Close Call to confirm how accurate the TAFL search engine results are.

Alot of this is very confusing for new/people who want to get back in. Plus as you said it's tied to your computer. I'm guessing the original poster wants something to turn on and scan

 

[613scanner]

Alot of this is very confusing for new/people who want to get back in. Plus as you said it's tied to your computer. I'm guessing the original poster wants something to turn on and scan

I agree it is a lot for some new people to start. I started scanning in 2012 and was broke at the time, so the cost of getting some dongles from Ali Express (or whatever site I did use) was my main motivation. I did find it hard to figure out then, and did buy traditional analog scanners by e-Bay sniping. Now a days it's much easier to get started with RTL-SDRdongles with many tutorials online.

 

[EJB]

I agree it is a lot for some new people to start. I started scanning in 2012 and was broke at the time, so the cost of getting some dongles from Ali Express (or whatever site I did use) was my main motivation. I did find it hard to figure out then, and did buy traditional analog scanners by e-Bay sniping. Now a days it's much easier to get started with RTL-SDR dongles with many tutorials online.

I don't doubt it. I have a setup myself and I'm friends with the creator of the DSD program.

The original poster gets a Pro 93, it has its uses but it's over 20 years old. Does it do analog FleetNet? He/she probably should have waited a bit then bought something thing like the 396 or 996 series or the early HomePatrols.

I don't know and never liked Whistler products. I had a few of them over the years, but traded them back for Uniden.

E

 

[VA3WEX]

I'm in Ottawa, near the Airport. I go to the viewing areas on Alert Road with a simple analog BC125AT and watch the planes and listen to the tower chatter. You can also get some of the Paramedic channels, though I find those depressing to listen to--all overdoses and little old ladies falling in the bathroom.
You can listen in on the ham radio repeaters and I think there must be a GMRS repeater somewhere in Vanier because there is a lot of talk in French on those frequencies. Actually, not a bad selection of stuff to listen to, and the price of a BC125AT is pretty good.

I also sprang for a Whistler TRX-1 which is quite fancy in comparison (and I'm sure I'm not using it to its full capabilities). OC Transpo is mostly un-encrypted (except for security) and you can scan at events like the Army Run and that can be interesting as well. When Biden was in town, I heard a bit of un-encrypted RCMP and OPP--there are enough state visits in Ottawa that if you're near downtown that could be a regular "thing" to listen for.
But admittedly, there is very little police you can actually receive. OC Transpo can give you a heads-up about traffic problems (on bus routes anyway) as well as various other problems that can be entertaining.

 

[west5alpha]

Save yourself the cash , download the rdio scanner app and listen to OPP , Paramedics , OC Transpo, Municipal Services , all in the clear

 

[EJB]

Save yourself the cash , download the rdio scanner app and listen to OPP , Paramedics , OC Transpo, Municipal Services , all in the clear

If you rely on others, for anything you are at their mercy.

If you want to scan, buy a scanner.

 

[ve1sef]

Perhaps instead of focusing on what you can't listen to, consider what you can. There are public safety users in near by communities, planes, trains and boats.
The new provincial trunk system is a P25 Phase 2 system. It will need a scanner that can receive P2 and 700MHz. Whether you get a clean slate (996P2 / 325P2). data base (436/536) or SDS (100/200), will depend on your preferences, needs and budget.

 

[mikewazowski]

The new provincial trunk system is a P25 Phase 2 system. It will need a scanner that can receive P2 and 700MHz.

I wouldn't bother with the new VHF provincial system unless he wants to listen to the snowplows.

 

[ve1sef]

I wouldn't bother with the new VHF provincial system unless he wants to listen to the snowplows.

I stand corrected P2 VHF system.

 

[hunterca]

I haven't owned a scanner radio for probably close to 20 years and I'm looking at getting back into the hobby but now I see most everything interesting to monitor in my area uses some sort of digital trunking systems that I have no idea about. Monitoring the police is out of the question since they use encryption. I think I can monitor the fire dept. if I have a scanner that will receive digital transmissions. Also most of the other city and transit services use digital or trunking systems. Since I am somewhat "new" at the hobby what would you folks suggest for a decent handheld scanner radio? I am thinking portable so I can carry it with me and use it at work.

Thanks!

My recommendations would be the Uniden BCD 325P2 or the BCD 436HP. Between the two the 436HP is the easiest to program.

 

[webstar22]

Save yourself the cash , download the rdio scanner app and listen to OPP , Paramedics , OC Transpo, Municipal Services , all in the clear

Rdio Scanner

ottawa.renfrewcountyscanner.com