Scanner Research

[Cbandguy]

I am presently considering doing some research on either upgrading my scanner to digital or possibly considering a new digital scanner. Does anyone know of what options I have and any resources that I can research to help me determine whether I should upgrade or purchase new? It seems like the scanning hobby has become very complicated with many services having various different types of systems. What sources can I go to for educating myself on the advanced technology of scanners and the scanning hobby such as where it presently is and where it is heading?

 

[bobmich52]

Good Morning. I Myself am a Old Dog From the Crystal days Of Scanning, Regency, Bearcat Etc. The Best way I Can Answer You Is With The Following Ideas For You.
1. Location Is Very Important. What Is Your Local Doing Now & Do They Intend To Upgrade Their system, Ie Trunking, Digital etc In The Near Future? If they Do Not Upgrade The Systems they Have, It Does not Make Much sense To go Digital Etc.

2. Yes, It Has Become Complicated. You have to Have a Certain Patience/Knowledge In Order To Program The New Digital Ones.For Example, I Live In Ct, I Have 2 BC 796d Scanners, Had Them Programmed By 2 Different Reputable Shops & Have had 2 Different Results In Programming Our State Police Which Is Digital. In Frustration, I Just Programmed In The Freqs Straight Up, No Talk Groups Etc, Generally Got The Results I Was Looking For.

3. To Me, Word Of Mouth Is The Best Business Card For Any Product, Since The Manufacter's website's Ain't Gonna Tell you About any Problems That May Be widespread Or Just A Local Occurance! My suggestion To You Is That you ask Around Local, SPECIFICALLY Whatever State/Locality You May Be in On this Forum , Mention What You Want to Listen To. The Folks Here are Good At Suggesting What To Do as To what Frequency Books to Research in Order To see what Kind Of System Operations You want To listen To Etc.

In Closing, Ask Here, Ask Around Your Local Area,You will get your answers. Also,If you Upgrade, Be Prepared To Spend Some $$$$. My 796d's Costed $519.00 Each + $30.00 Each to programm The CSP & Htfd Police & Fire. By The Way, The 796d Trunks The CSP LOUSY, BUT, Trunks The Htfd Police & Fire No Problem! Figure That One Out!
Good Luck, Hope This Gets you pointed in The Right Direction to Start
BOBMICH52

 

[nmfire10]

I would not bother with a 785D or 250D since neither support 9600 baud control channels. Any new that goes up will probably use this so the scanner will be useless. If you are going to get a digital scanner, get the newer Uniden models that don't require the add-on card or the Pro 96 which is the same thing. Both will do 9600 baud.

As far as what you NEED.... Well that depends on two things

1. Is there anyone around that is or will shortly be going to a digital system? If so, do you want to be able to listen to them?

2. Do you want to be able to listen to the State Police system?

If you yes to one or both of the above, you just need to determine if listening to those few things is worth the several hundred dollards a new digital scanner costs.

If you decide you don't need digital, I would at the very least make sure any scanner you get supports PL/DPL. It makes such a difference.