Scanning in Southeastern PA

[cjk422]

I'm in eastern Montgomery county and it like to start scanning other areas like Delco, Chester, and Philly. I'm a FF in Montgomery county so I have a radio and voice pager so I'm set there. I was trying to use my BC95XLT with a Diamond SRH320A antenna to try and listen to Delco (specifically Upper Darby) without luck; it was just silence even when I knew they were transmitting (Scanner Radio app).

I'd like to be able to listen to them as well as the P25 systems, so I was considering either a Uniden/Whistler scanner or a Unication G5. The question is, is my BC95XLT not picking anything up because I'm too far or because of the quality of the scanner? Would a better quality scanner work better? Thanks!

 

[Audiodave1]

That likely isn't enough antenna to pick up UDPD. Take a drive with the radio to see where it comes in or get some elevation for the radio/antenna.

I suspect you will find antenna elevation is key. I have trouble from 15miles with a Yagi in the attic.

 

[soberbyker]

Are you wanting to just listen at home or mobile?

I live in UD and can pick up sector 1 clear across the county, I actually have a harder time with sector 2 which is pretty much next to sector 6 (UD/Millbourne). 3 is scratchy but readable with 4,5, & 7 clear as a bell.

My set up is a Radio Shack Pro-197 and a Radio Shack magnetic mobile antenna near a window that faces Philadelphia, on the second floor.

On the first floor facing western DELCO I have a very old Radio Shack Pro-2022 and another Radio Shack magnetic mobile antenna near a window with the same results except sector 2 is better. Both of these are desktop setups and don't move.

They are kind of hard to find but If you just have your radio setup on a desk try hooking a RS magnetic mobile antenna.

 

[cjk422]

I was hoping to be mobile. I was thinking the rebroadcast of fire dispatch and fire ops would be readable out here, considering it's VHF. My pager works across the river in New Jersey, so I know those signals can travel far.

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[soberbyker]

I was hoping to be mobile. I was thinking the rebroadcast of fire dispatch and fire ops would be readable out here, considering it's VHF. My pager works across the river in New Jersey, so I know those signals can travel far.

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My Pro-197 can pick up the NJ SP, plus most of the nearby NJ towns that aren't encrypted, same for Philly, MontCo and BucksCo.

All systems are not created equally, and in my opinion the weakest link in any radio setup is the antenna.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

When I lived in an apartment in Drexel Hill I could pick up all Delco sectors clearly from home with the exception of S3 (Chester PD) & Fire 7 (Ridley, neighboring boros & Chester City Fire). Now living in Eagleville, Montco I can only pick up Sectors 1, 2 & 7 using an Austin Spectra mounted on my roof. On a good day If I listen through the static I can pick up Sectors 4, 5 & 6. No pick up on Sector 3 at all (understandable). The aforementioned Radioshack magmount was my antenna of choice when I lived in the county but the UHF system is rather antiquated & some channels come in scratchy even when monitoring within the sector of service

 

[cjk422]

Can you pick up any of the VHF channels? Is settle for dispatch which UDFD rebroadcasts. They also rebroadcast Fire 10 but it looks like it's the same frequency as the Norristown FD Region and Event 6 rebroadcast.

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[GB2]

I use an Austin Condor All-Band portable antenna and it works well with my BCD436HP. I can hear Upper Darby PD from NW section of Philly.

Scanner Master sells them. Not that expensive. Not schilling for Scanner Master, but have ordered from them.
Austin Condor All Band Portable Antenna
Product Specs:
Coverage: 150-174, 452-512, 806-896 MHz
12 inches long (Flex)
BNC Connector