Hello All,
I am studying to get my first HAM ticket. I've decided it would be good to have a scanner. Please keep in mind that the last time I used a scanner was in college, and that was a Bearcat 220. (Am I dating myself?) I live in two areas of Ohio, one somewhat rural in the eastern part of the state, and the other in a large metro area in the west. I've been investigating these two scanners. I remember when "trunking" came into being and my neighbour who worked for the electric company and was very knowlegable in electronics purchased a new trunking scanner. It seemed to be very confusing at the time. (Before scanners were programable with computers.) Now there is "simulcast" which is very new to me. I realise this question has been asked before and I've seen a few comments of past threads. I've also read reviews on Amazon and some websites that specialise in radio. I have indeed read very negative reviews about the SDS100, compared side by side witht the 436. I watched a video on youtube where the 436 actually picked up signals that the 100 missed. (Now I am not interested in listening to most law enforcement in the big city, but I am in the rural area.) I am intersted in fire depts and other emergency depts., utility companies, etc. Also, airports that are near me. Other interests would be national forest service and the like. Some of these agencies are still on traditional analog but many agencies in Ohio (including universities) are on MARCS which I believe is P25. I also know there is a big price difference between the two radios. Some of you must have experinece with both radios. So what advice can you give me? Thanks in advance for information. (ps- Being a Mac person, I've just purchased a used HP PC laptop becasue I know that radio software is moslty PC.)
I am studying to get my first HAM ticket. I've decided it would be good to have a scanner. Please keep in mind that the last time I used a scanner was in college, and that was a Bearcat 220. (Am I dating myself?) I live in two areas of Ohio, one somewhat rural in the eastern part of the state, and the other in a large metro area in the west. I've been investigating these two scanners. I remember when "trunking" came into being and my neighbour who worked for the electric company and was very knowlegable in electronics purchased a new trunking scanner. It seemed to be very confusing at the time. (Before scanners were programable with computers.) Now there is "simulcast" which is very new to me. I realise this question has been asked before and I've seen a few comments of past threads. I've also read reviews on Amazon and some websites that specialise in radio. I have indeed read very negative reviews about the SDS100, compared side by side witht the 436. I watched a video on youtube where the 436 actually picked up signals that the 100 missed. (Now I am not interested in listening to most law enforcement in the big city, but I am in the rural area.) I am intersted in fire depts and other emergency depts., utility companies, etc. Also, airports that are near me. Other interests would be national forest service and the like. Some of these agencies are still on traditional analog but many agencies in Ohio (including universities) are on MARCS which I believe is P25. I also know there is a big price difference between the two radios. Some of you must have experinece with both radios. So what advice can you give me? Thanks in advance for information. (ps- Being a Mac person, I've just purchased a used HP PC laptop becasue I know that radio software is moslty PC.)