think I screwed up!

[xtruky]

I bought a RS Pro-163 off of e-Bay, beautiful unit, not a scratch on it, BUT it will not receive P-25 protocol,
which I need for Maricopa and Pinal counties. Before I buy another wrong unit, can someone tell me what brands and models will work for me? Now I see there is a second type of P-25, do I need that capability now, or might I need it in the future? Do I need digital or analog capability??

Thanks in advance

xtruky@cox.net

 

[rpgaun]

This may help you - Pro-163 - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[Soundman]

Sorry to here that man here try this site Scanner Master - Police Scanners by Uniden Bearcat, AOR and Radio Shack. this will give you all you need ,

 

[w2xq]

Wirelessly posted (Moto Droid Bionic: Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.0.4; en-us; DROID BIONIC Build/6.7.2-223_DBN_M4-23) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30)

If your listening targets are eventually moving to TDMA Phase 2 the only scanner choice is the GRE PSR-800 (with the latest firmware update). Uniden hasn't yet announced a Phase 2 capable scanner. You probably to do some local research to see what the state, county and municipalities are up to. HTH.

 

[morrisr3nd]

I did that too.

I bought a RS Pro-163 off of e-Bay, beautiful unit, not a scratch on it, BUT it will not receive P-25 protocol,
which I need for Maricopa and Pinal counties. Before I buy another wrong unit, can someone tell me what brands and models will work for me? Now I see there is a second type of P-25, do I need that capability now, or might I need it in the future? Do I need digital or analog capability??

Thanks in advance

xtruky@cox.net

I'm very new to scanning and I messed up SEVERAL times before I got it right. The 163 is still a real good scanner and can handle all of your conventional stuff in the area. From what I've learned from this site you can not have too many scanners.

Here is a link to search all of Craigslist for whatever you are looking for:

All of Craigslist

 

[Arizona_Scanner]

I've got about 25 years of scanning in the valley under my belt, so I will fill you in.

Nobody has a TDMA system planned that I am aware of, so you don't NEED a PSR-800 at this time, and that's a good thing as they cost a pretty penny.

I like the latest Uniden radios, but they are even more expensive.

If money is a concern, you need a PRO-197. Off ebay you can get one for around $300 usually, in great shape. I own one, and it's a great radio and really good on digital audio.

Keep in mind, if you are talking about Phoenix PD / FD, and if you are have multiple sites (towers) at approximately the same distance from your location, the audio can get a bit choppy. A search on RR will show you where they are located. This is a simulcast system, and there is no cure for this well known issue other than the antenna solution I will share with you below.

If you are a LOT closer to one tower than others, or can put a Yagi antenna up later to "aim" at one particular tower, you will be OK.

MCSO and others that don't use simulcast for their digital will sound great.

Good luck.

 

[morrisr3nd]

Check out this listing for a PRO-197:

Radio Shack Pro 197 desktop police scanner

 

[jambo]

I've got about 25 years of scanning in the valley under my belt, so I will fill you in.

Nobody has a TDMA system planned that I am aware of, so you don't NEED a PSR-800 at this time, and that's a good thing as they cost a pretty penny.

I like the latest Uniden radios, but they are even more expensive.

If money is a concern, you need a PRO-197. Off ebay you can get one for around $300 usually, in great shape. I own one, and it's a great radio and really good on digital audio.

Keep in mind, if you are talking about Phoenix PD / FD, and if you are have multiple sites (towers) at approximately the same distance from your location, the audio can get a bit choppy. A search on RR will show you where they are located. This is a simulcast system, and there is no cure for this well known issue other than the antenna solution I will share with you below.

If you are a LOT closer to one tower than others, or can put a Yagi antenna up later to "aim" at one particular tower, you will be OK.

MCSO and others that don't use simulcast for their digital will sound great.

Good luck.

I agree 100% with this comment. I bought a 197 last Christmas when RS had a special and I'm totally satisfied. I think i only spent $300 on the unit So if your trying to save money you can't go wrong with this model IMHO. Oh, and by the way. It's still going strong with great audio and reception.

 

[KD2DLL]

Can never hurt to own multiple scanners. BC396XT is also a great model

 

[morrisr3nd]

I bought 2 PRO-197's for under $230 and a 106 for $175. Igot one 197 on ebay and the other 196 and the 106 from Craigslist.

Searchcraigslist.net - Search Craigslist, Search All Of Craigslist - Every want to search all of Craigslist links in one place? Now you can with Craigslist search

All of Craigslist

Either of these will search all of Craigslist. You just have to put up with the expired postings and the removed postings. Hope you find something good