Time to upgrade to new scanner. Whats my options?

[gahunter33]

Well, I guess it's time to upgrade to something new even though my pro 95 has served me very well for many years now. I haven't kept up with all the new scanners on the market since I purchased it so I am looking for info on what handheld scanners are available, any pros or cons about them. I will be mostly listening around the Augusta, Ga. area such as:

1 - Richmond County's newly re-banded system
2 - Aiken County
3 - S.C state patrol
4 - Columbia County's up and coming new system
5 - GA state patrol

 

[w2xq]

Wirelessly posted (Moto Droid Bionic: Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.3.4; en-us; DROID BIONIC Build/5.5.1_84_DBN-74) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

Err, why not just first read through these forums? Lots of information...

 

[gahunter33]

Errr, looking for area specific info......

 

[N1XDS]

I checked the frequencies for your area and Aiken and some other areas, some are regular FM analog which means any scanner will do fine and if you want to program Ft. Gordon/Ft Jackson Military base you will need a Digital type scanner like the Uniden BCD 396XT, 996XT or the Gre PSR-800 analog/digital scanner...I own Uniden BCD996XT analog/digital scanner and I love it. Just depends on user preferences.

 

[N8IAA]

To really enjoy the Palmetto 800 system, get a digital scanner. The RS-106/197, GRE PSR-500/600 will perform much better on that system. Never had a chance to use my 396XT, but it does not decode multisite systems well at all. Even with the firmware upgrade. The GSP still uses their VHF frequencies in most of the state of GA. I used to travel to that area a lot a few years ago. Used a Pro-96, then my 106. You won't be disappointed in the performance. Do get Win500 to program the RS/GRE scanners You will get better info from those who live in the area.
HTH,
Larry

 

[lep]

To really enjoy the Palmetto 800 system, get a digital scanner. The RS-106/197, GRE PSR-500/600 will perform much better on that system. Never had a chance to use my 396XT, but it does not decode multisite systems well at all. Even with the firmware upgrade. The GSP still uses their VHF frequencies in most of the state of GA. I used to travel to that area a lot a few years ago.
HTH,
Larry

GSP in Coastal GA uses the SEGARRN system which is mosly a 700 MHz P-25 MOT system. Google SEGARRN if you are not familiar. Among the GSP services you can hear are the Nighthawks (south) the DUI enforcement team. In the rapidily changing technology of today "travel that area a few years ago is not very relevant today."

 

[gahunter33]

So far I'm leaning more toward the Pro 106. From what I understand Columbia County is supposed to go to some kind of digital system in the near future so I will need that for sure. Richmond County just re-banded so I assume this scanner can still follow or can have the software upgraded to do so correct? Its a motorola type2 smartnet system I do believe its called. Matter of fact, I'm gonna go see if I can find a link to the FCC site so I can see if it's been updated with what Columbia County is going to and post back to be sure digital is all I will need there.

 

[gahunter33]

Didn't have any luck with the FCC data base but I did find a link to a local news site that has a story about the new system with a breakdown of what the system is going to cost at the very bottom. Can anyone tell if the system will be digital by the list of radios they have listed at the bottom of the page? I had heard it was digital but see no reference to that in the story.

New radio system helps improve emergency responses | Columbia County News-Times

 

[N8IAA]

Didn't have any luck with the FCC data base but I did find a link to a local news site that has a story about the new system with a breakdown of what the system is going to cost at the very bottom. Can anyone tell if the system will be digital by the list of radios they have listed at the bottom of the page? I had heard it was digital but see no reference to that in the story.

New radio system helps improve emergency responses | Columbia County News-Times

Dual band 700/800MHz. They may be going to Phase II, P-25 on 700MHz. Not able to answer that question. If they do go X-TDMA Phase II, you'll need the PSR-800 to decode the signal on that type of TGID. But, for everything else you want to monitor, the 106 will work great
HTH,
Larry

 

[gahunter33]

Maybe I should wait and see what their system turns out to be before I pull the trigger just yet. I appreciate all the info and opinions from everyone. Thanks to all of you I can make a much better decision when it comes time.

 

[DickH]

Well, I guess it's time to upgrade to something new even though my pro 95 has served me very well for many years now. I haven't kept up with all the new scanners on the market since I purchased it so I am looking for info on what handheld scanners are available, any pros or cons about them. I will be mostly listening around the Augusta, Ga. area such as:

1 - Richmond County's newly re-banded system
2 - Aiken County
3 - S.C state patrol
4 - Columbia County's up and coming new system
5 - GA state patrol

I wouldn't scrap my PRO-95 yet. All the sites in Richmond county and site 6 in Aiken county will still work perfectly. Site 8 in Aiken county can only be tracked partially.

 

[shajoe44]

If he wants to monitor North Augusta on site 6 he will need digital, not sure if that agency is on his list or not.

 

[N8IAA]

I wouldn't scrap my PRO-95 yet. All the sites in Richmond county and site 6 in Aiken county will still work perfectly. Site 8 in Aiken county can only be tracked partially.

The fact that Aiken has rebanded, does make a difference. The fact that over half of the TGID's are digital also makes a difference. Unless you have been in Richmond, or Aiken counties recently with a Pro-95........
Just saying,
Larry

 

[f4jmk]

gahunter, Palmetto 800 sites #5(Augusta) and #25(McBean) should provide you with the first 4 on your list, based on my monitoring experience, site #5 will cover all the Richmond Co TG's, site #25 will provide you with Aiken Co SO (EMS is digital) and sometimes SCHP Troop 7 TG's.

You can try site #6 (North Augusta), may yield you more SCHP Troop 7 traffic, no experience monitoring this site from my QTH.

All three of these sites are trackable with the Pro-95.





Mark.