Twin Cities (MN) - Recommended scanner?
- Thread starter mpls55400
- Start date
- Status
Welcome to RadioReference.
Looking at your Metro area, it appears that much of what you’ll want to hear may be on the statewide ARMER system. That is a digital, trunked, system, so a digital trunktracker would be required. There are a number of scanners available that can handle this system.
Your first decision would be whether you want a portable (handheld) scanner, or a base/mobile unit. A portable scanner runs on batteries (usually AA’s) and can be used with an ac adapter when power is available, or a dc adapter in your vehicle. It has a belt clip, and you can carry it from room to room, or use it in any vehicle (check local laws in some states). It also would keep working in a power outage, as long as you had extra batteries, or could run from a charged vehicle battery. A base/mobile scanner is made to either set on a desk or table top, or be mounted in a vehicle. (The mounting bracket is sometimes used to mount the scanner under a shelf inside the home as well.) These run on ac power, and come with a dc adapter to use in a vehicle. The base/mobile units, being larger, usually have a larger speaker, which results in better audio. For some models, the base/mobile units have a larger display than their corresponding portable brand mates.
Current models include:
Portables:
GRE: PSR-500
This scanner is also sold by Radio Shack as the Pro-106. The difference is in the font panel layout (speaker & display placement). Also, GRE includes the ac adapter and pc interface cable (required for computer programming & firmware updates) with the scanner. Radio Shack treats both as extra cost accessories, about $30 each, though the cable can sometimes be had for 50% off if purchased at the same time as the scanner. Currently, the Pro-106 is at its “regular” price of $399.99, but it goes on sale about once a month (for a week or so) at usually $329.99 (it was on sale last week). Even at the sale price, by the time you add the cost of the ac adapter and pc cable, it’s still higher than the PSR-500 here or there online (allowing that ground shipping versus local sales tax would be about a ‘wash’).
Both the PSR-500 and Pro-106 use the same software, about $35 and up. See this Wiki page.
Uniden’s current handheld scanner is the BCD396XT. It’s smaller than the PSR-500/Pro-106, and uses a different memory system, DMA. It’s usually higher cost, new, than the GRE scanners, running just under $450 at ScannerMaster. However, there are some cheaper listings on Amazon, among other places, occasionally. The 396XT comes with ac adapter, rechargeable batteries, and a serial pc cable. If your computer does not have a serial port (many newer pc’s don’t), see this article. FreeSCAN (as the name implies, it is ‘freeware’, though donations are accepted) can be used to program this scanner. See this Wiki page for more options.
Base/Mobile:
GRE: PSR-600
This is also sold by Radio Shack as the Pro-197. The only difference, other than nameplate, is that GRE provides the pc interface cable, whereas Radio Shack sells it separately. The PSR-600 is available online in the $350 to $360 range. Like the Pro-106, the Pro-197 is currently at its “regular” $399.99 price, but it also often goes on sale. Same programming software as mentioned for the PSR-500 above.
For Uniden, the current model is the BCD996XT. It comes with a serial pc cable, like the 396XT above, and uses the same software. The 996XT is in the $450 range online, but a search may find cheaper options.
Other choices would include GRE’s PSR-800 or Uniden’s Home Patrol-1. Both of these scanners contain the RadioReference database on a memory card, with weekly updates included. You pick the systems, and types of channels you wish to monitor, with your location, and the scanner does the rest.
The PSR-800 is in a “portable” scanner type case. It runs on batteries. Recharging is through a USB cable, but from what’s been posted (I don’t own this scanner), it will not charge batteries & scan at the same time. So, most users have a second set of batteries, and utilize an external charger.
The Home Patrol, though it is small, about the size of a cassette-type Walkman, is not really a true portable. It does not have a belt clip, though it can easily be carried from room to room. It comes with both an ac and a dc adapter. Several different mount kits, like those for GPS units, are available to use while mobile. I do have this scanner, and it works very well here in the DFW area. I’ve also used it, along with a GPS, for some regional trips, and it worked seamlessly for that as well.
Be sure and drop by the Minnesota state forum for additional comments, as to which scanner might work better for your specific area. For certain simulcast systems, the GRE units may be a better choice. In my area, we do not have any of that type, and I prefer the Uniden scanners type of programming. But that’s a personal preference. Your tastes may differ. Remember that any of the scanners mentioned may also be found from time to time in the classifieds here on the forums, on eBay, or elsewhere. Other dealer prices found online may be lower than ones listed here as a reference.
mkewman
Member
I travel to the Twin Cities quite often. Much of it is digital, so any of the scanners hiegtx recommended above will work for you.
The statewide digital system's coverage in some areas can be spotty, so an external antenna is extra helpful.
The learning curve on the digital scanners may seem daunting at first but the forums here on RR are teaming with folks ready to help.
The statewide digital system's coverage in some areas can be spotty, so an external antenna is extra helpful.
The learning curve on the digital scanners may seem daunting at first but the forums here on RR are teaming with folks ready to help.
stmills
Member
I have been monitoring the Twin Cities system for since the Pro96 came out from radio shack. I currently am using a Uniden 396. There is no right scanner, there are different features that you need to sort through what is important to you. When I switched to the 396 from the 96 the the biggest reason for the switch was the size. You can successfully monitor the ARMER system with any 9600 baud scanner, and depending on what your budget is a used scanner can be a great way to go- all my current scanners were purchased used from members on this site. Now if you plan to scan mobile- which requires a Ham license or a state issued permit- the newer scanners that can do multi site will be easier, you can successfully scan ARMER mobile with the older scanners it just takes a bit more programming. I would recommend reading up on the different scanners listed in the previous post and start determining what are important features, then just as important is how much money you want to spend. If you have questions on different models and how they work on the ARMER system I would recommend posting them in the Minnesota group because there are many people on the group who have used multiple different models and can give you good details on them.
- Status
Similar threads
