Upgrading, not sure what I should pick!

[W2SOX]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to upgrade from the old analog unit that has no alpha tagging etc...

My area is analog, but there's plenty of digital activity out there that I am interested in. I am looking for something that will suit me long term. I do not have any simulcast in my area, that I am aware of. I am located in the southern end of Warren County NY. I have never had a scanner capable of trunking and not really sure where to start.

I am looking between the BCD996P2 or BCD536HP, I really like the fire tone out feature, and don't want to over spend on things I don't need, but also want to have something that will last long term.

What do you suggest?

 

[rhodester]

If you're going to listen to Saratoga county it is a simulcast system. Being outside the county you might pick up only one Tower and do fine.They got the okay from the FCC last August to upgrade to phase 2 but have not as of yet.

 

[hiegtx]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to upgrade from the old analog unit that has no alpha tagging etc...

My area is analog, but there's plenty of digital activity out there that I am interested in. I am looking for something that will suit me long term. I do not have any simulcast in my area, that I am aware of. I am located in the southern end of Warren County NY. I have never had a scanner capable of trunking and not really sure where to start.

I am looking between the BCD996P2 or BCD536HP, I really like the fire tone out feature, and don't want to over spend on things I don't need, but also want to have something that will last long term.

What do you suggest?

Looking at your county, and most of the ones immediately around you, there do not appear to be any trunked systems (for public safety). Your S.O. has one frequency that is digital, and uses a NAC code. Essex County, to your north, has several conventional (non-trunked) channels that are digital, for Law Enforcement, Fire, & EMS that use NAC codes. so for these examples, you would need a digital scanner.

Saratoga County, to your south, does use a trunked system for public safety, so a trunking capable scanner would be needed if you wished to monitor them. Saratoga's system does use simulcast sites, but monitoring from the next county, you may well be able to still receive them clearly without stepping up to one of the SDS scanners.

Either the 996P2, or 536HP, would cover what is in your area. The 996P2 is less expensive, but the 536HP, which is a database scanner, is (to me) easier to program. Also, should you at some point wish to travel, & take along your scanner, the 536HP, in conjunction with using a GPS, would be an excellent one to use.

You might want to have your thread be moved to your state's forum (New York). That way, you might get more input from others in your vicinity. To do that, click on the Report link in the lower left corner of your post. That will give allow you to request that a moderator your thread to the regional forum. Don't create a new thread; just request that this one be moved. Both the scanners you mentioned are good, solid, units.

 

[MStep]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking to upgrade from the old analog unit that has no alpha tagging etc...

My area is analog, but there's plenty of digital activity out there that I am interested in. I am looking for something that will suit me long term. I do not have any simulcast in my area, that I am aware of. I am located in the southern end of Warren County NY. I have never had a scanner capable of trunking and not really sure where to start.

I am looking between the BCD996P2 or BCD536HP, I really like the fire tone out feature, and don't want to over spend on things I don't need, but also want to have something that will last long term.

What do you suggest?

It will be a little confusing when you begin, so expect some frustration if you are new to digital and trunking from analog. My usual suggestion is to buy the most radio that you can afford. For base/mobile operation, the Uniden SDS200 would be my choice. For portable, it would be the Uniden SDS100.

I realize that these an not on you list, and that this may be considerably more than you are looking to spend. And you may have to consider "form factor" if you are planning on mobile installation. I'm familiar with the 996, and I have the 536 as well--- the "eye candy" that the SDS200's display provides is worth the price of admission.

Would also suggest you check into the New York State forum here on Radio Reference to see what others in your area may recommend.

 

[KK4JUG]

hiegtx brought up traveling and if you do travel, you're likely to encounter simulcast, The SDS units are the only scanners that will handle it. An SDS scanner can sort of "future-proof" your scanning because they'll handle about everything you're entitled to hear. If those things are not under consideration, the other scanners mentioned at the start should serve you well.

 

[W2SOX]

Thank you everyone, I ended up getting the 996P2, my dad has one but I’ve never really played around with it.

I got a smoking deal from HRO, and only planned to keep it on my desk at home so traveling wasn’t anything I planned on doing.

Thank you all for the input and I can’t wait for it to come!