Using Unication G4/G5 to listen to ICAWIN in Ada County

[ErikSwan]

Hi,

Relatively new to scanning and I'm looking into getting a Unication G4/G5 for monitoring public safety (Ada County Fire, EMS, and Boise PD) on the ICAWIN system in Ada County. Looking at the RR database I'm aware that some talk groups are encrypted but it seems like I should still be able to monitor ISP (here in District 3), Ada County Sheriff (Dispatch), Ada County Fire, Ada County EMS (Dispatch), and Boise Police (Dispatch).

Would this be a good choice? Is there anything I'm missing that I should be aware of that would make this a bad investment? Anyone else using a G4/G5 in the area?

 

[devicelab]

Would this be a good choice? Is there anything I'm missing that I should be aware of that would make this a bad investment? Anyone else using a G4/G5 in the area?

If you have $$$ to burn then it's a fine choice, but you can save yourself half the cost with something like a BCD325P2. The 325P2 also supports DMR and NXDN with the paid upgrades -- if you need those later on. So it's a better investment, IMHO.

 

[62Truck]

If you have $$$ to burn then it's a fine choice, but you can save yourself half the cost with something like a BCD325P2. The 325P2 also supports DMR and NXDN with the paid upgrades -- if you need those later on. So it's a better investment, IMHO.

Being that the Ada site is simulcast, there is a good change that the 325P2 will not work for him due to simulcast distortion issues plagued with that scanner.

 

[devicelab]

Being that the Ada site is simulcast, there is a good change that the 325P2 will not work for him due to simulcast distortion issues plagued with that scanner.

Buy it from Amazon. If it doesn't work then return it. Duh.

 

[whisper16]

I have been using a G5 on the system for several months now. Hands down worth the investment. Great audio, battery life, and no distortion on the Ada simulcast site.

 

[ErikSwan]

I have been using a G5 on the system for several months now. Hands down worth the investment. Great audio, battery life, and no distortion on the Ada simulcast site.

Just curious, why did you get the G5 instead of the G4? What do you monitor here with the additional VHF/UHF band (and which band did you get on the G5)?

 

[devicelab]

Just curious, why did you get the G5 instead of the G4? What do you monitor here with the additional VHF/UHF band (and which band did you get on the G5)?

Uh VHF or UHF P25... and don't forget DMR. If I got one for free then I'd use the G5 with UHF 400-470.

Programming the G4/G5 is a pain though. It's not as simple as a scanner. You might want to watch a few YouTube videos before purchasing.

 

[whisper16]

Just curious, why did you get the G5 instead of the G4? What do you monitor here with the additional VHF/UHF band (and which band did you get on the G5)?

I got the 700-800/VHF version. Work takes me into several different counties. Boise, Gem, Payette, Malhuer, Washington etc. I wanted to be able to monitor fire in those counties, as well as BLM