What is a good scanner under $250?

[RifleMaster650]

Hi,

I live in Boca Raton, FL. I want to be able to scan the Police, Fire, and EMS near me. I know they use 800mHz channels. What would be a good-priced scanner for this? I don't want to spend any more than $250. Can someone please help me with this?

-RifleMaster650

---

Palm Beach County Trunking System, Various, Florida

Palm Beach County Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

SDR dongle paired with SDRTrunk would be your only option to do the job for under $250. Otherwise expect to spend $350-700 for a scanner capable of P25 Phase-II trunking. Boca Raton Police are fully encrypted as is every other talkgroup ID'ed as mode "DE" or "TE". Lastly the Boca Raton cells are clustered close together so expect some degree of simulcast distortion if you decide against a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200

 

[plusEric26]

You're not going to get a 250 dollar scanner that can scan that system. Closest you might get is maybe something like the BCD996P2 ($399) or something similar, but you might have quite a bit of trouble with simulcast distortion. The only real scanner that is probably worth it right now afaik is the SDS100 or SDS200.

Other options would be to get a few rtl-sdr dongles($40) and use op25 or sdr-trunk or something similar. There a few options from a software prospective, depending on how competent you feel with pc software.

 

[BinaryMode]

Check out eBay for the BCD996P2 or BCD325P2 collectively known as the P2 scanners. It's what I did, and well, it's where I buy all my scanners. I haven't bought new for years. Problem is, your area is P25 phase II and thus that means a Trunktracker V type scanner. Well, as Uniden puts it anyway. And that's gonna cost you at least $350.

The suggested SDRs and whatnot will get you to listen on your computer for about $25.

Simulcast distortion may be an issue and in addition to the Wiki entry posted (good stuff) I recently read here on this site a user using more than one antenna to help combat simulcast distortion. This is of course if your stationary at your house or what ever. On the go in a car and whatnot you'll need an SDS type model scanner or the equivalent. But then again, perhaps not since you're moving.

I was curious and did the math. For Palm Beach county there are 218 talkgroups. 80 are encrypted, 138 are unencrypted. Which means for Palm Beach County, 37% encrypted and 63% unencrypted.

There's my nerd post for the day.

 

[RifleMaster650]

Thank you. Would the same one work for the New York City Metro region?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Thank you. Would the same one work for the New York City Metro region?

Where specifically? It's a huge region encompassing two states. As long as what you're listening to isn't simulcast across multiple cells at same time (or worse, encrypted) then the BCD996P2 or BCD325P2 should do just fine

 

[IC-R20]

Thank you. Would the same one work for the New York City Metro region?

Yes, a lot of that stuff is still analog T-band UHF. Brooklyn is slowly turning precincts p25 encrypted but there's still time yet. The manhattan and bronx areas are all still analog for the main channels.

 

[brndnstffrd]

A good choice would be the P25RX or P25RX-II. They work great on simulcast, however a downfall is that while they are great trunking receivers, if you are planning on monitoring both trunked and conventional simultaneously, a traditional scanner would be a better choice. However, if you are looking to just scan one or 2 trunked systems, they cannot be beat for the price. I haven't checked lately to see Todd's availability, however, they are worth keeping an eye out for on the used market until he is able to produce more.

 

[RifleMaster650]

Thank you everyone!

 

[RaleighGuy]

A good choice would be the P25RX or P25RX-II. They work great on simulcast, however a downfall is that while they are great trunking receivers, if you are planning on monitoring both trunked and conventional simultaneously, a traditional scanner would be a better choice. However, if you are looking to just scan one or 2 trunked systems, they cannot be beat for the price. I haven't checked lately to see Todd's availability, however, they are worth keeping an eye out for on the used market until he is able to produce more.

Or just an SDR and DSD+FL or similar software for under $75 will accomplish the same thing for a lot less.

 

[W4KRR]

Just an FYI: Boca Raton police are encrypted, as is almost all law enforcement in Palm Beach County.

 

[ka3aaa]

a true scanner can operate all by its lonesome without being attached to a computer.

 

[brndnstffrd]

Or just an SDR and DSD+FL or similar software for under $75 will accomplish the same thing for a lot less.

Not brushing off your suggestion, however the ease of use is definitely a consideration for most people, especially when new. With the P25rx all that is needed is to type in a zip code and just start scanning or just load in a control channel and you're off. The RR import is also a nice feature for the people that use it.

Another benefit to the P25rx is the ability to use it standalone, without a computer. All that is needed is a usb power supply and an audio device.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Not brushing off your suggestion, however the ease of use is definitely a consideration for most people, especially when new. With the P25rx all that is needed is to type in a zip code and just start scanning or just load in a control channel and you're off. The RR import is also a nice feature for the people that use it.

Another benefit to the P25rx is the ability to use it standalone, without a computer. All that is needed is a usb power supply and an audio device.

Good sell

 

[ind224]

Now now, don't get dismayed the fact the SDS are beyond most casual listeners skill set is a God send. I saw a 200 go for $400 on FBMP and if someone is strapped for cash you might see better than that. Fortunately for me, I don't need Phase 2 just yet and a lady that just bought a Whistler1040 and paid $300 sold it to me for $100 this evening because the ONE county she wants to hear went encrypted.
She could have ISP Indianapolis and other stuff, suprising to me standing in Fishers Indiana with the rubber antenna I was getting Madison Co P25.
Deals are out there.......

 

[IC-R20]

Now now, don't get dismayed the fact the SDS are beyond most casual listeners skill set is a God send. I saw a 200 go for $400 on FBMP and if someone is strapped for cash you might see better than that. Fortunately for me, I don't need Phase 2 just yet and a lady that just bought a Whistler1040 and paid $300 sold it to me for $100 this evening because the ONE county she wants to hear went encrypted.
She could have ISP Indianapolis and other stuff, suprising to me standing in Fishers Indiana with the rubber antenna I was getting Madison Co P25.
Deals are out there.......

Yeah it's an insanely hot receiver. I've used it with just the included whip most of the time for years because of that except for specialist cases where I either need LoBand or know around the frequency range I want maximum pull on. Otherwise I keep getting static breaks and weak signals from repeaters and bases far away on the other side of the mountain from me. I got a Diamond RH205 I got for VHF-Hi scanning with it and the reception is unreal at times. That coupled with the long battery life on eneloop pros keep me using it over the TRX1 most of the time when I don't need extra digital modes or to record receptions. The V-Scanner is also great for SIGINT trips because I can make a separate new one for each town I visit.

 

[BinaryMode]

FBMP?

 

[lynnsnyder1968]

FBMP?

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