what portable?

[fkarl]

Would like to pick up lots of stuff....(Augusta to Boston), but will settle for Portland EMS/Fire/PD and Southern maine Fire, South Portland Fire/PD would be a nice bonus but a guy at work says they're frequencies are encrypted?
So, being a bit of a newb I would like some guidance on what portable to get so I can get these? I live north of the city but work in town so would like to be able to listen on the way to and from work.
ALSO, I have a trunk tracker 2 at home that gets lots of stuff.... but won't reach to Portland from about 20 miles out. What antenna would you all recommend to boost the signal so I can listen at home?

Ok, thats a lot to ask I know... thanks!

 

[reedeb]

Would like to pick up lots of stuff....(Augusta to Boston), but will settle for Portland EMS/Fire/PD and Southern maine Fire, South Portland Fire/PD would be a nice bonus but a guy at work says they're frequencies are encrypted?
So, being a bit of a newb I would like some guidance on what portable to get so I can get these? I live north of the city but work in town so would like to be able to listen on the way to and from work.
ALSO, I have a trunk tracker 2 at home that gets lots of stuff.... but won't reach to Portland from about 20 miles out. What antenna would you all recommend to boost the signal so I can listen at home?

Ok, thats a lot to ask I know... thanks!

OK Unless you have a very good antenna, with a portable you'll neveer get Augusta to Boston. I may be wrong but I don't think the freqs are encrypted [they may be]. ALSO on your TT2 do you have an outside antenna? If not and you can have one get one and put it up on the roof

 

[ME343]

None of portland or south portland or encrypted. Portland is on motorola 800Mhz Trunking system and SoPo is a Conventional system.

 

[N1BHH]

South Portland is in process of being merged into the Portland trunk system according to other folks up that way. You would be better off getting a digital capable radio anyway to be ready for any possible changes that may be on the horizon. This upgrade in the MSCOMM system that is slowly being licensed has some possible P-25 use, so get it now to stay ahead of the curve. Any digital scanner will do.

 

[fkarl]

South Portland is in process of being merged into the Portland trunk system according to other folks up that way. You would be better off getting a digital capable radio anyway to be ready for any possible changes that may be on the horizon. This upgrade in the MSCOMM system that is slowly being licensed has some possible P-25 use, so get it now to stay ahead of the curve. Any digital scanner will do.

I don't know what MSCOMM or P-25 means.... lol Total newb at this. Was a firefighter years ago and have worked with portable radios as a security officer and now an engineer.... but never paid attention to the technology. Are you saying that any digital portable scanner will work for my application? What sort of range might I expect while driving? Thanks for helping the rookie.

 

[94caprice9c1]

Right now the only digital systems in the area are Biddeford PD, Lewiston/Auburn PD and sonething up near Augusta. Take a look at the sticky about the State Police's new system, not sure how far out that is, but likely in place in time for the rebanding deadline, 1-1-2013. For Greater Portalnd something like the Uniden 346XT is fine, that is what I am using. But, that may all change once the new state system is in place.

 

[Adenosine]

I don't know what MSCOMM or P-25 means....

MSCOMM is Maine State Communication Net, its replacing all the state towers with a linked system of towers through digital/analog/internet. What does this mean to you? State trucks and services (SP) will change to bouncing off the new repeaters by 2012 or 2014 (dont remember).

One thing worth mentioning, they plan is to simulcast in analog so county and local agencies can monitor state agencies. The towers will also recieve analog convert to digital and send it back to the state radio. When they roll it out, you will not need a P-25 system to monitor. Personally I'm going to wait to commit anything to this.

 

[ecps92]

Don't write off "FEDERAL" monitoring. Lots of P25 and not Encrypted.
USCG, FPS/GSA and many others

Right now the only digital systems in the area are Biddeford PD, Lewiston/Auburn PD and sonething up near Augusta. Take a look at the sticky about the State Police's new system, not sure how far out that is, but likely in place in time for the rebanding deadline, 1-1-2013. For Greater Portalnd something like the Uniden 346XT is fine, that is what I am using. But, that may all change once the new state system is in place.