What Scanner...

[shreknow91]

Ok... So I asked this before buuuuuuuuuuut, I just got more confused.

What do I need for a base and or handheld scanner to be able to listen to my local PD/FD/EMS

I am in Huntersville, NC (north of Charlotte) I also want to listen to Char-Meck PD/FD/EMT etc.


I am looking for one of the cheaper options for me,as I am a poor High School student, I would prefer a handheld, but will also take a base unit.

The only thing I remember from my last thread was that the Radio Shack PRO-97 would work, but I also want to know my other options.

Thanks

(sorry about the rambling)

 

[FireCop]

Charlotte-Mecklenburg TRS

Huntersville PD is a part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Trunked Radio System (TRS). You can monitor them and all the other north towns law enforcement, as well as, CMPD, CFD, Medic, County VFD's, and many others on the TRS. The Charlotte-Meck system is a Motorola system. You can read up on Motorola trunking systems and trunking in general in the Radio Reference Wiki. Look at these links.

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Trunking

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Motorola

There are a number of scanners both past and present that could help you. You may want to get one that will withstand the Motorola rebanding process that will hit North Carolina soon. To read up on rebanding, go to the Radio Reference Wiki and look it up at this link.

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Rebanding

The current scanners that will monitor analog trunking are Uniden BC246T, BR330T, & BCT15. Radio Shack carries the Pro 162, Pro 164, Pro 528, Pro 97, Pro 2055, Pro 433, & Pro 163. Keep in mind the Pro 97 & Pro 2055 most likely will not be compatible with Motorola trunked systems, such as the Charlotte-Meck one, after rebanding is finished. The Pro 433 is on clearance. The Pro 97 & Pro 2055 may follow suit soon.

I know this is a lot of info. Hang in there and give it a shot. If I have left anything out, other members will chime in and correct me or add what is needed. :lol:

Welcome to Radio Reference!

 

[FireCop]

Forgot a couple!!!

I forgot to mention the GRE units that would fit the bill for you. They are the PSR 300 & PSR 400.

 

[padre29]

If you want to listen to Charlotte Mecklenburg county systems try this link before you purchase a scanner:

http://www.scannorthcarolina.com/index.php

They have a live Scanner fed from Charlotte, it works fairly well as well...

 

[KM4WLV]

Pro162

If you haven't ever had a trunking scanner before, I would recommend the 162. I have had most of the Rat Shack scanners that did trunking, and this one has been the easiest thus far to program & use all the features without using programming software.

Just my .02