Where to get started?

[ObiHann]

So, I've alwayse wanted to get into scanners, even as a kid, I alwayse wanted to just listen. My in-laws live in Pictou County, and they have a scanner that works for there local law/fire/a few others and its fun to listen to, but I know (or think I know) that Halifax police/fire use "ecnrypted" or "digital" signals? I
'm sure people come here asking all the time "I live in xxx how do I listen to the police" so I'm more or less asking for some good advice for a new guy, and also where to start reading. I'm picking up a CB next week (cobra 19 with a magnetic roof antenna) for my Jeep, so I will be listening to the truckers alot I guess, but past that, what else is there to listen to, and how?
Thanks in advance!

 

[davidmc36]

Since the database has nothing specific for Pictou County start with this:

Scanner Frequencies: Aliant Trunked Mobile Radio (TMR) Trunking System, Province-Wide, Multi-State

Then this will tell you about scanners:

Category:Trunking Scanners - The RadioReference Wiki

There is a nice comparison table here for digital scanners which you will need for the NS TMR:

ScanVirginia - Digital Scanner Comparison


This site should have some local stuff for you:

The Maritimes Scanning Site

Absorb as much as you can and feel free to come back with more questions. For sure you will have some. Welcome to an addictive hobby. Don't forget to be ready to loosen the clasp on your wallet.

PS: You should be able to hear everything on the NS TMR system. Some is digital, but I don't see anything that is encrypted. Notice under the "Mode" column in the TalkGroup lists. "A" is analog and "D" is digital. If it were encrypted it would say "E". Even though it may not have been specifically identified yet, there still may be the occasional encrypted converstaion, but it appears from the database to not be in use.

 

[ObiHann]

I have enough "expensive hobbies". So many people I know think its a expensive hobbie buying a new xbox game each month, but they dont have a clue. Currently I run Nitro powered RC cars, wheel a Jeep off road, and am thinking about scanning LOL. Yah, I'm screwed.

 

[ObiHann]

Alright, this is what I grasp so far. I want to listen to the RCMP/Local police in Halifax and areas. For Halifax and Lower Sackville, they use the Halifax Regional Police Talk Group. They use a digital signal, and the frequency or talk group is 58304. This is where I start getting a bit lost, so here are a few quick questions.

1) I obviously will need a digital radio, I'm thinkining something cheap, small, easy, so what do you guys recommend.
2) Once I get this radio, do I just dial it to talk group 58304, or is this going to be encrypted or something?
3) You said the list would say E if it is encrypted, so its safe to assume that its not for halifax police and rcmp?
4) Can someone explain frequencys and talk groups? I understand what a freq is, basicaly a specific bandwidth of wireless that is used. But what is a talk group?

Thanks again!

 

[greenhorn123]

Truckers out east of Montreal run on ch1, not the traditional ch19

 

[ObiHann]

I think they run channel 1 out in Halifax

 

[ve1sef]

Scanner wise the majority of Fire and Municipal Services in Pictou County operate on VHF and there is
a fair bit of activity. Most Provincal services such as EHS, Dept.of Natural Resources etc.. operate on
the Trunk Radio System. Most but not all, law enforcement is on digital.
Also depending where you are in Pictou County, it's possible to monitor the eastern end of P.E.I.
If your familiar with Nu-Comm Communication in New Glasgow, the owner Bill is a good source of information regarding scanners and cb radios.
Pictou County also has an active C.B. Radio community which monitors ch.13

 

[ObiHann]

I'm in halifax actually... OK, here is my next question since I'm starting to get this, will a uniten bearcat bct15 do what I need? let me listen to police, ems, fire, and rcmp in halifax?

 

[slicerwizard]

1) I obviously will need a digital radio, I'm thinkining something cheap

You can get cheap or digital, not both. A 15 isn't digital-capable.

 

[ObiHann]

Starting to realize that now. What is the big difference between the BCT8 and the BCT15? Since analog trunked means I can be cheap, but how cheap do I want to go? I need to figure out what I want in a scanner, and thats not really a question for you guys, I know what I need though, so thanks a lot!

 

[davidmc36]

What is the big difference between the BCT8 and the BCT15?

This should show the differences pretty well:

BCT8 - The RadioReference Wiki

BCT15 - The RadioReference Wiki

Just the close call for snooping out nearby freqs and the AGC would be enough to make me go with the 15. The Automatic Gain Control lets you tweak the volume for certain things that are louder or softer in comparison with other comms. Call it a volume leveler if you will, very handy.

 

[ObiHann]

Your right, that close call would be a great feature! I think I'm sold on the 15, now I just need to figure out how to get it I need to replace a GPS and Satllite radio unless I can figure out what is wrong with them, and some other things for some other hobbies

 

[hfxChris]

(reply to another 1.5 month old thread...)
FYI, the BCT15 can't do digital, so you won't be able to listen to HRP or RCMP, which sounded like your original requirement.

And just to clear up what is digital and encrypted in Nova Scotia - all RCMP and Halifax Regional Police is at minimum encrypted. However, both agencies do have some encrypted talkgroups, mainly for their drug and special investigation sections. However, their primary/dispatch channels that the majority of the units work off of are simply digital.