Which Minitor to use

[Weanis]

Hi, I am fairly new to this site. I would like to carry something with me like a Motorola Minitor to hear what is going on around my local area. I don't have a clue on which one to get, which frequency or channel or what ever options are available. Basically I am just an amateur who wants to know whats going on. Can I buy one that is all ready to go, so I don't have to have anything else done to it? Which one do I need, or what do I need to look for? I want one shipped to my door ready to be turned on an working for my local area. Any ideas would be great.
I live in Grand Haven, Michigan, we have 3 local fire stations. Grand Haven, Grand Haven Township, and (were I live) Robinson Township

 

[svfd17]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.654 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/389)

Your best bet would be to just get a really small hand held scanner or something small like a yaesu vx7, because minitors tend to be very expansive more so than standard two way radios. I have an icom f60 and its pretty small but commercial radios have to be programmed so I think you should be looking towards smaller ham type gear for what you would be using it for.

 

[N1GTL]

Buy a scanner. Why limit yourself to 1 or 2 channels that you cannot even reprogram without software and a cradle?

 

[svfd17]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.654 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/389)

In my opinion the only thing my pager is good for is tripping when I have a call. If I want to monitor the fire channels I'll use my portables or a scanner, the reception on pagers generally suck.

 

[Weanis]

Thank you for the fast replies. I have a radioshack Pro-51 scanner right now that I just keep plugged in at home that is programmed for Police and Fire. I was told it was illegal for me to carry this around in my vehicle. Is this true? Also it seems to bulky to carry around. I will look into yaesu vx7. I see people come into my shop all the time with the Minitors so I figured that was the route to go.

 

[krokus]

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I would suggest a digital scanner. With most of the public safety comms moving over to MPSCS, it will be very useful.

 

[NCFire11]

Thank you for the fast replies. I have a radioshack Pro-51 scanner right now that I just keep plugged in at home that is programmed for Police and Fire. I was told it was illegal for me to carry this around in my vehicle. Is this true? Also it seems to bulky to carry around. I will look into yaesu vx7. I see people come into my shop all the time with the Minitors so I figured that was the route to go.

Not at all illegal to carry a scanner in your vehicle.

 

[Devilz311]

Not at all illegal to carry a scanner in your vehicle.

Michigan used to issue permits for having a scanner in a moving vehicle, and it was illegal to operate on without it. From what I read, they stopped issuing permits, and it varies by local ordinance.

Maybe someone from Michigan can explain it a little better.

 

[lindsay34654]

michigan

Scanners in vehicles



Police scanners can be used in your vehicle. A permit from the Michigan State Police is no longer required under amendments to section 750.508 that became effective on May 31, 2006.


Felons



A person convicted of one or more felonies within the preceding five years cannot possess a police scanner under any circumstances. A violation is a misdemeanor that can result in fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to one year, or both.



Read more: The Laws in Michigan for Police Scanners | eHow.com The Laws in Michigan for Police Scanners | eHow.com

 

[justonymsu]

Also in MI you cannot have a scanner with you if you are commiting a misdemeanor or a felony. Other then that there is no reason you cannot have one with you at all times. if you get a pro-106 from radio shack you can have all the MPSCS sytem and all other local stuff you want and if you need help programming just yell.

 

[Weanis]

Thank you everyone for your fast reply's. I will look into the scanner from Radioshack and I'm sure I will give you a "yell" when I get it home and need help setting it up I read awhile back the law about the scanners but it seems you have to be a lawyer to understand the jibberish. Thanks Again!!!!