Looking to buy my first scanner. I am in Mesquite (Dallas county), but want to listen in on Rowlett (Dallas and Rockwall counties) traffice. Does anyone know if this is possible - or is the distance (may 20+ miles) too far. I spoke with Scanner Master in Boston and they said it probably would not pick up that distance. But, suggested using a Texas forum discussion to see if anyone was doing this.
Thanks...
That's the problem with dealing with someone (Scanner Master or any other dealer) that's not really familiar with the area.
Rowlett is on the Garland trunked radio system:
Scanner Frequencies: Garland Public Safety Trunking System, Garland, Texas
Unless you're so close to a cell tower it overloads your scanner (it does happen, but we are talking
extreme here), or some other really weird circumstance, like you are down in a very low area, as js_scan said you'll hear the Garland system from Mesquite. You're too close to them not to. I can hear them from southwest of downtown Dallas, at least 12-15 miles farther away that you'll be. You're definitely not 20 miles from Garland or the closest tower for their system.
A more important question is what
else do you want to listen to?
For now, the only digital systems in the DFW area Grand Prairie and Mansfield. Texas DPS also uses digital, but not on a trunked system. Greenville, in Hunt County, also uses digital, but not on a trunked system, as do several cities and counties along Lake Texoma, if you get up that way.
There has been intermittent discussion both here & on the DFWScan Yahoo group that several other cities or counties are exploring the idea of upgrading their current system to digital, or building an all new digital one. The point being, digital is not prevalent at this time, but may be a consideration in the future.
Any analog trunk tracking scanner that will handle Motorola Type II systems will handle Garland. (Mesquite is the same type of system as Garland.) Be sure that the unit you are looking at will be upgradeable for rebanded systems. That includes most all of the current production trunk tracking scanners. The most popular models,from Uniden & GRE, all fit that requirement. And, these would handle the other analog (non-digital) frequencies & systems in the area. One other consideration: Some of the non=digital scanners will receive mil-air (military aircraft) frequencies, others will not. If that's an interest, whether for general listening, or at events like the Alliance Air Show, be sure that coverage is included.
Give a few more specifics as to what else, besides Rowlett, you might want to hear, and also whether you are looking for a handheld scanner (portable) or a base/mobile, to sit on a desktop. Remember that the handheld, with an ac adapter, can be used at home, and also carried with you.