Which Scanner?

[clouddancerss]

I want to monitor stuff here in Arlington VA, and was wondering which scanner to get? Is Arlington going to digital? If I got a digital, will it also pick up the trunked channels? Thanks!

 

[LEH]

clouddancerss,

So far, Arlington shows analog, but like all things, subject to change. Some of the departments in neighboring areas are digital as is DC. So if you want to monitor other groups in the metro area, you'll need a digital scanner.

So far, all the scanners that can receive digital are trunkers as well. AOR is betting ready to introduce a P25 card for their top of the line scanner, but iti doesn't trunk track.

Right now, for the money, there are two I'd take a serious look at. One is the Radio Shack PRO-96 and the other is Uniden's new BDD396T. These are both handhelds. RS has their 2096 base/mobile version of the 96. Expect to pay over $475.

For info on the 396 or the 96, check out the threads here on the forum.

 

[leonzo]

Arlington County is currently on an analog trunk system. They have plans to go to a digital trunk system. I would seriously consider buying a scanner that does digital trunking, in my opinion. Happy monitoring!