Whistler WS1065 Feedback

[ReDnose13]

Hello Everyone!
My First Post Here so be nice.
After being absent for five years, I am returning to the HAM Scanner fun.
My first Scanner was RadioShake Pro 96 when it was first released and now I'm looking to purchase this Whistler WS1065 for listening-only purposes.
Originally from California and relocated to Raleigh, NC where police activity is the opposite.
Does anyone know if this is the right Scanner? Is it worth the spending? Since the majority of Police/Fire Departments are on Digital band frequency, Phase 1&2

 

[reconrider8]

I would go no less then a 436 or sds100 as wake and raleigh is phase 2 and viper will be phase 2 before you know it in 25

 

[RaleighGuy]

...relocated to Raleigh, NC ...
Does anyone know if this is the right Scanner? Is it worth the spending? Since the majority of Police/Fire Departments are on Digital band frequency, Phase 1&2

I would recommend against the WS1065 for the Raleigh/Wake area because the Wake System (which carries Raleigh) is a simulcast system and Whistler scanners do not play nice with simulcast. It really depends on where you are located, but this is the case for 85% of the areas. Wake County is not Phase 2 yet, but it is P2 capable and will probably be upgraded when VIPER is. Your best bet is the SDS100/200 or Unication G4/5 pagers.

I would go no less then a 436 or sds100 as wake and raleigh is phase 2 and viper will be phase 2 before you know it in 25

While a 436 may work better, it too is not designed for simulcast systems. And, as I said above, Wake is not Phase 2.

 

[ReDnose13]

Thanks for the advice, I will do more reading n the SDS100 for now. I need a scanner soon since I started the graveyard shift @ work and that is when the fun starts.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Thanks for the advice, I will do more reading n the SDS100 for now. I need a scanner soon since I started the graveyard shift @ work and that is when the fun starts.

I live near downtown and do not have issues with my TRX 1, WS1080, and WS1095, when at home. However, when at work to the southeast of downtown, or driving around, I do experience issues. Shortly after they upgraded the system the end of last year I bought a G5 Unication and am glad I did.

As a side note, when programming the Wake system make sure you ONLY add the Cary Site 002, not site 1, otherwise you will not be able to hear the Wake/Raleigh TGs. Though they use the same core of the Cary system, they are in reality two totally different systems.

If you have any questions about the system I'll be happy to help you if I can. You might also consider joining the Tar Heel Scanner/SWL group on Groups.io (link below), they have a lot of good people and an email list to help you as well.

TarheelScanner groups.io Group

The purpose of this community is to discuss and distribute information for the Tar Heel Scanner / SWL SIG group located in the Triangle area of North Carolina. New people are welcome. Be sure to check out our Facebook group too. It's named Tarheel Scanner/SWL Group and is a private group.

groups.io

 

[ReDnose13]

Thanks for the updates. I am closer to the town of Wendell and I definitely want the right scanner. Since I have a gift card for Best Buy and they have the WS1095 $299, I was tempted to purchase it.

 

[longbch]

@jcastro13 I live in Holly Springs and locked out the Cary sites from my favorites list because I don't listen to Cary. My SDS100 picks up the Wake County system very well, but so does my BCD436HP. The 436 gets a little higher error rate, but everything is received okay.
You're close to one repeater site in Wendell, so the 436 may do well for you too if you want to save some money. You may want to ask somebody who monitors there.

 

[ReDnose13]

hey longbch, thanks for the info. Have a nice day!

 

[gmclam]

While the SDS is about twice the price of the WS, you'll regret the WS as soon as you run into the simulcast issue. Using a receiver not able to handle the simulcast issue is just playing Russian Roulette with your dollars.

 

[ToddWilkinson]

That unit CANNOT handle simulcast, I have 3 of them!!!

 

[Ensnared]

Thanks for the updates. I am closer to the town of Wendell and I definitely want the right scanner. Since I have a gift card for Best Buy and they have the WS1095 $299, I was tempted to purchase it.

Whistler scanners do not decode transmissions like the SDS 100/200. Furthermore, they don't follow trunked activity like Uniden when it comes to other platforms like DMR or NXDN. Whistle radios are horrible on simulcasted systems, most of the time. Buy Uniden. Even though upgrades cost with Uniden, it is worth every penny if the system is within your listening preference area.

 

[ReDnose13]

Thanks for the update. Does the TRX-2 have the same simulcasted issue?

 

[RaleighGuy]

Whistler scanners do not decode transmissions like the SDS 100/200. Furthermore, they don't follow trunked activity like Uniden when it comes to other platforms like DMR or NXDN. Whistle radios are horrible on simulcasted systems, most of the time. Buy Uniden. Even though upgrades cost with Uniden, it is worth every penny if the system is within your listening preference area.

DMR and NXDN systems are not very popular in Wake County, so that should not be an issue. But I second the remaining reasons stated.

 

[Ensnared]

Thanks for the update. Does the TRX-2 have the same simulcasted issue?

Yes, from others have told me, they are still plagued with simulcast distortion. The only two scanning radios that decode are the SDS 100/200. Whistler is still using much older technology, from GRE.

If you would like to do so, you can go a lot cheaper, buy an Airspy dongle system. You can get this for under $100. I am not nimble enough on the computer to use this setup.

If you go this much cheaper route, you can only monitor one system at a time. In this case, it would be Cary/Wake P25. One dongle handles voice while the other handles decoding.

From what I can see, you have a limited number of encrypted or partially encrypted talk groups (channels). Law Enforcement in Cary is fully encrypted.

You might need to check with locals in your listening area, specific to your state. There is a good chance that some will own Whistlers, Unidens for comparison, or Airspy setups.

The linear simulcast distortion is tolerable here in Waco, Texas, but not with a GRE/Whistler/Radio Shack scanner.

GRE scanners were rebranded by RS as well.

After the GRE factory closed in China, Whistler bought the technology. Well, that is the way I understand things.

 

[Tobydog]

Keep in mind Phase 2 coming in 2025 to VIPER system so plan accordingly for future needs.

 

[RaleighGuy]

If you would like to do so, you can go a lot cheaper, buy an Airspy dongle system. You can get this for under $100. I am not nimble enough on the computer to use this setup.

If you go this much cheaper route, you can only monitor one system at a time. In this case, it would be Cary/Wake P25. One dongle handles voice while the other handles decoding.

Going this Route limits the OP to home use only, limiting portability and mobile use.

Keep in mind Phase 2 coming in 2025 to VIPER system so plan accordingly for future needs.

They will begin the process starting in 2025 as I understand it, this will not be an overnight process, nor as simple as flipping a switch. I expect it will be much later before all of VIPER is Phase 2.

 

[whm8019]

I listen to Wake, Johnston, and Nash Counties. I finally gave up on my Radio Shack (GRE/Whistler) scanners and switched to a Uniden SDS100. Have not had any issues since. Not going to lie, learning curve for programming was a little steep. However, once I figured it all out it has been a piece of cake. Get the Uniden.