why do they make it so difficult?

[Paullco]

I have been a Technician at a casino for 20+years. I set up machines from scratch using mostly Linux systems and also maintain and repair electronics to the board level. And YET-- Have never been so frustrated in an electronic device in my life. Strange menus and sub categories abound. And that seems just the start. I need information to put into every little area and sub area that usually only a few numbers are provided. THEN when I get all the frequencies put in and think it is scanning,, not a PEEP. I hear more from my Analog scanner. Why does it have to be so hard? I spent hours for nothing so far. I have a $300 paperweight. UGH.

 

[ofd8001]

It's a lot like learning a new language. One can speak English really well, however trying to learn Swedish may be difficult at first.

Scanners have gotten complicated because the systems we want to monitor have become complicated with all kinds of nuances (Trunking, Digital, DMR, etc.) And on top of that us scannists have pressured manufacturers for different features.

I'm pretty sure that most of us started out knowing very little. With time, practice and lots of patience, things fell into place.

I imagine when you first began your work there were a few glitches along the way. Kind of like anything. Experience teaches best.

 

[DJ11DLN]

Posting in the Wisconsin forums might attract some attention from people who are familiar with what you're trying to hear. All of these systems are different and often what works for one doesn't for another. Not trying to be unkind, just steering you where you might get the most useful help.

 

[wtp]

or

what radio, many here like to help.

 

[gonefishn1]

It would help us if we knew what radio, and what your trying to hear?

 

[jonwienke]

The short version is that communication systems have become more complex, and therefore the scanners capable of monitoring them have become more complex as well. You can't just punch in a frequency; there are numerous flavors of digital and analog trunking and systems with multiple sites, which require the scanner to monitor multiple frequencies to follow a conversation properly.

As others have said, you need to specify where you are, what you want to hear, and what scanner you have before anyone can really help you.