Will scanning become obsolete?

[RIVERSMVP09]

I ask ths now because analog frequencies are being ditched, and even the digital scanners can't pick up all digital. I'm about to buy an analog scanner and want to know if its still worth it.

 

[skydmark1]

depends on where you live and what you want to listen to. In my area we have NO trunked frequencies but the Entire State has it's police on P25 digital systems as does the fish and game. However nearly everything else is still analog, fire, ems, etc. Plus there is always Business frequencies to listen to, air & rail are still analog most if not all places as well.

 

[RIVERSMVP09]

Oolcool Thanks.

 

[chrismol1]

you might want to checkout SEVEN threads below this one, for more info

 

[newsphotog]

I ask ths now because analog frequencies are being ditched, and even the digital scanners can't pick up all digital. I'm about to buy an analog scanner and want to know if its still worth it.

I have been wondering the same thing. I was thinking about investing in a new system full of Bearcat scanners and computers to record the transmissions. There are only a few digital systems in Iowa, the rest are either trunked or just plain analog. But at the rate technology changes we might be analog one day and P25 the next (or even encrypted). Add to that, the amount of money states and Homeland Security/FEMA is throwing into new systems in the name of public safety, the possibilities are endless. Obviously we all want our scanners to last forever.

I think I am done buying analog/trunking scanners. From here on out, my goal is for all new scanner purchases, it must be able to decode digital systems, for fear that five or ten years down the road there won't be any analog systems to listen to. The problem is that I don't see prices on digital scanners going down anytime soon.

 

[hoser147]

http://www.radioreference.com/forum...ch-longer-before-scanners-become-useless.html

 

[trace1]

I ask ths now because analog frequencies are being ditched, and even the digital scanners can't pick up all digital. I'm about to buy an analog scanner and want to know if its still worth it.

It may be a long time, if ever, before ALL communications are digital and/or encyrpted (non-monitorable). So go ahead and buy your analog scanner there will be something to listen to for a very long time!

 

[Drafin]

Repeatedly asked and discussed...

Draf