WS1025: WS 1025 Newbie question

[hdtvjeff]

Hi,

As a newbie I am really trying to learn fast.

I would like to buy the ws1025 since it is priced reasonably.

I live in NYC and would like to listen to police/fire calls.

The list for NYC shows a freq of 453.xxx without encryption and the ws1025 apparently gets these 453.xxx MHZ frequencies, right?

Is this analog scanner good enough or do I really need something for 4x its price aka digital?

Thank you !

 

[rayvelcoro]

First of all, if you are using this message board, you should know that the home site contains up-to-date frequency information for public safety agencies.
Where are you finding your quoted inaccurate frequency information?

 

[N8IAA]

Hi,

As a newbie I am really trying to learn fast.

I would like to buy the ws1025 since it is priced reasonably.

I live in NYC and would like to listen to police/fire calls.

The list for NYC shows a freq of 453.xxx without encryption and the ws1025 apparently gets these 453.xxx MHZ frequencies, right?

Is this analog scanner good enough or do I really need something for 4x its price aka digital?

Thank you !

Yes, the 1025 will hear all of the NYPD and FD analog frequencies. The exception being the ones listed as P25E these are digital and encrypted, and the NYFD that are on the trunk system.

HTH,
Larry

 

[N8IAA]

First of all, if you are using this message board, you should know that the home site contains up-to-date frequency information for public safety agencies.
Where are you finding your quoted inaccurate frequency information?

Don't see an inaccurate frequency information in the database. What are you referring too??

Larry

 

[hardsuit]

hdtvjeff - you can use the WS 1025 its not a bad radio.
but, you do know Everyone is migrating to Digital right ? except for the Highway Patrol. they need that long range. but for everyone else , UHF and even 700/800 MHz radios work in a City environment.
the WS 1025 would make an Excellent radio for bad weather or general INFO. I would not rely on it for Monitoring Communications from Public Safety.
I recommend getting at least a Apco P25 scanner at minimum. A Phase II digital scanner would be even better, as many Services like Rail, Security, Transport, and much more are going iDAS and NXDN. While the Whistler scanners don't Trunktrack, they can still Monitor Digital channels.
my 5 year old Whistler 1088 works like a charm for the SF metro Area. Its Digital.

 

[N8IAA]

hdtvjeff - you can use the WS 1025 its not a bad radio.
but, you do know Everyone is migrating to Digital right ? except for the Highway Patrol. they need that long range. but for everyone else , UHF and even 700/800 MHz radios work in a City environment.
the WS 1025 would make an Excellent radio for bad weather or general INFO. I would not rely on it for Monitoring Communications from Public Safety.
I recommend getting at least a Apco P25 scanner at minimum. A Phase II digital scanner would be even better, as many Services like Rail, Security, Transport, and much more are going iDAS and NXDN. While the Whistler scanners don't Trunktrack, they can still Monitor Digital channels.
my 5 year old Whistler 1088 works like a charm for the SF metro Area. Its Digital.

Are you talking about CA or NY? The OP is in NY city.

Larry

 

[hardsuit]

N8lAA - Larry, I think going Digital is the Right choice for hdtvjeff, as in every state they are migrating to digital. I live in CA but NY is even a more Advanced city terms of Public Safety digital radios.
Spectrum wise, Digital is just more efficient, Encryption is besides the point. All you have to SEE is the RR database on NY, what services are using Digital Trunking, the writing is on the Wall for Analog.

 

[rayvelcoro]

Public safety agencies nationwide have been federally mandated to migrate to digital, it is just a matter of deadlines, budgets, and the purchasing of appropriate equipment. I agree with Hardsuit.

 

[N8IAA]

I disagree with both of you on the purchase of an expensive radio that could be deaf when/if NYC goes that route.

A simple radio to start is the best way to start enjoying the hobby. Did both of you extend yourselves and purchase an over priced scanner to start? That is not always the best route. I speak with 4 decades plus of scanning and ham radio.

There is just too big of a push on this site for everyone to own the latest and greatest. It just isn't necessary.

JMTCW,

Larry

 

[rayvelcoro]

i see your point, Larry. The only problem is the time frame possibly involved. He could end up buying a new radio now that goes obsolete real quickly. Then, he'd have no choice but to go scanner shopping again. It would not be a cinch to sell the first (analog) scanner.

 

[N8IAA]

i see your point, Larry. The only problem is the time frame possibly involved. He could end up buying a new radio now that goes obsolete real quickly. Then, he'd have no choice but to go scanner shopping again. It would not be a cinch to sell the first (analog) scanner.

Not saying that couldn't happen, since I don't live in the NYC area, but, the frequencies that are P25 are encrypted.

Maybe the OP could go to the NY state forum further down the forums page and read about what future plans the city has for PD. Makes much more sense than buying a radio that can't be used later.

Remember, not everyone on this site needs/wants to listen to all the other digital modes.

Larry

 

[mule1075]

N8lAA - Larry, I think going Digital is the Right choice for hdtvjeff, as in every state they are migrating to digital. I live in CA but NY is even a more Advanced city terms of Public Safety digital radios.
Spectrum wise, Digital is just more efficient, Encryption is besides the point. All you have to SEE is the RR database on NY, what services are using Digital Trunking, the writing is on the Wall for Analog.

I don't know what database you are looking at but only 2 frequencies for nypd are p25 and they are encrypted. The Doitt systems have a few digital talkgroups but other than that pretty much all conventional analog and more than likely will be for the foreseeable future.

 

[mule1075]

I disagree with both of you on the purchase of an expensive radio that could be deaf when/if NYC goes that route.

A simple radio to start is the best way to start enjoying the hobby. Did both of you extend yourselves and purchase an over priced scanner to start? That is not always the best route. I speak with 4 decades plus of scanning and ham radio.

There is just too big of a push on this site for everyone to own the latest and greatest. It just isn't necessary.

JMTCW,

Larry

Have to agree no need to spend money on something that is not needed. Now if the OP is interested in dmr etc. That is another story.