Radio scanner recommendations?

[primroselane]

It is my first time. Not looking for a lot of bells and whistles.

[tamsam]

There is so many to choose from and with the new trunking systems out there I don't know what to tell you. You might go to a Radio Shack and talk to them. Good luck finding what you want. Sam

[primroselane]

What are "trunking systems'?

[Shrek]

Originally Posted by primroselane

What are "trunking systems'?

Its a processor controllled algorythem allocation multiplex of assigned department frequencies that maximizes allocation bandwidth use to allow more instantaneous communication between units than classic single frequency use networks and also partially scrambles transmission if you use an older model non-trunking scanner in more metro areas as you will only generally hear half of any radio communication. Radio shacks PRO-107 is a good model at $230.


http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3730721

More on trunking is found at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trunking

[WolfWalksSoftly]

Not knowing what County you are in, even the Trunked system could be obsolete now with a lot of Governments going Digital (Think 300 to 500 for a scanner).

You can go here and check what you have in your area .
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?stid=48

http://www.radioreference.com/ is your one stop source for info you want. They have a Wiki and different information forums.
FYI for the most part, don't rely on Radio Shack for anything costing more than $20.00.
It has been my experience just because someone works at Radio Shack does not make them a reliable source for Electronics know how.
Good luck and the Scanner Hobby is a fun one to get into..next you will want to get a Shortwave Radio...and then on to Ham radio...lol

[Old Vet]

Also the http://www.radioreference.com/ You can use it to hear what some of the scanner pick up. Click on live audio feed and see if your county has a scanner that you can pick up on your computer.

[Bearfootfarm]

If youre serious about a scanner that will be useful for a long time, go DIGITAL
I'd look at the Uniden brand.

I have a 15 year old Bearcat that still works like new. It's not digital though, so there are frequencies I used to listen to that just arent there anymore

[primroselane]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

If youre serious about a scanner that will be useful for a long time

I don't believe in anything for "a long time" when it comes to technology.

Additionally, since I am 63, "lasts for a lifetime," doesn't sound as impressive as it once did.

[Bearfootfarm]

Originally Posted by primroselane

I don't believe in anything for "a long time" when it comes to technology.

Additionally, since I am 63, "lasts for a lifetime," doesn't sound as impressive as it once did.

Digital is replacing the technology/frequencies that's been used since the beginning of radio communications, so it's likely to be around quite a long time to come.
Most agencies are still in the process of changing over.
Trunking has been used a long time too, especially in larger cities, so that ability is a big benefit

And you should have at least another 20 years, so a scanner needs to last that long too

[Gary in ohio]

Originally Posted by WolfWalksSoftly

Not knowing what County you are in, even the Trunked system could be obsolete now with a lot of Governments going Digital (Think 300 to 500 for a scanner).

Digital systems are trunked systems as are analog systems...

What will make scanners obsolete is the new OPEN SKY radio system that no scanner will be able to decode.

[Gary in ohio]

Originally Posted by primroselane

It is my first time. Not looking for a lot of bells and whistles.

As noted, go to the radio reference site and find your area and find out what freqeuncies and types of systems , analog, digital,etc you want to listen to.

Your basically looking at $100 for a basic UHF/VHF scanner, $300 if you need analog trunking and $400+ if you need digital trunking.

[radiofish]

That is for just the price for a scanner. Then you may need an external antenna with gain. Add the feedline, plus a tower/ mast to mount it on, etc...

The old days of a simple 10 channel crystal controlled scanner radios are gone.. I paid about $275.00 new a few years ago for my radio shack PRO-2052 desktop scanner which is a 1000 memory trunking scanner which also covers the 200 to 400 MHz military frequencies. It is hooked to an outside external gain antenna..

Do a google search for 'scanner radio frequencies and your county/ town'. See what is listed, since the transmitters are licensed by the FCC and they are in the public records. Radio Shack used to sell the "Police Call" frequency listing books a few years back, but I think that they quit carrying them..

[Gary in ohio]

Originally Posted by radiofish

Do a google search for 'scanner radio frequencies and your county/ town'. See what is listed, since the transmitters are licensed by the FCC and they are in the public records. Radio Shack used to sell the "Police Call" frequency listing books a few years back, but I think that they quit carrying them..

The http://www.radioreference.com/ site is best for freq records since its a list of active frequencies. The Police call is pretty much junk now a days and while the info is on the FCC site, its hard to find and understand if your radio savy.

[VERN in IL]

I got a Bearcat BC-350 and a RadioShack pro 2055 "tripple" trunking.

We have only one state wide trunking system and it seems to be dead.

To be HONEST, get a CHEAP scanner, you can spend well over $500 for the latest and greatest, but everything is going ENCRYPTED, new modes, yada yada. As far as I am concerned, scanners will soon be dead, the Government has ways now to cover their crimes.

They use cell phones, encrypted APCO-25, and other shenanigans to hide their crimes.

Even to keep up now requires updates and firmware revisions.

[RandB]

You really need to know the frequencies and systems used in your area before you can choose your radio, as others have described here. Here in my local area, they used a relatively simple system, so we didn't have to buy a real expensive one. But nearby areas have digital, which is much more expensive. So, you need to do some research before you buy.

[Gary in ohio]

Originally Posted by VERN in IL

I got a Bearcat BC-350 and a RadioShack pro 2055 "tripple" trunking.

We have only one state wide trunking system and it seems to be dead.

I doubt a statewide system is dead, It might be digital, but I doubt it dead.