"ChristyLynn" wrote in message
...
I have been wanting an emergency scanner for some time, but have not
purchased one mainly because of cost, and not really knowing what is a good
scanner that won't cost much.

I have the opportunity to buy a scanner from a friend and would like an
opinion on if it is good or not. I live in a small rural Wisconsin town
so I'm not sure if that matters with quality of scanner vs. frequencies.
That said, the scanner my friend has is a UNIDEN BEARCAT 855XLT SCANNER
for $49.95. Should I, or shouldn't I buy it?




Most likely it is a bad choice, depending on what you want to listen to, and
where you're located.

The BC855-XLT is a basic scanner for conventional analog systems. Most
public safety has at the very least upgraded to what is called trunking
systems, which require a trunktracking type scanner. The current trend is
APCO-25, which means it is a digital system, and requires a scanner that is
capable of receiving a digital system. (Not to be confused with a "Digital
Scanner", which can mean only that the scanner has a digital display, vs.
the older dial type tuner).

So to start with, what County/City/State are you in?

Bill Crocker

Oneida County, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Would like to pick up EMS and fire
calls. What model could you suggest that is $100 or less (or is that not
possible)?

"ChristyLynn" wrote in message
...
Oneida County, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Would like to pick up EMS and fire
calls. What model could you suggest that is $100 or less (or is that not
possible)?





Well you're in luck! It appears that scanner will work for your needs. You
must live in some small rural area?


Rhinelander:

FI 155.055 MHz
POLICE: 155.250 MHz

Oneida County:

FI 154.445 MHz
FIRE GROUND: 154.355 MHz
SHERIFF: 154.725 MHz
SHERIFF CAR-to-CAR: 155.640 MHz
EMS: 155.805 & 155.340 MHz

It's not a trunked system, nor is it digital. Just plain old conventional
analog. So just about any scanner radio made should be able to receive
those frequencies. Radio Shack has a few on sale right now, and a better
sale taking place on Black Friday. So you might want to take a look at
theirs too. They have both base/mobile, and hand-held units.

Bill Crocker