I just saw a Realistic Pro-55 scanner at a thrift store, and was
reminded that I always wanted to get something like that. I was afraid
it was totally outmoded at this point though - looked like you had to
buy crystals and set up each one of the buttons for a specific
frequency. It got the weather radio, but that was it, so it must have
had only 1 crystal in there. Not sure if it was worth buying even at
$4, if you can still get crystals, or if everything is encrypted these
days. (and how do you find out what frequency local things are broadcast
on???)

Can anyone tell me - are there better ways to start out at $100 or less?

"OhioGuy" wrote in message ...
I just saw a Realistic Pro-55 scanner at a thrift store, and was
reminded that I always wanted to get something like that. I was afraid
it was totally outmoded at this point though - looked like you had to
buy crystals and set up each one of the buttons for a specific
frequency. It got the weather radio, but that was it, so it must have
had only 1 crystal in there. Not sure if it was worth buying even at
$4, if you can still get crystals, or if everything is encrypted these
days. (and how do you find out what frequency local things are broadcast
on???)

Can anyone tell me - are there better ways to start out at $100 or
less?

The good part about such things, You can have a dedicated radio monitoring a
vital frequency 24/7 rather than being just about everywhere else.

For $4 buy it, enjoy.

--
Burr
Orchids & Roses
http://www.greenchange.org
Green Change is a community of people with Green values:
Justice, democracy, sustainability and non-violence.
We work together to share Green art, politics and culture.



"OhioGuy" wrote in message ...
I just saw a Realistic Pro-55 scanner at a thrift store, and was

OhioGuy wrote in :

I just saw a Realistic Pro-55 scanner at a thrift store, and was
Not sure if it was worth buying even at
$4, if you can still get crystals, or if everything is encrypted these
days. (and how do you find out what frequency local things are
broadcast on???)

Can anyone tell me - are there better ways to start out at $100 or
less?



Radio shack does NOT carry them in store, however they can be ordered
through them.. International crystal is their supplier..
(IF you are lucky enough to get a GOOD and knowledgeable sale tech..)
Most know nothing about crystals or how to order them anymore)

or go direct to International

http://www.icmfg.com/

and
One source of freq information..

http://www.radioreference.com/

IMHO:
Personaly unless you are a collector, a scanner that old, is
probably useless, due to corrosion and oxidation of the switch surfaces.