Hello,

I've been contemplating buying a good handheld scanner for quite some time
now, and after this week I'm kicking myself for not having one (I live in
NYC, didn't even have a portable AM/FM radio!).

Can anyone make any recommendations? I've primarily been looking at Uniden
Bearcat models, but I'm most interested in maximum features and frequency
range (ie search ability across non-programmed channels), ease of use, build
quality, and battery flexibility (the BC250D seems good, but would like the
option of using dry cells in a pinch).

Many thanks!

"Maqo" wrote in
:

Hello,

I've been contemplating buying a good handheld scanner for quite some
time now, and after this week I'm kicking myself for not having one (I
live in NYC, didn't even have a portable AM/FM radio!).

Can anyone make any recommendations? I've primarily been looking at
Uniden Bearcat models, but I'm most interested in maximum features and
frequency range (ie search ability across non-programmed channels),
ease of use, build quality, and battery flexibility (the BC250D seems
good, but would like the option of using dry cells in a pinch).

Many thanks!






Well, if you're really into the digital thing, you oughta' wait until
Radio Shack makes the Pro96 available, this one will come with digital
reception circuitry built in. You can read about it in the current issue
of ScanningUSA.

If however you're looking for a plain-old analog scanner with loads of
bells and whistles, try Radio Shack's Pro95. This is RadioShack's first
handheld to include a channel/talkgroup text-tagging feature and it has a
PC interface as well (cabling and software not included).

Are there any strong feelings about the RS Pro 95 versus the Uniden
BC245XLT? They seem to have similar prices / features.

"Jeff Seale" wrote in message
04.17...
"Maqo" wrote in
:

Hello,

I've been contemplating buying a good handheld scanner for quite some
time now, and after this week I'm kicking myself for not having one (I
live in NYC, didn't even have a portable AM/FM radio!).

Can anyone make any recommendations? I've primarily been looking at
Uniden Bearcat models, but I'm most interested in maximum features and
frequency range (ie search ability across non-programmed channels),
ease of use, build quality, and battery flexibility (the BC250D seems
good, but would like the option of using dry cells in a pinch).

Many thanks!






Well, if you're really into the digital thing, you oughta' wait until
Radio Shack makes the Pro96 available, this one will come with digital
reception circuitry built in. You can read about it in the current issue
of ScanningUSA.

If however you're looking for a plain-old analog scanner with loads of
bells and whistles, try Radio Shack's Pro95. This is RadioShack's first
handheld to include a channel/talkgroup text-tagging feature and it has a
PC interface as well (cabling and software not included).

Keeping in mind, one of your original considerations...the PRO-95 uses only
four, standard "AA" batteries, where the BC245-XLT has that pesky
rechargeable battery pack. During a crisis, you may find it easier to find
more "AA" batteries than a way to charge your battery pack. The PRO-95 also
allows for alpha tags for each channel, where the BC245-XLT does not.

Bill Crocker



"Maqo" wrote in message
...
Are there any strong feelings about the RS Pro 95 versus the Uniden
BC245XLT? They seem to have similar prices / features.
[clipped]

"Bill Crocker" wrote in
:

Keeping in mind, one of your original considerations...the PRO-95 uses
only four, standard "AA" batteries, where the BC245-XLT has that pesky
rechargeable battery pack. During a crisis, you may find it easier to
find more "AA" batteries than a way to charge your battery pack. The
PRO-95 also allows for alpha tags for each channel, where the
BC245-XLT does not.

Bill Crocker



"Maqo" wrote in message
...
Are there any strong feelings about the RS Pro 95 versus the Uniden
BC245XLT? They seem to have similar prices / features.
[clipped]




Leave us not forget that the Pro95 has a cloning and PC interface
feature. The only fly in the ointment here is that the PC interface cable
available from Radio Shack is not compatible with the Pro95, but it is
compatible with other models (don't ask me which ones). The cable is a
rare breed, it has a 1/8-inch phono plug at the scanner end and a DB9
plug at the PC end (this connects to the PC's serial port). Why Radio
Shack doesn't offer a cable that'll work with the Pro95, I have no idea.

About batteries: The Pro95's batteries are inserted into a plastic module
which is then inserted into the battery compartment. There are two such
modules. The one that comes with the scanner is not recharge capable, but
there's one sold seperately that is.

In article . 77,
says...

Leave us not forget that the Pro95 has a cloning and PC interface
feature. The only fly in the ointment here is that the PC interface cable
available from Radio Shack is not compatible with the Pro95, but it is
compatible with other models (don't ask me which ones). The cable is a
rare breed, it has a 1/8-inch phono plug at the scanner end and a DB9
plug at the PC end (this connects to the PC's serial port). Why Radio
Shack doesn't offer a cable that'll work with the Pro95, I have no idea.

About batteries: The Pro95's batteries are inserted into a plastic module
which is then inserted into the battery compartment. There are two such
modules. The one that comes with the scanner is not recharge capable, but
there's one sold seperately that is.

The 245 can also be programed plus controlled using your computer. The
cable for the 95 isnt hard to find and theres nothing rare about it. I
have 4 cables here that I got for other radios that work with the 95.
--
Dwayne
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BC895/

On Mon, 18 Aug 2003 03:31:00 GMT, Jeff Seale
wrote:


About batteries: The Pro95's batteries are inserted into a plastic module
which is then inserted into the battery compartment. There are two such
modules. The one that comes with the scanner is not recharge capable, but
there's one sold seperately that is.

The PRO-95, as shipped to Radio Shack, includes two battery holders:
one black, one yellow. The yellow one can be used to recharge NiCd and
NiMH batteries in the radio.