Hello,

I'm interested in getting back into this hobby (after about a 25 year
break). When I last had a scanner, we had to buy "crystals" for each
frequency. Now, I see that there's a lot more choices.

I have started looking mostly at the Bearcat handhelds out there, but
would like to hear from folks on their opinions on what to look for.
I don't want to get something too complicated to learn to use. Is
Trunk Tracking important? Can you basically just turn those scanners
on and use them or is there a programming process to go through?

Also, of the Uniden models out there, are some becoming outdated (for
example, I see the BC245 around, but it appears it's 4-5 years old
now). Should I be looking to digital?

Thanks much for any and all tips. If any links to good scanner sites,
that would be most helpful!

Thanks!

"Dave" wrote in message
om...
I have started looking mostly at the Bearcat handhelds out there, but
would like to hear from folks on their opinions on what to look for.
I don't want to get something too complicated to learn to use. Is
Trunk Tracking important? Can you basically just turn those scanners
on and use them or is there a programming process to go through?

Also, of the Uniden models out there, are some becoming outdated (for
example, I see the BC245 around, but it appears it's 4-5 years old
now). Should I be looking to digital?

First off, it depends on what you intend on listening to. If there are no
agencies that you are interested using a trunked system, there's no need for
a trunking scanner, unless you're just planing for future changes in
communications. If you're in an area like the county north of me, which uses
mostly VHF frequencies, then an older scanner without so many features may
be what you want. In my area, the State Police use an 800mhz trunked system
and the Ocean County sheriff's dept dispatches some of the local police
departments via a 400mhz trunked system. County EMS is on VHF and fire on
30mhz. The next town over uses a 500mhz digital system.

I would get a scanner that has a direct entry keypad and PC programming.
Today's scanners come with so many channels and so many scanning options,
it's easier to type it all in the computer and upload to the scanner. A
scanner that can display an "AlphaTag" is another neccessity. This is
usually a feature with a PC programmable scanner.

Another thing you have to consider is if you want a handheld or base. If
you're using a handheld, then a scanner with "PL tone" or "CTCSS decoding"
is probably not a feature you'd be concerned about unless there are multiple
agencies close by that use the same frequency and you want to squelch some
out. "PL Tones" would only be a concern if you're using it base and have it
hooked up to an outdoor antenna. With that setup, you may here multiple
agencies on the same frequency, such as we have here in NJ with the VHF EMS
frequencies. It's not uncommon to hear Hunterdon County EMS dispatch on our
Ocean County EMS VHF dispatch frequency (I hope that last paragraph isn't
over your head! ).

If you have any questions, please email me or reply here.
--
73! de Andy KC2SSB
http://shorecogs.tripod.com
AIM: shorecogs

Dave,

You need to research some of the scanner websites for frequencies in
your area, wherever you are. Is your community now using conventional
UHF/VHF comms, or are they already EDACS or Motorola?

Some areas do not have digital transmissions yet; some may not have them
for some time. If you are in a large metro area, NYC, Chicago, LA,
Dallas etc, digital would be a good idea; TrunkTracking is mandatory.

I have both a base and a handheld. I am in the So Cal area that
experienced the wildfires last October. My handheld saved our lives and
some of my neighbors. So, both a base and a h/h have their benefits.
Most "high end" scanners are now programmable with software/shareware or
very affordable software that you can purchase. Dialing your scanner in
through the use of your computer is really great!

Just depends on what your area is using now, city/county plans for
updating their communications system[?] and how much you've want to
invest in the hobby!

Here is one of the best sites to get you up to speed on what's happening
in the industry:

http://www.strongsignals.net/


Alain...San Diego

Dave wrote:
Hello,

I'm interested in getting back into this hobby (after about a 25 year
break). When I last had a scanner, we had to buy "crystals" for each
frequency. Now, I see that there's a lot more choices.

I have started looking mostly at the Bearcat handhelds out there, but
would like to hear from folks on their opinions on what to look for.
I don't want to get something too complicated to learn to use. Is
Trunk Tracking important? Can you basically just turn those scanners
on and use them or is there a programming process to go through?

Also, of the Uniden models out there, are some becoming outdated (for
example, I see the BC245 around, but it appears it's 4-5 years old
now). Should I be looking to digital?

Thanks much for any and all tips. If any links to good scanner sites,
that would be most helpful!

Thanks!

--
MZ�

Thanks very much all for your suggestions and information. It's very
useful to learn this! I'm in the SF Bay Area, by the way. Anyone know
if this area requires Trunktracking or digital?

I've seen the Bearcat BC250 handheld advertised.. It appears to have
the capability to upgrade to digital. Anyone have any experience with
this model? Is it worth getting a digital-ready scanner like this
(looks like the digital card is another few hundred bucks). I'm
wondering whether these were just an interim solution to the digital
market? Or is it a worthwhile investment?

Thanks for any info!

Dave

On 17 Apr 2004 09:29:12 -0700, (Dave) wrote:

Thanks very much all for your suggestions and information. It's very
useful to learn this! I'm in the SF Bay Area, by the way. Anyone know
if this area requires Trunktracking or digital?

That might depend on where you are in the Bay, and what you want to
hear. For example, I'm in Santa Clara, and the city's system (PD,
Fire, etc.) is an 800 MHz Motorola trunked system.

San Francisco (city and county) uses a mixed (analog and digital) 800
MHz trunked system.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff isn't trunked, but it's digital.

Alameda County uses a Motorola analog trunked system.

A good resource to see what's trunked near you is:
http://www.radioreference.com/module...name=RR&stid=6
(click on the county names to see the various trunked systems in use).

It's likely that you will need a trunk-tracking scanner.

To listen to anything digital, you'll need one of the digital models.
At the moment, your choices a
Uniden 250 or 785 (with optional digital card)
Uniden 296 or 796 (digital card included)
RadioShack PRO-96
The message boards at www.strongsignals.net should be a good place to
check the features of the above radios.

-Don