On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:52:26 -0700, "GotBonus?"
said in rec.radio.scanner:

I like the idea of being able to program it via software( I remember seeing
a site that will program "it" for 29 bucks.

If you can post to usenet you can program a scanner - you don't need
anyone else programming it for you.

If I get a digital unit are they backwards compatible for analog
frequencies?

Yes.

Any recommendations for a good all around handheld?

For digital? Radio Shack Pro-96 or Uniden BCD396T. For analog only,
Uniden BC246. (The Radio Shack equivalent, the Pro-97, won't survive
rebanding.)