Need scanner advice

[Ryan McGinnis]

I usually don't use a scanner when I chase, but this next season I plan to. What would you guys recommend? Would a handheld unit (that would accept an external antenna) do? I'm leery of purchasing anything that can't be easily removed frm my car, and the portability of a handheld unit is appealing for other applications I might use a scanner for. My priority is to be able to listen in easily on chaser freqs and to not break the bank doing it.

 

[Chris Lott]

It depends on where you chase. This has been discussed on here before that in some states scanners are against the law. My personal opinion is you're better off getting your ham license. My 2 meter mobile with my antenna cost about $230 all together.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Getting a ham licence doesn't really meet my needs at this time - I don't need to be able to transmit, only monitor frequencies. It also adds to the expense and time required... I'm in poorman mode these days.

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

If it were me I'd go with a cheap Ham radio and antenna, even if you have no desire to earn your license and transmit. Going the cheap route, you can get everything that will enable you to do what you want for $150-$170. If your sold on the fact that you don't want to go that route, something like a Radio Shack Pro series scanner would be an ok route, but by the time you figure purchasing an additional antenna to ensure ok reception, your looking at just a few dollars if not an across the board difference from going the Ham radio route.

 

[Jesse Risley]

What are you wanting to scan, just chaser frequencies exclusively?

I suggest you visit http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/ and see what frequencies are being used in the areas that you wish to scan. Check out state, county and/or local frequency profiles. If you wish to scan public safety frequencies, you'll need to note what frequencies and modes (analog or digital) are being used.

For standard chaser frequencies and most public safety agencies outside of metropolitan areas, standards VHF/UHF scanners will suffice. However, some state and local agencies are using 800 MHz trunked systems, and more agencies are converting from analog to digital trunked systems. You should take this into consideration when making your purchase.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Hey, thanks for the replies so far! I learned something new - I did not realize ham equipment would go for that cheap. But do ham radios typically scan channels, or are they parked on whatever channel you are TXing on? I definitely don't mind buying ham equipment if it's just as cheap or cheaper than scanning equipment and doing the same job. And I'm definitely nerdy enough to take the ham test and get licensed once the season is over, even if I never plan on hitting the transmit button.

My primary need for a scanner (or ham) is to monitor chase frequencies. If a radio meets this need and is cheap, then it's for me. My secondary need for offseason is to monitor local scanner traffic in Lincoln Nebraska - structure fires at night (as tragic as they are) are often photographically dramatic. However, this isn't so important that I'd pay a ton more for it... and while I haven't researched it much I do believe Lincoln has gone or is going digital trunk.

 

[Jesse Risley]

It depends on the ham radio, but most will scan public safety frequencies. Two caveats: ham rigs usually have slower scan rates than regular police scanners, and some ham rigs will not receive all of the public safety frequencies that you are wanting to scan.

A suggestion: pick out a suitable ham rig and see what its receive range is outside of the ham bands and compare that to all of the frequencies that you are wishing to scan. The basic two-meter ham rigs will not scan UHF or 800 MHz frequencies.

There are some states that do restrict the possession of scanners in a motor vehicle. You can check that out here: http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

Ryan, the deal with the Ham license is about being able to legally use a scanner when driving. Many states has different legislation concerning the use of mobile scanners. Being a Ham would mean that it is OK with your permit in your pocket. Some states are lax, but a majority are not cool with it. I don't think you would have much trouble getting your Tech license, and that would be enough. Take practice test 1-11 at www.qrz.com - the link is found on the main page on the center of the left hand column of the page. Spend some of your spare time taking/retaking these tests until you get a 85% - then pay the $14 to take the test. There is also places to take these tests found on qrz that are close to you. Or - take the chance and just get a scanner and drive with it on. Some 2 meter radios even have a built-in scanner for those frequencies you want to monitor. In fact, I became a full-Ham after I took my Tech exam and went on to pass the General exam; but not necessary for storm chasing. Unless you want to work with ARES or RACES Ham's...

 

[Jesse Risley]

Ryan, the deal with the Ham license is about being able to legally use a scanner when driving. Many states has different legislation concerning the use of mobile scanners. Being a Ham would mean that it is OK with your permit in your pocket.

Ryan may not need to worry about the ham license bit. Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing to have, but there are no chasing states west of the Mississippi River, save for Minnesota, that restrict the use of mobile scanners in such a manner. Unless you plan to travel to any of the eastern states on that map, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Darren Stephens]

Should a person spring for the extra $$$ and get an APCO-25 option (digital)?

 

[Jesse Risley]

Should a person spring for the extra $$$ and get an APCO-25 option (digital)?

I think it's a good investment, but it could be years before your immediate area makes the switch, so it's a catch-22.

 

[Danny Neal]

Scanners you say? lol My dad used to work for Motorola so I get hook up (he also works on radios for a hobby) IMO the best to use is the Yaesu 8800R (it is pretty pricey but worth it) I can monitor and transmit if need be and program hundreds of channels from police/fire to just general banter or chasing nets. Another - http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/fm_txvrs/0080.html

I dunno. I use them in an everyday basis for my job, chasing with them is just an added bonus.

EDIT: They do have handheld type models as well. http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cm...E26635C7E1F02500D9&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

 

[Chris Lott]

Here's the 2 meter rig I have, The Icom 2200H. It's between $140-$150. It's been a very good radio.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Here's the 2 meter rig I have, The Icom 2200H. It's between $140-$150. It's been a very good radio.

Chris -- I researched this model a bit and I think this might be the answer. Again, not knowing much about how hams work -- I assume this model does a reasonable job of scanning chaser freqs that you program into it? Or would I have to be camping on the frequency to hear a conversation occuring on that frequency?

 

[Chris Lott]

It has scan "edges" you can set on it, so you don't have to stay on the same frequency. I don't have a lot of frequencies programmed into mine right now, but if you have it in memory channel mode, all you have to do is push the up or down arrow on the mic and hold it for about 1 second and it will scan all your memory channels until it picks up a frequency.