Scanner Questions

[Robert Edmonds]

When chasing I now use WXWORX. Before this I used to sit out in the plains with a weather radio and a map. However, I have chased with others that have been much more into amateur radio. Anyhow, I’ve been playing with the idea of getting a scanner. I was wondering how helpful you think it might be? Also what would be a good scanner for starting off, or would you recommend doing something else with the money?

 

[Jesse Risley]

It's somewhat of a relative question. Scanners are nice to have on a chase, especially if you want to listen to nearby public safety agencies and severe weather reports in areas that are between you and the storm. With that being said, amateur radio is FAR more handy IMHO..it seems like it's 50/50..some people loving chasing with them and others have little or no use for them.

Questions to consider: Do I want a mobile or a handheld? What do I want to listen to? Will I need a scanner to find frequencies in areas that I am chasing in, or will I program frequencies before the chase? Do I want to hear trunked and/or digital systems?

BCT-8: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/2008.html
BCT-15: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/0115.html
BC-350: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/3417.html (very affordable, easy to use starter scanner)
PSR-400 : http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/2527.html (loaded for the price)
PRO-433: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2463120&cp=2032052.2032072&parentPage=family (loaded and good starter scanner)

My personal favorite and top seller, the BCD-996T: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/0996.html
This scanner can track APCO25 digital systems, in addition to its GPS scanning-based features. It comes preprogrammed with systems from most states, although I wouldn't recommend it as a starter scanner for non-tech savvy folks.


See www.radioreference.com for any frequency information and further discussions on specific scanners by experienced users. You might also want to consider that the use of mobile scanners is restricted in some areas. See http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html for more information.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Any handheld ones that you would recommend? How is their reception comparable to the others you showed here? BTW thank you for the comments.

 

[Jesse Risley]

Any handheld ones that you would recommend? How is their reception comparable to the others you showed here? BTW thank you for the comments.

I don't have as much experience with the newer handheld models. Radioreference forums would be a good start with that. The problem with many of the cheaper "starter" scanners is that they will be somewhat obsolete in many areas in the next few years as local and state agencies across the country are upgrading their communications systems. If you're going to drop the money, you may want to at least consider a trunk tracking scanner at the minimum. A digital scanner would be a good buy too, as many agencies have been going digital lately.

As far as reception is concerned, many users report that most models compromise their sensitivity on certain bands, so you might do some homework on scanning forums or consumer reviews before making any purchases.

The top end Uniden and GRE digital trunking models both have excellent reviews: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/1396.html and http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/4956.html

For mid-grade units, the PSR-300 (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/2206.html) and the BC-246T (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/0246.html) both have good reviews.

For starter units, both the PRO-84 and the BC95XLT are fairly popular: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/4516.html
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/4195.html

 

[Jesse Risley]

For those considering the purchase of a scanner for the upcoming chase season, I might also add the following wiki link: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Scanner_decision

This will give you an overview of some basic scanning features. It also contains some additional information and questions that you can ask yourself when making the decision about which model to purchase.

I might also note that while most of the links posted above are scanner specs from Universal Radio's website, you can often find the specific model you want on ebay or even available from other dealers at a better price.

 

[matt doolittle]

I would agree with the Uniden BCD-996T as the best out there right now. This would also be a scanner that will not become obsolete any time soon.
Whatever you choose to buy, make sure it has a numerical key pad. Some of these pre-programmed "ready to go out of the box" scanners do not have key pads. Very frustrating when trying to program your own freqs.

Most agencies in my chasing grounds are still analog. This makes it really cheap and easy to maintain a good selection of home and mobile scanners. But, I'm gonna hate the day the digital world comes to my area. I will have a bunch of fancy door stops.

 

[John Erwin]

Anyhow, I’ve been playing with the idea of getting a scanner. I was wondering how helpful you think it might be?

I find them very useful, even though I also carry amateur transceivers.

First decide on what you want to listen to which will guide you somewhat on what to buy. A cheaper non-digital trunked or non-trunked model would suffice if all you plan on doing is monitoring NOAA, amateur radio stuff, FRS/GMRS and the like. If you plan on being able to listen to public safety stuff too then you should indeed spend the extra cash and get something like what has been suggested.

In any case a scanner can be either a great aid to a chaser or a hindrance. Programming it ahead of time somewhat will greatly enhance it's usability. I use both pre-programmed channels and programmed "Searches" and find that pattern works well for me. Most of the time I use I use mine for either listening to NOAA or for scanning the Amateur bands while I have the transceiver busy doing something else.

 

[Jesse Risley]

In any case a scanner can be either a great aid to a chaser or a hindrance. Programming it ahead of time somewhat will greatly enhance it's usability. I use both pre-programmed channels and programmed "Searches" and find that pattern works well for me. Most of the time I use I use mine for either listening to NOAA or for scanning the Amateur bands while I have the transceiver busy doing something else.

I might add another plug for my beloved Uniden BCT-15 and BCD996T models. These two mobile radios have an added GPS based scanning feature. You can program systems ahead of time and set them up for GPS based scanning, which allows for the systems you select and preprogram to turn on and off when you travel within and out of range of the system (5-50 miles, depending on your preference). However, this does require the addition of a compatible GPS unit that works with the scanning receiver.

 

[John Erwin]

I might add another plug for my beloved Uniden BCT-15 and BCD996T models. These two mobile radios have an added GPS based scanning feature. You can program systems ahead of time and set them up for GPS based scanning, which allows for the systems you select and preprogram to turn on and off when you travel within and out of range of the system (5-50 miles, depending on your preference). However, this does require the addition of a compatible GPS unit that works with the scanning receiver.

I'm saving up for one of those bad boys myself! That GPS feature would be real handy indeed. The owner's manual says you need a GPS with a serial-connection (no USB) and I have a garmin GPS-18 "puck" that should fit the bill nicely. I need to read up a bit on it's PC control capabilities since I like using that kind of functionality too.

 

[darnalljason]

Scanners

I use a scanner at home and one in the car all the time for public safety use with emergency management and fire dept.

I highly recommend them for use during servere weather for reports, But one concern to think about is your local laws governing the use of scanners which will probably be different in every state. Ky for instance states that any radio or scanner operated in a mobile vehicle capable of receiving law enforcement frequencies is against "KRS" and can be taken away and a citation issued for its use. Which I think is stupid. Only expemption Ky makes is for Fire/Rescue PPL and Liscensed Amatuer radio operators



Just something to think about

 

[Robert Edmonds]

I thought I came across something about this while researching scanners. I heard there were federal rulings that truncate the state and local laws saying that it is perfectly legal to have a scanner (except for a few small exceptions like for using it to aid a felony).

I use a scanner at home and one in the car all the time for public safety use with emergency management and fire dept.

I highly recommend them for use during servere weather for reports, But one concern to think about is your local laws governing the use of scanners which will probably be different in every state. Ky for instance states that any radio or scanner operated in a mobile vehicle capable of receiving law enforcement frequencies is against "KRS" and can be taken away and a citation issued for its use. Which I think is stupid. Only expemption Ky makes is for Fire/Rescue PPL and Liscensed Amatuer radio operators



Just something to think about

 

[Jesse Risley]

I thought I came across something about this while researching scanners. I heard there were federal rulings that truncate the state and local laws saying that it is perfectly legal to have a scanner (except for a few small exceptions like for using it to aid a felony).

It appears more to exempt hams from enforcement measures than anything else. I'm not aware of any federal preemption that protects non-hams, but I could be mistaken. The whole idea behind the federal preemption notice was supposedly to protect licensed hams from having amateur transceivers which are capable of receiving public safety frequencies confiscated. However, basically all of these state laws prohibiting the use of mobile scanners, save for New York's law, specifically grant hams an exemption.

The bottom line is that state and local entities will continue to confiscate scanners and/or issue a summons if you are found to be in possession of a scanner/receiver where the use of said scanner or receiver is prohibited by a local ordiance or state law. While it's certainly another topic in itself, the use of mobile or portable scanners is a sore subject with some in law enforcement.

 

[darnalljason]

Ky Law

Here is a link to the text of the ky law

http://www.angelfire.com/ky/kcarc/scanner.html

 

[rdale]

There is no "Federal" law that allows scanners, it is up to the states, and as mentioned above - many states don't allow them in cars unless you are a ham or police.

While I like the Uniden line, and have plenty, I _love_ the new GRE models and if you want a mobile unit - go for the PSR-600

 

[Jim Hunt]

I will be another person to plug the BCD996T and find it to be a wonderful scanner. I also own the BCT15 which is it's non-digital brother plus the BCD395T which is the digital hand held compliment to the 996.

My thought would be unless you are car hopping a lot, I would get a 996 and mount it. The reception is better and the GPS feature is great.