TJ Whitt
EF1
I saw an online live debuting of this scanner. It really is an awesome little scanner. And yes, this scanner works wonders for those who travel a lot.
Uniden Home Patrol Scanner
- Thread starter John Hudson
- Start date
rdale
EF5
Paul - this is digital too, so you don't need to confine to mainly analog zones...
Jay McCoy
EF5
Ive known about this little project for a couple years now. One of my best friends is the designer and patent holder on this little jem. He also designed the Bearcat and Beartracker systems for Uniden along with strobe alert that is used on many Cobra detectors. Wish I could think up some of the stuff he does.
He did a bit of field testing last year while we were out chasing. It is awesome to be able to go anywhere and just enter a zip code or use your GPS and it pulls in all the fire/ems/PD channles for that area along with all the others (ham etc..). Cant wait to put mine in the truck for next year (more field testing..ya thats how to get it freebie..lol)
He did a bit of field testing last year while we were out chasing. It is awesome to be able to go anywhere and just enter a zip code or use your GPS and it pulls in all the fire/ems/PD channles for that area along with all the others (ham etc..). Cant wait to put mine in the truck for next year (more field testing..ya thats how to get it freebie..lol)
Warren Faidley
Supporter
The days of scanners are slowly coming to an end. More and more agencies are switching to digital coded or secure trunking systems that cannot be picked up by scanners. I don't see any difference between this system and scanners that can be programed via a computer link.
W.
W.
Jesse Risley
Staff member
Yes, those agencies that switch to encrypted communications are unable to be monitored with commercial scanners, though I would say that the vast majority of law enforcement agencies are still able to be monitored. Installing an encrypted digital radio system that utilizes trunking is still somewhat expensive for many agencies.
I assume you're referring to the live streams that are available via the Internet? The only downside is that you have to have cell service when you are monitoring, and the dependability of the feeds does vary based on the user that is providing the feed. I've noticed that some of them tend to be off the air from time to time.
Jay McCoy
EF5
Except you have to manually program those Warren. This one automatically loads frequencies for the area your in and unlike most other scanners this one can use GPS. I dont want to spend hours and hours looking up and entering frequencies like I did with the one I have now. And I am sure I dont have them all. I only have 500 channels and it took me weeks to look up all those using books and internet for references.
But I agree the days of analog scanners like most of us have are becoming obsolete quickly.
rdale
EF5
Sorry sir, but wrong on both counts. Probably 90% of all public safety comms can be monitored. Digital systems can be monitored. We might lose 1-2% per year, and many agencies have stated they will never go encrypted.
And as I explained above, there is a major difference between this and any other scanner that exists. You don't have to program it.
John Erwin
EF5
I can see this scanner being a real boon to storm chasing or anybody who travels a lot; while I have a fairly decent setup for covering anywhere I go this new system sounds like it's going to be a lot easier to use.
Warren Faidley
Supporter
The problem is that analog systems are quickly being replaced by digital systems that can be secured. Many cities and counties are combining all their communications into single digital systems. For example, here in Pima County, (AZ) the Sheriff Department cannot be scanned. I was not saying scanners were useless now -- but there is a trend.
W.
W.
Jason Foster
In DC...they are 90% useless. Everything is digital. Sure you can still listen to a few landscapers, cleaning crews, taxi drivers, etc. on the scanner...that's boring and dumb. The only thing I still listen to that isn't digital anymore is NOAA WX radio, CSX (railroad), FAA & Aircraft, and hams. I have a scanner, but don't use it since I can get all the freq. I mentioned on my ham's extended receive, so I'm good. If I really want the other stuff....locally....I just get an actual police/fire radio (Motorola FTW) and have it programmed (with transmit deactivated). Expensive yes, legal no. Good for chasing...no...so this new product may be the way to go.
rdale
EF5
Again, you are incorrectly broad brushing. That is simply inaccurate.
They are on a rarely used analog system, not digital. With a computer you can hear them.
Washington DC can be scanned just fine with any digital scanner out there, including this new one.
Warren Faidley
Supporter
Again, the point is that many new digital systems can be programed to transmit and / or receive in encrypted formats. Many law enforcement agencies (at least in my area) are using encrypted digital systems. You are forgetting many digital systems can be quickly upgraded or set to encryption, like the Motorola COPSK P25 Digital systems, or some existing trunking systems.
For example:
From Radio Reference:
Marana Police Department
TRUNKED RADIO SYSTEM – Motorola APCO P25 800 MHz Digital
3-site simulcast Motorola CQPSK APCO P25 Digital 800 MHz Trunked Radio System with full-time encryption.
The Pima County Sheriff Department is using a MultiNet Trunked System. You could monitor it, but not by computer alone. "It is possible with LTR software, a computer, and one radio for input of the signal and another radio for output to track the system."
I should note that Pima County is also installing the popular P25 digital system like Marana. No scanner can pick up an encrypted system unless it was somehow hacked into the system. Those two law enforcement agencies cover about 90 percent of the area in Pima County, excluding major cities.
Once more, my point is that more and more agencies are going to complex digital systems. Not because they are trying to hide anything, but buying a complete digital system for an entire county or city is cheaper than buying individual systems. Pima County's trucking system is also used by the county dog pound, government, road crews, etc. Large portions of the Gov. bailout funds are being used to upgrade radio systems.
I will agree that little of this effects the average chaser, as I do not see fire, rescue, etc., going encrypted - you are right about that!
W.
I should also mention that some fire / paramedic / rescue agencies are going to encrypted digital to protect patient rights. Broadcasting personal medical information / condition is not a good thing.
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rdale
EF5
Back to the point... If you want a scanner to listen to fire/EMS/police/Skywarn whihile chasing, and don't want to program in hundreds of frequencies ahead of time or don't know the route you will take, this is the perfect scanner. I've used it on every trip & chase this season.
TJ Whitt
EF1
Most agencies minus federal and military are not and will not use any type of encrypted radio systems. There are a handful of agencies that do however. Systems that use EDACS Provoice or OpenSky encryption can not be monitored by any type of scanner.
I have read that upgrading to a full digital and fully encrypted radio system is very expensive. Most areas either do not have the budget or funding to get a system like that.
That being said, the Uniden Home Patrol scanner is an excellent digital scanner. I can't wait to get one or two. hehehehe
I have read that upgrading to a full digital and fully encrypted radio system is very expensive. Most areas either do not have the budget or funding to get a system like that.
That being said, the Uniden Home Patrol scanner is an excellent digital scanner. I can't wait to get one or two. hehehehe
Karen St John
EF3
This is exactly the reason to get one for me! I love my analog scanners at home; I also love my home computer, and practicing my (rather iffy) CW skills. But they don't serve my needs in other venues. I can only imagine the frustration of a Skywarn net controller if I called in a report in morse code!
The HP1 will let me focus on other things...
