I'm sitting here in Arlington, Virginia, reading [url=http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=148765]this thread[/url] about the latest shooting and wishing I had a scanner.  I know nothing about them, so please recommend a good general purpose one that would do nicely in this situation.  Note that I'm willing to spend for a good one.

-kill-9

I would recommend the Uniden BC895XLT.  It works great, I use it here in Illinois without issue.  If you're looking for a portable unit, they also make the BC245XLT which also great.

depends on what you want to listen to.

lots of citys have a trunking system (radio) so you may want to make sure your radio will handle the type your interested in.

Motorola [i]Type II[/i] is probably the most popular.

there are lots of cool scanners with different modes;
AM
FM
SW/LSB/USB
WBFM
CW

For lots of information on this subject, Go here

[url]http://www.strongsignals.net/index.cgi[/url]

Much reading and radio reviews.  

[img]http://rockbottomdlux.freewebspace.com/smilies/Shades.gif[/img]

Realistic PRO 2004 scanner.

YEP! or 2005, or 2006. Not made anymore, and not a trunking scanner, but will (with easy modifications), pick up EVERYTHING from 35mhz to 1.3ghz. The strong signals site is a good one. Here's a page on the 2006 scanner, it's almost identical to the other 2, just faster, and minor differences. You can find them on e-bay.

[url]http://www.monitoringpost.com/[/url]

Like someone else said, depends on what you want it for. Later models are incapable of picking up some frequencies without some tricky work... Earlier models will not "trunk"..

If you do not want trunking, but a basic handheld, thake a look at the Sportcat from Uniden.

It's marketed as a "sports" scanner, but works just fine as my primary handheld.

It covers all the major freqs, volume is good, and they are a bit more rugged than a standard handheld.

Av.

Thanks for the tips.  I plan to go shopping later today and will post what I end up with.

-kill-9

if i were to blindly post a model number, i would say the BC785D which comes out this month.  it will do trunk tracking, AND will track digital systems if your area has them (or decides to GET one) granted, the digital decoder is an OPTION, i think the 780 is one of the best units out there, and the 785 improves on it.

If your willing to spend for a good one, There's just one word....ICOM

Ladys and Gents...I give you the scanner from hell...The Icom IC-R3

The all new video capable IC-R3! Never before has a handheld receiver given you as much information as the IC-R3. Not only can you see receiver's operating status and spectrum scope, you can display broadcast visual information: TV program, picture from wireless cameras and more. The IC-R3 is great for sporting events, security, Amateur TV, and you can watch your favorite TV program at anytime, anywhere. But, with a frequency coverage of 0.495-2450* MHz, and AM, FM, WFM modes built-in, the IC-R3 is not your average TV receiver! You've never seen anything like it!

Specifications:

Dimensions: 61 (W) x 120 (H) x 32.9 (D) mm; 300 gr
(2 13/32 (W) x 4 23/32 (H) x 1 9/32 (D) in; 10.6 oz)
Color TFT LCD display
Impressive operating status display
TV picture receive capability
Signal strength level indicator
Simple band scope
Super wide frequency coverage - 0.495-2459 MHz (cellular frequencies blocked)
Long hours monitoring capability
450 memory channels
Multi function "joystick" switch
Automatic squelch
Tone squelch features
Built in attenuator
One touch semi-duplex monitoring capability
Auto power off timer, power saver function
Use the monochrome LCD display when the color LCD is turned off
Remaining battery power indication
Telescoping antenna included

Thats right, if it tranmits this little baby will pick it up...Even vidio signals!!!...Handy for picking up those new security video systems that tranfer the signal to the base wirelessly.

This little wonder of modern Scanner technology can be had for around $399.00

Does anybody use the Icom PC controlled scanners anymore?

become a HAM and you can get it all and be able to transmit state wide with a good repeater coverage. All on one radio. I have the Yeasu FT-50 and it picks up everything but Cell phone freq. And I can transmit on 2m and 440m. Probably pretty close to cost on a decent scanner too.

Will the Yeasu FT-50 follow a trunked signal?

echo6

and neither the Icom nor the Yaesu can follow digital systems :)

[shotgun]

What he said.  All the agencies in my area just switched to Motorola APCO 25 digital trunked system.  I'd be surprised if Fairfax and Arlington Counties have not switched to a similar system yet.  I'm waiting for this scanner.

The12GaugeSniper, do you know what kind of price tag this will carry with the digital decoder?  I'm sure it will be pretty high at first.

What are prices on used Astro sabers if I want to follow an APCO 25 system?

785- about $350, i think
add-on card- roughly the same
(give it a while, it SHOULD go down, but im not sure)

I use the VX5 to scan conventional freqs, well...i did until it bit the dust...ill be using the VX7 in the same fasion when i buy it.

used Digital stuff...  I don't think there's all that much of it on the market...  New York has a couple million worth of almost brand new digital stuff sitting on shelves...  it seems that it doesnt work all that well unless you are SURE to have a GOOD signal EVERYWHERE youre using digital...  buildings with pipes and metal and stuff tend to not be so perfect.

[shotgun]

Garand-  I tried to check into the 17M net a couple weeks ago with no success....was on freq and heard nothing from here!!

hmm...  should start a seperate "radios" forum on the site :)

[shotgun]

One suggestion would be a Winradio, preferably an external model.
AOR's are also a good brand of scanner. I have an AOR 8000.

[url]http://www.winradio.com/[/url]
[url]http://www.aorusa.com/[/url]

As Garand Stated it does not follow trunks. So I guess if that is what you want it is a bad Idea.

KC

What would be a good source for getting the frequencies, etc. for a trunked system?

another good source for local freqs would be to run to radio shack (the horror!) and see if they have a sheet with local stuff...MOST do have such a sheet, from my experience.

if you really have time to kill, you could search the FCC database (www.fcc.gov, search, General Menu Reports)

well, i hgave a killer station down here, assuming everything works right :)  will you be on the air for sweepstakes?

Once the new Uniden scanner comes out with the digital decoder, I'll be looking for freqs for three counties in VA.  Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and City of Richmond.  Police and fire for both.  They all switched to the same system last year (digital Motorola APCO 25).  I've been deaf to them for a year now!

Thanks,
Chimborazo

scanner freqs :
[url]http://www.cityfreq.com:81/[/url]

Re: 17 meter ham net, I'm moved in, I put my IC-706 in the house, with an old Cushcraft trap verticle, 10-80, but it doesn't have 17meters.
I plan on putting up something for 17 soon. How about another band? 40m?

oh, come now, don't you have an antenna tuner? Ill bet you could get that thing to load up on 160 if you really wanted to

73
[shotgun]

OK, what's a good, but not too pricey, 800 megahertz trunking portable scanner?

I sold all my ham gear in 1994 to guy more evil "assault rifles".
I'm just now getting back into radio gear again.
I have an ICOM AH-4 auto tuner, but it's bolted to the back of my truck.

define not too pricey!  

Im a fan of uniden, but Rat Shack stuff might not be too bad... I ve never used it.  I bought the 780, and have never regretted it!

Uniden is going to bring out a companion to the 785 which will be a handheld...it should be about $300, though you can probably get a Rat Shack analog-only for about $150 if you watch the sales and such

Wait, I have a question.  What's the difference between the 780 and the anolog only 785?

Also, will the digital add-on for the 785 be just as expensive as the scanner itself?

the "analog only" 785 ois the 785 without the expansion card, i think i mistyped something.  the 780 is analog only.  the 785 takes the add-in card....and yes, it will cost almost as much as the scanner...i think it might be $50 cheaper or so...i don't recall all the MSRPs at the moment..

[shotgun]