Posted: 12/10/2009 4:21:19 PM EDT
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interested in getting a scanner just to listen to what's going on in my area.
I am completely new to any of this , so i figured you guys could steer me in the right direction This is what i've learned so far. I need a trunking scanner in my local area.., well thats about all i know any help would be appreciated thanks in advance 
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| you need to know what freq's are around you. THIS is your best bet for both freq's and recommendations for a scanner. |
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thanks for the help guys.
i went to scanner masters website and it says that to listen in to their frequency that i dont need a trunking scanner but i am going to get one anyway. They also say that i can order one with the software( preset i guess) already installed for my local area for seventy bucks. does this sound right? BTY, whats the advantage to a digital trunking scanner? thanks |
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If you want it simple, have them do it. The disadvantage is that the frequencies can change and then you are stuck with outdated info. in your scanner.
If you are comfortable with your computer, you may want to get scanner software to program the scanner yourself. Some programs require a yearly fee for updates. The software and 1 year fee can equal the charge for the pre-progamming. |
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its a scanner, not rocket science. program from the keypad and dont worry about it. plus, you learn how to program it for when you want to add freq's or if some change. Sorry you are wrong and off base with modern times. Todays digital trunking is very complicated to punch in. I have 1500 channels in mine for the truck. It would take you a week to program correctly if you ever could. Having a program I can store multiple defaults in one scanner, use spreadsheets to analyze frequently or seldom used frequencies. With software you can import entire departments in seconds without mistake that would take you hours to do. I can go on for hours but todays modern scanners are little computers. I can down load to the laptop and monitor all kinds of goodies. I hope you get the point. If not I can give very detailed example that would be prohibitive with you index finger and human memory. ETA I have Pro-197s and use win 500 software and radiorefernce.com to import data. |
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its a scanner, not rocket science. program from the keypad and dont worry about it. plus, you learn how to program it for when you want to add freq's or if some change. Sorry you are wrong and off base with modern times. Todays digital trunking is very complicated to punch in. I have 1500 channels in mine for the truck. It would take you a week to program correctly if you ever could. Having a program I can store multiple defaults in one scanner, use spreadsheets to analyze frequently or seldom used frequencies. With software you can import entire departments in seconds without mistake that would take you hours to do. I can go on for hours but todays modern scanners are little computers. I can down load to the laptop and monitor all kinds of goodies. I hope you get the point. If not I can give very detailed example that would be prohibitive with you index finger and human memory. ETA I have Pro-197s and use win 500 software and radiorefernce.com to import data. i have no problems programming a trunking scanner. it isnt that hard once you sit down and read the instructions and take your time at first. every freq gets easier. |
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its a scanner, not rocket science. program from the keypad and dont worry about it. plus, you learn how to program it for when you want to add freq's or if some change. Sorry you are wrong and off base with modern times. Todays digital trunking is very complicated to punch in. I have 1500 channels in mine for the truck. It would take you a week to program correctly if you ever could. Having a program I can store multiple defaults in one scanner, use spreadsheets to analyze frequently or seldom used frequencies. With software you can import entire departments in seconds without mistake that would take you hours to do. I can go on for hours but todays modern scanners are little computers. I can down load to the laptop and monitor all kinds of goodies. I hope you get the point. If not I can give very detailed example that would be prohibitive with you index finger and human memory. ETA I have Pro-197s and use win 500 software and radioreference.com to import data. i have no problems programming a trunking scanner. it isn't that hard once you sit down and read the instructions and take your time at first. every freq gets easier. My point for the OP is that the $30 software opens up new worlds and lets you use it as an effective tool by unlocking the other incredible potential not seen without the soft ware. Yes Iit can be programmed manually. I believe I could mow my 2 acres and then take a nap while someone programmed all my pauses, high and low limits, control channel, led alerts, trunking groups, custom displays all arranged by city, county and trunked VS analog for each of the 1500 channels. Also for the OPs FYI, if your scanner takes a dump. The software allows you to retain the memory and can be loaded in 10 or so seconds. Also for the OPs FYI scanning software allows you to make changes and see them easily. I reprogrammed mine 50 times until I got it right. But as new talk groups popup and new agencies junp on the digital band wagon I go right back to the soft ware that gets its data from radioreference,com. Any questions PM me. New scanners are a learning curve and I would be happy to help. |
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Quoted:
thanks for the help guys. i went to scanner masters website and it says that to listen in to their frequency that i dont need a trunking scanner but i am going to get one anyway. They also say that i can order one with the software( preset i guess) already installed for my local area for seventy bucks. does this sound right? BTY, whats the advantage to a digital trunking scanner? thanks The new fad is for all to go to digital. Why? DEPT of Home Land Security Grants in the billions. Podunk 1 cop towns have mega dollar radio systems because it was free, not because it was needed. Supposed to promote interoperability (SP?) between all agencies. |
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Quoted:
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thanks for the help guys. i went to scanner masters website and it says that to listen in to their frequency that i dont need a trunking scanner but i am going to get one anyway. They also say that i can order one with the software( preset i guess) already installed for my local area for seventy bucks. does this sound right? BTY, whats the advantage to a digital trunking scanner? thanks The new fad is for all to go to digital. Why? DEPT of Home Land Security Grants in the billions. Podunk 1 cop towns have mega dollar radio systems because it was free, not because it was needed. Supposed to promote interoperability (SP?) between all agencies. thanks for the advice.., looks like i will go with a digital one. i'll PM you when i start doing some research on the digital ones thanks again to all for the advice
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Is there a standard encoding for "digital" comms? Or does the radio have to know which brand of radio it's listening to? Are they interchangable? Anybody have any specifics (QPSK? codecs?) Right now there are several types of digital coding. The most prevalent by a huge margin is the Motorola P25 system. This is the only digital system decoded by the Grecom, Radioshack and Uniden scanners tight now on the market. There are even P25 ham repeaters showing up. |
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Be careful as it is not digital trunking. Where I am at the is only 2 public service agencies within 50 miles on non-digital and they are switching.
YMMV if no digital in your area or ever will be. What is that arcom saying buy once cry once? Click |
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I tried programming the scanner for trunking by using the keypad, and all it takes is a little screwup and whammo, you wasted time.
Friends of mine also tired and got frustrated. Ill let you know how it goes when I get the software. (I am not allowed to buy anything until after Dec. 25th.) |