I have just accepted a job as a photographer at a newspaper in Lansing MI. My job is to cover car accidents, fires, crimes, and other emergencies, so I would like to purchase a radio scanner to keep up with the police, fire, and other authorities. I have done some research and decided that I need to buy a trunking system but I don't know which one to buy. I am looking for a cheap but powerful trunking system that I can take on the go. I am unfamiliar with brands or prices but I'm looking for something under $150. I also need to know what sort of accessories I will need to get the best use out of it. Thank you in advance for you help.

I dont know much about scanners, but i know most of those services have switched over to digital (and in many cases scrambled) systems.

If you buy online, try to find a site with plenty of information and customer reviews.

I see that digital scanners are much more expensive. How could I determine if my local departments are digital or trunking. I imagine that they probably wont just give that info out.

I think you'll have to find someone w/ a scanner already.

I have just accepted a job as a photographer at a newspaper in Lansing MI. My job is to cover car accidents, fires, crimes, and other emergencies, so I would like to purchase a radio scanner to keep up with the police, fire, and other authorities. I have done some research and decided that I need to buy a trunking system but I don't know which one to buy. I am looking for a cheap but powerful trunking system that I can take on the go. I am unfamiliar with brands or prices but I'm looking for something under $150. I also need to know what sort of accessories I will need to get the best use out of it. Thank you in advance for you help.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=1259 for Ingham County, MI.

That'll provide you with frequencies and talkgroups. It appears that for your purpose, you could go with an older model that's not digital right now. However, seeing as most places would eventually be bumped up to digital during the rebanding, you'd be best investing in something worthwhile.

I've got several friends who say that Scanner Master is a great place to shop. Plenty of brandes, plenty of accessories, etc. http://www.scannermaster.com/ is the URL.

Also be sure to look into the legality of scanning in your area. Newsrooms and what not are often exempt from some laws, but its simpler to be sure and check it out.

Keep in mind, if you want to have a good lock on your frequency lists, you'll need to have the hookups to your computer, etc. All that stuff is available on that website. For quick reference, get an unit that uses alpha-numeric tagging so you can program in the frequency and the agency.

Get a decent antenna. Even with a lousy machine, a decent antenna can make it work much better.

How many channels do you think you'll need? How many banks are you interested in having? Are you covering Michigan State stuff (they're moving to Ingham County EDACS LTR).

Find someone else locally who can answer more localized questions, and I bet you'll do okay. If you can pick up some used equipment, you can save a bundle.

Here's a good FAQ. http://www.scannermaster.com/Articles.asp?ID=165

Good luck.

How about this one

http://tinyurl.com/2r67k5

Is this a good unit and what sort of antenna should I get.

How about this one

http://tinyurl.com/2r67k5

Is this a good unit and what sort of antenna should I get.

As far as an antenna, really the only thing I can recommend is that you get a telescopic that covers varying frequencie ranges. Because I use my scanner indoors in a rural area with little radio traffic, I use this one (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103159&cp=2032052.2032075.2032078.2032098&pg=2&allCount=29&fbn=Price%2F%2410.00+-+%2449.99&fbc=1&fr=StorePrice%2FRSK%2F00001000%2F00004999&parentPage=family) which I don't find to be terribly rugged, but does work to bring in some signals that I otherwise couldn't get.

As far as that unit goes, I think it would be perfectly adequate for the needs you described. You're certain you care to buy new? And that it MUST be from Radio Shack? You'll find you'll get better deals online and at eBay, I presume, but you'll have the service from Radio Shack if you buy from them.

If you're willing to shell out the extra $30, I'd recommend the Pro 97 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102425&cp=2032052.2032072&parentPage=family&pg=1&allCount=19&allCount=19&fbn=Scanner+type%2FTriple+trunking&searchSort=TRUE&fbc=1&y=6&retainProdsInSession=1&x=7&parentPage=family), seeing as it can scan both digital and conventional signals at the same time. It also has the alpha tagging (using alpha-numerics that you program in to tell you what the signal is on the display...so, say it comes up saying 155.125, which with the model you chose, would just display the frequency. With this model, it would say 155.125 EastLansingPD or whatever you program into it), which I personally would find to be well worth the money.

That's my recommendations. Does your company already have scanners in their newsroom, or does someone with the company have one that could advise you in this? It's a little difficult for me seeing as I'm using a 12 year old Uniden and only listening to rural conventional signals.

Happy to help further if I can. I really recommend you get over to Radio Reference (http://www.radioreference.com) and get signed up with the Forums. Lots of info, and a Michigan specific forum, as well as classifieds, general scanning, equipment forums, etc, which will all be a lot more help than Totse and the hack from Wyoming (me). I can be reached as Austin4Wyo over there.

I see that digital scanners are much more expensive. How could I determine if my local departments are digital or trunking. I imagine that they probably wont just give that info out.

I'm sure your local fire department would be more than happy to tell you if they broadcast on digital frequencies or not.
I would check to see if the local fire department/police department has a public relations office (they should) and go from there.

I'm sure your local fire department would be more than happy to tell you if they broadcast on digital frequencies or not.
I would check to see if the local fire department/police department has a public relations office (they should) and go from there.

Great advice, Havoc.

Be sure to mention you're a journalist, and they might have some resources specifically for journalism. Others in your field are sure to have scanners and frequency lists (hell, I keep mine locally and share it with just about anyone to get them started), so getting them programmed and running should be easy enough.

Im not stuck on radioshack, I just found the model on there. We have a home base model scanner at the newsroom but no one knows anything about it. They have preset frequencies and just push a button. I asked around and they told me to go to the internet. Anyway, i need a mobile unit. The Pro 97 looks good.

whats the range on one of these things?

If your news office has a scanner then you can just get the freq's off there. Regular scanners pick up conventional VHF and UHF (1xx-4xx). Trunked scanners pick up both conventional and trunked (1xx-4xx, 8xx).

A radio shack trunked scanner would probably be all you need, but I'd reccomend you get an authentic Motorola radio, my favorites are the XTS5000 and CP200 for when I need a small radio. They cost a lot more but once you've heard the crystal clear sound without all the intermod you'd get on a cheap radio shack scanner you can't go back.

whats the range on one of these things?

Depends on the model you want. I'd speculate that at this point in the game, you could get into radio scanning with an adequate digital unit for less than $250-300, depending on what kind of deal you can find on eBay or other sites.

But if you're just looking for cheap thrills, I'd say find them elsewhere. Most radio chatter is pretty uneventful, as opposed to a more common notion that it's essentially Cops but with only audio. The only reason I'm interested is living in a small rural town with zero media leads me to believe that perhaps I should keep an ear on my goings on (double homicide/suicide a summer ago, a pretty viscious attack on a place across from work last summer) and that I've got a family pedigree in EMS/Fire/LEO work (my dad and stepdad were both volunteer firemen, and I've got retired police officers in the family).

If you guys want, I can throw up an audio file of some of the chatter I hear (with the breaks in traffic edited, of course) so you can see how mundane it actually is.

EDIT: Never mind. This is stuff from some unknown date here in Laramie, WY. I've got Police Dispatch/Police Tactical 1, Police Tactical 2, Albany County Sheriff, EMS/Fire Dispatch, EMS/Fire Tactical 1, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and Wyoming Mutual Aid (Interagency) on these two files in varying degrees.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6559233b4c4815/ Thursday night traffic from some ungodly night.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/6559308c32da23/ Saturday night traffic, probably from the same weekend.

As you can see, this stuff is pretty mundane. Here in rural Wyoming, you don't have as much radio traffic as you would in a location with higher population. For reference, Laramie Fire oversees four departments just because of the lack of population out here. Fire/EMS Dispatch and Fire Tac 1 and 2 users include Centennial, Little Laramie, Big Laramie, Rock River, Vedauwoo and Tie Siding Volunteer Fire Departments.

However, just because there more traffic in other locations doesn't mean it's more interesting. As far as a journalism job goes? You'll need the freqs and you might see if someone locally has the codes for you, seeing as it's mostly jibber jabber if you don't have those on hand.

I have just accepted a job as a photographer at a newspaper in Lansing MI. My job is to cover car accidents, fires, crimes, and other emergencies, so I would like to purchase a radio scanner to keep up with the police, fire, and other authorities. I have done some research and decided that I need to buy a trunking system but I don't know which one to buy. I am looking for a cheap but powerful trunking system that I can take on the go. I am unfamiliar with brands or prices but I'm looking for something under $150. I also need to know what sort of accessories I will need to get the best use out of it. Thank you in advance for you help.

If you are looking for a good price own a scanner check out Uniden store on line the sale new and like new http://www.unidendirect.com/itemlist.cfm?cattype=prd&catid=3

I wonder if radio chatter in say... downtown seattle... would be any more interesting than some of the other places mentioned here in this thread.

I wonder if radio chatter in say... downtown seattle... would be any more interesting than some of the other places mentioned here in this thread.

Why don't you have a listen to find out? (http://www.scanseattle.net/index.php)

heres some of what I hear in chicago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwfjHmHendA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko17jr8R0so

heres some of what I hear in chicago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwfjHmHendA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko17jr8R0so

I find that highly unlikely. Somehow, I think Chicago PD has more pressing issues to talk about than what was recorded there.

I find that highly unlikely. Somehow, I think Chicago PD has more pressing issues to talk about than what was recorded there.

it's real, recorded with VOXrecorder. chicago cops avoid contact with shitheads as much as possible. street stops and all other kinds of active policing only lead to lawsuits and complaints. when chicago cops do real work and arrest someone the county prosecutor almost always refuses to press felony charges without a recorded confession.

it's real, recorded with VOXrecorder. chicago cops avoid contact with shitheads as much as possible. street stops and all other kinds of active policing only lead to lawsuits and complaints. when chicago cops do real work and arrest someone the county prosecutor almost always refuses to press felony charges without a recorded confession.

What particular model of scanner are you using to monitor this radio traffic?

make

SURE

you have p-25 with/without trunking.

Could you elaborate on p25 (researched and just got confuzzled)

Could you elaborate on p25 (researched and just got confuzzled)

Well, I can give you a down and dirty version. APCO Project 25 is a set of guidelines and standards that are going to be overseeing all public safety radio communications from the federal level down. The purpose is to provide interoperability for mutual aid and resource sharing in crisis and emergency situations.

The hell of it is that all P25 communications are going to be digital, and given that the digital technology is pretty new, and the proprietary license isn't in high demand due to P25 not being adopted for various reasons (budget problems being the largest), the technology remains rather expensive. Expect to give $500-600 for a new scanner that can deal with not only P25 digital signals, but also be ready for rebanding when it comes down the pipe.

Keep in mind, if you're wanting to start monitoring, it's a big investment, and it's not like you can just listen to them straight out of the box. If you can't put your head around understanding the very basics of how public safety agencies make use of the radio spectrum, I'd put good money on you not being able to operate a scanner above the most basic beginner level competently. Trunked radio gets confusing, and, while some listeners and HAMS don't always play well with others, that does not mean they are of sub-par intelligence. Govern yourself accordingly before you go dropping $500 on a a new GRE/Uniden receiver.

My area is mostly digital so I have a Radioshack Pro-96. It works great, and is easy to use and doesn't take too long to learn. It is $500 but it is a great investment. I use mine to just listen to cops to see whats going on around my town but sometimes I use it if I'm up to no good and it's saved my ass so many times. If your area isn't digital yet, it probably will be soon so I'd reccomend going with the Pro-96. You also have the Uniden bcd396t to choose from but I tried using one before and it's waayyy more complicated than the Pro-96.

Pro 96 machines are all but outdated at this point. Since many systems are moving to the 700 Mhz band, you'll want to invest in a Uniden or a GRE if you need digital capabilities. Radio Shack's machines can scan in the 700 Mhz area, but they won't trunk track, which would likely defeat the whole purpose. I know, rebanding is a bitch.

And once a person gets used to Uniden's memory system, it's not a big deal. If you're going to invest $500 into a scanner, I really recommend getting a machine that is top of the line, not borderline outdated.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I didn't wanna start another.

I'm currently looking into picking up a scanner for entertainment purposes.

The stuff I'm looking for.

Budget: cheaper the better
Tech: Would prefer both digital and analog w/ trunking since in my area both are being utilized. Handheld would be preferred too.

Listening in on police and fire chatter, and then for rail-way chatter while doing a bit of train-hopping (although most of this is still analog I hear)

Again, any suggestions or tips?

Your location? What's your price range?

Since different radio systems use different types of trunking and what not. If you can provide your location, I can point you to some resources.

Your location? What's your price range?

Since different radio systems use different types of trunking and what not. If you can provide your location, I can point you to some resources.

Fresno/Clovis, Ca but I also spend about half my time in San Jose and San Francisco (all digital)

After looking around a bit the scanners that also pick up digital signals are pretty expensive, so I'm thinking just a trunking scanner. Budget is kinda flexible really, but above $400 is pushing it.

Fresno/Clovis, Ca but I also spend about half my time in San Jose and San Francisco (all digital)

After looking around a bit the scanners that also pick up digital signals are pretty expensive, so I'm thinking just a trunking scanner. Budget is kinda flexible really, but above $400 is pushing it.

That's probably wise. If they're digital, there's a good chance that the interesting stuff is encrypted as well, so you wouldn't be able to hear it.

California Forum over at RadioReference.com. (http://www.radioreference.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37) Posting your questions there would probably be more fruitful.

That's probably wise. If they're digital, there's a good chance that the interesting stuff is encrypted as well, so you wouldn't be able to hear it.

California Forum over at RadioReference.com. (http://www.radioreference.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37) Posting your questions there would probably be more fruitful.

Ah okay. Thanks for that link.

yeha I use a uniden bct8 and it's trunked, but no digital. so you can tell if they're txing but can't hear anything except a really annoying buzz. still though, you can pick up a fair amount of stuff. but my state police use apco-25 trunked systems, (delaware) and most places are upgrading.

happy scanning or whatever

Not all systems are up at 700 yet...and wont be for a very long time.


The Pro-96 is still good, depends on what you're trying to monitor. (www.radioreference.com)

Although I have Unidens and one Pro-82 Conventional, I have to say GRE is much MUCH better for performance. While Uniden is just easier to program.