Possible scanner choices

[00ebpsi]

Hey all!

I have been reading through these forums for some time now and I am really starting to get into all of the technology available to the general public.

Recently I have been interested in scanners and I have been looking around for one.

I was looking at the Uniden line of scanners. These include the Uniden BCT-8 and the Uniden BC796D.

I am having trouble deciding which one would be better for my area. I live in the Nashville area and the local police are on the UHF 450-470 freq. I live in the direct city of Brentwood,TN. Franklin which is right down the road is switching to digital soon. I have heard that we might go digital soon so who knows. ANy other scanner suggestions would be great....

I am wondering what is the significance of digital able and trunking.

Any input is appreciated!

Brian

[Synbios]

I would recommend the BCT15 over BCT8. They are essentially the same thing but BCT15 is a little more updated.

If you're looking for highway patrol alert, then BCT15 is the way to go.

If you are looking for something digital it is a lot more expensive. If you have the money and you really want to go digital, I recommend the latest model the BCD996T. Note that it's the same thing as BCT15 but with no patrol alert and it's digital, obviously.

BCT8 ~$170
BCT15 ~$255
BCD996T ~$550

[00ebpsi]

I appreciate the input..

The thing I am worried about is that knowing my luck, once I get a scanner w/o digital scan, my city will in fact go digital.

Is there a cheaper option instead of buying a 500 dollar scanner just so I can receive digital?

[Orbital75]

I appreciate the input..

The thing I am worried about is that knowing my luck, once I get a scanner w/o digital scan, my city will in fact go digital.

Is there a cheaper option instead of buying a 500 dollar scanner just so I can receive digital?

Here is a great site that have a lot of people on the inside that know things.
I was worried that my city Charlotte was going digital and these guys assured me that it would be another 7 years.

http://www.radioreference.com/forums...splay.php?f=18

[Synbios]

In my opinion it's too early to get a digital scanner. In 5 years or a little while at least, digital will become the new standard and therefore the prices of the digital scanners will come down.

Right now, not too many places are digital. And even if some places are, how important do you think it really is that you listen to those very few places?

Go analog for now...and use beartracker warning system too

[00ebpsi]

Synbios: our city is loaded with money so it would not surprise me if they went digital. I know we were encrypted a few years ago until a shooting occured and we could not talk to Franklin to get the SWAT team.

Any scanner opinions?

[edweird]

The Uniden BCD996T is a great base/mobile scanner. I've had mine for a couple months and have been quite happy with it, although getting used to the dynamic memory system (no banks) has been a change. I also recommend using a software package (USAD or ARC996) for programming.

I use a Pro-96 and Pro-97 from Radio Shack as my handhelds, and Win96 and Win97 for programming.

The Radio Reference foum would be the best place to ask questions and get answers about what would be best for your specific area, and the systems you'd want to monitor.

Ed