Question for erickonphoenix and other Texas CB/Scanner users

[Ovencleaner]

Hey erickonphoenix(or offphoenix) and other Texas CB/Scanner users

I am looking to invest in a Scanner or CB radio. I need two things out of it:

I want to hear truckers call out speed traps if possible
I want to be able to know when a "Good Citizen" makes a call on me, for whatever reason 8), or hear progress on certain "Busts"

I live in the Houston area so I thought you might be able to advise me on what options would be effective around here.

I am interested in whatever option in whatever price range.

[erickonphoenix]

The Uniden Bearcat 396T is considered the gold standard for portable scanners. It's powerful but still portable enough to lock up when your out of you're car or take it with you if you want to program frequencies or just listen at home. However it's really expensive. If you look around you can find them for under $400 but some places have them for sale for $500 or more.

I got the Pro97 1000 digital scanner from Radio Shack. It cost me about $200. It scans great but the interface looks cheap and although better than my old Pro89 it still is not well engineered. Once you get used to it I think it's a nice entry level scanner and fine for the casual user. Also If you go this route you will need to spend a few extra bones on a car kit.

USES:
I also have a CB radio that I hook up when I'm out on the interstate. Frankly a CB in metro Houston is pretty useless. All the transmissions are in Spanish for obvious reasons so I don't pick up any English exchanges until I get well outside the city.

"Good Citizens" Picking up "reports" on you're vehicle is pretty easy provided you have your frequencies saved into banks and only select the bank you're traveling on. This can be difficult if your driving all over Houston. I'm lucky because the highest speed sector of my commute is only policed by one precinct. So all I have to do is lock out all banks but that one.

In my experience the most useful aspect of the scanner is getting accident reports ahead of the news. I've been able to swap routes quickly because of reports over the scanner. Another big one is road debris reports. The other day there was a report of large tire debris on my principle route home. Sure enough there it was halfway in the fast lane.

Be sure to also bank enough to install a nice external scanner antenna. I have a glass mount which is fairly mediocre but if you drive a metal car there are some great magnet mount options.

good luck.

[Ovencleaner]

Can a scanner be used to listen to CB radio broadcasts? Although i know it cannot transmit (or at least I am pretty sure) it would be nice while im out on the interstate to be able to listen to Truckers warning about cops or road hazards. I do not have enough money for both a CB and a Scanner.

Also, what about digital vs analog?

[Lucky225]

Can a scanner be used to listen to CB radio broadcasts? Although i know it cannot transmit (or at least I am pretty sure) it would be nice while im out on the interstate to be able to listen to Truckers warning about cops or road hazards. I do not have enough money for both a CB and a Scanner.

Also, what about digital vs analog?

Yes, but it will be very hard to pick up CB with the VHF/UHF anteanna that you use to hear the cops and comes standard with the scanner. Best bet would be to buy a pro-97 for $150 and get a $50 mobile CB from rat shack

[RW'07]

I want to hear truckers call out speed traps if possible
I want to be able to know when a "Good Citizen" makes a call on me, for whatever reason 8)
I am interested in whatever option in whatever price range.

Definitively you need a CB RADIO with a high performance antenna, any CB radio will do the job only the antenna will make the difference :!:

http://www.wilsonantenna.com/ lots of models to chose from :wink:

[erickonphoenix]

Be sure to get an industrial size box of bazooka gum to go with it. Nothing makes yappin on a CB better than jawin down on some tasty bubble gum

[Ovencleaner]

I just checked up on **** in Nacogdoches and Houston.
Houston uses all FM so I am fine there I am sure. Nacogdoches uses something called APCO-25. I need a digital scanner don't I....

They are so expensive!

[corean1786]

Hey erickonphoenix(or offphoenix) and other Texas CB/Scanner users

I am looking to invest in a Scanner or CB radio. I need two things out of it:

I want to hear truckers call out speed traps if possible
I want to be able to know when a "Good Citizen" makes a call on me, for whatever reason 8), or hear progress on certain "Busts"

I live in the Houston area so I thought you might be able to advise me on what options would be effective around here.

I am interested in whatever option in whatever price range.

i got a super cheap CB radio and antenna. i get about 3 miles range avg and lucky get 5 miles. i like mine alot. im in college too and dont have a lot of money. my uniden cost about 40 bucks and my antenna is small but has great range for 30. it does its job when i am on i-35 from san antonio, to ausitn, to dallas.

[RW'07]

I just checked up on *BEEP* in Nacogdoches and Houston.
Houston uses all FM so I am fine there I am sure. Nacogdoches uses something called APCO-25. I need a digital scanner don't I....

They are so expensive!

Is that in Mexico :?: :wink:

[Ray]

I just checked up on *BEEP* in Nacogdoches and Houston.
Houston uses all FM so I am fine there I am sure. Nacogdoches uses something called APCO-25. I need a digital scanner don't I....

They are so expensive!

Is that in Mexico :?: :wink:

Close enough, it's getting to the point where you can't tell anymore since Houston is a sanctuary city. :x