Hello,
I am new to the whole scanner thing, but it seems interesting to be able to listen in on the chatter of police/ems/fire. What's the best scanner that doesn't require any vehicular installation, but with great clarity and reception.
Thanks!
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Hello,
I am new to the whole scanner thing, but it seems interesting to be able to listen in on the chatter of police/ems/fire. What's the best scanner that doesn't require any vehicular installation, but with great clarity and reception.
Thanks!
Radio Shack Pro 106
Depends where you are, what systems are used in your area how involved with programming you're willing to get.
It's sounds like you're looking for a handheld but the Mobile radios are also incredibly easy to setup as desktop scanners, just put the pads on the metal, hook up the wall adapter instead of the 12v hook up the antenna and program it...no screws required. Is that what you'd like or do you want a handheld?
The handhelds tend to have smaller memory banks, which may present an issue should you live in an area where everything is on a digitally trunked system.
Which is best, is a pretty open ended question around here...
Yep. We need to know a whole lot more information before we can even begin to address that question. Read the Scanner FAQ at the top of this section, then get back to us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Motor On
uhhh... hahaha I'm not really sure. But I mainly drive in TN, VA, and Washington DC? If that helps or anything. I was thinking a handset would probably be the best since I can just bring it out whenever I decide I want to listen to them (I mean it doesn't have to be a handset, I just want it so it doesn't require any installation, and easily to just pop out of my car if I don't want it.) I guess the best handheld? Best nondigital handheld?
btw, I am guessing you guys have CB or Scanners, how is it? haha is it fun listening to them talk?
I looked at the Pro 106. God it's 500 DOLLARS?
can I revise what I meant by Best scanner. Best scanner under 300 dollars?
The best non-digital is well under 300 dollars.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkChewby
Uniden Bearcat BC346XT Police Scanner Radio Radio
But I guarantee you that you won't keep it for more than two weeks before you sell it on eBay because it is simply way too complicated for the beginner who isn't totally committed to getting hardcore into scanning.
You see, "best" doesn't mean the same thing in scanners that it does in CB radios. Best doesn't mean it receives better than one half the price. It means it has more complex features for the advanced scannist. Stuff that you will never use or understand if you're just interested in casual listening. So don't get hung up on what the "best" scanner is.
The next best is only slightly cheaper, but much less complicated.
Uniden Bearcat BC246T Police Scanner Radio
It has the three features that I think are important for anyone, even the beginner: Alpha tagging, Trunk Tracking, and CTCSS decoding. Those things make programming a little more difficult than in a $100 dollar scanner, but they make keeping up with what you are listening to much easier.
Those are entire states. I'm not going to spend the next six weeks looking up every community in three states for you. As mentioned in the FAQ, we need to know EXACTLY what, where, and whom you want to listen to, and why you want to listen to them. Without that information, we can't help you. What you need is going to vary greatly from area to area.Quote:
uhhh... hahaha I'm not really sure. But I mainly drive in TN, VA, and Washington DC?
That's like asking if playing chess is fun. It's fun if you're into it. But to 99 percent of all people, it's boring and confusing and pointless. I enjoy it because I like knowing what's going to be on the news before the news even airs. If you're a hardcore news addict, you'll probably like it. If you're a cop or firemonkey wannabe, it'll give you wood. But otherwise, I'd agree that it's boring, confusing, and pointless.Quote:
haha is it fun listening to them talk?
All digital scanners are going to be at least $500 dollars. You asked for the best, so that's what he recommended for you. Everything in DC is digital, so if that is something you want to listen to, your going to have to start saving your pennies.Quote:
I looked at the Pro 106. God it's 500 DOLLARS?
That's helpful, Thanks :)
hmm... I am guessing I just want to listen to the police. I read the faq and you said it was a worthless countermeasure. Don't they talk about traffic conditions, accidents, etc.?
Sure, in between talking about barking dogs, loud parties, passed out drunks, shoplifters, panhandlers, runaway kids, parking violations, neighbourhood feuds, and a million other boring things that you won't understand. You'll get tired of the noise and turn it off long before you begin to understand it, and way, way before you ever get any useful info out of it. That's assuming you learn to program the scanner without giving up.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkChewby
hahaha... ok ok Stealth. I got your point! hahahaha
I am not going to buy one.
Before you spend money on a scanner, you might want to take a listen to an online stream of a scanner to get an idea of what you'd be hearing.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkChewby
Tennessee Live Police, Fire, and EMS Scanners
Virginia Live Police, Fire, and EMS Scanners
WTF - did he say fire monkey? That's a new one for me. Why would you call us that. You didn't get hired"
You have heard it before. In fact, you said the very same thing last time. :D
I not only got hired, I retired. Try again. ;)
LOL, ok so that's why you pick on me.
Nah, it's just a very old running joke with me that I can't seem to shake. Force of habit. Definitely has nothing to do with you.
This must be among the best : BCD436HP.
actually this is NOT one of the best. I comes with an issue about losing the clock settings. A temp work around is just that doesn't work for the correct time . Uniden has noticed this from the beginning but 8 months after buying mine there still no fix. no offer to send it off for repair nohthing. it is a good scanner other wise but not for the price.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CactusMan
The clock issue has been addressed. The have also added the ability to decode ProVoice traffic with a $50 update which works great.