Handheld scanner for Xmas

**carter840** · 12-01-2006, 02:02 PM

Well for Xmas i was going to ask for a Laser jammer but i think that i will just get one in March after the GOL test. This means that i need another gift idea... I was thinking about a scanner. I like the idea of a handheld scanner b/c then i can use it anywhere so what is a good one to get. I know that is a bad ? but i know nothing about them so i need help. Here is what i need i will be using it in New York state i would like to be able to hear the highway patrol, local Leos, and state police. I don't understand this whole digital/analog thing but i'm guessing that if i want to hear all of this stuff listed that i'm gonna need both. Anythoughts also if you could post the price on each that would be great. Also another question is will i be able to hear Leos from far away or only the ones close by using the radio?
thanks

**carter840** · 12-01-2006, 02:12 PM

Also just so i don't have to worry about the Law with scanners what Ham radio test do i have to pass to make me exempt from the law about having a scanner. Looking over the NY law it seems a bit fuzzy so i wan tht Ham license to make sure everthing is legit.
thanks

**cooljay** · 12-01-2006, 02:32 PM

Yes you do need a HAM license in order to have a scanner in NY.

http://www.radioreference.com/module...ame=RR&stid=36

Looks like most everything in NY is still analog and not trunked but looks like they have an 800Mhz trunked system in the works.

I would suggest the Pro-97 from RS as it covers analog, has text tags so you can add text to each freq. to know who is talking, and covers the current Analog trunked systems.

**carter840** · 12-01-2006, 02:39 PM

Well how much more is the digital i would like to have to option. Also any ideas on the ham license. And do you guys think that getting one could keep me out of trouble?
thanks

**cooljay** · 12-01-2006, 03:40 PM

Getting one would keep you out of trouble as there is case law in NY about users who have a scanner and a HAM license and have won.

This might also come in handy if you travel and a state has a law that you can not have a scanner in a moving vehicle. But most of the states with those laws have an exception that if you have a HAM license you are ok.

Here is a page on scanner laws: http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html

As far as getting a HAM license not sure but I know they have classes that you go to. Might ask around local scanner/ham radio shops to see where you can find such a class.

As far as a digital scanner, at RS they have the Pro-96 which is on sale till tomorrow for $399, reg. price is $499 so if you are going to get that one you might have to jump on it ASAP.

**carter840** · 12-01-2006, 05:38 PM

Yeah thanks for the link. reading the section about HAMs it seems that i have to use a Ham radio for the rule to work is there a differnce between a Ham radio and a scanner?

**cooljay** · 12-01-2006, 06:49 PM

yeah the law for NY is kinda strange and doesn't really make sense

If you get one just be careful if you take it out in the car with you. If you're traveling and want to use it in other states, stick it in the trunk until you're out of NY.

I believe there are still lots of people who use scanners in NY inside their house but not sure if the law bans them out right or what.

**crazyVOLVOrob** · 12-02-2006, 09:04 AM

where in NY are you from? What county? I live in suffolk and scan both Suffolk, nassau and some stations in Conneticut. I can do this comfortbly with my analog trunking scanner from uniden

Don't use a scanner in your car in NY it's serious business my friends father(Suffolk PD) has told me. I use to have one scanner to with all Suffolk Fire stations when i was a volunteer fighter but that sort of gives me an excuse, also thats all I had programmed in it.

I use to not care about scanning in my car in NY but now realizing that really i am well protected running my CB, Jammer and Detector, I don't use the scanner. When I say don't use it I take off the antenna and take the batteries out of the scanner. Honestly I don't think a scanner will save you any tickets unless you are driving wrecklessly and you are reported. I use my handheld scanner to listen in for possible laser traps/speed traps(hardly ever happens in Suffolk county, NY) and mainly listen to the Detectives on their drug sting operations(Unfortunately suffolk pd is moving just the detectives to digital)

DO NOT GO WITH THE RADIO SHACK PRO-97!!!! IT IS NOT UPGRADABLE AND THERE IS A NATION WIDE REBANDING THAT IT GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE AND THE PRO-97 WON'T COVER ALL FREQUENCIES

**carter840** · 12-02-2006, 10:13 AM

well it sounds like i will be skipping the scanner then. I live in manhattan but spend a lot of time in southampton (mostly during the summer) as well. As a fellow NYer what do you think is the biggest threat? Laser, IO, or some other junk. Also i have been seeing a lot of laser traps targeting the rear on the LIE. Do you have jammers in the rear as well?
thanks

**crazyVOLVOrob** · 12-02-2006, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by carter840

well it sounds like i will be skipping the scanner then. I live in manhattan but spend a lot of time in southampton (mostly during the summer) as well. As a fellow NYer what do you think is the biggest threat? Laser, IO, or some other junk. Also i have been seeing a lot of laser traps targeting the rear on the LIE. Do you have jammers in the rear as well?
thanks

I am not sure towards the city I am worried about IO k-band from NYPD....When on northern state I am worried about IO KA from NYSP....

But I have yet to notice any mojor laser traps on the LIE Heck I usually cruise at 80 to 90 in and out of traffic with no problem 8)

My scanner is more entertainment than anything, but this up coming summer I am getting my HAM licence so I can have more radio toys.