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New to scanners

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 3:16 am
by nicholascaged
I am interested in purchasing a scanner. My main interest is city rail transits on grn. What specifications will i require to listen and any recommended models. First time user might get sick of it quickly not sure. Any information would be greatly appreciated

Regards

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:23 am
by Longreach
do you want a portable or a base type?
for now any uniden trunk tracker(like a 780xlt) will do or even stuff like a pro 97. keep in mind in 6-12 or so months time it willl become redundant as the new P25 Digital GRN kicks in (it is here already and is in a 'testing' phase).
ive suggested analogue only scanners as there roughly half the price to digital, given you.ve suggested you may get 'sick of it' its a cheap way in and you can always upgrade to digital later.
check ebay out youll find something there.
cheers

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 7:18 am
by Chrisco
how much do you want to spend? DSE in chatswood had the digital base model reduced(now back to normal price) Using the PC to program with xp/vista will make life programing it so much easier.

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 3:13 pm
by nicholascaged
Thank You Long Reach and Chrisco for your information and replies.

Thought i would go mobile as most of my spare time to use it would be driving the family

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 5:34 pm
by resin8or
Perhaps look for a second hand Uniden UBCD396T. Handleld, takes AA batteries and is ready for digital GRN. Or a DTS96 and Butel software to program it. Ebay is your friend!

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 9:19 pm
by matthewn1983
I use DSE96 with Butel software, use it every day out on the road. just make sure the cable u purchase is good, i got an RFguys.com version of the cable and am having troubles with it.

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 11:33 pm
by Chrisco
I think in another thread there was a Uniden396 at cash converters at penrith. (I would make sure they turn on) ebay would be good start as resin8or said.

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:22 pm
by soupbones
Are the 396 scanners still as deaf as they used to be???

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 7:36 pm
by astro_boy
soupbones wrote:Are the 396 scanners still as deaf as they used to be???
Yep! :(

Re: New to scanners

Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 6:46 am
by soupbones
Shame, they are a great radio, but deaf as. If your thinking of getting a 396, don't. Get a 996 mobile instead. Its amazing the amount of 396 scanners I come across with their owners complaining about not being able to pick up what they want.