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Years ago, I owned a scanner. It was a hand held Pro 51 if I remember correctly. Now I would like to possibly get back into listening again. I guess my first question would be what kind of scanner do I need? I live in SE king county and would want to listen to Valley Com, BNSF and who knows what else. My concern is trunking. I know that years ago, alot of agencies went to trunking systems. I see where there are double and triple trunking radios. However, doing a bit of research hasnt left me much more educated than I was. I want to have a hand held unit and dont want to spend a fortune on one. Any advice would be great appreciated.

Thanks

Nick

Uniden BC346XT (Bearcat) I'll let you do the research on used or new. Then get FREESCAN to program it. Just my 2 cents.

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Realistic Patrolman PRO-48, Uniden BC-800XLT, Radio Shack PRO-2018, Uniden BC-895XLT, Uniden BC-245XLT, RCA RP-6100,
Realistic PRO-2006, Uniden BR330T, Uniden BCT15X

The difference between double and triple trunk radios is the how many types of systems it is compatible of following. You'll want to ensure that you get something that will follow a Motorola Type II system and that is compatible with rebanding. Many agencies are migrating to digital communications, so something that supports that may be a good investment for the future.

Unless they go encrypted, in which case no scanner will work.

The following information was received in a PM:Note to the poster: There's more than one person that reads these forums; if you reply here instead of PMing me you'll get more (and probably better) advice.

VC is currently on a Moto Type II system (which is why I suggested a scanner that follows that type of system). Don't expect it to stay that way forever.

Yes, some scanners have USB interfaces. As FireDawg89 mentioned, the BC346XT is one of them, and FREESCAN is software that you can use to program it (among other things).

I see where that particular scanner can be purchased for just over 200. Does any of Radio Shacks scanners compair to that one? Also, since Im unfamiliar with the Freescan software, is the learning curve for that steep?

Thanks

They're similar but different.Some say yes, some say no. Everybody's different.

It is a little. Depends on your experience with tinkering with this type of software. With that said, the learning curve for hand programming a scanner from the front panel is not for the faint of heart. IMO

Attached is a FreeSCAN file that will get you a good start with Valleycom. Has all the FD talk groups and some KCSO.

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The file extension you have isnt familiar to me. Kib?

Im fairly handy with computer programs. Its that first couple of days that the learning curve is the worst? Are you with a department out near Maple Valley?

Is this a time where we need to worry that alot of departments will go encypted? Or will the current scanners be worth having in a few years?

I recall back when I lived in Renton, I could listen to the police calls. I see where fire calls are readily available via online listening sites. Are the police frequencies in SE king county still available for your listening enjoyment?

Sorry for so many questions, but one needs to know these things before spending money, right?

It's for the software that others have mentioned--Freescan.See streaming belowDepends on what happens to the radio systems that they use. If they go MotoTRBO, NXDN, X2TDMA, then everybody will be screwed because there are no scanners on the market (today) that will decode those. PC software will, however.
If they go encrypted, it won't matter what you have.See this. Or if you mean are they still available on a stream online, then I don't know; I haven't looked for a stream (I don't listen to the cops).

Ok, call me thick or whatever, but I am perplexed by Taco's answers to my queries.

I asked Is this a time where we need to worry that alot of departments will go encypted?

response was to see streaming below. I fail to see the connection between whether departments will go encrypted and streaming?

I then asked Are the police frequencies in SE king county still available for your listening enjoyment?

And I was given an embedded link that brought me right back to this very thread.

I want to get a scanner, probably the Uniden BC346XT .

I just need to make sure that whatever I buy will suit my personal needs. I want to be able to listen to the local police and fire frequencies near Maple Valley. I will also use the scanner for railroad and airport listening. Im pretty sure that the BC346XT will take care of the railroad/airport needs.

I know that no one can predict what may happen in the future to how agencies operate.

Thank You

The 346 will fit your needs fine. If you want to futureproof, get a digital scanner. It may or may not work in the future.

1. Yes. Encryption is coming to King County.

2. Many agencies have cited streaming scanner audio as direct causation for the encryption switch. With P25 technology becoming widespread, it costs very little to stack encryption on top. With streaming audio available on so many cell phone platforms, and widespread blatant disregard for officer safety in choosing what to stream and when (see the dirt bag Dorner incident), it's becoming an easy choice for administrators of radio systems.

3. Yes, listen away.

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