"ScannerNewbie" <usenet@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:vY6dndPouaeaQn3VnZ2dnUVZ_oDinZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I'm interested in purchasing a scanner with the greatest frequency
> coverage range possible and offering the widest selection of reception
> modes.
>
> I would like to be able to monitor police, fire, air traffic, government
> and other services. There are so many different makes and models it's
hard
> to know which are the best choices.
>
> Price is not really an issue (although *very* expensive models are
outside
> my budget).
>
> Will someone please offer me some advice or recommendations?
>
> TIA
>
> Samantha
>
Hi Samantha -
As a starter-scanner I'd recommend you go to a local Radio Shack and look
at
their selection.
http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032072&cp=2032052
will get you to their product page for scanners. Surely your location has
at least one Radio Shack nearby. They're not always the most savvy but
they're there and you can go back if necessary. They have all sorts of
things ranging in price from $80 to $600. Most of their selections will
tune the frequencies you're interested in. (I've got a BC95 which is a
great radio, I think!) Expect to spend another $25 or so for batteries,
wall-wart power adapters, a book or something.
You'll want to decide on a desk model or a ****table radio. I'd say
****table
as you can take them with you, of course. A trip to the air****t to watch
planes is a lot more fun if you're listening to the control tower grant
landing and take off permissions! Or a trip to the harbor to watch and
listen to tugs helping a ****p tie up at a pier!
Be sure to learn if your local police are using a "trunked" radio service
-
if they are, you'll need a radio capable of following trunked systems
(frequently called "trunk tracker radios").
Another thing to think about is if you want a radio you can program (that
is, establish frequencies in) by computer or by hand. A radio you can
program with a computer (and a special program available from several
sites
on the web as well as a programming cable) is much easier to deal with.
Programming by hand is not impossible but it gets tedious! A computer
programmable radio will cost a little more but (to me) is worth the few
additional dollars.
There are a lot of other places to buy a scanner, too. Many on the web
are
good, of course, but sometimes when you're new it's nice to go there and
touch, feel and ask questions before you put your money down!
Good luck!
Al
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