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| Digital Trunking Scanner Recommendations | Conventional Scanner Recommendations |
| Analog Trunking Scanner Recommendations | Wide-Band Scanner Recommendations |
| Radios With Popular Features | |
| For
people new to
trunking scanners: First, make sure you know what 'trunking' is all about. There is a good tutorial here and at my home page. Buy only what you need for the immediate future: The Radio Reference Database is a good place to see what there is in your area to scan. Trunking is here to stay but still not used everywhere. If you don't need trunking there are plenty of conventional and wide-band scanners out there that receive a whole lot better with better features. Rebanding is another issue. It may be years before it's fully implemented. By then there will be other newer scanners that have newer features. If you are not going to be monitoring any Motorola systems, don't worry about rebanding. Don't just go looking for the latest and greatest scanner assuming it's what you need and will do everything you want (the HomePatrol for instance). Use the following information to select just what you need (or will need in the immediate future) to purchase a scanner. Many of the older scanners have nice features that the newer scanners have dropped. Do I need a Digital capable scanner? If none of the systems you want to monitor are 'digital', (or won't be going digital soon [?]) don't buy a digital capable scanner for more than double the cost of a analog trunking scanner and wait for a digital system in your area. Digital scanning is still new and very awkward to program with the current scanners. Wait until the programming has been refined a little better/easier and until you really need one. Note that a lot of the newer digital trunking systems operate in the 700MHz band and not all of the older digital scanners will receive 700MHz. Use my Trunking Comparison Chart to see which scanners offer you want or/and need. To get more detailed info, go to Uniden's or Radio Shack's site and download the PDF manual for the scanner to see exactly what it does and how to program it. The Radio Reference Wiki is also a good place to get info. I also have Easier to Read Manuals on my main page for all of the newer popular scanners. |
| Most people agree if you want performance buy Radio Shack
GRE
models and the new
GRE (PSR) models. Fewer intermod problems, better quality sound, faster trunktracking, shorter squelch tails, clearer digital
transmissions, the firmware is easier to upgrade, and the
software available is more reliable.
I've owned both Uniden and RS (GRE) models side-by-side
in 4-6 states (about 2500 miles apart) and in all cases
the RS models perform better receiving the frequencies.
Now that's just my opinion. Actual results depend on your
location, system/channels monitored, terrain, etc., and personal
taste. If you want features buy Uniden or Uniden made RS models. Dynamic memory, 100 chs/sec (conventional) scan, W/N/SCAT EDACS trunking, changeable steps and receive modes, GPS Based Scanning, Bandscope mode, Start-up Configurations, CTCSS and (not or) DCS tone search, auto store (IDs and freqs), channel alerts, repeater reverse, computer control, I-call IDs, scan-search-ID/delay-resume, more priority channels, and better accessories sold with the scanners. With cell towers everywhere now, the GREs tend to be more prone to overload than the uniden models, especially on 800MHz. Radio Shack scanners will trunktrack faster (with multiple systems). Uniden scanners will scan conventional freqs faster. I have both and use the Unidens for searching, auto/quick store, tones, etc., and setup the GREs for monitoring what I find. Just my way of scanning. |
| Digital Trunking Scanners -They are all rebandable, trunk LTR, VHF, and UHF systems, trunktrack and scan (conventional) at the same time, have attenuation per channel, AFS/Decimal EDACS ID display, power-on resume, weather alert, changeable receive modes per channel, alpha-tags, CTCSS and DCS, ID delay, CB band, Motorola Control Channel Only programming, and have a computer interface and/or control. |
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BCD396XT(HH): Pros- An upgraded version of the BCD396T with quite a few new features including 25,000 total channels/500 systems/500 IDs per system, Scan with Search, alpha tagging, the ability to number any system/channel/search (from 0-999), 7 display colors (blue, red, magenta, green, cyan, yellow, and white), visual alerts (flashing display), changable default receive bands, GPS compatibility, dynamic memory, selectable startup configuration, a Bandscope Mode, signal meter, battery meter, pre-programmed systems, 500 (250 temporary + 250 permanent) search lockouts, Multi-Site Trunking, radio IDs, I-call IDs, Motorola status bits, NAC, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, weather alert/priority, support for EDACS ESK systems, control-channel data output, an adjustable priority check interval with an adjustable number of channels to be checked, priority IDs with Preemptive Priority ID Scanning on Motorola analog systems, priority plus IDs, priority plus scanning, 3 'Search Keys' that allow you assign any (1) custom or service search, 'Band Scope Mode', or a Tone-Out search to, scan/search resume; up to 30 sec. scan/search delay with up to 10 second negative delay, Military air, adjustable volume offset for each channel, repeater reverse, autostore, 'Quick search, IF (intermediate frequency) exchange, Close Call with Close Call Temporary Store and DND, a low/middle/high brightness level for the display, computer interface/control, adjustable charge time for the batteries (1-16 hrs.), EDACS and Motorola patch tracking, Key-Safe Mode, the ability set a system as 'Private', and Fire Toneout Search. Cons- Scans multiple trunking systems with a 2 second delay, set delay by system (all groups/channels). No printed owner's manual; Manual only on CD or online. Very complicated to update the firmware. Awkward to reset the radio. BCD996XT(Base/Mobile): Pros- Has all the BCD396XT in a base/mobile version. Cons- Same as the BCD396XT. UBC800XLT(Base/Mobile): Pros- A European/Australian version of a mix between the BCT-15 and BCD996T with the 3 'Band plans'. With dynamic memory, GPS compatibility, Multi-site trunking, selectable startup configuration, a signal meter, VHF/UHF trunking, I-call monitoring, status bit ignore/on, computer interface/control, audio alerts, alpha-tagging, priority plus scanning, priority plus IDs, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, 100 quick keys, 6000 possible (tagged) channels; 250 channels/IDs per group, 20 groups per system, and/or 500 systems, NFM (including EDACS), Close Call with DND, 10 Close Call monitor memories, (selected service/custom) Scan with Search simultaneously, 6 'search' keys, temporary lockouts, repeater reverse, autostore, 'Quick search, Military air, 10 custom screen bands, Fire Toneout, 9 different alert tone patterns with independent volume, and automatic channel step. Cons- Same as the BCD396XT.
PSR500/Pro-106(HH)/PSR600/Pro-197(Base/Mobile): |
| Analog Trunking Scanners -They are all rebandable, trunk LTR, VHF, and UHF systems, trunktrack and scan (conventional) at the same time, have attenuation per channel, AFS/Decimal EDACS ID display, power-on resume, weather alert, changeable receive modes per channel, alpha-tags, CTCSS and DCS, ID delay, CB band, Motorola Control Channel Only programming, and have a computer interface and/or control. |
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BC346XT(HH): Pros- An upgraded version of the BC246T with quite a few new features including 9000 total channels/500 systems/500 IDs per system, Scan with Search, visual alerts (flashing display),alpha tagging, the ability to number any system or channel within a system (from 0-999), GPS compatibility, selectable startup configuration, 500 (250 temporary + 250 permanent) search lockouts, Multi-Site Trunking, radio IDs, I-call IDs, Motorola status bits, dynamic memory, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, weather alert/priority, support for EDACS ESK systems, control-channel data output, priority IDs with Preemptive Priority ID Scanning, priority plus IDs, priority plus scanning, 3 'search' keys, scan/search resume, up to 30 sec. scan/search delay, adjustable volume offset for each channel, repeater reverse, autostore, 'Quick search, changable default receive bands, IF (intermediate frequency) exchange, Close Call with Close Call Temporary Store and DND, a low/middle/high brightness level for the display, computer interface/control, a Bandscope Mode, signal meter, battery meter, pre-programmed systems, adjustable charge time for the batteries (1-16 hrs.), EDACS and Motorola patch tracking, an owner's manual online or on CD only, memory lock, and Fire Toneout Search. Cons- Scans multiple trunking systems slow. Set delay by system (all groups/channels). No Military air. No AGC. No printed owner's manual; Manual only on CD or online. Very complicated to update the firmware. Awkward to reset the radio. BCT-15X(Base/Mobile): Pros- An upgraded version of the BCT-15 with Police alert, the BearTracker Warning System, alert plus, 9,000 total channels/500 systems/500 IDs per system, Scan with Search, alpha tagging, the ability to number any system/channel/search (from 0-999), visual alerts (flashing display), changable default receive bands, GPS compatibility, dynamic memory, selectable startup configuration, a Bandscope Mode, signal meter, pre-programmed systems, 500 (250 temporary + 250 permanent) search lockouts, Multi-Site Trunking, radio IDs, I-call IDs, Motorola status bits, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, weather alert/priority, support for EDACS ESK systems, control-channel data output, an adjustable priority check interval with an adjustable number of channels to be checked, priority IDs with Preemptive Priority ID Scanning on Motorola analog systems, priority plus IDs, priority plus scanning, only 3 'Search Keys' that allow you assign any (1) custom or service search, 'Band Scope Mode', or a Tone-Out search to, scan/search resume; up to 30 sec. scan/search delay with up to 10 second negative delay, Military air, adjustable volume offset for each channel, repeater reverse, autostore, 'Quick search, IF (intermediate frequency) exchange, Close Call with Close Call Temporary Store and DND, a low/middle/high brightness level for the display, computer interface/control, EDACS and Motorola patch tracking, Key-Safe Mode, the ability set a system as 'Private', and Fire Toneout Search. Cons- Scans multiple trunking systems slow. Set delay by system (all groups/channels). Enabled systems/groups don't appear in the bottom of the display. No AGC. No printed owner's manual; Manual only on CD or online. Very complicated to update the firmware. Awkward to reset the radio. PSR310(HH)/PSR410(Base/Mobile): Pros- Object Oriented Memory with 22 Scan Lists (20 regular lists, Favorites and Skywarn list), 5 way navigation key to access special modes and programming options, Multi-Site Trunking with option to look for the site with the best received CC decode rate, 700MHz and 380MHz trunking, Military air, computer interface and control, QuickText allows you to program insertable text for tagging, 'bold' text option, object hit counts, FlexStep allows channel entries within 1.25 KHz steps, support for EDACS ESK systems, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, weather alert/priority, per channel or global attenuation, ID delay, priority IDs, patch tracking, the repeater finder tool, pre-programmed systems, Wide/Narrow/SCAT EDACS, I-call IDs, radio IDs, 'any' color LED alert, audio alerts, signal strength meter, battery meter, favorites scan list, 'Expert' settings, 'multiple' priority channels, Scan with Search, Spectrum Sweeper, limit, service, and Sweeper searches can be programmed as objects, temp/permanent lockout, Zeromatic search tuning, 'Tune' search, control-channel data output, and firmware upgrades. Many extra 'fine tuning' settings for scanning and especially trunking. Cons- Same as the PSR500/600. PSR700(HH): Pros- A 'mini' handheld Object Orientated Memory scanner with some outstanding features including 51 Scan Lists (50 regular lists plus a Skywarn list). Memory contained on a 2 GB standard SD card contains the whole Radio Reference Database (updateable) for the US and Canada or room for about 10 million objects. 25-1300MHz range, Spectrum Sweeper, Multi-Site Trunking, Virtual Scanner Memory Management system with 200 V-Scanner II (update 'on the fly'-no need to store) folders, simplified keypad more like an MP3 player, software/USB cable included, LED flash pattern alerts, weather alert/priority, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, audio alerts, visual alerts (flashing display), Scan with Search, Military air, support for EDACS ESK systems, Multi-Site Trunking, adjustable priority sampling interval, signal meter, private/radio IDs, I-call IDs, temp/permanent lockout, ID delay, patch tracking, auto LTR LCN programming, 75 cps scan rate, 85 steps/sec. search rate, and USB power (as well as AC/DC). Software required to update the database and firmware or to manually program. No numeric keypad. Cons- Software needed to program specific channels (allows capture), tone codes (allows capture) and V-Scanner II folders. No lockout button. BR330T(HH): Pros- With dynamic memory, a signal meter, 99 quick keys, Race Track Operation, 100 kHz - 1.3 GHz reception, an AM bar antenna, VHF/UHF trunking, I-call monitoring, status bit ignore/on, computer interface, audio alerts, alpha-tagging, priority plus scanning, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, 1600 possible (tagged) channels; 200 channels per group, 20 groups per system, and/or 400 systems, NFM (including EDACS), Close Call with DND, swivel beltclip, (selected service/custom) Scan with Search simultaneously, Military air, repeater reverse, autostore, combination Broadcast/Pager screen (with 10 custom screen bands), Fire Toneout, 9 different alert tone patterns with independent volume, TV and AM/FM service searches, automatic channel step, more powerful audio, and a SMA antenna (w/BNC adapter). Cons- Long squelch tail leaves distinctive 'chop' at the end of transmissions. |
| Conventional Scanners |
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SC230(HH): Pros- About 1600 tagged channels, Dynamic Memory, 200 systems, 100 cps scan rate, Close Call, Race Track Operation (with pre-programmed races), repeater reverse, audio channel alerts, auto-store, Conventional priority scan, priority plus scan, and PC control. Cons- Only 10 'Quick Keys'. No Military air. UBC3500XLT(HH): Pros- European version of the BR330T without trunking, AM bar antenna, 100 kHz-25 MHz range, and Race Track Operation. Nice features are 1600 tagged channels, 100 'Quick Keys', Close Call, Fire Toneout, 10 limit searches, autostore, Priority/Priority Plus scan, and PC Control/Clone. Cons- Scans multiple trunking systems slow. Set delay by system (all groups/channels). Very complicated to update the firmware. Awkward to reset the radio. Only 1 service search (Air), with 8.33 or 12.5 kHz steps. BC3000XLT(HH): Pros- 400 channels/20 banks, 100 cps scan rate, 25-1300MHz range, 10 priority channels, 2 or 4 second delay, auto-store, auto-sort, weather radio, and changeable steps/modes. Cons- Battery pack. No alpha-tagging. Pro-2042(Base/Mobile): Pros- 1000 channels/10 banks, 50 cps scan rate, 25-1300MHz range, auto-store, auto-sort, changeable steps/modes, lock-out review, 100 Monitor Memories, tape out jack, rotary control, 10 limit searches, direct search, AC/12VDC power, optional computer control software, global attenuation (only), and weather radio. Cons- No alpha-tagging. Only 1 priority channel. No CTCSS codes. BC9000XLT(Base/Mobile): Pros- 500 channels/20 banks, 100 cps scan rate, 25-1300MHz range, auto-store, auto-sort, auto-recording, changeable steps/modes, 10 priority channels, alpha tagging, tape out jack, rotary control, direct search, AC/12VDC power, hit counts, optional CTCSS board, per-channel attenuation, and keypad lock. Cons- No weather radio. Only 250 alpha-tag channels in 10 banks. |
| Wide-Band Scanners |
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Icom IC-R6(HH): Pros- 1300 channels/22 banks, pocket-size, 100 kHz-1300 MHz range, an AM bar antenna, reviews report about 40-50 cps scan rate (selected channels), rotary control, 25 limit searches, CTCSS/DCS tones w/lockouts, per-channel attenuation, signal meter, 6-character alpha tagging, auto-store, adjustable delay/resume, changeable steps/modes, AC/DC power, weather radio/alert, auto-power-off, pocket guide, and optional computer control software. Cons- No 7.5 kHz tuning step. Icom IC-R7(HH): Pros- 1600 channels located in 26 'categories' and 100 'groups'. cell phone-size, 150 kHz-1300 MHz range, an AM bar antenna, preset channels for ham radio, air band, railroads, car racing, reviews report about 40-50 cps scan rate (selected channels), rotary control, 25 limit searches, CTCSS/DCS tones w/lockouts, per-channel attenuation, signal meter, 16-character alpha tagging, auto-store, adjustable delay/resume, changeable steps/modes, AC/DC power, weather radio/alert, auto-power-off, pocket guide, and optional CS-RX7 software. Cons- Li-Ion battery pack or (bulky, expensive) AA battery back. Icom IC-R20(HH): Pros- Cons- Icom IC-R1500(PC/Mobile): Pros- Cons- AOR AR8200MKIII(HH): Pros- Cons- Yupiteru MVT-7100/7200(HH): Pros- Super-sensitivity, Cons- AOR AR8600MKII(Base/Mobile): Pros- Cons- |
| Conventional Radios With Popular Features-under construction |
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| Wide-Band Radios With Popular Features-under construction |
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| Last updated November 29, 2011 |
