Radio Scanners

[Experimentalist]

Looking for advice on radio scanners.

I'm a bit new to the field, having an old analog Yupiteru from the '90s. Doing a bit of research I've found that Digital 02 (trunked) is the most capable, and that the capability to reduce Simulcast Distortion would be helpful in my area (East SF Bay).

Anyone have recommendations? My budget isn't particularly constrained, I lightly favor portable units vs base units.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[Bushwack44]

I have owned a Uniden BCD436 since 2015. Good handheld scanner. I wouldn't consider myself a power user (even though I've had scanners for 40+ years). But it performs better then any Radio Shack handheld I've owned and definitely has more features (most that I don't use or know how to use).

FWIW, monitoring about 80 freqs at a time takes about 8 hours of battery life. YMMV.

[SB1942]

The Uniden SDS-100 or SDS-200 would be the way to go. They will pick up everything you want--as long as it's not encrypted.

You can check radioreference.com for the system you want to monitor.

Programming a scanner these days sometimes takes an advanced degree..lol

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-016159

[Experimentalist]

I have owned a Uniden BCD436 since 2015. Good handheld scanner. I wouldn't consider myself a power user (even though I've had scanners for 40+ years). But it performs better then any Radio Shack handheld I've owned and definitely has more features (most that I don't use or know how to use).

FWIW, monitoring about 80 freqs at a time takes about 8 hours of battery life. YMMV.

Thanks Bushwack, I've been considering the BCD436. Good to hear it's held up for you for a decent period of time. It's certainly a capable unit with good reviews.

The SDS 100 is claimed to make better reception when Simulcast Distortion is an issue. I'm told this area uses Simulcast, so kinda leaning that way. Any one have thoughts on that model? Have you noticed any Simulcast issues?

[Diabolus]

I have an SDS-100 and it's awesome. I found it used and they come up every now and then. Best bet is to start hitting Craigslist and trying to find a used one. They are expensive and usually kept in good condition.

[SB1942]

+1 for the SDS-100/SDS-200

They are currently the only scanners that have the technology to assist with simulcast issues.

[Bushwack44]

+1 for the SDS-100/SDS-200

They are currently the only scanners that have the technology to assist with simulcast issues.

Can you offer an example (as oppose to the BCD436)?

[SB1942]

Can you offer an example (as oppose to the BCD436)?

Here's a thread that should help:

https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/sds100-vs-436-simulcast-recordings.371823/

Basically-Anything, other than the SDS-100/200, will miss transmissions on simulcast systems.

The best example of this, in Southern California, is the new San Bernardino County radio system.

[Experimentalist]

+1 for the SDS-100/SDS-200

They are currently the only scanners that have the technology to assist with simulcast issues.

Alright SB1942, it's all your fault!

I just bought a Uniden SDS100. They're in high demand, so Bearcat Warehouse is expecting to ship in late July / early August. I've found the online scanner apps to be useful, so having this in hand should be reassuring should unrest resume. When the helicopters are hovering overhead one really does get curious... But refrains from venturing outside.

As always there's the dilemma of what to get in terms of add-ons and accessories. I decided to enable all RF enhancements as I do travel a bit and appreciate a fully enabled unit. Threw in the car power adapter, a carrying case, and a better antenna.

For what it's worth my County (Alameda, in the SF East Bay) does utilize Simulcast technology. So glad I learned of this scanner option.

Thanks again everyone for your advice and counsel.

[SB1942]

Alright SB1942, it's all your fault!

I just bought a Uniden SDS100. They're in high demand, so Bearcat Warehouse is expecting to ship in late July / early August. I've found the online scanner apps to be useful, so having this in hand should be reassuring should unrest resume. When the helicopters are hovering overhead one really does get curious... But refrains from venturing outside.

As always there's the dilemma of what to get in terms of add-ons and accessories. I decided to enable all RF enhancements as I do travel a bit and appreciate a fully enabled unit. Threw in the car power adapter, a carrying case, and a better antenna.

For what it's worth my County (Alameda, in the SF East Bay) does utilize Simulcast technology. So glad I learned of this scanner option.

Thanks again everyone for your advice and counsel.

Lol! I like it! I'm sure you'll be really happy with it.

It looks like Alameda Co. still has most of their channels "in the clear." It appears each individual agency has some tactical channels "encrypted." It's definitely better than places, like Orange County, where the majority of the LE radio system has been "silent" for several decades.

Hope you give us a full review after you get it.

[Jongage]

EBRCS ( alameda county radio system) has a policy that all the agencies main channels have to be in the clear. It might change we will see..

[Experimentalist]

Listening via the online services, I've noticed occasions when they switch to a "Tac" channel. Presumably those are encrypted, not sure.

It is interesting to pick up on what goes on in the area. People overdosing and whomever calls can't give a proper address or go out and flag down the rescue crew looking for them. A car winding up in someone's residence. Someone with plates that don't match the make and model of car they are driving, hanging out at the In 'n Out.

'Tis a weird world, confirmed.

[Experimentalist]

An overdue update

Hey everyone, I received delivery of my Uniden SDS 100 about two weeks ago.

I purchased from Bearcat Warehouse. The order arrived complete and a little ahead of the projected delivery date.

One thing that was a little curious was a phone call from Bearcat Warehouse the Saturday after I placed the order, asking if I was really sure I didn't want to pay for them to program the unit for me. I had declined such services when placing the order, and politely did so again. Clearly they make a bit of money off of that service and promote it aggressively. This is the only negative point regarding Bearcat warehouse's service, they were professional and efficient.

Everything unpacked fine, no damage or issues. Following directions the first thing I did was download the "Sentinel" software onto my desk top computer. This software is used to manage the scanner, updating firmware and services databases. The services database includes a *ton* of radio services for the United States and Canada, and is a core piece of information the scanner uses to operate. Sentinel is also used to manage Favorites, which I have discovered is an important step in maximizing the scanners usefulness. One minor hiccup when installing the Sentinel software, it requires an earlier version of the .NET framework to be installed on your computer. I assumed having the latest version of .NET framework would be backwards compatible, this was incorrect and Sentinel would not work. After downloading and installing the earlier version of .NET framework the software has so far worked flawlessly.

After ensuring the firmware and the services database was updated the next thing I did was set my location via zip code. This is quite straightforward using the organic menus on the scanner, and literally set the unit to work within 15-ish minutes of unboxing (including rest room breaks and a run to the refrigerator for beer... ). The user manual is... good for what it does. It catalogs all the functions of the scanner, but has no tutorials. This is akin to reading a manual for a car, which describes how the angular orientation of the forward wheels can be modified through manipulation of the steering wheel. Factual and helpful as far as it goes, but it does not teach you how to drive.

I am very happy with the quality of audio from the scanner, it is noticeably better than what can be heard via the online scanners (at least in my experience). Perhaps the Simulcast issues are at play in this improved performance, impossible for me to really say. One thing is for sure, I need to develop my "radio ear", as people speak pretty fast and a lot of terminology is used (e.g. "10" codes, unit identifiers, and personnel descriptions like "WMA" which means White Male Adult).

The scanner is hugely flexible in how you set it up. For example you can select the types of services you wish to scan via the organic menus. Aircraft communications, EMS, etc. You can also set the range from your location for which the scanner will include in the scan operations.

Even with the scanner set to my (approximate) location, the range set to the default 10 miles, and a focus on EMS / Law enforcement services, there are a lot of services for the unit to cycle through. This is fine if your object is to listen to a lot of diverse traffic. The downside is that it takes longer to cycle through that list, and the odds of missing a transmission or catching something in the later stages of transmission are fairly high.

The Sentinel Software allows you to pick and choose services from the main database and create lists of Favorites. You chose the name of the favorites list, and what that list contains. I'm not aware of any practical limit on the number of favorites list you can make. These Favorites can then be uploaded to your scanner where you can use the organic menu to select them for use. Just today I created my first favorites list, yielding much greater agility over a focused range of services. I chose to include EBRCS of course (East Bay Regional Communication Service) which includes EMS, Alameda County Sheriff, my city's police, etc. I also threw in some FRS frequencies on the odd chance any civil unrest perps might use such to coordinate. I'll likely make more favorites list in the coming months, and edit this one as I decide what makes the most sense for my purpose. There are some tutorials online, this one I found particularly helpful on learning how to use Sentinel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiEEhiIfM5A

Overall, after just two weeks of tinkering with the unit I'm quite happy with the purchase. It's working well, delivering as advertised and if you leverage the online tutorials, it's reasonably easy to customize to your intended use.

[The War Wagon]

Bearcat Trunktracker III. I run one in each of my trucks. Buy a 6 mos. subscription to Radio Reference, and computer program 'em. It'll be worth the trouble you save.

[Experimentalist]

... Buy a 6 mos. subscription to Radio Reference, and computer program 'em...

Sounds like you're well set. One nice thing about Uniden's Sentinel is there is no subscription fee, and the database gets updated every week. Something to consider I suppose.

I'm curious to hear how effective you are at understanding the traffic, particularly when driving and competing noises are present.