CB Radio and Scanner Recommendations

[MKUltra]

Looking for recommendations for a CB radio and police scanners. I will be getting my Amateur Radio License and was looking for a CB set up that in not overly complicated and good for a beginner. Recommendations for the house and car. I am looking into this one for the car:

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO520XL-40-Channel-CB-Radio/dp/B00004VXNI/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321140834&sr=1-5

Also what would be a good Magnet Mount Antenna?



Also seeking advice on police scanners. I know I should buy a trunking scanner but I do not know which one would be simple to program as I have read that many people can not program them as it is complicated. I live on the Peninsula in San Mateo County so should I be looking at digital scanners? How can I find out what the police departments use in my area?

[thenodnarb]

Whats the point of getting a ham license and then buying a CB? Isn't that like getting your hunting license only to hunt squirrels? Why not get a real radio?

[Cactuscooler]

Looking for recommendations for a CB radio and police scanners. I will be getting my Amateur Radio License and was looking for a CB set up that in not overly complicated and good for a beginner. Recommendations for the house and car. I am looking into this one for the car:

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO520XL-40-Channel-CB-Radio/dp/B00004VXNI/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321140834&sr=1-5

Also what would be a good Magnet Mount Antenna?



Also seeking advice on police scanners. I know I should buy a trunking scanner but I do not know which one would be simple to program as I have read that many people can not program them as it is complicated. I live on the Peninsula in San Mateo County so should I be looking at digital scanners? How can I find out what the police departments use in my area?

As far as the scanners go San Mateo County uses a Motorola type II trunking system which is digital P25 right now. So you may decide to spend extra money for a scanner that does both such as a uniden 996T or the newer 996XT. Now if you want handheld get a 396XT or T. I would get a UHF antenna for the scanner and a magnet low band for the CB.

If you use a program called proscan it will automatically upload the programming to your scanner from the radio reference database. That's the easiest way to do it, the radioshack pro series scanners are just as good as uniden. But they are alot harder to program, so get a uniden 996T or a handheld for + or -300$ used and 450+ new I believe. The 996XT had better digital audio and new features which will cost more.

Take a look at this if you need more info.

San Mateo County UHF

System Name: San Mateo County UHF
Location: Various, CA
County: San Mateo
System Type: Motorola Type II SmartZone Omnilink
System Voice: APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive ( Digital )

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=223

[MKUltra]

As far as the scanners go San Mateo County uses a Motorola type II trunking system which is digital P25 right now. So you may decide to spend extra money for a scanner that does both such as a uniden 996T or the newer 996XT. Now if you want handheld get a 396XT or T. I would get a UHF antenna for the scanner and a magnet low band for the CB.

If you use a program called proscan it will automatically upload the programming to your scanner from the radio reference database. That's the easiest way to do it, the radioshack pro series scanners are just as good as uniden. But they are alot harder to program, so get a uniden 996T or a handheld for + or -300$ used and 450+ new I believe. The 996XT had better digital audio and new features which will cost more.

Take a look at this if you need more info.

San Mateo County UHF

System Name: San Mateo County UHF
Location: Various, CA
County: San Mateo
System Type: Motorola Type II SmartZone Omnilink
System Voice: APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive ( Digital )

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=223

Thanks for the detailed info! Are you in the San Mateo area?

[kemasa]

A good CB antenna is the Wilson 1000. One of the most important things for a radio is a good antenna and it can make the difference between being heard or not.

[Cactuscooler]

Thanks for the detailed info! Are you in the San Mateo area?

Your welcome. No I'm not, i'm in San Diego.

[gnatnoop]

and
102" whip

[cranemech]

Just a thought, if you have an Iphone there is a scanner app.

[Cactuscooler]

Just a thought, if you have an Iphone there is a scanner app.

It's pretty much garbage. Bad audio quality,and delay/ it switches constantly from trunk groups. Meaning you'll miss something. Just spend the money on a scanner trust me...

Once you start learning how the system works, you'll look at radio towers in a completely differen't way LOL. The technology is amazing.

[gibbygoo]

Don't buy trunking unless they use it your area.

[Oshiat]

Here are the freqs for your area.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=219

I have an older Radio Shack Pro162 trunking scanner that never leaves my desk. Mainly because programming in the field is a PITA.

My vehicle rig is a RS Pro-107 that is incredibly easy to use, but is not digital ready. It is small enough to keep in the truck as well as dropping in a jacket pocket. It comes with the entire Radio Reference database preloaded. It couldnt be easier to use and I have been very impressed with it. I think they currently go for $150.

The scanner apps for smartphones are misleading as they aren't really scanners. You are dependent on someone with a scanner that uploads the audio feed to the web so that you can listen to it. Its cool because you can listen to feeds from areas that you couldnt receive on your scanner due to distance. During the tsunami in Japan, I listened to the police/fire preps that were taking place in Hawaii, then I shifted feeds and listened to the Norcal coastal preps.