Rodger 527 Posted December 23, 2008 Hi Friends , What home scanner should I buy for my Mom & anybody know a better place to buy it ? Going to be used in a rural area where signal is an issue , so I'll be getting some sort of antennae . I don't want to overbuy & get a complicated model if that would make it harder for to to operate/understand . Thanks in advance , Rodger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted December 23, 2008 Rodger!!! I was thinking about you the other day....glad to see ya around! I think we bought ours at Radio Shack, it wasn't that much either and works great! Jenny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ff-extreme 6 Posted December 23, 2008 The scanners from Radio Shack are fine, got mine from there around 13 years ago and no trouble. I haven't turned it on in 5 years........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay2703 704 Posted December 23, 2008 Is the digital TV thing going to affect radio also? I heard at work we will need to purchase all new radio equipment next year because of the switch. Everything is going digital. Don't know if it is true or not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted December 23, 2008 Hi Jenny , Been at the farm with SLOW dial up . Fighting frozen natural gas lines , tending the fences & putting hay out to the Horses & Donkeys ( my idea of fun ) . Local Radio Shack has Triple Trunking ( relabeled Uniden according to the salesliar , I mean salesman scanners on sale = $119 . Probably buy that after some comparing . Scanners arounf here are BIG-Time entertainment . Thanks 4 the advice Double F & thanks Jay for thinking of that issue , I'll make sure about that before I buy . Rodger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted December 23, 2008 Glad to hear you are doing what you love Rodger...when you are done I have a few that need some hay & straw!! Are you saying salepeople lie?? unbelievable!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted December 24, 2008 I love the farm & wish I could pay my bills living at the farm , but thats a long way off . I don't do straw , what is left out of the hay serves that purpose . What hay & corn destroyers do you have Jenny ? I have mini-Horses & mini-Donkeys ... my avatar is the man of the herd . Anytime you want to pet my Ass , you can . I am told that I have a cute Ass .... Salespeople .. I respect those who know what they are selling , but alot don't know as much as most potential customers . 1 of the more successfull salesmen at the local Honda motorcycle shop is also the one who knows little more than that they have 2 wheels . Hard to figure . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted December 24, 2008 I use to have a small hobby farm.....had rabbits, chickens, goats, horses (large & mini) and a couple cows....... Now I'm down to just a couple goats. I use to have mini horses...and had a blast...they were so fun, even had a couple foals born here in the past...great experience. LOL...hay & corn destroyers...lol..to funny.....Hey I've heard rumor about that 'ass' before!! I agree with you regarding salespeople....but is there such a thing as an HONEST salesperson? I'm sure there are some select few out there. 867-5309 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted December 24, 2008 Most of my animals try to sit in our laps . That & enjoying the babies being born & growing up is what my wife & me really enjoy . I have had about every farm animal ( had some Emu's & they were not fun , dumber than a chicken & didn't taste as good . ) , the Tn fainting goat was the funniest , but most people like petting my Ass the best ;D I failed in my quest .. I looked for MC Hammer pants to send to Levi for Christmas ( earlier thread ) & couldn't find any ... .. at least I can be happy with the 867-5309 tune playing in my head Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted December 24, 2008 WOW I thought Emu's were suppose to be nice? Thanks for the eye opener! You had fainting goats? I've never had them..but seen some on tv...they are funny! Jenny PS. you and that a$$!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,221 Posted December 29, 2008 Rodger - Nice ass! Goats sounds like fun, but I don't think our property is big enough and I fear that it would scare my yellow lab - sinces he's already afraid of my youngest mini-schnauzer mix and the sun conure we have. Not a brave dog at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted December 29, 2008 Hello & Thanks Haumana , I have never met a person who didn't like my Ass . I have 15 of them ... Imagine what i have to do when people say to " Haul ASS " Goats babies are the funniest babies in the world , Acrobats for sure . I have a goat that acts like the mountain goats head butting when a stranger comes around . Never butts , but stands on the back feet with head cocked . It is hilarious , especially when adults get scared . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kctrader 10 Posted December 29, 2008 On your scanner, think about getting a battery operated model. You can always use a power supply at home. If you lose power, it's nice to be able to know what is going on. That's especially important in a rural are during bad weather. Most have the weather frequency. If it's a rural area, ask around what frequencies are used most in that area. There's no need for a lot of extra frequencies (it slows down the scanning time) if there isn't anybody using them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted December 30, 2008 Thanks KC , I have a handheld I gave My Mom which she is using . I was thinking about getting an antennae to help with the reception . There is a TV antennae on the roof .. would that work on scanner frequencys ? Rodger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,221 Posted December 30, 2008 tangent question ... why are scanners so expensive? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nbeaton 1 Posted December 30, 2008 Rodger,,,,I have a scanner and I will have to get a new one to pick up the police here in Texas. they all went digital. I can pick up the county but not the police. I have had my scanner for more than 19 years. I want a new one but they will cost out of this world for it will have to be digital. It is nice to have one I can still pick up the fire department and county police. Nancy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benr98 40 Posted December 30, 2008 Rodger I believe if its' UHF or VHF it should work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kctrader 10 Posted January 1, 2009 Rodger I believe if its' UHF or VHF it should work. Give it a try. There are some frequencies that a scanner picks up that a TV antenna won't, so you might not get much of a boost for some frequencies. Due to the difference in polarization, the TV antenna should actually work better placed on it's side, but the TV viewing would suffer. Finally, a TV antenna is pretty directional. You might miss calls coming from the off element side of the antenna. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted January 1, 2009 Thanks for the reply . The ant. hasn't been used for a couple years . I was thinking of going to radio shack & see if they carry a scanner specific ant. & got the brain-storm about the tv ant . How would I find out if the frequencies are digitial around Weston , WV 26452 ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KE5AFU 0 Posted January 4, 2009 Below are some basic frequencies, but it looks like most of the state is on a trunked system. If your scanner can do trunking, look here http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4076 As far as antennas go, here is the best one RadioShack offers, http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103160 Second best - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103641 And, if you want a good one, but don't want to install something outside, try this one. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103159 Freqs are below. Public Safety Law Enforcement Frequency Input License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag 155.56500 159.07500 WQFJ515 RM 151.4 PL Lewis County Sheriff FM Law Dispatch 150.99500 151.07000 WPZV307 RM 179.9 PL Weston City PD Dispatch FM Law Dispatch Fire Departments Frequency Input License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag 158.80500 153.99500 WPMN956 RM 162.2 PL Company 1 & 3 (Weston & Princeton) FM 154.35500 158.95500 WPVK752 RM 146.2 PL Company 2 & 5 (Jane Lew & Jacksons Mill) FM 155.01000 159.16500 KKV331 RM 110.9 PL Company 4 (Walkersville) FM 155.77500 150.77500 WPMZ961 RM 141.3 PL Company 6 (Midway) FM EMS Agencies Frequency Input License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag 155.23500 155.23500 KFE218 BM 103.5 PL Lewis County EMS FM EMS Dispatch Other Government Frequency Input Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag 154.05500 155.95500 RM 103.5 PL Lewis County OES FM Hope that helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted January 4, 2009 WOW , Thanks K !!! That is VERY impressive . Do you know how to find out about the digitial issue ? How to tell if a scanner is digitial & if/when those frequencies are or going to be digitial ? Thanks for doing that research & typing that much . I'm indebted to you . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KE5AFU 0 Posted January 4, 2009 Lol, np. I used to be a RadioShack manager so, it's all pretty commonplace to me. What type scanner do you have? That will let me know if it is compatible or not. The freqs posted are not and won't be digital. The link I provided is digital. Basically while an analog scanner can pick up the basic freqs posted you will hear very little chatter on them as opposed to the digital freqs. With a digital unit you can specify exactly what you do and don't want to hear. E.g. if you want police but not fire, or even if you want police but only car-to-car and not tactical you can do that as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted January 4, 2009 The scanner is at my Mom's house in Weston & I'm in Maryland now . it is a BearCat that is 1 or 2 years old . I'll get the model #. Do you recommend a radio shack scanner ? I was told that they are relabeled Unidens . Is the most expensive also the best ? thanks again & Welcome to the forum . You are a great addition Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KE5AFU 0 Posted January 4, 2009 Yes, the RadioShack ones usually are rebadged Unidens. I've had several since I'm am/was a ham radio operator, (hence KE5AFU) Right now the digital ones are a pretty good deal, they were $500, but RS has them clearanced out for $350. Check with your local store though, a lesser model might still work, they should be able to program it for you. If they won't ask for the manager (since sometimes employees don't know how, if he doesn't know how ask what store in the area does, and buy it from that store, don't take the scanner from one store and have another store do all the work. It used to happen to us all the time, until we started charging the other stores for us programming the scanners that they were too lazy to do.) Thanks on the welcome, I'm sure I'll be having lots of questions in the coming days, especially on pricing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted January 4, 2009 Thanks for the info & advice K ! Its a fun group here with no bad attitudes . GREAT administrators & Mods . Many nice people like yourself Rodger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites