PJ Scanners

[coreymcl]

I wanted to pass along some information for those who might be looking to start doing some PJ work as it relates to equipment.

I wanted to monitor Fire and EMS calls in my area (Grand Prairie, and Arlington). After doing some research I found this scanner Uniden BCD-396T. As some cities like Grand Prairie are using digital systems and others are moving to this technology soon. So if you are going to purchase a scanner you really need to make sure it's digital.

Also a great site for information but the people don't seem to be as nice as here to newbe's http://www.radioreference.com

[JPalmer]

The police/fire switched to this digital system (with a handy encryption) last year here in W.Falls.

But then....the city mgr. and police chief wouldn't give us the encryption to their frequencies. All the media outlets here were shut out. We still had the county and St. Troopers on the old system, but we were deaf to anything that happened in the city.

After several Freedom of Information Act requests and I think a filed lawsuit by one of the TV stations...the police finally caved and programmed them for us.

It was not fun.

[David]

I use the Pro-96 from Radio Shack and I love it. Below are some other scanner links I would like to share and add to your list.

Incident Page Network
http://www.incidentpage.com/

DFW Scan
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dfwscan/

[BadPig]

I have found if possible it is much better to use commercial radio equipment (ie Motorola) to monitor for work (Photojournalism) purposes. Scanners tend to skip over so much of what may be important and you may miss an important event. Yes, you have to jump through a few extra hoops (get permission) to have the commercial radio equipment, but in the long run you will be much better off. Most off us would not trust inferior photographic equipment, why would we want to have inferior equipment here?

[David]

Originally Posted by BadPig

I have found if possible it is much better to use commercial radio equipment (ie Motorola) to monitor for work (Photojournalism) purposes. Scanners tend to skip over so much of what may be important and you may miss an important event. Yes, you have to jump through a few extra hoops (get permission) to have the commercial radio equipment, but in the long run you will be much better off. Most off us would not trust inferior photographic equipment, why would we want to have inferior equipment here?

I would agree with your post. Motorola has some of the best hand-helds and mobile radios in the business. I used a motorola when I was working for a wire service in Los Angeles to pick up the LAPD and it worked better like a scanner AND they even have a scan feature.

And on a side note I use them for my main non-photographic job I have and we put them thru h-ll but still work great like the day we got them out of the box.

Dave

Just and FYI: Motorola Radios:
http://www.motorola.com/governmentan...onpath=id_803i

If anyone needs a good dealer in Dallas let me know and send me an IM.

[AndrewCCM]

Hey there Corey...

I am considering grabbing one of these for the same purpose. How are you liking that Uniden? I hate to spend a couple of hundred on a cheaper scanner full well knowing I'll end up buying a higher-end one later (always happens). But for me, this will be my first attempt at a scanner. I think that I am pretty technically savvy, but worry a little about figuring it all out. How was the learning curve for you? I live here in Arlington as well..These Unidens run around $550ish right? Where did you purchase from btw?

Thanks again!

[coreymcl]

Andrew,

This is what I found out so far. First if you are going to buy something I really like the Uniden BCD-396 but it's $500 or so. It digital so I can listen to calls in Grand Prairie. Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas at this point still the older analog systems. I would caution you on spending any money on anything but digital because it's not going to be long before everybody goes that direction.

If you want you can PM me and I will give my number and you can call so we can discuss this. Also since your so close we could even meet sometime so we could talk face to face.

[AndrewCCM]

Thanks Corey...I may just do that..
I mentioned to my wife about the scanner idea.. she just rolled her eyes..."Yet another hobby gadget!!" LOL

Yeah - I will definitely get a digital one if I get one at all..$500ish a bit steep when I have a few other priorities (pocket wizards and a Sekonic meter being on my list)...But.. if I know me...I'll end up getting one sooner or later. I can't control myself. I just gotta be sure that I use it. Got too many "gadgets" lying around here...hrmm.. speaking of that.. I gotta break out my video cams again one day soon.. So sad...they are getting no love since I got outta that biz. :(

[Hanky]

I knew GP was trunked 800 but I did not know they went digital. Seems there quite a few police who use cell phones for private stuff, especially Cedar Hill.

[firebuffgal]

Originally Posted by David

I use the Pro-96 from Radio Shack and I love it. Below are some other scanner links I would like to share and add to your list.

Incident Page Network
http://www.incidentpage.com/

DFW Scan
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dfwscan/

As Dave noted, I recommend Incident Page Network http://www.incidentpage.com/ for police and fire related incidents, there is good coverage in the DFW area.

If you're not ready to purchase that scanner and are interested in listening to Dallas Fire Departmwent (only, no police) live broadcast you can do so by subscribing at Fire Feeds http://www.firefeeds.com/.

[crfitchjr]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Hey there Corey...

I am considering grabbing one of these for the same purpose. How are you liking that Uniden? I hate to spend a couple of hundred on a cheaper scanner full well knowing I'll end up buying a higher-end one later (always happens). But for me, this will be my first attempt at a scanner. I think that I am pretty technically savvy, but worry a little about figuring it all out. How was the learning curve for you? I live here in Arlington as well..

Arlington PD was putting their calls in text format on a web site. I have not checked the site in sometime and tonight there was nothing on it, so they may have taken the site down. If it is down, may want to contact your city fathers. If not, it may get you by until you can get a scanner.

Bob

http://www.arlingtonpd.org/index.asp...afficCalls.asp

[David]

If you have a scanner and you are in Dallas County you can tune to 146.88 for the Dallas County Office of Emergency Management freq for disasters and they also have the NWS Skywarn storm spotters on this freq as well.

[LPFyreDawg]

I just listen to my Fire Scanner or, being a Lt, my Fire Radio which ever I have in in my hand at the time. Our PD went the the 800mhz system we are still on the old system. Bad part about having two systems is that when we(Fire) need PD we have to call dispatch and ask if they are in route. We now have a set up to listen to them (PD) on one of our Talk Around channels. he he he we be sneeky. But as mentioned in the 1st post do buy digital.

[friscophotoguy]

Here is a link that is worth using:
http://www.radioreference.com/

Programming the trunked systems can be rather daunting, but I was able to down load the program data directly to my scanner and saved myself a ton of work.