Scanner Recommendations

Analog Trunking Scanner Recommendations

Do you want a simple scanner or a do-all traditional scanner?
True, simple may be relevant to your experience with scanners but there is now a class of scanners made for the novice enthusiast that allows you to just select the systems you want to scan, or enter a zip code and have the scanner find them, without having to worry about trunking, fleetmaps, talkgroups, sites, etc. You still have to figure out how to select what you want to scan but it's not as hard as entering all the information you need to make the systems work in the scanner. This are made mainly for the 'set it and forget it' people who want to listen to scanners rather than try to figure out how to program them. In this case, the "Zip and Go" scanners are recommended. They have their pros and cons just like the traditional scanners as well. The rest of my recommendation are for the full-fledged program-everything scanners that will allow you to fine tune your scanning preferences.

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.

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. Digital systems are becoming more popular with many agencies. 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 trunking scanners have nice features that the newer scanners have dropped.

For people new to trunking scanners:
First, make sure you know what 'trunking' is all about. There is a good tutorial here and more on my home page.

Use my Trunking Comparison Chart to see which scanners offer what you want and/or need. To get more detailed info, go to Uniden'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.

People will argue if you want performance buy Radio Shack GRE made RS models and the new GRE (PSR) models. Better quality sound, faster trunktracking, shorter squelch tails, clearer digital transmissions, brighter displays, 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.

People will argue if you want features buy Uniden or Uniden made RS models. Fewer intermod problems, dynamic memory, 100 chs/sec (conventional) scan, more informative displays, 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, GPS compatibility, auto/quick store, tones, etc., and setup the GREs for monitoring what I find. Just my way of scanning.

Digital Trunking Scanners
These are the proven workhorse trunking scanners that allow complete manual programming from a full keypad (except WS1080/WS1095).

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           WS1080              

The Whistler WS1080 (HH) is essentially the same radio as the GRE PSR800 with a few new differences. There is an option to change the 'Skip' button function to 'Lockout', a 4 GB SD card (vs. 2GB), a delay time setting, Conventional DMR, a setting for how many priority channels to check, 200 V-Scanner folders, 'Zeromatic' settings, adjustable signal bar values (in the software), a 'Tune Mode' like the Pro-106/197, and also allows editing of trunked systems and IDs with the scanner. The backlight is just as bright (really bright) but a bit more purplish.

The Whistler WS1088 (HH) is the same radio as the WS1080 with a "Fn" (function) button, to toggle the PRI button and shift (with characters), and the full keypad allows easier manual programming and toggling scan lists on the fly.

The Whistler WS1095 (base/mobile) is the long awaited base/mobile version of the SD card memory scanners made by the (now) Whistler Group, maker of radar detectors and other electronics. Essentially the same radio as the WS1080 but the WS1095 features rotary control for navigating menus and volume/squelch, a removable faceplate/remote head (with a 6 1/2' LAN cable), remote head mounting bracket and screws, and has a rear speaker jack. The last base model GRE scanner was the WS1065 copy of the Pro-652, (copy of the PSR500, copy of the Pro-197 circ. 2008).

The Whistler WS1098 (base/mobile) the same radio as the WS1095 with a different detachable faceplate, a "Fn" (function) button, to toggle the PRI button and shift text characters, and the full keypad allows easier manual programming and toggling scan lists on the fly.

The Whistler TRX-1/2 are the same radios as the WS1088/98 with, according to Whistler, "improvements in the front end for improved FM radio suppression and extra firmware space for future improvements" (upgradeable firmware for newer protocols like NXDN).

There are free DMR firmware upgrades for the WS1080/88 and WS1095/98 but they will have no NXDN capability. The TRX-1/2 include DMR and NXDN trunking capabilities. It should be noted that Whistler did not pay the license fees for DMR and NXDN so they will not trunktrack those systems. They will follow transmissions and show IDs which may be fine for a slow system.

Pros- Motorola X2 TDMA, and Phase II TDMA support. Contains the Radio Reference Database for the US and Canada on a SD card, option to select systems by city, county, or zip code, and also select service types (US only); simplified keypad more like an MP3 player (WS1080/1095), full keypad for complete programming (WS1088/1098/TRX-1/2), 201 scan lists (200 regular lists plus a Skywarn list), 20 scan sets, 200 virtual memories with V-Scanner II, an alert LED with flash pattern alerts, audio alerts, recording/playback of received objects, auto power-on (HH), 4-way navigation key to access special modes and programming options, Multi-Site Trunking, digital AGC, NAC, encrypted talkgroup filtering, power-on password, 700MHz and 380MHz trunking, Military air, 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, site name in display, 70 cps scan rate, 80 steps/sec. search rate, ID delay, priority IDs, I-call IDs, radio IDs, patch tracking, Wide/Narrow/SCAT EDACS, signal strength meter, battery meter, 'multiple' priority channels, Spectrum Sweeper, Zeromatic search tuning, control-channel data output, IF/Discriminator Out, and included software.

Cons- Transferring to/from scanner is very slow (card reader recommended). Menus are sluggish. No easy access to edit a single ID or frequency. Search ranges are still fixed steps. USB external power w/handhelds (adapter required for AC/DC).

Pros- The 436HP is a hand-held version of a combination of  the BCD396XT and the HP-1 with better FM filtering. They both now have paid upgrades for DMR, NXDN, and ProVice-each sold separately. The 536HP has all the features of the BCD436HP in a base/mobile version that has the alert LED ring around the scroll control and a wi-fi dongle that allows connectivity to your smartphone or tablet. Support for Phase II TDMA and Motorola X2 TDMA and now a paid upgrade for ProVoice ($50). 100 quick keys for Favorites Lists, Systems, Sites and/or Departments. Includes most of the features from the BCD396XT plus the Radio Reference Database for the US and Canada on a 4 GB microSD card, allows you to select systems by zip code, GPS coordinates, or 'auto locate'. Location control can filter sites and departments with a range control. Selectable services types to scan, LED alert light, a 'Discovery' mode that will log new frequencies/IDs not found in the database, encryption muting, per channel delay setting, included software, up to 256 Favorites Lists, recording, playback, and instant replay for scan, search, Close Call, and Tone-Out modes, number tags for Favorites Lists/systems/channels, 64-character alpha tagging, GPS compatibility, selectable startup configuration, temporary and permanent "Avoids", signal meter, Multi-Site Trunking, radio IDs, I-call IDs, Motorola status bits, NAC, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, weather alert/priority, support for EDACS ESK systems, priority DND, 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, 3 'Search Keys' that allow you assign any (1) custom or service search, 'Close Call Only 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, 'Quick search, broadcast screen with 10 custom screen bands, 10 custom search bands, IF (intermediate frequency) exchange, Close Call with DND and Close Call Temporary Store, a low/middle/high brightness level for the display, computer interface, adjustable charge time for the batteries (1-14 hrs.), and Fire Toneout with Search now with 32 slots. Future-536HP: a trunked system analyzer that includes a reception status graph, an activity chart and log, LCN activity monitor, talkgroup converter, LCN channel finder, a Bandscope Mode, a frequency power plot, and a raw data output.

Cons- Secondary display information is very small in the display. Not all 64 (available) characters visible in the display. No service search. LED alert light is only (and always) on for 5 seconds. No power-on backlight with the 436HP. Batteries (436HP) are required for the recording and replay features to work, scanner needs to be off to charge the batteries, with USB external power only (adapter required for AC/DC). The 536HP does not show the site name in receive mode like the 436HP. Wi-fi apps on 536HP not completely functional. Analyze Mode and apps not completely functional. Internal clock battery has failed on many earlier scanners. Reports of display LEDs dimming.

Pros- New versions of the XT models. The BCD996P2 is basically the same scanner and features as the BCD996XT but will receive P25 Phase 2 and X2-TDMA protocols along with the 325P2. They both now have paid upgrades for DMR, NXDN, and ProVice-each sold separately. The 325P2 has the bigger display of the BC125AT, only an orange backlight, and a BNC antenna connection but missing the keypad light, the 'Adjust Audio AGC' feature, 1240-1300Mhz range, and only uses 2 batteries or USB external power (adapter required for AC/DC). The 'Function' and 'Menu' buttons are now on the keypad vs. on the left side for the BCD325P2. Both the 325P2 and 996P2 have a mini USB serial port instead of the old 4-pin port, 'Set Serial Port' has been changed to 'Set GPS Baudrate', and there are no preprogrammed systems. 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 (996P2 only-blue, red, magenta, green, cyan, yellow, and white), visual alerts (flashing display), changeable default receive bands, GPS compatibility, dynamic memory, selectable startup configuration, a Bandscope Mode, signal meter, battery meter, 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, broadcast screen with 10 custom screen bands, IF (intermediate frequency) exchange, Close Call with DND and Close Call Temporary Store, 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, and Fire Toneout with Search.

Cons- No backlit keypad on the 325P2. E/Yes button on 996P2 is awkward to access when the USB cable is plugged in. Channel delay set by system (all groups/channels). Awkward to reset the radio. Backlight with squelch is only (and always) on for 5 seconds.

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Pros- Object Oriented Memory with 22 Scan Lists (20 regular lists, a Favorites list, and Skywarn list), 5 way navigation key to access special modes and programming options, Virtual Scanner Memory Management system; One V-Scanner folder can hold up to 1800 objects, meaning any combination of talkgroups, conventional channels, limit/service searches, and trunking systems; 21 folders; about 37,800 objects, 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, object hit counts, FlexStep allows channel entries within 1.25 KHz steps, support for EDACS ESK systems, NAC programming, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, digital AGC, 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/Signal Stalker II, limit, service, and Stalker/Sweeper searches can be programmed as objects, 'Tune' search, temp/permanent lockout, Zeromatic search tuning, control-channel data output, TCXO (temperature controlled crystal oscillator) for frequency stability, and firmware upgrades. Many extra 'fine tuning' settings for scanning and especially digital trunking.

Cons- talkgroup (tag or id) and system name alternate. Only 22 scan lists (vs. Uniden's 100 quick keys). Complicated menu features. Tiny keypad buttons; too close together and too hard to press. There are extra 'save' steps you need to perform to get out of the menus after changes. Search ranges are still fixed steps.

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Pros- Not like a handheld or base model, it's more of a desktop scanner that sits on an included stand. It has a 3.5-inch diagonal color touch-sensitive LCD screen. The HomePatrol-2 supports digital Phase II TDMA and Motorola X2 TDMA. Contains the Radio Reference Database for the US and Canada on a microSD card, allows you to select systems by city, county, zip code, or auto locate. Location control can filter sites and departments with a range control. Selectable services types to scan, up to 256 Favorites Lists, recording/playback of received transmissions, GPS compatibility, 37-character alpha tagging, temporary and permanent lockouts, signal meter, battery meter, Multi-Site Trunking, adjustable delay, ID delay, programmable radio IDs, I-call IDs, Motorola status bits, NAC programming, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, weather alert, audio channel alerts, support for EDACS ESK systems, control-channel data output, Military air, adjustable volume offset for each channel, auto power-off with weather alert or clock standby, digital AGC, per channel or global attenuation, site name in display, 100 cps scan rate, included software, and option to export a kml file to programs like Google Earth.

There is an 'Extreme' firmware version (now $50 extra) that includes the ability to program new systems, departments and channels without the need for the included software, a trunked system analyzer that includes a reception status graph, an activity chart and log, LCN activity monitor, talkgroup converter, LCN channel finder, a Bandscope Mode, a frequency power plot, and a raw data output. A 'Discovery' mode that will log new frequencies/IDs not found in the database.

Cons- No printed owner's manual with HP-1; pdf manual only. Too many confirmation steps when selecting options and settings. Lacks many traditional features like priority scanning, weather priority, Close Call, and service search. Batteries are required for the recording and replay features to work. SMA antenna (with no BNC adapter). HP-2 requires USB for external power/charging (adapter required for AC/DC).

Pros- Motorola X2 TDMA, and Phase II TDMA support. Whistler has now offered paid DMR upgrades but they will have no NXDN capability. Contains the Radio Reference Database for the US and Canada on a SD card, option to select systems by city, county, or zip code, and also select service types (US only); simplified keypad more like an MP3 player, 201 scan lists (200 regular lists plus a Skywarn list), 20 scan sets, 200 virtual memories with V-Scanner II, an alert LED with flash pattern alerts, audio alerts, recording/playback of received objects, auto power-on (HH), 4-way navigation key to access special modes and programming options, Multi-Site Trunking, digital AGC, NAC, encrypted talkgroup filtering, power-on password, 700MHz and 380MHz trunking, Military air, 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, site name in display, 70 cps scan rate, 80 steps/sec. search rate, ID delay, priority IDs, I-call IDs, radio IDs, patch tracking, Wide/Narrow/SCAT EDACS, signal strength meter, battery meter, 'multiple' priority channels, Spectrum Sweeper, Zeromatic search tuning, control-channel data output, IF/Discriminator Out, and included software.

Cons- Transferring to/from scanner is very slow. Search ranges are still fixed steps. USB external power w/handhelds (adapter required for AC/DC).

PSR700

Pros- A 'mini' handheld Object Orientated Memory scanner with some outstanding features that contains the Radio Reference Database (US only) on a 2 GB standard SD card or room for about 10 million objects, analog trunking, 51 Scan Lists (50 regular lists plus a Skywarn list), 4-way navigation key to access special modes and programming options, Spectrum Sweeper, Multi-Site Trunking, Virtual Scanner Memory Management system with 200 V-Scanner II folders, simplified keypad more like an MP3 player, weather alert/priority, CTCSS/DCS tone codes, audio alerts, visual alerts (flashing display), 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, 75 cps scan rate, 85 steps/sec. search rate, and included software required to update the database and firmware.

Cons- Software needed to manually program and manage V-Scanner II folders. No lockout button. No numeric keypad. Removal of the SD card (and batteries) required and a card reader to upload/download to scanner. USB external power (adapter required for AC/DC).

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