Vehicle scanners

[Lt.Col.Vortex]

I use to know a little bit about short range radios and scanners a few years ago, but I've since lost that very little information. And since I haven't been keeping up in today's communications world, could someone point be in the right direction for radio scanners for vehicles?

I've done some reading and mobile scanners are legal in Georgia (still reading up on that). I'm not looking for any particular brands right now, just some guiding information to help me get back in "the know". I really want to get a scanner and a CB for my dads truck and eventually my truck.

 

[jstrykr74]

You need to find out about the systems you want to listen to. Are the systems analog, trunked, digital? Many systems are trunked now. RadioReference is a site that can help you determine what you need. You don't want to spend $300 on a trunking analog scanner only to find out that you need digital capabilities. If the system(s) that you want to listen to are encrypted, you're out of luck (with commercially available radios anyway as well as the legal aspect of listening to encrypted transmissions). My advice would be be to purchase a digital unit as more and more systems are moving that way.
I know you didn't ask for brands, but if you find a GRE unit you like look into RadioShack as some of their units are same (just rebranded and somewhat less expensive).

 

[Lt.Col.Vortex]

I have a hand help scanner that I really like, its a Unidine TwinTurbo Sportcat. It scans form the 10 meter ham (20 MHz) through the 800 band (stops at 1000MHz). I want something like this basically. I can pick up UHF, CB, airline (not really needed, but fun to listen to) and police/fire/public works channels. Thats all I really need.