Thoughts on a scanner?

Post by **Code3Response** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 9:13 pm

I just got some extra cash... and of course, its burning a hole in my pocket

Ive got a bunch of scanners and 2 ways and stuff on my desk, and would like to replace it with 1 nice scanner, or possibly some sort of two way radio. I will keep the UHF and VHF saber, but nothing else. So, what are your thoughts on a really nice base alphanumeric scanner? Must be alphanumeric and have tons of channels, and also have a decent sized and high quality LCD screen. I will be using an exterior, roof mounted antenna with it... and on that note, what is a good, high quality multi-band antenna for roof usage? Let me know some thoughts on this, and if you have anything that meets my criteria. Thanks!

Astro_Saber · Post by **Astro_Saber** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 9:15 pm

Thats a easy one

the BC780xlt

Post by **Code3Response** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 9:27 pm

Ive been looking at that... anyone have one? What do you think of it? Id LOVE to have something with a remote head... that would be AWESOME! Also, I dont need trunktracking or anything like that - I love it here - no 800 mhz, no trunktracking, no digital... all nice, crisp, clear analog VHF and UHF

Post by **xmo** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 9:30 pm

Yaesu VR-5000

http://www.yaesu.com/amateur/vr5000.html

Astro_Saber · Post by **Astro_Saber** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 9:34 pm

the 5000 looks huge.

the 780 is at least small and the lcd is really clear.

I'm looking to get one of these myself I hope soon

Post by **Code3Response** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 9:38 pm

Man... I dont think I need something THAT fancy! the 780 looks nice as well... i dont know though. Anyone else got something for me to spend some money on?

Post by **HumHead** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 11:20 pm

I'm actually am looking for a couple of new scanners for personal and service use, but I've decided to cool my jets until the new APCO25 products from Uniden come out.

Even if I decide they're not for me, you have to figure there will be a lot of 780s on eBay as a result of their release.

BTW- I love my 780! If you're shopping today, you would not go wrong. I have mine at work tied to the computer running WinScan780 and NetMeeting, and with the audio fed into the sound card. When I'm out on the road, it's a fun way to stay in touch with home!

Now if I could just find a good affordable Voice and radio control ovr IP application.........

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: HumHead on 2002-03-06 02:26 ]</font>

Post by Pj » Tue Mar 05, 2002 11:31 pm

I have a 780, and wish that I knew that the APCO version was going to be coming out!

I love it, works wonderful. There is a webpage somewhere that shows you how to make the 780 a remote mount unit. I will try to dig it up. It gave all the part numbers and how to do it, and it looked really clean.

techie · Post by **techie** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 11:42 pm

Does the 780 do PL decode?

FatBoy · Post by **FatBoy** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 5:29 am

Yes the bc-780 does PL/DPL decode, but the PL is a little slow and it is missing some PL/DPL's. I love mine. FatBoy.

cfdeng3 · Post by **cfdeng3** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 7:36 am

The 780 is hands down the best scanner I have used. With the programming software it is easy to customize it the way you want! We use them at work and we are slowly getting rid of all other scanners for them!

Post by **xmo** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 7:57 am

Astro-Saber :" the 5000 looks huge..."

---------------------------------------------
From the Yaesu site:

Despite its incredibly compact size, the VR-5000 provides coverage of 100 kHz through 2599.99998 MHz (cellular frequencies are blocked)

Case Size : 7.1" x 2.8" x 8.0" (W x H x D) w/o knob (180 x 70 x 203 mm )

N4UMJ · Post by **N4UMJ** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 10:02 am

The 780XLT has seemed to surpassed the 895XLT
in all areas! But yet this radio is so much smaller in size. Smaller sometimes is not better. I wish they would have at least produced two different models. One for mobile use with the small footprint and another for base use with the spread out keypad and front display similar to the 895XLT. And, I don't always like tying up my computer for scanning.

I want to buy an 780XLT and will be looking at one at an upcoming local hamfest here in Charlotte NC. Rumor here is the local government trunking system will be going digital eventually when they figure out just who is going to pay for it. So I may just end up holding off for awhile.....

Antenna Specialists makes a neat antenna called the MON-52. It has the micro choke for 800 but I think you said you have no need for 800 MHz. Works well for me mobile on a NMO Larsen magnetic mount.

Good Luck spending that money!

Ed