[nitro]

I can attest with Bullseye. I started with 1... but soon purchased 2 more.

Don, Forsyth county is mostly digital so I hope you're prepared to shell some money ($400+) out to purchase a compatible scanner. It's a fun hobby, and once you monitor an important situation, you'll soon see the reason why one just isn't good enough.

No need to get a base scanner, all three of mine are handhelds.. I just leave them plugged in with ni-mh batteries. So if/when I want to go, I just grab 'em and go (not all three of course).

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=1682

P.S. There's no such thing a "police scanner", might as well say we purchase "police guns". lol

 

[nitro]

Here are three digital-trunking handhelds that you can choose from that will last you for quite some time:

Uniden BCD396XT ($549 from the shack):
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BCD396XT
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4370616

Radio-Shack Pro-106 ($399 from the shack. identical to the GRE PSR-500, but cheaper):
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Pro-106
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3348287

GRE PSR-500 ($529 from the shack):
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/PSR-500
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4299435

Of course, those prices can be beat if you do some searching around on the web and/or ebay. By the sound of your on-the-go lifestyle, a handheld will suit you better. I wish I could offer my personal opinion on them, but luckily Charlotte is slow to transition to digital so I don't have to fork out a ton to monitor radio traffic here.

EDIT:
Also check out the Uniden BCD396T and Radio-Shack Pro-96.
They're no longer sold (new) but should still function just fine. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[nitro]

I don't think you'll get too far with an analog-only scanner in Forsyth (in relation to public safety). The trunked system is 95% digital. While there are a few frequencies listed for the county, that doesn't mean they're still actively used. If you do happen to pick-up an analog-only scanner, it will trunk just fine... but every time there's a (digital) transmission it'll sound like a diesel truck.

Programming a scanner is like learning how to multiply. If you do it without a calculator, you learn more in the long run. If you use a calculator first just to get by, you only short-change yourself in the long run.

Personally, I recommend programming at least the basics of the system (control channels) and then adding a few groups/channels. That way, if you're ever on the go (or in the field) and need to add/manipulate something, you won't be up the creek without a paddle. Not only will you learn the ins and outs of how a trunked system works, you'll learn how to operate/use your new toy. :001_cool:

 

[nitro]

How much is the software? Also, does a 106 need it's firmware updated?

Thanks.

The software averages about $40. They all offer (30 day?) full version trials so you don't have to shell out money until you're sure you like the program, which is good. I'm not familiar with any of the ones for RS/GRE scanners though. When you get your scanner, try them all out and see which interface/layout you like the best.

Will the 106 still work with the 800?

Also, I noticed some info in RR hasn't been updated in a while. Is it up to date?

Thanks.

Yes, the 106 will handle rebanding just fine. RR is pretty good with the updates so if there aren't any, you can almost be certain it's up to date. The systems really don't change that much other than the occasional addition of talkgroups.

 

[nitro]

Congrats and welcome to the club!

According to the DB, there are only three talkgroups that are encrypted on the Forsyth system so you'll be hearing quite a bit of traffic, don't be so surprised. The fun part is hearing the "news" first and seeing how much the real story gets changed by time it shows up on the tv/newspaper.

I'm not sure how far you are from the airport, but don't be too upset if you're only hearing the pilot-side of the air traffic.

Program the VIPER system when you get a chance:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4087

 

[nitro]

Page 46. It's because you didn't assign them to a list before uploading... so it put them into "NS" (no scan).

Move them into a new scan list (preferably one different from the trunked system) and you should be set. Preferably a new scan list so that you can quickly enable/disable the airport freqs without having to manually lock-out (or unlock) each channel instead.

 

[nitro]

Updates?