[Scan-DC] Radio Shack PRO-651 versus PRO-668

[freqhopping]

Loudoun really isn't meant to be heard outside the county.  That's the 
issue, not simulcast.   My 436HP follows the Loudoun and Fairfax systems 
just fine when listening within the jurisdictions, even Loudoun works 
outside of the county, except to the east, most of time.   Fairfax (and 
Frederick Co MD) do have the LSM modulation that causes a lot of issues 
with scanners.  Loudoun does not. Fairfax reception varies a lot for me 
in central Loudoun, but if I use my mode-s antenna in my attic I get 
Fairfax perfectly.

I've got a PSR800 too, eventually gave it to my stepdad just so he can 
listen to Loudoun.  It's only good for just listening to a specific 
thing since it's kind of a PITA to change what you want to hear, unless 
you like navigate a menu rather than pushing a few numbers.

I've got a Pro106 too.  It rarely gets used.  Tracks local systems as 
well as the others, but doesn't do TDMA.  It's easily overloaded, 
especially with an amp, so like if I'm trying to listen to commercial 
and military air I end up having to lock out a lot just to get it to 
scan freely.



Fairfax Co  LSM  Emission code= 8K70D1W P25 Linear Simulcast Modulation

Frederick Co, MD
8K70D1W- P25 Linear Simulcast Modulation
8K10F1E- P25 Phase I C4FM voice
8K10F1D- P25 Phase I C4FM data

Loudoun County not LSM.
9K80D7W- P25 2-slot TDMA (Harmonized Differential Quadrature Phase Shift 
Keyed modulation - H-DQPSK)
8K10F1E- P25 Phase I C4FM voice
8K10F1W- P25 Phase II subscriber units (Harmonized Continuous Phase 
Modulation - H-CPM)


On 3/14/2015 3:03 PM, Jeff Krauss wrote:
> I had a PSR-800 (668) and I sold it, I didn't like the lack of a full 
> keyboard and the controls were not intuitive.
> I much prefer the PSR-500 (651).
>
> I live in the Rockville and neither radio is able to receive Fairfax 
> and Loudoun Counties from here because they are both simulcast 
> systems.  The PSR-500 receives fine when I'm in Fairfax but not when 
> I'm in Rockville, because of interference from multiple simulcast 
> transmitters.
> For that matter, the Uniden 436 doesn't do any better on those systems.
>
>
>
> At 02:01 PM 3/14/2015, Blair Thompson wrote:
>> Who has thoughts on a comparison of the two?
>>
>> http://www.radioshack.com/radioshack-pro-651-handheld-radio-scanner/2000651.html 
>>
>>
>> and
>>
>> http://www.radioshack.com/radioshack-pro-668-handheld-iscan-digital-trunking-scanner/2000668.html 
>>
>>
>> Either one is nicely priced right now, so the cost is not a factor.
>>
>> Even though I have in the past observed the policy that "you can 
>> never have too many radios," I do have a lot of analog scanners 
>> sitting around that don't see much use. I don't need another 
>> paperweight, so I want to get one or the other and be done with it.
>>
>> The PRO-668 decodes systems that elude the PRO-651, so that in itself 
>> might be the deciding factor. As well, the PRO-651 doesn't come with 
>> the power supply. I have enough wall warts that I can find one that 
>> fits, but it certainly is nice to able to charge the PRO-668 via a 
>> USB port.
>>
>> Will there be an issue with firmware upgrades for the PRO-668? I can 
>> find several online reviews for the PRO-651, but not for the PRO-668.
>>
>> I live in Alexandria and work in DC. Encryption could leave either 
>> one obsolete soon, but there's not much I can do about that. I listen 
>> to trains and a few airplanes, and whatever else that needs to be heard.
>>
>> Please let me know what you think: the good, the bad, and the ugly of 
>> each one.
>>
>> Thank you.
>> ____________________________________________________________