In response to the many, many email inquiries I have received from both the
Phila area, as well as across the country, I would like to offer the
following, since I can no longer even try to reply to each and every
message:
-The new Uniden 250D digital scanner works fantastic on all of the major
Phila area trunked radio systems - both the analogs as well as the newer
digital ones. (The exception is Trenton, NJ which is an old Motorola VSELP
ASTRO System)
-The sensitivity is on par with the BC-780, which is pretty much the current
standard for comparison
-The display is bright, clear, and very easy to read
-The new Phila Police and Fire systems work perfect on it
Now some specifics about programming the radio to work for you:
-The software that came with the scanner should go straight in the trash can
-Trying to program major trunk systems manually, without the aid of software
is a tedious, time consuming task (think HOURS multiplied by more HOURS!!)
-You MUST have the complete system and talkgroup details in order to program
an 800 MHz trunk system - for the Phila, S.E.-PA and S. NJ areas the bible
is the Phila Communications Guide that is updated continuously (info at
http://www.scannermaster.com/shop/showbook ) and I think the cost is about
$19 for a full year) (FYI - I have no financial interest in this book, it
just happens to be the only source with 100% reliable information that works
in this area.)
-You MUST read the manual very carefully top understand that a UHF trunk
system (Bucks County, State of DE, Burlington County, etc) is set up very
differently than an 800 MHz trunk system. You must also have the added
information regarding base frequency, offsets, etc that a UHF system
requires (see the Phila Comm Guide for the system you are interested in
locally).
-If you have never programmed a trunked radio system before, you will likely
go through lots of problems if you don't carefully follow the instructions
in the manual and not try to skip steps. I am very familiar with the BC-780
and I was still thrown a little off-base setting the 250D up initially.
In closing:
-The time required to setup the radio will pay off!!! This is a great
digital trunking scanner that closes a major gap we had here in the Phila
area.
-You must have intimate setup details that are specific to each system you
want to monitor (see the Phila Comm Guide for this area)
-Pray for software to come available soon to program this much easier!!! (I
am personally aware of at least 2 efforts that are underway this weekend by
hobbyists to address the immediate need - please don't ask for details since
the info will be posted by those involved once a stable source is available)
Kel
(PS - Sorry for the cross-post to 5 groups, but I have had questions from
subscribers to each of these)