Police Scanner - Page 2

pastypyro · 02-21-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Wetzel

Around here the police/EMS use encrypted channels. Unless you get some crazy expensive scanning equipment or get them to program your radio for you, you will be SOL.

Wetzel

Very few departments that I know of use encryption. I'm sure it has to be expensive for them, money most likely better spent elsewhere.

z96Cobra · 03-06-2006, 02:37 AM

I would be willing to bet that the signal is DIGITAL and not encrypted. There are plenty of encrypted systems, but most places don't pay the extra $$$ to go beyond digital and go encrypted. There are only a handful of scanners that will decode the digital communications. Also, it is illegal in a lot of places to scan while in a vehicle. In most states you need a "letter" signed by the chief of your local LE agency. A HAM ticket will exempt you just about everywhere.

Roger

grimor2000 · 03-06-2006, 07:04 AM

how about trunked systems?

xbi0s · 03-06-2006, 08:14 AM

When they say "encrypted" they are talking about trunked systems.

When buying a new scanner, you are going to want to get a "trunked" system at least. Basically what it is is like a cell phone. It hops frequencies. Makes it a little harder for the outside public to hear whats going on. The problem with PCI cards is MOST of the good ones are extremely over priced. My scanner uses the earphone jack as a serial port to upload new channels as well.

As for reasons to use a scanner, I am a Firefighter/EMT for my area, scanners allow you to hear where accidents are reported or when something is going on. I mainly use it to listen for accidents that are around me so I can slide over and assist in any way until EMS arrives. Usually call response times in my area can get in the upwards of 10min.

Check out: http://radioreference.com -- good spot to start learning about scanners/scanning. They also have a growing database of Fq's and information.

Emo · 04-01-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SKiTLz

I drive a Nissan Skyline GTR. Yea its Japanese but its in no way rice. The body is bone stock, but it does what it was made to do well... Go fast.

I'll believe that you have a Skyline when you post a picture standing next to it holding a sign that says "Yes it's mine..."

and no Photoshop

-Emo

friedmaster · 04-02-2006, 04:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SKiTLz

I drive a Nissan Skyline GTR. Yea its Japanese but its in no way rice. The body is bone stock, but it does what it was made to do well... Go fast.

Your escalade. a 4x4. Does it do what most 4x4s are made to do? I think not..

I simply wanted the police scanner for a new toy.. Hear accidents around you (and hopefully avoid them). It was just another toy like most people on this forum...

But right now I have to get back to smuggling my drugs and other illegal activities...

I dont want to offend you, but an escalade, does it do what a 4x4 is designed to do? yes. It will not get stuck in the snow, it absorbs most potholes, so it is very cushy, specially on a long trip, and you can comfortably put 5 people in it, and another 3 smaller people in the back. However, on top of that, it is pretty fast, has a much bolder look than most other SUVs, and has a bunch of luxury features.

Is it a gas guzzler? yes, that is a byproduct of having speed and size.
Is it overpriced? problably, as it shares components with many other GM vehichles, but you pay for the Cadillac name. Is it useless? absolutely not, it is very comfortable to drive year round, specially if you have a familly, it is very quick for its size, and has a bunch of luxury features that you wouldnt find on other, cheaper SUVs of that size, and will show that you have money when you show up to a meeting in it.

As for your Skyline, as far as overpriced, $90,000 seems like a lot of money for a car that does 5.2 0-60, and has 275 horsepower. It seems like a lot because another car comes to mind that does 0-60 in 5.1, has 300 horsepower, and costs $25,000 (05-06 Mustang GT), Now you could argue that the Skyline has 4wd, but do you really need to spend an extra $65,000 for 4wd on a car that you cant really drive in the winter anyways.

As for usefullness, a Skyline is actually quite useless. Yes, it is fast, and problably makes a pretty good race car (if you want to spend $90,000 on a race car) but in terms of everyday driving, it is somewhat useless. You only have the ability to put 2 people comfortably, with another 2 smaller people. It is problably nauseating to drive in the city with potholes, and its problably very hard to drive in the winter. Your not going to impress anyone when you show up to a meeting in a Nissan, and really the only place where the extra speed is going to help you is to cut down the time on long trips, but really, you would have to be stupid to go anywhere near the 150mph top speed of the Skyline on a consistent rate, so really the advantage in top speed is nullified. The only real advantage for a Skyline would be the fun to drive factor, which of course the Skyline wins hands down, but is it worth it to give up all the pros of the escalade, and an extra $35,000 for the fun to drive factor? I dont think so, but evidently you do.

So in conclusion, your car is an overpriced, small, uncomfortable, unsafe (in relation to the escalade), and useless 4x4 that doesnt do what 4x4s are supposed to do.

nkotch · 04-02-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by xbi0s

When they say "encrypted" they are talking about trunked systems.

When buying a new scanner, you are going to want to get a "trunked" system at least. Basically what it is is like a cell phone. It hops frequencies. Makes it a little harder for the outside public to hear whats going on. The problem with PCI cards is MOST of the good ones are extremely over priced. My scanner uses the earphone jack as a serial port to upload new channels as well...

Encrypted and trunked systems are not the same. Trunked systems have been around a while, and can still be analog-based.....as opposed to some of the articles up on that site you linked to talking about more and more local rescue units switching over to digital technologies...and in some cases encrytped digital radios.

From what I've seen most scanners now have the ability to listen to a analog trunked system....there's basically just a "control" channel that the scanner listens to that tells it what "channel" (frequency) to switch to to follow a conversation.

Scanner listening is just another hobby and as an amateur radio operator I've played around with scanners and have enjoyed listening to the local rescue units, or tracking down who's on what frequency, or listening to the airport tower, etc....

And I believe it's up to the state as to whether it's legal or not, so check your state's statutes or ask around.

avengerki · 04-02-2006, 05:18 PM

If you are curious about whether it is legal in your location to have a scanner on your person or in a vehicle http://www.strongsignals.net/access/content/laws.html has a good breakdown by state for the US and other Countries by country.

scfountain · 04-03-2006, 02:43 AM

ICOM PCR-1500...Unlike the older PCR-1000, the 1500 uses a USB connection, which also includes the ability for the sound to be transfered to your computer through the USB cable. Also, there's the R-1500 that is the same as the PCR-1500, but it includes a control unit to make it a stand alone device.

I would suspect these devices to be superb for carpc-scanner applications

SKiTLz · 04-03-2006, 11:45 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by friedmaster

I dont want to offend you, but an escalade, does it do what a 4x4 is designed to do? yes. It will not get stuck in the snow, it absorbs most potholes, so it is very cushy, specially on a long trip, and you can comfortably put 5 people in it, and another 3 smaller people in the back. However, on top of that, it is pretty fast, has a much bolder look than most other SUVs, and has a bunch of luxury features.

Is it a gas guzzler? yes, that is a byproduct of having speed and size.
Is it overpriced? problably, as it shares components with many other GM vehichles, but you pay for the Cadillac name. Is it useless? absolutely not, it is very comfortable to drive year round, specially if you have a familly, it is very quick for its size, and has a bunch of luxury features that you wouldnt find on other, cheaper SUVs of that size, and will show that you have money when you show up to a meeting in it.

As for your Skyline, as far as overpriced, $90,000 seems like a lot of money for a car that does 5.2 0-60, and has 275 horsepower. It seems like a lot because another car comes to mind that does 0-60 in 5.1, has 300 horsepower, and costs $25,000 (05-06 Mustang GT), Now you could argue that the Skyline has 4wd, but do you really need to spend an extra $65,000 for 4wd on a car that you cant really drive in the winter anyways.

As for usefullness, a Skyline is actually quite useless. Yes, it is fast, and problably makes a pretty good race car (if you want to spend $90,000 on a race car) but in terms of everyday driving, it is somewhat useless. You only have the ability to put 2 people comfortably, with another 2 smaller people. It is problably nauseating to drive in the city with potholes, and its problably very hard to drive in the winter. Your not going to impress anyone when you show up to a meeting in a Nissan, and really the only place where the extra speed is going to help you is to cut down the time on long trips, but really, you would have to be stupid to go anywhere near the 150mph top speed of the Skyline on a consistent rate, so really the advantage in top speed is nullified. The only real advantage for a Skyline would be the fun to drive factor, which of course the Skyline wins hands down, but is it worth it to give up all the pros of the escalade, and an extra $35,000 for the fun to drive factor? I dont think so, but evidently you do.

So in conclusion, your car is an overpriced, small, uncomfortable, unsafe (in relation to the escalade), and useless 4x4 that doesnt do what 4x4s are supposed to do.

to save you looking like an idiot in the future I would highly suggest doing some reading first..

Where most of you americans get this "bul****u have a skyline" attitude from is beyond me. $90,000?

Ever heard of an R32? Look it up. A Nice one can be had for $22,000. Noone is talking about Nismo Edition R34's here. Geezs

My car is unsafe compared to an Escalade? Another North American that thinks the bigger the safer huh? You poor poor souls

Escalade is a gas guzzler as a by product of being big and fast huh? If you call an escalade fast u best stay the **** outta the fast lane my friend or your going to **** alot of people off.

Skyline is 4wd? Its AWD. Again, theres a difference. Look it up. And not all of them are only the GTR's and GTS-4's

Now lets discuss police scanners like the topic says so we dont have to listen to anymore of your uneducated bable.

friedmaster · 04-03-2006, 05:34 PM

You didnt say what model and year your skyline was, so I assumed the most recent, and that is the price for the R34. $22,000 Also seems like Quite a bit of money for at least a 11 year old car.

As for safety, Personally I would rather be in a full size SUV when I get T-Boned by a tractor trailer than in a Skyline.

I never said the Escalade was faster than your car, It is faster than many SUVs, and is fast enough so that it can go in the fast lane, because the only people that I am going to **** off are the idiots who are going 120mph+.

If you want to get technical on 4WD vs. All Wheel Drive, the Escalade is AWD too. Is the Escalade capable of easily driving through rough road conditions like vehicles that power all 4 wheels are supposed to? Yes, Can the Skyline? No

Change · 04-05-2006, 08:47 PM

Scanner laws, it may be illegal in some states: http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html

Durzel · 04-16-2006, 03:48 PM

I thought all Skylines were pretty much impossible to get in the States now?

Thankfully its a lot easier to get them over here (UK).. I've had two! (R33 GTR and R34 GTR). Very nice cars, but I wouldn't know how they'd compare to an Escalade - sounds like they're completely different types of cars to be honest.

0l33l · 04-16-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Durzel

I thought all Skylines were pretty much impossible to get in the States now?

Thankfully its a lot easier to get them over here (UK).. I've had two! (R33 GTR and R34 GTR). Very nice cars, but I wouldn't know how they'd compare to an Escalade - sounds like they're completely different types of cars to be honest.

Yup... two different types of cars. The skyline has AWD for faster off the line launches. The escalade has them for concerned soccer moms who want an 4x4 when they back over their lawn

sansoo24 · 04-17-2006, 06:16 PM

YOu guys are ******* hilarious. A skyline is better no an escalade is better. How can you even compare the two? Its like putting a fat man in the ring with bruce lee. And "escalade boy" real time or all time 4 wheel drive is no where close to the same ******* thing as AWD. Just cuz your 4 wheel drive kicks in when a wheel starts to slip doesnt mean its AWD. Isnt the r34 GTR progressive AWD or something like that. Meaning it applies power to whatever set of wheels need it? All im saying is i live in yuppyville USA and i see escalades every damn day of the week with soccer moms running over everything in their path with em. But if i some one would give me the brand new skyline i would litterally have sex with its red hot tale pipe.

Anyways about the scanners ill see what i can dig up. I had a link to one i was thinking of getting. Ill see if i can find it.

EDIT: This is the link i had but i dont think its exactly what youre looking for
http://www.winradio.com/home/newcomer.htm