scanner help

[ResQ]

Can anyone tell me which scanners will pick up the CHP band. Feel free to e-mail if it is pseudo classified. I want one for the dorm room (authorized by the Staff) so I can start "thinking" about being on the radio. I have plenty of radio experience, but the language is quite a bit different than airplane chatter.

I went to Radio Shack today and they were clueless when I told them the band and freq...?!

thanks all

[Capsicum]

The frequencies aren't classified. A web search (http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=%22chp+frequencies%22&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8)brings them up.

Any scanner that receives "Low Band" will pick up CHP channels. For the most part they are in the 39MHz and 42MHz. Very old school, out of the loop technology compared to other allied agencies that were running in the UHF band. Most have now converted over to 800MHz digital trunked systems.

[ResQ]

Cool...thanks "pepper"

[SB 405]

CHP needs to get into the 21st century IMO when it comes to radios. They still use one channel for dispatch yet the units in the field use another. If I remember right (not positive) the freq's are in increments of 500MHz. to make a pair. Example,dispatch freq. is 42.000 the field freq would be 42.500. Any programable scanner should be able to cover the CHP bands but a lot of the low band stuff can be hard to hear but since Sac. town is pretty flat you should be able to hear the local office pretty well.

[SB 405]

ResqQ,I've got two scanners sitting in my garage just collecting dust (one handheld one desktop both only about three years old) so if you want to PM me with your address I'd be more than happy to ship one (or both if Nellie could use one) up to you guys.

[dw]

Report of my message in a Chippies Only radio discussion:

I don't think anything is going to change anytime soon as far as the radio backbone. The Visteon vehicles use a Kenwood radio, but still operate on the same low-band frequencies. Providing continuous two-way radio coverage across the entire State is much more difficult than most people think. It's not a matter of simply upgrading to the latest technology. In all likelihood, upgrading to a "new" 800mhz system would result in reduced coverage -- besides being prohibitively expensive.

We use the low-band radio for a reason: It will go forever. Most of us have experienced "skip" from East Coast agencies, often on cold winter mornings when the Ionosphere is most developed. Lower frequencies tend to follow terrain and penetrate objects (buildings, trees, etc.) well. Higher frequencies, like 800mhz, are more easily blocked by objects on the order of buildings and trees. As the waves are absorbed, reflected, and refracted, they do not go as far. You need FAR more towers than we have now. This may be feasible in a single city or county, but to cover the entire State would take something equivalent to a cell phone network. There are thousands of cell phone towers (for each provider) to provide coverage in only PART of the State. The necessity for repeaters is due to our use of low-band frequencies.

The easy solution, of course, is satellite communication. I heard rumors the Department did a study a few years ago, but never heard any outcome. I think they said it would cost something like a billion dollars to implement.

Some Divisions have had the ability to repeat transmissions (via dispatch) for a few years. When it works, it's great -- you can hear everyone on the frequency regardless of location. Doesn't always work, though. Radio coverage is an imperfect science. There are dozens of variables. Just today we were talking about cell phone coverage. Company A may have good coverage in spot B, where Company B has no coverage in spot B, and vice-versa. To ask for 100% coverage across 156,000 square miles is unrealistic.

[dw]

By the way, I'd recommend one of these antennas (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103159&cp=&kw=scanner+antenna&kwCatId=2032052&parentPage=search) for whatever scanner you use. The shorty that comes with most is great for 800Mhz, but sucks for low band. Ideally, you'd have a 6' whip outside, but that ain't gonna happen. I have one of these and it works pretty well indoors.

[Capsicum]

That is the antenna I have been using on my portables for years. The only problem is that its not as durable as the "rubber duckie" antennas, but since you can adjust it to which band you are listening to, you'll bet a bit better reception.

[bcjack]

As a side note...One of the cool things the CHP did was provide their officers with hand-held portable radios in the VHF Band. the hand-held radios transmit to a small repeater in the patrol car and then change the frequency from VHF-High Band to VHF Low-Band and on to the dispatcher. Through some research, I have found that I can communicate directly with a CHP Officer from my fire vehicle. Their portables have a "Direct" or "Talk-Around" channel which is usually Channel 3 on the portable. It has worked pretty cool at T/C scenes when my fire engines are ready to leave the scene, or when I want to ask the officers where they want our engines to park at an incident. We are in the infancy of this process and I hope to refine it a lot in the near future.

Still can't communicate directly with our PD as they are on UHF Band, are digital, and encrypted. For them we just use hand signals.:lol:

[lomotor]

Most scanners don't work very well at the academy. I had one there over three years ago and it could harldy pick up anything. I don't know what it is about the academy but it's hard to even pick up cell signal there unless your outside in the quad area. We had one guy in my junior class get all excited about bringing in his scanner. Till one day the gardner found his antena outside in the flower bed. Man did the staff office have a field day with that one. Called him to the staff office and then presented him with his antena. It was awesome.

[16528]

It has worked pretty cool at T/C scenes when my fire engines are ready to leave the scene, or when I want to ask the officers where they want our engines to park at an incident.

:lol: I wish that was the case for us!!!

[bcjack]

Hey 16528...

Getting direction as to where to park the fire engines doesn't occur 100% of the time. Part of it is communicating each other's needs before the crashes happen...We understand the CHP's needs at an incident, and the CHP understands our needs, so we work on things that get-r-done for everyone, staying focused on what we are really there for...THE CUSTOMER!!! When you are lucky enough to be working with two excellent CHP Offices (San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria), it is easy to make suggestions that are mutually beneficial.

Maybe we can collaborate later to get this idea refined and working in more areas...It is still in its infancy here.:smile:

[K-Lo]

Does anyone have any suggestions on brands or models of scanners that work better?

I was checking this one: http://www.scannerworld.com/template.asp?viewproduct=BC246T

[bcjack]

K-Lo:

Hand held scanners have never been my favorite. The reception is usually not too hot and they don't run too long on a battery charge. It depends on what you are looking for though. I prefer a small desktop and mobile scanner over a hand held unit. Scanner world is one of the best places to order one...good prices and good return policy.

[Nellie]

I'd just like to know if I buy this one (http://walmart.scosche-cars.com/products/?sfID1=18&productID=1253&walmartProductID=3922098), will it pick up CHP frequencies? I'm going to Wal Mart today and would like to pick one up. It's $20 cheaper than at scannerworld.com.

edited: Hmm, the link doesn't work properly. Go to http://www.walmart.com and search on this product ID (3922098 ).

[SB 405]

Hey Nellie,for the life of me I can't find that item on the web site,keeps coming back with "sorry item not found" Any basic scanner that covers 29-850Mzh. will work.

[Nellie]

3922098

the 8 at the end with the closed parenthesis made the :cool: show up instead.

[SB 405]

3922098

the 8 at the end with the closed parenthesis made the :cool: show up instead.

Okay I found the scanners but when I punch in the number you posted It's returning with item #001069910 which is a scanner but it comes back as a Uniden mobile radio,is that what your looking at? If it is i'd suggest a handheld.

[SB 405]

Res-Q...Got your message,I'll ship the radios Monday....enjoy:lol:

[ResQ]

10-4 SB 405...thanks again!

[Nellie]

ok, I just bought a base scanner at Radio Shack. I can get the CHP dispatch, but that is it. I am only getting one side of the conversation. I'm using 42.54 as the frequency. What am I mising? I'm nearest Gilroy/Hollister.

[SB 405]

Nellie,hearing units in the field on the low band is a problem in alot of areas. I think that's just something you have to live with unless you buy a more powerful antenna. I take it you have both freq. programed in the radio? I have the same problem here in LA and I live almost on top of the 405 and the Culver City CHP office is only about a mile from my home.

[Nellie]

I think I have both programmed in. They are on sepeate channels though.

[SB 405]

Yes you need to have both channels programed to make a pair(this is why I like repeaters) How many channels does your radio have,18-20?

[Nellie]

200 channels, 10 banks. 20 channels per bank.

[SB 405]

That's alot,I have a 100 channel handheld and only use about 25 of the channels. Did you buy a freq. book or do you need the freq. info? I can get that for you later if you need it.

[Nellie]

I'm using 42.54 and am getting the dispatch only. I put 154.905 as the seond channel. I am brand new to this and need guidance. :smile:

[SB 405]

Here's what I can do....I'm at work now but at home I have a book with all the freqs. for the entire state and I'll post the No. Cal stuff here later tonight. 154..doesnt sound right as a channel. The second channel should be in the same freq. range like 42...43...you can also try the "search" feature on your radio covering the low bands and let it scan and see if anything comes in. In any event,don't worry I'm sure we'll get it figured out.

[dw]

ok, I just bought a base scanner at Radio Shack. I can get the CHP dispatch, but that is it. I am only getting one side of the conversation. I'm using 42.54 as the frequency. What am I mising? I'm nearest Gilroy/Hollister.

Unless the Dispatch center is repeating the transmissions from a car, you're not going to hear them. Get used to it, because this is the way it is when you're on patrol. Unless another unit is very close, you probably won't copy them. This is why pre-alerting Dispatch of your traffic is so important. (Starting with "12-43, 11-41..." versus "12-43, 11-41 at B Street and First for an overturned vehicle with eighteen people ejected..." Another CHP unit could already be talking to Dispatch and you'd never know.

SB may be able to elaborate, but in essence, the vehicle antennas radiate the energy upwards, thus our "mountain top" stations. If you're more than a few miles from the unit transmitting, you won't catch the signal.

In Areas with the new capability to repeat, you'll hear everything clear as day on the Dispatch frequency.

[dw]

http://www.scancal.org/chp/chp.html

I noticed they've removed the "mobile" frequencies from Golden Gate Division, I guess they're assuming the Dispatch repeater function is always working (which it doesn't). If you look under the "CHP Colors" section, you can still locate the mobile frequency.

[Nellie]

DW, so what you are saying is the units don't have as strong a signal?

I can hear the dispatcher clear as day. Does my scanner need to be dual? I'm thinking I have this set up incorrectly.

[SB 405]

dw...sounds like the CHP should have stuck with those big ol' whip anttennas mounted on the rear fenders from yesteryear to boost the output. AMA Ambulance Service also uses low band and they have the same problem even with the large antennas that are mounted on all the vehicles today.

[SB 405]

DW, so what you are saying is the units don't have as strong a signal?

I can hear the dispatcher clear as day. Does my scanner need to be dual? I'm thinking I have this set up incorrectly.Nellie,those scanners are almost fool proof and if you make an error while programing most of the radios will "beep" and or show an "E" in the window. I'm sure I can get you the info you need tonight. Of course who knows if your going to hear anything but at least you'll have the correct numbers.

[redhead]

Nellie,

use 42.54 for Dispatch and use 42.24 for mobile units, per this (http://www.scancal.org/chp/colors.html). Since your area is "Green", that should work, and if a unit is near you, you may be able to hear the unit.

All this scanner talk makes me want to go buy one......

[SB 405]

Maybe if you've been good this year red Santa Claus will put one under your tree:smile:

[redhead]

Maybe if you've been good this year red Santa Claus will put one under your tree:smile: I am my own St Nick :smile: And it will feel like its xmas around 1715 on my way home tonight. :D

Oh, and interesting scanner story from last week. After the NASCAR race at Homested, we were waiting in the parking lot to leave and traffic was stopped. So, I turned on the race scanners and switched them over to the FD/PD channel and less then 5 minutes before, that Helicopter accident had happened. It was really sad/strange listening to it all unfold, as there was so much confusion. And once we heard that the pilot died, it made it that much worse. Not a direct result of the air to air incident, but it took us over 2.5 hours to get out of the parking lot. :sad:

[Nellie]

Nellie,

use 42.54 for Dispatch and use 42.24 for mobile units, per this (http://www.scancal.org/chp/colors.html). Since your area is "Green", that should work, and if a unit is near you, you may be able to hear the unit.

All this scanner talk makes me want to go buy one......

Maybe I got the wrong type of scanner. Mine is a "base or mobile" scanner. It is not a "base and mobile" scanner. Is there a difference? The only other scanner at Radio Shack was a "dual trunk" scanner.

[bcjack]

Nelllie:

You have the right one....It will work as a base station (Plugged in at home on wall current) or as a mobile (12 volts like through your cigarette lighter)

[SB 405]

As long as you can put an antenna on it Nellie it will work. Besides you already said you can hear dispatch fine so you know it's working. My only comment is you might have purchased a little more radio than you really need(channel wise)but's that's just my opinion.

[Nellie]

I think I am mis-understanding the whole thing. When you guys were saying "mobile" I was thinking the ones in the patrol units. I was thinking dispatch was "base." I have my scanner set to 42.54, and am getting dispatch only. From what I am understanding, the officers are on another frequency. I don't want to have to switch manually to another frequency to hear the officers' side of the conversation. If there are two different frequencies, and my scanner will only handle one at a time, do I need a new one? Am I confused or what? :confused:

[SB 405]

You should have a button that says "manual"(may say hold) and "scan" Program your dispatch freq. in channel one. Program the mobile freq. in channel two. You can then "lock out" channels 3-10 as well as the other blocks of ten and as long as you have the scan button on the radio should scan channels 1 and 2 only.

[redhead]

I think I am mis-understanding the whole thing. When you guys were saying "mobile" I was thinking the ones in the patrol units. I was thinking dispatch was "base." I have my scanner set to 42.54, and am getting dispatch only. From what I am understanding, the officers are on another frequency. I don't want to have to switch manually to another frequency to hear the officers' side of the conversation. If there are two different frequencies, and my scanner will only handle one at a time, do I need a new one? Am I confused or what? :confused: Yes.
Set one to 42.54 for dispatch and the officers might be able to be heard on 42.24. That is the freq. for GREEN units, which G/H area offices are under. When I said mobile above, I meant the officers. So, you should be able to scan between the two channels to hear dispatch and if an officer is close enough, to hear him/her as well. Does that make sense?


And what SB said above is how to scan between the two channels.

[Nellie]

OK, I think I have it figured out (with your help). I have it bouncing between four frequencies from green and black. Green is the Gilroy/Hollister office and Black is from Monterey. I have the base and car frequencies, but still am only getting dispatch. It's a start. Thanks for the help.

[SB 405]

Don't worry Nellie...scanners can be confusing as Hell with all the numbers,buttons and features when you look at the radio. After awhile it will be as normal as using a calculator.

[redhead]

OK, I think I have it figured out (with your help). I have it bouncing between four frequencies from green and black. Green is the Gilroy/Hollister office and Black is from Monterey. I have the base and car frequencies, but still am only getting dispatch. It's a start. Thanks for the help.I live between 2 freeways (85/101 split), so I can get units if they are near me. Otherwise, dispatch only. BTW, that is with the race scanners, hand held. I am going to get a base unit tonight and see if it improves

[SB 405]

Yeah Nellie,not hearing units in the field will be one of those things ya just may have to live with. Leave the channel programed in because im sure every so often you'll hear something although never as clear as dispatch.

[SB 405]

ResQ....I boxed up the radios but need to tell you... sorry but I looked hi n' lo for an hour but can't find the power cord for the desktop radio. It was purchased at Radio Shack and I'm sure they sell universal adapters as long as you know the model number. I also can't find the owners manual for the handheld. Not really that big a deal but like I said the radios are three years old and things get moved around and I didn't want you to think I forgot to pack something.

[redhead]

Ok, so I just got the PRO-2052 from Radio Shack, and I can hear the Officers and dispatch pretty well.GGCC is clear as day, and most of the officers are as well. Some are a little hard to hear, but all in all coming in.

Nellie-Is your system a "trunked" unit? Not sure if that will make a difference................ ?

[ResQ]

No worries SB! Thanks for the heads-up. I am a beggar and won't be a chooser :smile: I'll find the gear necessary to make em work!

[bcjack]

Try this web site for CHP frequency info...It is great!!!

http://www.freqofnature.com/frequencies/ca/chp.html

[bcjack]

Another good web site...

http://www.mbay.net/~wb6nvh/CHP2001.htm


Never Mind this site...It didn't copy completely...:rolleyes:

[SB 405]

Nellie....Just confirming those are the correct freq. for your area.

Humbolt/Gilroy..Base 42.5400.... Mobile 42.2400

[SB 405]

Ok, so I just got the PRO-2052 from Radio Shack, and I can hear the Officers and dispatch pretty well.GGCC is clear as day, and most of the officers are as well. Some are a little hard to hear, but all in all coming in.

Nellie-Is your system a "trunked" unit? Not sure if that will make a difference................ ?Man red you don't waste any time. You must have hit the store right after your post about wanting to buy a scanner?

[redhead]

Ok, so I just got the PRO-2052 from Radio Shack, and I can hear the Officers and dispatch pretty well.GGCC is clear as day, and most of the officers are as well. Some are a little hard to hear, but all in all coming in.

Nellie-Is your system a "trunked" unit? Not sure if that will make a difference................ ?Man red you don't waste any time. You must have hit the store right after your post about wanting to buy a scanner?Pretty much. On my way home, hit the Radio Shack up. Work was so dead today, I had a bit of time to research what I wanted, and made it a lot eaiser to walk in the store and walk out. Oh, and we all left work early since it was so quiet. :smile:

[Nellie]

I bought the PRO-2018. I don't have the trunked one.

[dw]

Nellie, just to clarify - the car (mobile) units transmit at 100 watts, with is PLENTY of power. Problem for you on the ground, is that energy is sent upwards. So if you are standing on the ground 10 miles from the unit, you probably won't hear anything because the energy is all going away from you. Dispatch can hear the unit because they receive from a mountain-top site much higher. The same is true for us in the field -- often, we can't hear our beat partner talk to Dispatch.

This is being overcome by the radio in the Comm center "repeating" everything it hears from the field back "down," so everyone can here. (From the "mobile" frequency back to the "base" frequency) Not all Comm centers are equipped with this, yet. You'll notice our dispatchers "copy" or manually repeat all traffic -- this is how we know what is going on with the other units. Example: "Sacramento, 47-10, 10-28, Academy south parking lot, four-nora-sam-charles-one-two-three..." "47-10 Sacramento, copy your 10-28, Academy south parking lot on four-nora-sam-charles-one-two-three..." This way, even without hearing your beat partner, you know what he/she is doing.

[SB 405]

ResQ...I stopped by the post office this morning and mailed the radios. They should arrive about the middle of next week. Don't worry about paying me back for the the postage because it was only a couple of bucks. And who knows,maybe some day you'll pull me over and let me off with a warning.;)

[SB 405]

dw does not being able to be heard by other units in the field worry you guys? I'd want my sweet little voice heard far and wide as a safety issue. The Sheriff's Department down here in LA operates the same way.

[redhead]

Something I am hearing now on the scanner, that I never heard before on ride a longs, is the Tom suffix. Such as, 24-110 Tom . Are these the officers out on break in?

[SB 405]

Ok, so I just got the PRO-2052 from Radio Shack, and I can hear the Officers and dispatch pretty well.GGCC is clear as day, and most of the officers are as well. Some are a little hard to hear, but all in all coming in.

Nellie-Is your system a "trunked" unit? Not sure if that will make a difference................ ?Man red you don't waste any time. You must have hit the store right after your post about wanting to buy a scanner?Pretty much. On my way home, hit the Radio Shack up. Work was so dead today, I had a bit of time to research what I wanted, and made it a lot eaiser to walk in the store and walk out. Oh, and we all left work early since it was so quiet. :smile:

Tell you the radio I've got my eye on is the PRO-96. It covers all the regular freq. as well as digital which some of the larger police departments have switched too. I'm still using a Bearcat handheld that's a least ten years old so I think I owe myself a new radio. I listened to the LAPD all the time but when they changed to digital a few years back my radio became outdated overnight. Only problem now is trying to part with the $500 for the new radio.

[redhead]

Tell you the radio I've got my eye on is the PRO-96. . I may be confussing that scanner with another one, but per the pictures I just looked at, go to your local Radio Shack. They had that one(or one that looked just like it) for sale for $149 at my local R/S. Might be worth a little drive....

[SB 405]

I don't think the Pro-96 will ever get down to $150 (Pro-99 looks a lot like it) I've been watching the price on it for close to a year hoping it would drop a little,but no luck so far. Problem is I think it's only one of two digital radios on the market right now (Bearcat makes one at almost the same price) which I'm sure is keeping the cost up.

[dw]

dw does not being able to be heard by other units in the field worry you guys? I'd want my sweet little voice heard far and wide as a safety issue. The Sheriff's Department down here in LA operates the same way.

The system is not ideal, but I wouldn't call it an Officer Safety concern, either... We have great Dispatchers who take care of us and will immediately get us help if needed. There are some spots that are "dead" to Dispatch, so it is helpful if another unit can copy you -- but part of learning your beat is knowing the dead spots and preparing for them accordingly.

[dw]

Something I am hearing now on the scanner, that I never heard before on ride a longs, is the Tom suffix. Such as, 24-110 Tom . Are these the officers out on break in?

Yup. T=Training.

[Lucky Seven]

Ok...I see there is some confusion here regarding radio propagation, frequencies, and the CHP system (if you can call it that).

Radio propagates based on a number of factors. To shorten this I will discuss only Low Band-VHF which is the band that the CHP operates in primarily.

The Low Band frequencies of 39 Mhz to 54 Mhz include several different radio services. The area from 39.xx to 47.xx is primarily used by LE and highway maintenance assignments. Low Band has several positive attributes and several negative attributes.

Low band travels well over terrain, thru vegetation, and other objects. Low band is very noisy and susceptible to atmospheric conditions which negate its usefulness. Low band can "skip" which means that it bounces off certain layers of the ionosphere depending on the time of day and the ionization of the layer it is skipping off. When skipping it can travel several hundred or thousand miles. This phenomenon obviously can cause interference of a large scale when agencies from multiple states are transmitting and skip is occurring. The radio waves travel in a 360 degree pattern based on the antenna being used. The terrain, vegetation, and power output of the radio determine how far the signal travels. Radio waves from a normal mobile antenna do not normally travel upward, however a small portion of the signal does go up at an angle. Picture a donut as the propagation circle and the center as the location of the antenna. The farther from the antenna...the broader the the donut circle.

CHP uses an old design of remote bases. Some areas (very few) actually use a repeater. A remote base is simply a base station on a hill top that can see (hear) for a great distance. The remote base relays its received signal to the dispatch center via a telephone link (T1), a microwave link, or an rf link. The transmit signal is sent to the hill top in the same manner.

The CHP system uses one frequency for base (dispatch) station communications and one for mobile. The reason is two fold.
1. The base station can receive and transmit at the same time.
2. The mobiles talk on the car to car channel which is the base channel and talk to dispatch on the mobile to base channel without interfering with each other.

The down side to this system is that the car traffic can quite often be heard by dispatch but not by other units. (This is why you can hear the dispatch but not the cars). This is also why dispatchers almost always repeat the mobile traffic, so other units will know what is happening.

You do not need a trunk tracking scanner to monitor CHP traffic. You do need a scanner that scans both the mobile and base frequency. If you are not hearing the mobile traffic at all I would suggest purchasing a base station antenna and mounting it outside above roof top level. This would improve your reception ability.

If you have any other questions I will be happy to try and answer them.

The reason the CHP is still on low band is simply that there are not enough frequencies available in any useable band that could provide a state wide system. The 800 - 900 Mhz would work well in metropolitan areas but the cost to provide a useful system in mountainous terrain would be astronomical. Currently there are no frequencies available in the VHF, UHF, 800 or 900 Mhz bands. There is the newly FCC mandated narrow band channels in the UHF TV (700 -800 Mhz) which will come available in the next five to ten years. The problem with the 700 - 800 band is the cost to implement.

[dw]

Lucky Seven, thanks for the post. My mind has been mush at the end of the day lately and I haven't been able to articulate what you just put together. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but an 800mhz system would also require more transmission sites, as the signal will not propagate as far.

[SB 405]

Boss came through with a nice Christmas bonus last Friday so I ordered up this little baby over the weekend. This thing is about the size of a cell phone.
http://www.uniden.com/productpop/00_productpop.cfm?prd_code=BCD396T

[SB 405]

This may be of some help for anyone looking for CHP radio frequency info.

http://www.freqofnature.com/index.php?m=California&p=Highway%20Patrol

[Lucky Seven]

Lucky Seven, thanks for the post. My mind has been mush at the end of the day lately and I haven't been able to articulate what you just put together. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but an 800mhz system would also require more transmission sites, as the signal will not propagate as far.


You are correct DW. The cost is prohibitive.

(Example: CalTrans went to 800 Mhz awhile back. In order to cover the same terrain that they previously covered with one base station on low band they will have to implement over 20 800 Mhz repeaters in the area I work. They will probably still not get the coverage they did on low band).

[4CHP]

Boss came through with a nice Christmas bonus last Friday so I ordered up this little baby over the weekend. This thing is about the size of a cell phone.
http://www.uniden.com/productpop/00_productpop.cfm?prd_code=BCD396T



Where did you order this one from? I'm looking at ordering a scanner as well, but I am a bit clueless at to what to buy and where.

Thanks! :cool:

[SB 405]

[quote=SB 405]Boss came through with a nice Christmas bonus last Friday so I ordered up this little baby over the weekend. This thing is about the size of a cell phone.
http://www.uniden.com/productpop/00_productpop.cfm?prd_code=BCD396T



Where did you order this one from? I'm looking at ordering a scanner as well, but I am a bit clueless at to what to buy and where.

Thanks! :cool: [/quote

I bought it from http://www.scannerworld.com/ seemed to be the lowest price I found

[redhead]

Yup. T=Training.
Couple more that I have never heard on a r/a...

A=Adam unit in the field? Only heard that one once though.
R=Robert ?

[SB 405]

ResQ...I stopped by the post office this morning and mailed the radios. They should arrive about the middle of next week. Don't worry about paying me back for the the postage because it was only a couple of bucks. And who knows,maybe some day you'll pull me over and let me off with a warning.;)

ResQ...did you get the radios?

[4CHP]

[quote=SB 405]Boss came through with a nice Christmas bonus last Friday so I ordered up this little baby over the weekend. This thing is about the size of a cell phone.
http://www.uniden.com/productpop/00_productpop.cfm?prd_code=BCD396T



Where did you order this one from? I'm looking at ordering a scanner as well, but I am a bit clueless at to what to buy and where.

Thanks! :cool: [/quote

I bought it from http://www.scannerworld.com/ seemed to be the lowest price I found

Thanks. Would you recommend a model that is in the $100 - $150 range?

[dw]

Yup. T=Training.
Couple more that I have never heard on a r/a...

A=Adam unit in the field? Only heard that one once though.
R=Robert ?


Now it gets confusing. Believe it or not, we don't have callsigns standardized throughout the State -- or even within a Division. In our Division, we have Areas where "R" is for the retired senior volunteers, in another Area it is a County unit. "A" "B" and "C" can be used to denote which shift a unit is working, 118-64A would be the day shift unit, where 118-64B would be the swing shift (and "C" for graves). OR, just to complicate things, you can have multiple units working the same beat & shift -- they may be called "A" "B" "C" "D" as required. After September 11th, we routinely had four units on some high-priority beats.

[redhead]

Now it gets confusing. Believe it or not, we don't have callsigns standardized throughout the State -- or even within a Division. In our Division, we have Areas where "R" is for the retired senior volunteers, in another Area it is a County unit. "A" "B" and "C" can be used to denote which shift a unit is working, 118-64A would be the day shift unit, where 118-64B would be the swing shift (and "C" for graves). OR, just to complicate things, you can have multiple units working the same beat & shift -- they may be called "A" "B" "C" "D" as required. After September 11th, we routinely had four units on some high-priority beats. Cool info. Most of the time, I am listening to drive home/till bed. So, the A wouldn't fall into that as much, but the R does make sense.
Guess another question for the next ride-a-long...Thank you again!

[SB 405]

[quote=SB 405]Boss came through with a nice Christmas bonus last Friday so I ordered up this little baby over the weekend. This thing is about the size of a cell phone.
http://www.uniden.com/productpop/00_productpop.cfm?prd_code=BCD396T



Where did you order this one from? I'm looking at ordering a scanner as well, but I am a bit clueless at to what to buy and where.

Thanks! :cool: [/quote

I bought it from http://www.scannerworld.com/ seemed to be the lowest price I found

Thanks. Would you recommend a model that is in the $100 - $150 range?

What type of things do you want to listen too and would you want a base or handheld scanner?

[CHP Explorer]

For Border Division the R units or Robert Units are Overtime. and SVP are Victor Units. David Units are officers that work in the office.

[bcjack]

While we are on the subject....What is a 'G' Unit. Like 14-1G???

[Mac]

While we are on the subject....What is a 'G' Unit. Like 14-1G???
Never heard of that one. Probably something Area-specific - investigators, special enforcement detail, etc.

[K-Lo]

I'd just like to know if I buy this one (http://walmart.scosche-cars.com/products/?sfID1=18&productID=1253&walmartProductID=3922098), will it pick up CHP frequencies? I'm going to Wal Mart today and would like to pick one up. It's $20 cheaper than at scannerworld.com.

edited: Hmm, the link doesn't work properly. Go to http://www.walmart.com and search on this product ID (3922098 ).

I got this scanner for Christmas. It is great. I can pickup San Bernardino, Riverside and Rancho Cucamonga.

[desdave]

If you want to hear the CHP the way the dispathers can:

Take your portable scanner on a hike up the areas largest hill... one that overlooks the area.. it will be easy to find, because it already has a radio tower or two on it =)

Program the base freq on Channel 1, the Mobile freq on Channel 2... set the delay in the OFF position and let her rip. You will hear the entire kit and kubudle.

I live at 1350 feet overlooking the Pomona Valley, and prior to my area going to a repeater, I heard everything in the valley all the way out to San Berdoo.

The car radios, as previosuly stated, are 100 watts, which is really stong. The bases are 175 watts, usually coming from 2000 feet or more.

The cardinal rule for radio is antenna height. All other considerations are just that.

Get your antenna up, and you will get results.

Also, not yety mentioned... lowbands interferrence really doesnt get though well indoors due to electrical interference.

[dw]

I just found this site http://www.freqofnature.com/index.php?m=California&p=Highway%20Patrol

Pretty cool, has a lot of information and shows which frequencies are repeated.

[benmin]

Hey Gang.
I was just linked to this site from another. Being that this is my next career path (once I get my eyes fixed, Ask and I will tell). Anyway I cant believe that there is a site for all of this. I am so excited to read, read, read. One day, I will be there!

Anyway, I have been canning the airwaves for years. Yes a low band capable radio is the best. I have found that for my house I use a BC780XLT (now updated to the 796D, basically the same thing, but with digital capabilities) On the roof I use an AOR Discone mounted about 40 feet from the roof line. Now, even though I live on top of Carmel hill, I still don?t get a direct site to the Monterey Comm. center, but pick up all of Monterey and even better Santa Cruz, and up to 280.

In the car I also use a 780 with a "LilNel" (From Grove) surface mounted on the roof. This is the best antenna I have ever used. When I travel either North or South, I have a scan bank just for CHP and get it all. Again terrain plays an important role, but if the sky is cloudy, the RF "skips" and you pick up even more. When I am away from the house, I use a BC250D. See the trend? All good radios, and Bearcat is used widely in most CHP cruisers. Anyway, when I have my handheld, I use specific antenna for the job. If low band I use a low band rubber ducky. You can get these from either ScannerMaster.com or any Ham Radio Outlet (just do a search for them, they are located all over Cali).

There are a number of great sites and forums out there that have the Freqs for CHP and perhaps your area. Freqofnature is a good one, and another is ScanNorCal. I am also signed into a lot of Yahoo forums that have scanner specific groups that you can get the CHP freqs from.

If you would like, I would be more then happy to send them to you in either a spreadsheet format or a format that you can just upload to any Bearcat radio.

Sorry to be so wordy....

Enough for now, THANKS FOR THE SITE!!

[emcviper]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3132685

So I know this is a really old thread, but I've been pondering getting a scanner. Supposedly this unit is $120 off and is selling for $99. Is all of the information in this thread still pretty accurate? If so, this scanner seems like it might be a good deal. :noidea: Any input?

[volcanomike]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3132685

So I know this is a really old thread, but I've been pondering getting a scanner. Supposedly this unit is $120 off and is selling for $99. Is all of the information in this thread still pretty accurate? If so, this scanner seems like it might be a good deal. :noidea: Any input?
Looks like a good scanner to me, I've got a desktop one.

[SB 405]

I'd suggest you also purchase rechargeable batteries. Most all handhelds go through standard AA's in just a few hours. Rechargables will give you between 18-20 hours per charge.

[Alkiser]

That's actually a really good deal for a trunking scanner. I have a GRE PSR-300 which cost me $170 and it does pretty much the same exact thing as the PRO-162. I notice the PRO-162 is already out of stock on Radio Shack site so a lot of people probably picked that up. I doubt local stores sell it for the same deal.

[emcviper]

That's actually a really good deal for a trunking scanner. I have a GRE PSR-300 which cost me $170 and it does pretty much the same exact thing as the PRO-162. I notice the PRO-162 is already out of stock on Radio Shack site so a lot of people probably picked that up. I doubt local stores sell it for the same deal.
I just called the local store, and they have it at the same price. Now, can I convince my wife that it's a good purchase? :confused:

[volcanomike]

I just called the local store, and they have it at the same price. Now, can I convince my wife that it's a good purchase? :confused:
Tell her you want it for Christmas!

[SB 405]

You could also think about buying a radio with fewer channels which would save you some coin. I mean,do you really need 1000 channels?:think:

[yz250roost]

Just curious, I'm running a RadioShack PRO-97 with the rubber duck antenna. I have a tonneau cover and don't want to drill through it to mount a whip style antenna. Has anyone ever tried one of these scanner to car antenna adapters and how do you think a standard car antenna would work for a scanner?

http://www.123radios.com/BuyItNow.asp?PID=1522

[chp3985]

Anything that will pick up 42 mhz. I have 2 Radio Shack scanners and they work fine.

[SB 405]

Not sure if the weather has anything to do with this but over the last couple of days I have been picking up a channel on my radio I'm not familiar with. It's coming up as a base "Red" frequency. Anyone know what channel this is?


I looked at a map and see the Redding and Indio areas use the red freq. but that's a long way from where I am in WLA.

[mikekristine455]

I am a avid Ham Radio Operator so I am very picky as to which radios I use to monitor different frequencies. I currently use a Radio Shack PRO-137 that has a a LCD Display screen that will tell you who is talking on that frequency as opposed to just displaying the freq. This radio is perfect for monitoring CHP as well as municipal police departments and Fire/EMS. It is capible of Lowband, VHF,UHF, NOAA weather alerts as well as 2m/440 Ham frequincies. It will not recieve P-25 Digital or Trunked Frequincies.

The Pro-137 will cost you about $129.99 on line and holds 1,000 channels.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2963186

The best Antenna for this radio is a Diamond SRH77CA that will cost you around $21.95 online.
http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/hamantht/2368.html

Its designed for lowband and 2m so it will pick up CHP freq.'s with no issues. I live quite close to CHP's Salida Office and can pick up all there traffic with ease.

:hitwall:* A Car Antenna is not designed to be used as a scanner Antenna therefore you will not be able to pickup lowband as well as UHF freq's*:hitwall:

[mikekristine455]

Not sure if the weather has anything to do with this but over the last couple of days I have been picking up a channel on my radio I'm not familiar with. It's coming up as a base "Red" frequency. Anyone know what channel this is?


I looked at a map and see the Redding and Indio areas use the red freq. but that's a long way from where I am in WLA.


When it's cloudy or foggy, the transmission waves have a better ability to travel by bouncing off the mosture in the clouds and fog. Thats why you would be able to hear this freq.

There's also such a thing called atmospheric ducting. This is when a weather or storm front stretches accross a particular region and causes radios that would normally never be able to communicate or interfere with each other (due to being out of range) to do just that.


I live in Salida and I can listen to Monterey and Sac crystal clear on cloudy/Foggy days!

[SB 405]

Mike,I have the radio (Uniden BCD396T) set up to read out what is broadcasting ie..."CENTRAL-Base" etc..but due to the fact I've never heard this freq. before I didn't program text into the scanner for this freq. Hence the radio on it's own shows RED *B* The radio comes pre-programed with a lot of freq's but once you figure out what's what's you need to go in and fine tune it.

BTW thank you for the help.

[mikekristine455]

Mike,I have the radio (Uniden BCD396T) set up to read out what is broadcasting ie..."CENTRAL-Base" etc..but due to the fact I've never heard this freq. before I didn't program text into the scanner for this freq. Hence the radio on it's own shows RED *B* The radio comes pre-programed with a lot of freq's but once you figure out what's what's you need to go in and fine tune it.

BTW thank you for the help.


Mine did the same thing until I wiped out the pre-stored database and imputed everything that I wanted into the Scanner.

Your also welcome. If you ever need freq's I have a great website that I am a paid member of and have approx 100-150 CHP freq stored into my laptop.:biggrin:

[KingFrankSam]

Mine did the same thing until I wiped out the pre-stored database and imputed everything that I wanted into the Scanner.

Your also welcome. If you ever need freq's I have a great website that I am a paid member of and have approx 100-150 CHP freq stored into my laptop.:biggrin:

All the freqs are changing soon, so be prepared to update your database...

[SB 405]

Are the new freqs still going to be in that weak low band?

[bcjack]

All the freqs are changing soon, so be prepared to update your database...

CHP freq's are changing???

[mikekristine455]

All the freqs are changing soon, so be prepared to update your database...


I currently have about 20 of the new freq that are in the testing phase. The new frequencies that I have are still Low Band.

I currently have Sacramento, Valley Division, Chico, Stockton, and Trukee.

[Vinnie]

Yes, all low band. Just up by 2-3 MHz. I thought it was also going digital, but I'm not 100% sure, and I have no idea how that affects you folks that like listening in and your equipment.

[SB 405]

Going digital would mean anybody with an older radio would be out of luck. LAPD made the switch a few years ago which forced my hand to purchase a new radio that picks up the digital freq's. The new radios can be pretty pricey.

[dw]

Low band digital? Is there such a thing? Maybe it's going to be digital on the back-end? The only digital systems I'm aware of are in the 800mhz band. If we do come up with some sort of digital transmission, I'm not sure that anyone would be able to scan it....

[RCO]

I have been using the software on my Blackberry Bold from BBscanner.com.
If you have an iphone, it's the same software. I have found it to be much more convenient than a handheld scanner because I always hear the beat units responding.
Such a useful tool when learning all codes, and proper transmission lingo. Hopefully it will keep me from going 10-30!

[Vinnie]

Low band digital? Is there such a thing?

No idea, really. Just conjecture at this point. I'd say that whomever can hear the new frequencies from Stockton as of last month, and the three Sac radios as of this week, is OK.