any of the uniden/bearcat/rad shack scanners are exceedingly easy to 
program...with the acception of the new touch screen model.
Do you require the ability to trunk track? and if so, what types of systems?
What sort of coin are you looking to spend?  One of the best scanners on the 
market right now is the GRE PSR-500 trunk track capable scanner.  It's 
receive is top of the line and it's not difficult to program using the 
software or direct entry.  they go for between 2 and 300 used, and are 
around the $500 mark new I think...
other than that, the newest uniden hand held scanners are pretty good as 
well...the 396T I think it is.
also, are you looking to scan mostly VHF/UHF and 800 meg stuff? or are you 
looking for HF capability as well.  It's very difficult to find a scanner, 
or wide band hand held receiver that will receive HF well, as well as trunk 
track and the rest of it...in fact, I'm not sure one is made yet that will 
do that.
The Icom line of hand held wide band receivers are great units if you are 
looking for HF receive capability.
No scanner on the market, that will trunk track or that is a typical hand 
held has voice readout yet either.
In fact, I don't think any hand held receiver has voice readout yet.

There are a tonne of options availible to you depending on what your 
requirements are.
regards
Colin
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Tillinghast" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2011 9:52 PM
Subject: hand held scanners


> Hi All, With some of us starting out as SWLs,  Have anyone used a simple
> handheld scanner?  One that will be easy to program.  Gary KB2YAA