most of the newer ones you can just enter your zip code into the thing and 
it'll program all the local systems and frequencies that the scanner can 
receive.
The only time you might have to program anything would be for specific 
business/commercial frequencies that aren't part of the scanners onboard 
data base.
Also, you can tell the scanner when you program the zip code in to only 
program public safety, or if you want everything possible...but if you have 
say a favorite garbage pick upcompany you like to listen to, or a property 
management company with highly entertaining talk on it, you might have to 
manually program that lol.

73
Colin, V A6BKX

-----Original Message----- 
From: Pat Byrne
Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2015 6:42 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: looking for a police scanner

Colin,
Thanks for the input.  I looked up Uniden, GRE and Whistler through
Google and have come to the conclusion that times have changed since
i last bought a scanner!!  Our local police have gone trunked but our
fire and village services are still vhf analog.  i hate the idea that
I will have to use the computer to program a new scanner but know
that it is something I will have to deal with!!
Amateur and scanner computer interfaces are something I have resisted
- and i feel a generation behind the crowd, but I guess i will have
to bite the digital bullet an just do it!!
Thanks.
pat, k9JAUAt 08:02 PM 5/15/2015, you wrote:
>Hey Butch, you end up spending at least 100 more for the base/mobile type 
>of
>box as aposed to the portible handheld variety.
>I know this is probably not too much of a consideration but perhaps part of
>your decision.
>The portible will also allow you to take the radio outside or move around
>with it instead of being limited to one place...receiver performance is
>exactly the same on them all I think...and you can certainly hook the
>handheld up to an outdoor antenna if necesary.
>The GRE PSR600 mobile scanner is a very nice one and probably receives the
>digital systems you want to hear.  They can be had on ebay for a couple
>hundred bucks or less.
>The Uniden BC536HP is also another base/mobile scanner which is the most
>current uniden model that will receive everything.
>
>73
>Colin, V A6BKX
>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: looking for a police scanner
>
>If I understand what I'm seeing on line on these, aren't they portable
>scanners?  I'm wanting a base sscanner.  I should have been more clear.
>73
>Butch
>WA0VJR
>Node 3148
>Wallace, ks.
>
>
>On
>Fri, 15 May 2015, Jordan Gallacher wrote:
>
> > Radio Shack Pro 106 or 651 are the two I recommend. Pretty easy to use.
> > Jordan
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On May 15, 2015, at 1:57 PM, Butch Bussen <[log in to unmask]> 
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> I know this has come up on here many times.  I'm wanting a police
> >> scanner.
> >> I have an old pro 433 but the guy who programmed it says it won't do 
> >> the
> >> digital trunking which the Kansas high way patrol uses.  He suggested a
> >> bcd 996 xt.  I know these are very complicated.  Just wondering what 
> >> any
> >> of you have and like or any recommendations.
> >> Thanks.
> >> 73
> >> Butch
> >> WA0VJR
> >> Node 3148
> >> Wallace, ks.
> >
> >