All the local cops around here use the 800Mhz trunking system. I just ordered a BCT12 scanner from Uniden and it claims to have 800Mhz capability, but I heard someone else ask; "Does it have Trunk-Tracking?"

Is "800Mhz Coverage" the same as "Trunk Tracking"?

Tnx

 

no it isn't. The 800mhz is also heavily used by nascar. fans then tune in during the race to hear the conv. between driver and pits. to pick up police you have to have trunk tracking. Consult your local radio shack dealer and they will help you.

 

Why do you want ot listen to the PD anyway? I have about 400-500 CD recommendations that will sound much, much better.

 

I don't want to listen to them I just want to know when they're around.

 

Think of it this way, they work either three 8 hour shifts a day, or two 12 hours shifts. Most jurisdictions have as mony or more working at night as during the day. They don't get weekends, holidays, or national emergencies off. So they are always around. The more suspicious you act, the more likely they will stop and have a conversation with you. And, the one's who are looking for you are not talking on the radio. The are waiting patiently, quietly. So quit standing out like a sore thumb and turn the CD on.

 

Ouch! What did I do to deserve that? So much hostility?

 

****, that was a friendly advisory. Nobody here has ever seen me mad.

 

trunk tracking is $$$$$$!!!

 

The cheapest scanner with TrunkTracking I saw was the Bearcat 245XLT which can be had for 220-300 from various different stores. If you are truly interested in what the cops are saying then get the 245, I guess. For me, I just want to know if they are in the area, so the Mobile Extender alarm is pretty much the only thing I use - I don't even have the volume turned up...

 

But remember, it only alerts if they are transmitting. And there are no rules saying that they need to transmit for any reason. I would be more concerned about photo radar if I were you.

 

The Mobile Extender in the HP car xmits whenever the dispatcher xmits - even if the message is no intended for that particular cop.

Ohio doesn't have photo radar... Thankfully!

 

Remember that PD and FD have repeater towers all over the country. If what you stated were true, it would beep constantly, non-stop, 24-7. Trust me, there is not a moment that someone, somewhere within 30 miles is transmitting, and the repeater towers every couple of miles retransmit those low level signals with high power.

After all, I am a police dispatcher. So I keep in contact with the tens of agencies in the DC region and most agencies are transmitting when we call on the phone. We can hear there messages in the background. I think MPD has at least seven different dispatchers operating on seperate freq's at all times. Most of the time they are all talking. If you go in there comm section they have a scroll bar on the wall with 911 calls waiting to be answered indicated. The time I was up there a few years ago, I don't think the number dropped below 29.

Most of the county agencies have similar numbers of freq's operating at all times. This is so that one dispatcher does not handle the entire region and every officer, fireman. Because, quite simply, if they all spoke at the same time to the same person, nobody would get any help.