UNIDEN UBC355XLT

[Finnius]

Hello,

I would really like to get into scanning as a hobby...
I am thinking of purchasing the "UNIDEN UBC355XLT" from dicksmith: http://dicksmith.com.au/product/D1976/uniden-ubc355xlt

Has anyone had any experience with this scanner?
Is it a good cheap scanner for a beginner?
And will it pick up most frequencies that scanners are interested in?

On a different note...I read that digital radios are being phased in...is it worth getting into this hobby - or is it all going to be encrypted in a couple of years?

Thanks for any info!
Cheers

[robbage]

Prestige Comms have them for $152 -> http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php ... ts_id=2402

The frequency ranges are 25-88MHz, 108-174MHz, 400-520MHz, 806-956MHz. That covers a pretty useful range. It's probably lacking a bit in some features as you would expect with the price. Also not handheld which would not suit some people.

[Finnius]

Thanks for the link...Nothing wrong with saving $50!

Are hand held scanners cheaper than this scanner?
Even if not - what is a good, cheap hand held that is available for what i want?

I want to start of listening to police frequencies - because it sounds interesting...

Cheers

[WPXZBP]

You won't be able to hear much on the Police frequencies. Most country areas still run the old analogue system but Perth is using a digitally encrypted system. The South West has migrated to the new system so analogue will be phased out in the near future.

[Bonez]

When did Bunvegas cut over? I knew it was pending, just not sure when it actually happened.

[robbage]

Are hand held scanners cheaper than this scanner?
Even if not - what is a good, cheap hand held that is available for what i want?

Have a look at this page The third one is very popular.

I want to start of listening to police frequencies - because it sounds interesting...

Read this thread about listening to WAPol-> http://warsug.info/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4424

[Finnius]

Thanks for the info...

That hand held unit does sound quite nice.
What would there be to pick up in a country southwest area using it's frequency bands:
"25-88, 108-174 and 400-512 MHz"?
-emergency services (firefighters)
-security guards
-ham radio operators
?????

Thanks for the help

[robbage]

Hams are regularly on 146-148 MHz and 438-439 MHz. Depends where you are as to what frequencies exactly, especially in the country. The new WAERN (emergency services) frequencies are listed elsewhere on this forum.. you can probably just do a search for WAERN. You might get lucky and find some police activity in the country. The frequencies for those are listed in the WAPol section. Country is always difficult for scanning compared to the metro area.