Are Scanners Any Use These Days?

[Brando]

I'm thinking of getting a new scanner (uniden_bearcat usc230) just for general use. I would like a model that picks up as many frequencies as possible. I live close to Manchester City Centre so would i be able to pick anything up at all? I've never had or used a scanner before so could anybody tell me if this is a good choice, or are there any better models out there for the same price(£100)?

[stampman]

a lot of services are going encripted but there are still some out there you will get no one can say you will deffently get taxies possably buses and traffic wardens you can only try

[Photographer]

You won't pick up Police etc. now since they went onto digital (Airwaves) radios. But there is still tons of stuff you can listen to if you get a model with no gaps (ie. 0 to 1000 MHz+). This can be anything from cordless telephones to baby monitors to all aircraft etc. etc. It's a very addictive hobby and you'll get a good one (Yupiteru 7100) for £100 notes.

[BurnleyMan]

I used to be a big listener to the services that you weren't allowed to listen too, but the authorities generally turned a blind eye to if you weren't doing no harm. I actually had a very succesful website for Lancashire with a lot of good frequencies which are now useless, so the website shut. However, having recently purchased a double discone and a Uniden 785XLT, there's still many a good thing to listen to and i'm glad i've got back into it.

Keep searching around, you'll find some hidden gems.

[bigwing]

yes depending on what your after. e.g
I listen to aircraft usually as i am a plane spotter and can sometimes see the aircraft out of my window due to my location and have it on in the background when playing flight simulator

on the other hand if you aint interested in planes you can hear stuff like taxis and the occasional CB or HAM as police are spoil sports but to be perfectly honest it gets boring quickly

Hope this helps.

[porky.69]

yes depending on what your after. e.g
I listen to aircraft usually as i am a plane spotter and can sometimes see the aircraft out of my window due to my location and have it on in the background when playing flight simulator

on the other hand if you aint interested in planes you can hear stuff like taxis and the occasional CB or HAM as police are spoil sports but to be perfectly honest it gets boring quickly

Hope this helps.

very true mines getting dusty lol

[FISH]

Sold mine.

[killer cam]

just bought mine lol

[porky.69]

could have bought mine

[FISH]

just glad i sold the one i had now.

[killer cam]

not mutch to listen to

[porky.69]

just been listening to the planes ..

[Godzilla]

I've got a scanner in the van, mainly picks up planes, but it also get mountain rescue and the coust guard when I'm on the moors or sea fishing, also have a handheld that covers more frequencies, can get cordless phones to tv, good for when the rig go's dead