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For the GURU's only!

Is it legal to buy a used motorola trunked radio and have it programmed for RECIEVE trunked signals only? If I can find a programmer. ( for use in a car). Also to permanently disable the transmit function.

Strickley for hobby. I'm tired of the flimsy scanner, low volume, bad reception.

If so best radio model.

Again NO TRANSMITTING just recieve.

Thanks for your KNOWLEDGE and FACTS.

AB

:D Its legal, so long as it is programmed not to transmit. The city of Seattle sells such a unit to members of the news media and others that can aford a new unit. I would first give them a call to see what might be for sale or if they would program a unit for you. Thats NOT the primary job of the city -- so go easy. I am sure that most radio techs would PREFER that everyone NOT just go out and buy their own professional two-way just to monitor the cops and fire trucks. I can asure you that as a "Professional" scanner geek that the radio shack Pro-95 or Pro-96 both work GREAT and even if you buy a Motorola, which I carry on my belt, the only thing you will miss is the 'I call". Even if you had a two-way -- there are SPOTS and PLACES that no radio could or would work from. Just because its a "Motorola" does not mean it MUST be better. How many times do you hear the cops NOT being heard ?? We live in a strange world. If you are stopped by a police officer -- and they take an hour to run your name and the TWO-WAY -- Is it worth it ??? Yes, its legal - but how much will it cost and is it worth the price? "BUYER - BEWARE".

I don't believe Motorola trunked radios are capable of a true "receive-only" function because they still transmit data for talkgroup affiliation even if the voice transmit is disabled.

The Bearcat Trunk Trackers are able to pick up I-Call. I really don't see the need to have one of the two-ways to monitor the trunk system. I think some of the scanners can probably receive the trunk system better than some of their two-ways.

As someone else mentioned, using the two-way for scanning doesn't mean it will be better reception. Your perception of "bad reception" of the trunk system is probably not bad reception at all - it's probably just the quality of their system. I hear a lot of officers on our trunk system in Benton County booming in with a strong signal from the tower, but their transmission is really staticy, broken.

Hope this helps you!

:D :D Radio Shack has a new 800 Mhz rubber duckie antenna for the Pro-95 and Pro-96. I picked up one for $ 15. Its the best antenna I have tested for 800 mhz. It works GREAT. No picket fencing --- its gone and the hash in the back ground is gone. Try the antenna before you buy the two-way. Its cheaper and might work better.

Happen to have the RS catalog/part number for that antenna? Our Radio Shacks have finally stopped selling the radio accessories - have to shop online now.

Thanks

Radio Shack model Number 20-283 "800 Mhz scanner antenna" Costs: $ 15.49. BUY TWO. Its a very GOOD investment.

is the RS antenna better than the std bc245xlt antenna?? at 800mhz

Yes ! About twice or 3 times better. It really works. It got rid of all the background noise and hash on the local or regional 800 Mhz truked systems. Still does good on UHF but its for 800 Mhz not VHF Hi or UHF. Its only $ 15.49 plus tax (and shipping). But it's worth 30 bucks or more.

Was down in Seattle for a quick trip the other week. Went to the Auburn Mall Radio Shack for the 800 MhZ antenna.

"Uhh, no stores stock that item. We can order it and have it here for you soon if you like. By the way, do you want to upgrade your cell phone today?"

Tried again at SouthCentre.

"Uhh, no stores stock that item. We can order it and have it here for you soon if you like. By the way, do you want to upgrade your cell phone today?"

Finally, I found some in stock at Northgate Mall location. According to the store clerk there, they'll be stocking them for a while as they've been very popular. So try Northgate Mall if you're close.

It's funny, the Radio Shack up here in Canada have been out of the scanner/two way business for quite some time. It's been a while since I've gone into a RS for scanner stuff, but was taken aback on how little they knew about these items, or even how little they seemed to care. Well, sorry we don't have what your looking for, but can we sell you something you don't even really need today? Ahhh well, I guess it must work for them..

By the way, the antenna works absoultley great for 800 Mhz. You will not be dissapointed!

I have a MTX 8000 on the Seattle system and I can tell you that the Motorola HT on the seat of the car kills my 780 with an external antenna.

-m

Sounds familiar. It's fun though because they always bet that they can offer me a "much better deal" on a cell phone, than the one I have. When I tell them it's only about $10 a month (prepaid), they crawl back into they're little hole :) It's really sad what Radio Shack has become. It's almost becoming a "novelty/toy store" anymore. I guess it's a sign of the times - they just don't make the sales on the radio equipment and electronics, like they used to. They should change the name though - anybody for "Sprint Shack"?

Ordered the RS 800Mhz antenna, I have been using the standard duckie that comes with the PRO-95. Got mine shipped to me, and it showed up friday. Tried it out all weekend and it works great! This morning on the way to work, the usual dead spots I had listeing to the 800Mhz King County system were no longer dead, comming in loud and clear! I know this is a trouble area even for the Sheriff's and East Side Fire radio because I have heard them having problems with TX/RX while on calls there. As MTM mentioned its good for even VHF, WSP comes in as good if not better then the stock antenna. I would say this is a must have if you monitor 800Mhz trunking.

-G

:D :D :D Hey, I m glad it helped you out. It would be great if we all could afford a Motorola Trunking radio - but the Radio Shack 800 Mhz antenna will have to do - for most of us. If I could just figure out how to get the wholesale price and how to re-sell a bunch of the antennas, I might have enough cash for a tank of gas. (LOL).

Portland area only had a few too, so I called the store up and got one--seems to work better on the WaDOT system and some other --ahem--wireless products come in better too. :twisted: I have an old BC200xlt