WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Radio Talk => Topic started by: RennMan on Aug 23, 09, 12:25:32 AM
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I have a two-pronged question here.
Once upon a time I had a list of the various agency frequencies for ANF, CHP, SBSO, etc. I've changed computers a couple of times, and now I can't seem to find it. I thought it was on the WWCalif website, but I can't seem to locate it. That, or my search parameters are all wrong...
Any ideas?
Second item is I also saw somewhere a list of locations of SBFD fire stations. Any ideas where that may be found?
We listen to Desert Comm on the scanner, and it would ne nice to know where the various stations and battalions are located, so we can figure out where the calls are being dispatched.
Any information is appreciated
N4MAN
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You can start here:
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php?topic=47.msg649#msg649
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php?topic=47.msg65502#msg65502
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You can click on the Live Scanner Icon at the top of this Forum page and from there click on Frequencies Available.
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Check this out. It has been updated...
Wrightwood Scanner Frequencies (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/WrightwoodScannerFrequencies.html)
and this: (Click on the Station Number to see a picture of the Station. I am still trying to get updated info on these stations).
Fire Station Locations (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/FireStationLocations.html)
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Wow great work RobertW!
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Wow great work RobertW!
Agreed. That is a great/very comprehensive listing of frequencies for local agencies. Now if I only knew which ones to actually choose and then get them programmed in my HT.
Thanks!
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The online scanner works well with 800 trunk tracking but as Bob say's it does not work in all areas of Swarthout Valley.
Some day I need to eliminate the dog catcher (animal control) as they use up a lot of valuable bandwidth during more important incidents ;)
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The online scanner works well with 800 trunk tracking but as Bob say's it does not work in all areas of Swarthout Valley.
With a good outside antenna mounted about 20 feet up in a tree or on the roof, most people should be able to hear the 800 MHz trunked system. I get it just fine, with the outside base antenna here in Robin Circle, but the handheld has problems pulling the signal in on just the rubber duckie. That's why I generally keep that band turned off on the handheld unless I'm on top of Blue Ridge.
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Where can I get a list of frequencies for the San Bernardino area? I drove home from Beaumont on Sunday, and I couldn't pick up Table Mountain until I was on Lone Pine. I would like to have some frequencies on hand that work in that area.
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Where can I get a list of frequencies for the San Bernardino area? I drove home from Beaumont on Sunday, and I couldn't pick up Table Mountain until I was on Lone Pine. I would like to have some frequencies on hand that work in that area.
Are you asking for Public Service frequencies or HAM repeater Frequencies?
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For HAM frequencies - sorry. And I didn't even try any other repeaters other than Table Mountain (I was trying to check in on Sunday) - so maybe I need to know what repeaters are on that side of the mountain.
I know, I should know more than I do :-\. I'm not even on the right thread!
Cathy
KF6EVA
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Kathy,
There's a lot of good repeater directories out there. Here's one: http://rptrlist.w6jpl.ampr.org/ (http://rptrlist.w6jpl.ampr.org/)
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For HAM frequencies - sorry. And I didn't even try any other repeaters other than Table Mountain (I was trying to check in on Sunday) - so maybe I need to know what repeaters are on that side of the mountain.
I've started a new thread:
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php?topic=14438.0
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Driving around in the High Desert, I find I switch between 3 repeaters, Table Mountain, Keller Peak, and Hauser Peak.
Rescue Net on the Keller Peak repeater, Tuesdays at 2000L has a checkin list that spans the High Desert, out to Beaumont and Anaheim. It seems that Keller reaches quite a way out into the San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange County areas.
Hauser is really good for the Palmdale/Lancaster area, out SR 138 almost to I-5, and most of the I-14 corridor until the Newhall Pass.
N4MAN
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The first two have changed with the new VHF narrow band changes for county fire
County 1 - 151.1450 (Valley)
County 2 - 159.1200 (Mountain)
County 3 - 151.1525 (North Desert)
County 4 - 155.1000 (South Desert)
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BINGO! That's great information. I had the scanner rotating through the banks last night, and was comparing it against the WWCalif.com online scanner, so I was satisfied the scanner was working.
Of course, now I have to reprogram that particular bank for these other frequencies, but I needed to work on that program anyway.
Thanks!
N4MAN
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There is nothing wrong with your scanner. For now, apparently the VHF patch frequencies are not working. Though I have to admit I did not monitor County 3 (151.1525) this past weekend. (If somebody has found 101 here, let me know)
There have been problems with the rebanding and apparently, 101 is operating strickly on the 800 MHz trunked system which is going or already has gone digital. (Again if somebody has heard them on the County 3 patch, let me know)
This is information I've received:
San Bernardino County Fire to discontinue patching to VHF
"An internal email was sent to the department stating that on or before June 1, 2010 full-time patching from 800mhz talkgroups into VHF will discontinue. Some type of "grant funded" narrow-band repeaters are being installed (some already on the air) at various mountain tops in the County.
These are designated "County 1" 151.145 narrowband VHF, "County 2" 159.120 narrowband, "County 3" 151.1525 narrowband (new freq.), "County 4" 155.100 narrow (new freq.) Multiple sites/tones per freq like CalFire.
Their dispatch will monitor 24/7, however, they will only patch to 800mhz based on incident need / field request.
Regional assignments are - Valley = Co 1, Mountains = Co 2, Desert/I-15 corridor = Co 3, yucca/Hwy 62 corridor = Co 4."
As I mentioned above, apparently the VHF patches are not being used. Of course since 800 MHz, especially digital doesn't work in the mountains, we'll have to see what they come up with.
Apparently when other agencies do roll with SBCoFD Comm Center they are supposed to use White 3 for the Tac channel. Most of the desert station that run into SBCo have SBCo 800 HT radios.
Living in Burbank, we've had to go to digital trunking scanners years ago. It appears that digital scanners will be needed very soon, if not already to monitor SBCo Sheriff's and Fire.
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I wonder if this is a continuation of the selling of VHF frequencies. I was told by a friend that the reason Television went digital was because of this. Apparently Google and (I forget who won the bid) were bidding to purchase these frequencies because of their long distance capabilities; improving the transmission of data, etc.
Not sure of any of this, it's just speculation on my part at this time.
....but still
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I've had it confirmed that the VHF patch is NOT working. Radio Comm is being handled via the 800 MHz trunked system which is still analog and not digital as of yet.
In most parts of town, you'll need a good outside antenna. Program into your scanner San Bernardino County's "Sys-1" (Victorville) system, which is a "Motorola 2 800-UHF" trunked system.
Frequencies and Talk Groups for that system can be found here:
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/WrightwoodScannerFrequencies.html (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/WrightwoodScannerFrequencies.html)
If you have a BCD396XT digital trunking scanner and use ARC software to program it, I can send you the program file for the San Bernardino County "Sys-1" system upon request. If you need instructions for other 800 MHz trunking scanners, I can probably get programming instructions for you as well.
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<sigh> It looks like it may be time to upgrade the scanner. We have two PRO-95 scanners from Radio Shack. I know they can be programmed to use the trunking system, I'm not certain about digital signal reception.
I'll review the specs again, and see what I can do, but it may be that the current technology has outpaced these scanners (admittedly they are 5+ years old), and I will need to go a different route.
Thanks all!
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The Radio Shack Pro-95 is NOT a digital scanner. That being said, it is a great "trunking" scanner and is more than capable of being used with San Bernardino's current 800 Trunking System. I have the Pro-97 and use it exclusively in Wrightwood.
A digital scanner is very pricey and whether you buy a base or handheld, it's going to run you close to $500.
But take heart. Switching over to digital may take some time.
San Bernardino has to complete the rebanding of their system, which I hear is not going as smoothly as they had hoped, get all the kinks worked out, do a lot of testing and swap out all the analog radios in the entire county with radios capable of digital transmissions before they can switch over to digital.
Here in Burbank, when they converted over to the ICIS trunked system there was a lot of testing and real use working of the system. It was a couple of years before they finally switched the system over to digital.
I'd go ahead and work on programming the SBCo "Sys-1" frequencies and talk groups into your PRO-95 scanners for now.
Trunking is a little different animal and requires different programming than conventional frequencies, but it is not that difficult.
http://www.neilvand**e.org/radioshack-pro-95/manual/#trunking
(cut and paste the above link into your browser and replace the ** with yk)
Pro-95 Manual: http://support.radioshack.com/support_electronics/doc69/69487.pdf
In the meantime you can be saving for that day when you'll NEED digital to hear what is going on. ;D
<sigh> It looks like it may be time to upgrade the scanner. We have two PRO-95 scanners from Radio Shack. I know they can be programmed to use the trunking system, I'm not certain about digital signal reception.
I'll review the specs again, and see what I can do, but it may be that the current technology has outpaced these scanners (admittedly they are 5+ years old), and I will need to go a different route.
Thanks all!
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One thing to check is get into the scranner groups at groups.yahoo.com, lots of help there, you can also get some software to make you programing easier, some of it is free.
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One thing to check is get into the scranner groups at groups.yahoo.com, lots of help there, you can also get some software to make you programing easier, some of it is free.
My website of choice is: http://www.radioreference.com
Lots of help there and by professionals, including those installing and working on these radio systems. They also have a huge database of frequencies that are kept up-to-date.
If you register with the website you can use your programming software to download Conventional and Trunking Systems directly from their database and then transfer it directly into your scanner. This is a HUGE savings of time, especially with large Trunking Systems used by San Bernardino County, with many Systems (1 -15) for various areas with dozens of talk groups each, Los Angeles County Systems, as well as the ICIS system used throughout Southern California.
It can be done manually, but programming software is the only way to go.
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Yes I know RR very well, been there for years. I have a bcd396xt, had a RS psr 500 and many more dating back to the first RS 4 channel crystal unit. Not to mention tuneables back to 1970.
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I've been "monitoring" public safety for over 45 years as my father was "career" LAPD. At 10 years old in 1965 I'd tune my GE "radio" to the VHF band and listen to LAPD dispatch and for his unit while the Watts Riots were going on.
My first "Scanner", around 1970 was a GE All band tunable radio that had 4, count them, 4 LED presets that I had programmed to Burbank Police and Fire VHF frequencies and could be "scanned" at lightning speed, about 4 seconds per channel.
Crystal scanners would follow. My first truely programable scanner was a Regency 16 channel base, VHF only of course.
Scores of scanners would follow that, base units and handhelds. I had always been partial to the Regency brand which was bought out by BearCat, but have had many Radio shack, Fannon and AOR scanners as well. I had been a member of the RCMA (Radio Communications Monitoring Association) for many years.
In the late 70s, early 80s, one scanner that really stood out was the BearCat 300 which was 100 channel, 800MHz scanner with built in squelch break taping capablility. I could press the tape button on the recorder and walk away. Only transmissions would tape. Mobile/Cellphones were in their infancy and only the rich and famous could afford them so it would be very interesting to listen to that area of the spectrum. Monitoring those frequencies was still legal and I had taped conversations of many celebrities using cell sites very close to me located near the Disney, NBC and Warner Bros studios, including Barbara Streisand, Richard Dryfus and Dudley Moore. What was contained in the conversations, the Inquirer and other tabloids would kill for. But of course disemanating information heard over the scanner to those who were not party to the original reception over the scanner is illegal. ;D
VHF would lead to UHF. UHF to 800 MHz. 800 MHz to 1.2 GHz to even ALL BAND scanners. Trunking would arrive and now digital. 4 channels, 10 channels, 16 channels, 20 channels, 50 channels, 100 channels, 500 channels, 1000 channels and now Dynamic Allocated Memories that handle 1000s and 1000s of frequencies. Boy have things changed over the years.
Today, my scanners of choice are my BCD396XT handheld and BC796D base unit. EVERYTHING in Burbank, Glendale and many other cities and agencies, including LAPD, have now gone digital and digital scanners are a requirement. Unfortunately, digital scanners are very pricey and fewer and fewer people get into the scanner and monitoring hobby. Thankfully the cities and agencies I listen to didn't go digitally "encrypted" as Santa Monica and much of Orange County did.
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Hey robert, I was up in WW last weekend, and using the 369 on SB 800 system 1, I heard a lot from the house, but nothing from WW101, I did hear a 101 assigned to a call, but was canceled 10 minutes later, and they responded by saying cleared in quarters, They never left? You said the SB system might be digital now, would that be P-25 type system?
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I've found out that they have not gone digital yet and it might be awhile. They want the whole system to be rebanded and tested for a period of time before going digitial. When they do, it will be P-25. I heard 101 traffic on the 800Mhz system two weekends ago from here at the cabin.
Also, I've been monitoring the live stream of the SBCo System 1 trunking System during the week from down below and there has been alot of 101 traffic on the system. So it appears they've moved completely to 800Mhz for now.
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Monitor D-Fire-2 867.86250. It is a conventional frequency on the 800 system that they seem to be using more recently.
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Monitor D-Fire-2 867.86250. It is a conventional frequency on the 800 system that they seem to be using more recently.
They have used that frequency all along. It is known as "Direct". It's used exactly the same way you would use "simplex" and is used when Engine 101 wants to talk to MA101, etc., locally at a scene or while just around here in town without going through the trunking system.
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Some clarification from a SBCo contact:
"County 3 (151.1525) is on Quartzite for that area (not Frost) and while not patched to 800, is monitored 24/7 by Comm Center for either mutual aid units or department units unable to get into the 800 system due to coverage issues. The Wrightwood station folks have not complained about any coverage issues - (other than those that have existed for the past 15 years). Primary dispatch is the conventional 800 on Frost, so the recent VHF changes don't affect them since the former VHF 151.145 and new freq are both at the same location. Unfortunately for the cooperators, the department decided to no longer "be their scanner" for them by patching 24/7. So, they won't patch 24/7 anymore which leaves the VHF open for patching to the 800mhz "fireground" tactical channels. But there is no VHF at Frost, only 800MHz."
"For Wrightwood and the entire Victor Valley area, simply listening to "D-FIRE-2" (867.8625) on any old conventional scanner with 800mhz gets you 95% of unincorporated area responses anyway."
As for going digital?:
"They have no time frame to go digital. I'm sure it's been talked about but never got down to the committee consisting of all the fire agencies in the county that I'm apart of. Perhaps one day after all of the re-banding stuff gets completed. I even see the county has some licensing in the 700mhz range but I feel very confident that will be quite some time from now if ever."
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One thing I have noticed is System 1 fire-1 is set for fire and such, where as system1 fire-2 is set for rescue units.
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One thing I have noticed is System 1 fire-1 is set for fire and such, where as system1 fire-2 is set for rescue units.
1-FIRE-2 is Dispatch and 1-FIRE-2 is Response/Tactical for basic calls. Eventually 1-FIRE-1 will be for County units and 1-FIRE-3 for City units Response/Tactical.
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and this: (Click on the Station Number to see a picture of the Station. I am still trying to get updated info on these stations).
Fire Station Locations (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/FireStationLocations.html)
I know this is an old post but I saw you were trying to keep it updated, information only SBCO station 127 in Trona is now SBCO station 57.
Im not sure what other changes have been made but I am aware of that one.
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I know this is an old post but I saw you were trying to keep it updated, information only SBCO station 127 in Trona is now SBCO station 57.
Im not sure what other changes have been made but I am aware of that one.
Thanks. I have an updated version I've been working on. I just forgot to upload it. ;D It's there now. More changes to come.
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No thank you. Way cool list
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These links have been fixed...
Wrightwood Scanner Frequencies (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/WrightwoodScannerFrequencies.html)
and this: (Click on the Station Number to see a picture of the Station. I am still trying to get updated info on these stations).
Fire Station Locations (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/FireStationLocations.html)
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yep that's a great list. I have them all in my truck now. Plus everything up hwy 395 through kern, Inyo and Mono counties.
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I still have to figure out how to set up the trunked frequencies in my PRO-95 scanner, but this is a great list. I see some programming input in my near future...
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I still have to figure out how to set up the trunked frequencies in my PRO-95 scanner, but this is a great list. I see some programming input in my near future...
I use Programming software. It's the only way to go. Win95 works with the Pro-95 and is FREE!
http://www.starrsoft.com/freeware/win95/default.asp
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I use Programming software. It's the only way to go. Win95 works with the Pro-95 and is FREE!
http://www.starrsoft.com/freeware/win95/default.asp
Thanks Robert! I do have the Win95 software, and I've used it to program the PRO-95 in the past. I just don't quite understand how to set up the banks for the trunked frequencies, and the PRO-95 owners manual is not very clear on this function. I need to do some more research to see how it all works...
Peace
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Does the Win95 software work on Win XP?
I assume it does not. Most older programs I have tried do not have the correct drivers to work with XP. And I no longer have any computers set up running Win95. I have a Bearcat Trunk Tracker II and the older software I have for it and what I have downloaded from the internet (free/shareware) none works with XP.
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Win95 is the name of the program for the PRO-95 handheld scanner that Radio Shack sold for several years. I've run it successfully on my XP laptop, as well as my Vista laptop.
I should caveat that I have been able to boot the program and input data into it. I haven't yet downloaded the updated bank/channel information to the scanner.
I just don't understand how the whole trunked frequency series works WRT inputting data into the scanner. I haven't had the time to dig too deeply into it, due to other committments. I do need to do this. My XYL was wanting to listen to the scanner last weekend, and luckily I already had the CHP Car Relay frequency in the scanner.
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Make sure you have the latest version of WIN95
http://www.starrsoft.com/freeware/win95/default.asp
Read the "Revisions" portion of the page and give the Excel spreadsheet approach a try. I've been using the BuTel programming products lately with great results, but when I looked at the BuTel site, they don't have SW for the PRO-95, and start with the PRO-96. A feature of the BuTel SW that makes it worth every dollar is a feature that allows you to log into your RadioReference account (check out their site), and you can pick any frequency data you are interested in, and the program will import the data and load it into your radio. So something like SB County frequencies and Trunking system talk groups are moved from RadioReference and into your radio without typing in any data. Unbelievably simple. No data entry at all. You won't learn a thing about Trunked systems, but you will be listening with ease. To do this would require a newer radio and programming SW that is not free.
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I too, use the BuTel solftware (ARC369) for loading my BCD396T. Downloading from the Radioreference.com site is very easy. I download it into my database, make a few modifications and then send it to the scanner.
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Due to a server change, these pages have been relocated...
Wrightwood Scanner Frequencies (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/WrightwoodScannerFrequencies.html)
and this: (Click on the Station Number to see a picture of the Station. I am still trying to get updated info on these stations).
Fire Station Locations (http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/WrightwoodScannerFreqs/FireStationLocations.html)
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OK gang, I would like some recommendations...
A while back, KC6ZGG sent me a list of frequencies he uses in his scanner, but the list won't import into WIN-95, the software used to program my older PRO-95 scanners. I've been trying to enter the data into WIN-95, and I'm wondering if it is worth the effort for an older scanner.
So I've been looking into more current versions of analog scanners.
The current front-runner is the Uniden BCT15X. From what I've read, it is a quality unit, with different way of organizing scanner frequencies (groups rather than banks in the PRO-95).
Has anyone had any experience with this scanner? What are the pros and cons? I realize it is analog only, not digital. I also know that I'll still have to enter the data, but I may be able to use a file from RadioReference or FreqOfNature and not have to enter the WHOLE thing.
Any information is appreciated.
73
N4MAN
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Win-95??? you tightwad ;)
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I have a GRE -400 and use ARC software to program it. The new GRE-410 uses the New Object Oriented User Interface as opposed to banks. John has been using the 400 as well. All I can say is it's easy to program and reliable.
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I don't think you can go wrong with the BCT15X. Personally I've never cared too much for the GRE scanners as the early models were difficult to program manually. But a lot of people like them and I suspect it is like Fords vs Chevys. It depends on the person.
ARC (butel) has software that will program the BCT15X (not the BCT15). It's easy to use and interfaces with Radioreference.com if you're a registered user.
Channels and banks are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Thank goodness! "Systems" are much more efficient and don't leave you with blank channels and banks just wasting space and memory.