Hello,
I'm new here but I'm just curious if anyone knows when digital trunk tracking scanners will not cost half a grand. Also, is there any sane way to build your own scanner/preferably digital or is this just way out there between the testing and tuning required to make it work properly? Thanks in advance.

RadioShack Pro 97 is on sale half the time and you can get it for 200 USD or less.

Check out SF's or Sac's Craigslist for digital scanners (police scanners or keyword: ham).

That's how I found mine. Although not digital, it only cost me $50 for a $300 system, and I picked it up locally.

-RailGuy88

I meant the new digital trunk tracking systems that Sacramento and others are switching over to, not just a digital radio.

Posted by slobrummer I meant the new digital trunk tracking systems that Sacramento and others are switching over to, not just a digital radio.

Okay, I took a look what system they have. Radio Shack Pro-96 will do the trick for you.

When you find one that is old and used.

Really.. the prices are so high because the manufacturers have to license the vocoder in each unit, which jacks the prices up. I have seen estimates that the licensing cost (per unit) is about $150-200.

I got a Pro-96 on eBay for about $300, pretty reasonable really. As others said, check Craigslist, Ham swap meets, etc.

Posted by aGlock4u When you find one that is old and used. Really.. the prices are so high because the manufacturers have to license the vocoder in each unit, which jacks the prices up. I have seen estimates that the licensing cost (per unit) is about $150-200.

Get with the times DVSI licenses IMBE at around $30 per radio. Of course, the company itself has to "buy" the codec which is untold hundreds of thousands of dollar.