DF> Hi, I am new and am looking to buy my first scanner, I have
DF> a RCA (very old) that scans 4 crystals, but it sucks. I am
First off don't toss the old crystal scanner.  You
might find it comes in handy later.  An example would
be if there is something big going on and both the fire
and police freq have a lot of traffic.  Or the main
police freq and one of the other police freqs.
DF> looking to buy the BC700a and am wondering if it is any
DF> good, and if it isn't recomend a comprable scanner. I would
On that I can't be any help.  Sorry.  But....
DF> also appreciate ANY other advice on scanners anyone could
DF> give me.  
This might not be exactly what you are looking for but
you'll find it'll come in handy later.
The first thing you need to do is to find out what
frequencies you might want to scan.  Were I live no one
uses the 800 MHz range and all the local agencies use
the same channel to dispatch and the local fire dept
only has one freq.  Therefore I get by with a 40
channel scanner that has a high freq of 512 MHz.  In
other areas the police use 800MHz so my scanner would
be almost useless.
By now you are probably asking how in the world are you
going to find the freqs.  If not you should be .
First thing to do is get your local yellow pages and
look under radio repair or communication equipment or
some such.  Then call them and ask if they have a list
of local radio freqs.  If they do ask them what it
cost, some places will give you a list.  Then go and
pick up a list.
Next you need to go the your local Radio Shack and buy
a copy of a book called POLICE CALL (make sure you get
the current years issue.  There have been reports of
stores not putting the new ones until all the old ones
are gone.).  BTW, don't forget to ask them if they have
a freq list.  Some do, some don't.  I have found the
one's that do will usually give you a copy.  If they
want to sell you one look at it first, they tend to be
less complete then the ones you get from radio shops.
Now go through your list and POLICE CALL and see what
you might want to listen to.  Police, fire, ambulance,
military, aircraft, tow truck, cabs, etc.  After you
have that check the freq range.  Now count the number
of freqs you have.  Now you have a freq range and a
basic number of channels you'll need.  With these two
you can decide what you need in a scanner, for now.  I
say for now because if you get involved you'll find
that you always need more .
Unfortunately you aren't quite ready to go shopping
yet.  You still have to determine what kind of scanner
you want.  Do you want a base unit (110 VAC), a mobile
(12 VDC), duel purpose (115 VAC and 12 VDC) or a
handheld.  Each has it's place and its pro's and con's.
If you are going to do all you listening at home then
the base is the way to go.  Just plug it in and maybe
add an external antenna and you're ready to go.  Of
course your aren't going to be taking it with you on
your way to work and it's a bit big to sit on your desk
at work.
If you are going to be in you car then the mobile is
for you.  Of course you have to mount it and all that.
Then again it's a pain to park your car in the living
room when you want to listen.
If you are going to be on the move then go for the
handheld.  But be ready to have your batteries die
right in the middle of something really exciting.  Also
for straining to hear what's being said when you are in
a noisy environment.
After you have answered all of these question you can
start looking.  With all this said the odds are that
you will find, as always, the main factor tends to be
price :(
                      Remember:  Freedom isn't Free!
--- timEd-B11
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