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Trunking Radio Models (all radio systems in metro Denver are trunked except Boulder County)
Not all scanners can receive all radio systems.                                                                     
  • The listed radios can only receive a system if  YES  is shown in the table.
  • To see if a digital scanner is needed for your area, see Colorado Radio Systems on this site.
  • Digital scanners, which are needed to monitor the Colorado State Digital Trunking Radio System (DTRS) including the Colorado State Patrol, and
     most

               counties, and for Colorado Springs and El Paso County, are highlighted in yellow. 

  • If a handheld scanner also has a base/mobile version, they will both be listed with a "+" between.
  • For more information on various scanner models than you can imagine, see Strong Signals.

  • To download a scanner manual (free), go to Accessories-Scanners-more on denver-radio.com.

  • Some of the radios are no longer manufactured (discontinued), and are indicated with a red highlight.

     

     

     A

     B

    C 

    D 

     E

     F

    G 

    H

    I 

    J 

    K 

    System or Agency

    to be monitored

     Bearcat BC-245

    BCT-8

    Radio Shack PRO-90/91

    Bearcat

    BC-780 (analog)

    Bearcat BC-296

    +796 (with digital card)

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Bearcat BCD-396T+

    BCD-996T

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Bearcat BCD-396XT +BCD-996XT

     

     

     

    Radio Shack PRO-

    92+2067

    93+2053

    94/95/

    97+2055

    164+163

    528+2051

    GRE PSR-300+400

    Radio Shack PRO-96

    +2096

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    *Radio Shack

     PRO-106+197

    *GRE PSR-500+600

     

     

    Bearcat BC-346XT+

    BCT-15X 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Radio Shack PRO-107

    I-scan**

    GRE PSR-700

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Denver Public Safety

        (Police/Fire/Ambulance)

    Lakewood               (ESK

    West Metro Fire    control

    Wheat Ridge      channel)

    		   YES-with 3.xx firmware upgrade  

    YES

     

    		  YES  YESYES  

    Aurora trunk, DIA trunk, Arvada/Westminster trunk, Denver Public Works trunk

    		YES   YES   YES  YES   YES YES  YES 

    YES  

    		YES YES   

    Boulder County

     (non-DTRS only)

    		YES   YES  

    YES  

    		 YES  YES

    YES  

    		 YES  YES  YESYES   
    Other Metro counties  

     YES  

     YES  

    		 YES

     YES 

    		    

    Colorado Springs trunk

    (now part of DTRS)

    		  YES   YES    YESYES   YES   
    Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Digital Trunking Radio System (DTRS)   YES   

     YES   

     YES   

    		 

     YES   

     YES 

    		    
    Has alpha tags (name of channel you are receiving)

     no

    yes 

     yes

    yes 

    yes 

    yes 

    yes 

     yes

     yes

    		 yes

    Approximate current price

     (without programming)

     

    check Ebay 

     $379 Ebay

    396T $489

    996T $479

    at HRO

    396XT $529,

    996XT $549 at HRO

    PRO-164+163 $199

    PRO-97

    available from Denver Radio

    discontinued 2009, now available from Denver Radio

     $399

    Radio Shack

    $399

    HRO

    $269 HRO

     $229**

    Radio Shack or HRO

    Any radio not listed, but labeled 'Trunktracker II', or 'Trunktracker III' should have the same receive capabilities as radios in column F above.

     

    ** The new Radio Shack PRO-107 uses a new concept in scanning.  It uses an SD memory card like many digital cameras use, and the entire RadioReference.com national frequency database is loaded on the card.  The user must choose from this database the areas and systems desired to receive.  An SD card completely programmed for the Denver area is available from Denver Radio.  The PRO-107 will not receive any digital radio system, including the DTRS, or the El Paso County trunk system.  Important in the Denver area:  it will receive EDACS ESK radio systems (Denver Public Safety and Lakewood/Wheat Ridge/West Metro Fire) out-of-the-box.  The only other alternative to receive ESK systems is to buy a $400-$500 digital scanner, or a Bearcat BCT-346XT or BCT-15X.  If you don't need digital reception, this radio could be a good choice.  See the Radio Shack information page here.

     

    HRO is Ham Radio Outlet, at 8400 E Iliff Ave, phone 303 745-7373     www.hamradio.com 

    For Radio Shack information, go to www.radioshack.com.

     Updated July 21, 2010

    Personal digital scanner recommendations:  The BCD-396T, BCD-396XT, and PSR-500/PRO-106 are excellent radios.  You would not go wrong selecting either of them.

    My personal preference is for the PSR-500/PRO-106 due to to the better receiver sensitivity, better display, and unique V-Scanner function.  The price is also slightly lower.     

    Your preference may differ.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Uniden Bearcat

BCD-396T + BCD-996T

            BC-396T                                                            BCD-996T

Pros:

  • 6,000 channels
  • 100 systems

     (like banks)

  • Very solidly built, very compact, nice feel
  • Uniden programming software is available for free download with registration.
  • Uses 3 AA-size rechargeable batteries or alkalines. 

 

Cons:

  • Radio is shipped from the factory with 1.xx firmware, must be upgraded by the user (or Denver Radio) to 3.xx to receive Denver and Lakewood (ESK systems)
  • Receiver not quite as sensitive as GRE/Radio Shack
  • Display has a blue backlight, which can be difficult to read.
  • No longer produced by Uniden, may be available from some dealers or Ebay.

Uniden Bearcat

BCD-396XT + BCD-996XT

 

BCD-396XT              

Pros:

  • 25,000 channels                         BCD-996XT
  • 100 systems

     (like banks)

  • Very solidly built, very compact (same chassis as BCD-396T+ BCD-996T)
  • ESK reception for Denver and Lakewood without firmware upgrade
  • The BCD-396XT adds some functions which the 396T does not have
  • More sensitive receiver than the BCD-396T.
  • Display has a backlight which can be customized with different colors for various channels. Each channel can be individually set to display one of several backlight colors for about 5 seconds.
  • Uses 3 AA-size rechargeable batteries or alkalines.

 

Cons:

  • Display can be difficult to read, especially with some color choices. 
  • No Uniden programming software is available yet; but third-party software is available (see News dated 4-22-09)

 

  

GRE PSR-500+PSR-600*

(Radio Shack PRO-106+197)*

Pros:

  • Receiver is more sensitive than BCD-396T + BCD-996T
  • ESK reception for Denver and Lakewood without firmware upgrade
  • P25 digital decoder for DTRS works very well
  • Shows ID of radio transmitting on trunk
  • 7-color LED can be programmed to indicate type of agency received
  • Display has an orange backlight, very readable
  • V-Scanner function can back up 21 different  programming configurations inside the scanner
  • The handheld and base/mobile units have identical electronics inside.
  • PSR-500 uses 4 AA-size rechargeable batteries or alkalines; comes with separate battery holders for rechargables and alkalines.

Cons:

  • 1800 channels (quite a bit, but less than Uniden)
  • 20 systems (like banks)
  • Handheld radios are larger than Unidens, have a plastic case

 

Differences between GRE and Radio Shack versions:

  • GRE includes a 110 volt power supply for the PSR-500 handheld;
     RS sells it separately for $21.
  • GRE includes a PC programming cable; RS sells it separately for $30.
  • GRE has the manual on a CD in the box; RS includes a printed manual.
  • The faceplates look slightly different, but inside, they are really the same radio.

*The PSR-500 and PRO-106, and the PSR-600 and PRO-197 models are identical except for slight differences listed above. Otherwise they are essentially the same radio.