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 discontinued, and are indicated with a red highlight and strikethrough.

• If you find a scanner on sale at a very low price at Radio Shack, it may not receive much in the Denver metro area.  If you do end up with such a scanner, remember Radio Shack's return policy:  within 30 days of purchase, in original condition, you can get a refund or exchange.

   

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  I

  J

  K

  L

  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 (replaced by the PSR-310 and PSR-410)

  Radio Shack PRO-96 +2096

  *Radio Shack  PRO-106+197 *GRE PSR-500+600   *The PSR-500 and PRO-106 handheld, and the PSR-600 and PRO-197 base models are identical except for slight differences listed below. Otherwise they are essentially the same radio.

  Bearcat BC-346XT+ BCT-15X

  Radio Shack PRO-107 I-scan** GRE PSR-700

  Uniden Home Patrol      See the Denver Radio review of this radio.

  GRE PSR-800

  Denver Public Safety     (Police/Fire/Ambulance)   Lakewood Public Works

  YES-with 3.xx firmware upgrade

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

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

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  Lakewood Public Safety West Metro Fire Wheat Ridge Note:  the Lakewood/West Metro/Wheat Ridge system converted from an EDACS trunk system to P25 digital 12-14-11.

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  Boulder County conventional  (non-DTRS only)

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  Other Metro counties

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  Colorado Springs trunk (now part of DTRS)

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

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

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  YES

  Has alpha tags (name of channel you are receiving)

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  yes

  Approximate current price  (without programming)

  check Ebay

  $379 Ebay

  396T $399 996T $399 at HRO

  $499 at HRO

  PRO-164+163 $199 PRO-97 available from Denver Radio

  discontinued 2009, now available from Denver Radio

  $399 HRO (303 745-7373) $399 Radio Shack (These scanners are often on sale) click here to check!

  $269 HRO

  $199** Radio Shack or HRO On sale through 11-26-11 $129 Refurb unit $129

  $510 at HRO; now available

  $400 at HRO; now available

  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 Public Works-not Public Safety) 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 December 21, 2011

  ---

  Personal digital scanner recommendations (radios listed belos): 

• These Uniden and GRE models are excellent radios.  You would not go wrong selecting either of them.

• My personal preference is for the GRE and Radio Shack models, 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

T

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.
• BCD-396T uses 3 AA-size rechargeable batteries or alkalines.
• The 110 volt power supply and 3 rechargeable batteries are included with the 396. 

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 as sensitive as GRE/Radio Shack models
• BCD-396T display has a blue backlight, which can be difficult to read.
• No longer produced by Uniden, may be available from some dealers, or on 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.
• BCD-396XT uses 3 AA-size rechargeable batteries or alkalines.
• The 110 volt power supply and 3 rechargeable batteries are included with the 396. 

Cons:

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

Uniden has an interesting comparison of the 996T and 996XT on their web site.  Most of the differences should also apply to the 396T and XT.

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 radios transmitting on trunk system
• 7-color LED can be programmed to indicate type of agency received
• Display has an orange backlight, and is 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 rechargeables 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.