Advice please

[Happyboy]

Hi guys just joined up and hoping you can help. Used to do scanning many moons ago and decided to go back to it.
I only know the very basics searching and storing, but to be honest I have found only about 15 live frequensies. Surely there must be more out there.
I bought a uniden ubc-125xlt and a moonraker Skyscan antenna but still not found much.

Question. Would it make any difference if I upgraded to a digital scanner ?

Thanks

[DX-Digger]

Welcome to TM1
I would say yes to the Digital scanner as most business radio users are using Digital usually DMR or P25 in USA
however it can be an expensive road and a big learning curve in actually programming a Digital scanner, usually computer software to do so is a must.
However you could also get a cheap SDR dongle Nooelec do some stable versions as do RTL-SDR with their version 3 dongle.
you will then require computer software like SDR# (free) and you will need the DSD+ plugin to decode the digital stuff.
There are loads of tutorial videos on youtube to help and guide you. with the SDR route.
Check out https://www.rtl-sdr.com/ Lots of info and guides on there.

I havent seen much on programming a digital scanners on youtube, but then I havent really looked.
There is an air of secrecy to digital users in the UK and most tend not to post frequencies on public forums, and users can go encrypted quickly if they thing they are being listened to and published. So its almost and underground hobby now.

Myself I use a dedicated SDR dongle and a rapberry PI to track aircraft on 1090MHz
And occasionally have a listen to DMR frequencies on my Tytera MD380 UHF handheld radio. Mainly shop watch etc.

Anyway I am sure there are other users on here with more knowledge on digital scanners and their programming than my feeble offering.
Hopefully someone who uses one will jump in and offer some help.
Again welcome to TM1

[Happyboy]

My word that is some answer and very much appreciated. Yip digital scanners look pretty complicated to a guy like me who has minimal knowledge. However....I've been looking around and spotted this https://www.radioworld.co.uk/uniden-sds ... -pro-voice Yes very very pricey but everything you need to get started seems to be installed saving time faffing around. Wonder if anyone has one ?

Your right what you say about it being a kind of secret society. Makes no sense to me people posting frequensies where the whole world can see, including the people/companies whose frequensies you are scanning.

[lambrettadave]

Good luck with your hobby m8 and welcome to the forum

[Happyboy]

Good luck with your hobby m8 and welcome to the forum

Thank you.