Hi my mom just passed and left me a police scanner,,what does EDACS stand for and how can i listen to my local ? does the EDACS mean i can pick up a digitial signal?please and ty very much

Hi,

Yes they are a great digital radio scanner, not POLICE scanner,

Police around the world are fed up with people using these to listen in on their operations, and are progressively moving to digital mode, but a mode that these scanners wont pick up, P25 or not.

There are many other things to listen in on, and it doesn't involve the law, fire, ambulance services.

If you're in a country or state or city where these services have gone to digital mode, then you're out of luck, you will not here anything on their frequencies.

But that's what happens when silly people use these radios in pursuits or any other way that hinders the service from doing the duties.

I feel no pain for your loss.

Cheers,
Peter

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/137757/Radio-Shack-Pro-94.html

Specs are not needed. I suspect you need the local frequencies and how to program them. The scanner CAN be set to scan for the local frequencies. Have a pad and paper ready and write down the ones you want to keep.
You must obtain the local frequencies, try Google. They are public knowledge, but hard to find. Local Hams or a Radio Shack will likely have the frequencies. Be nice, be polite, no one has to give you this information.

If your locals went digital they are probably using trunked systems as well. Sorry, but there is no way to convert or modify your scanner to let you monitor the new systems. You'll need to pick up a trunking/digital scanner such as the Uniden BCD996XT. Programming the trunked systems is a real task, so I recommend that you purchase the Butel ARC XT PRO software and a subscription to RadioReference.com. The combination will let you research the systems in your area, decide which ones you want to monitor, and download them straight to your scanner.

Bill B.
Listening in since the 60's

Sorry, but the Uniden Bearcat BCT8 is an analog-only scanner, and there is no magic that will enable it to receive and process digital signals. EDACS, however, is NOT a digital system. It's discussed at length in the BCT8 operating manual, which also contains step-by-step programming instructions for EDACS systems. You can also find a lot of useful information on EDACS, and specifics on systems in use in your area, at: www.RadioReference.com

If you don't have the manual for your scanner, you can download and print it, at no cost, here:
http://www.uniden.com/pdf/BCT8om.pdf

Bill B.
Listening in since the 60's

With the distant services still coming in, it's probable that your local agencies have changed from single-frequency operations to a trunked system or, if already trunked, that frequency/user assignments have been updated within the system. For the latest on active frequencies and systems in your area, visit:
www.RadioReference.com

Bill B.
Listening in since the 60's

The PRO-94 is a Dual-Trunking scanner, meaning that it will receive both Motorola and GE/Ericsson EDACS systems.

Need the manual for the PRO-94? You can download and print it, at no cost, here:

http://support.radioshack.com/support_electronics/doc61/61172.pdf

Bill B
Listening in since the 60's

Law enforcement agencies employ a number of high-level encryption systems, including DES, to prevent eavesdropping on their radio communications. In addition, some EDACS trunking systems have a ProVoice option that encrypts communications to and from specific users. Sorry, but you will NOT "overcome" these encryption systems. Keys for the systems are updated regularly, so even if you "found" a radio from the system you would not be able to listen in for more than a day or so.

Bill B

Do you still receive NOAA weather frequencies? Sounds like your local agencies have switched from simplex/standard frequency operation to trunking. I suggest you visit www.RadioReference.com to view the latest on active frequencies and systems in your area.

Bill B

you my live to far to pick it up, or a few months ago some police went digital and if yours has the your will need the new frequencys.

that is because police are using scramblers to decrypt their transmissions and using more digital transmissions. In order to pick up the conversations, you must find a programmable scanner and have a scrambler modification made. You will find that its nearly impossible to buy a scanner off the shelf that will pick up police anymore. Check with your local neighborhood radio expert to see if they can help