Originally Posted By: Grouch
I've just started looking at the new digital trunking scanners. The limited offerings that are suitable for use in my area are in the $450-$500 range. It's been many years since I purchased my current scanners so I'm wondering if the current pricing includes an early adopter premium like other electronic equipment does.


Apparently, no. Here in Bucks County we're on a Motorola Astro Digital Trunked System, 500 Mhz, and while radio prices have come down a bit, a walkie-talkie is still over $2,000, and scanners that can pick up Bucks County are still $500, and have been for about 5 years. I don't know why this isn't coming down, I'll suspect that there's some kind of licensing royalty involved, as this would explain the lack of price drop.

As far as a national radio plan - not going to happen in the next 5 years or so, maybe not ever. The 700 Mhz "D" block auction fell apart, NYC isn't playing along with a national radio system, etc. etc.