What is a good radio scanner?

I'm thinking about buying a radio scanner (Alinco DJ-X3), Good choice? & What can & cant I listen to?

• Hi, I'm thinking about buying a radio scanner possibly a Alinco DJ-X3, 1, Is it a good choice 2, In the UK can you listen in on the emargancy services (Fire, Police . . . ) 3, If no what can i listen to ?

• Answer:

  Well, the principle advantages of Alinco is that they are usually quite reasonable, and are easier to figure out for newcomers. I looked at the manual online, first link, and it seems like a good radio, the descrambler gave me pause, but in looking at the global site (second link) I see that the Cellular frequencies are blocked here in the US. It's illegal to "descramble" cellular phone conversations here. I suspect it probably is in the UK as well, but you can check with an organization like the RSGB for more information there. I'd look over the material on the second link for this radio carefully, and see if the manual is confusing. It takes a while with a new radio to figure it out, though with the Alincos I have owned (DX77 Ham Transceiver) I find the manuals easier to follow than the Yaesu manuals I have seen (FT7800 and FT2200) which can sometimes be confusing. You can read the manual by clicking on the DJ-X3 link on the left of the page, and then click the download manuals on the succeeding page. I imagine you are buying from a dealer so it should be a European model you get, but be sure to make it clear in your order (if you order online) that you are in the UK and the radio is to be used there. They do a lot of sales here in the US, so there may be a kind of "default" in their shipping department that would end up with you having the wrong radio. The models are different, but the designation (in terms of lettering) doesn't seem to be different between the European version and the US version. Good luck and happy scanning AB9BD