The learning curve on this one is very steep, it's NOT your fathers scanner

Very steep learning curve, I highly recommend search the web for the "easier to read" version of the owners manual.

There is a VERY STEEP learning curve for custom programming this scanner using Sentinel (free) software to get this unit custom programmed for only what I want to hear.

I would not recommend this scanner for someone just getting into the hobby, there is a learning curve involved.

This has a steeper learning curve than a lot of scanners if you want to get the most out of it, but out of the box you can start listening just by entering a zip code