Author Topic: Replacing my radio scanner  (Read 4802 times)

Offline afreak

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Replacing my radio scanner
« on: February 23, 2007, 01:07:21 PM »
My old radio scanner is about to bite the dust. It has been on its last legs for years, but I think that the move from the moist climate of the Pacific to the dry, cold climate of the Prairies has made it even worse. Now, I am looking on eBay for an old, cheap scanner that will provide me with more fun.

Any suggestions?

I can pretty much have any scanner I want as I am not bound by the same silly laws that the FCC provides (even though that wouldn't stop you Americans anyhow).

Offline thesilente

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Offline Tachyon

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2007, 10:10:32 PM »
I'm thinking of getting one of those scanner/monitors that can pick up on wireless security cameras, but I'm not sure if I want to pay 500 bucks and find out there aren't any wireless cams in the area. The possibility for hilarity is incredible...has anyone ever used one of those?
Do you speak two languages?

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Offline PHISH-PHREAK

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2007, 09:32:48 PM »
Hey Arby, what radio was used in the Taco Bell take over, and also what antenae were used to get that range. Ive been thinking of buying some equipment but meh. I don't know.

Offline Tachyon

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2007, 10:00:21 PM »
Yaysue something or other, one of the PLA epsiodes explains.
Do you speak two languages?

"Detective Don Gombo: IM AFRAID THE ONLY ONE "F" IS "U" MY FRIEND. WELCOME TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE WEB!"

Offline amazing_ned

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2007, 11:32:26 PM »
Yaesu VX-5 I think, but virtually any HT that can be modded for those frequencies will do. The trouble is finding the right frequency.

Offline thesilente

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2007, 10:46:35 AM »
I thought this thread was about a scanner though, not a tranceiver...

For a tranceiver the vx-7r is really good, but scanning is a whole different realm

Offline amazing_ned

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2007, 02:32:47 PM »
Not really, my transceiver works wonderfully for scanning. My only complaint is that it doesn't get SSB.

Offline immabadspellor_

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2007, 06:17:14 PM »
The TH-F6A will get SSB, but you trade in 6m tx for it.  HF RX on HT's isn't really all its cracked up to be without a proper antenna.  You could use one of those miracle whips or similar active antennas but they don't come cheap and really cut into the stealth/portability factor of an HT.  It is useful if you are interested in any sideband on VHF or UHF, but again most SSB stuff on those frequencies generally goes hand in hand with a real antenna as weak signal and satellites require beams. 

While most radios can be modified, not all have extended receive capabilities that extend into the lower VHF band where the base of some DT systems transmit.  Also, while many now have dual VFO's, even fewer will let you RX and TX at the same time.  Other things to consider is if the radio has the capability of scanning CTCSS or not, and how fast it can do it.  Of course you could go and try every single one instead as there's not so many PL tones as there are DCS codes.  The newer DT systems like those made by 3M run WFM up in the 900 MHz band.  Many HT's can receive them okay, but very few transmit there, and ones that do WFM out of the box are probably nonexistant.  900MHz is not a very popular amateur band at all and there was hardly any off the shelf voice equipment for it ever made, and it was all narrow FM if it was voice at all.  Commercial gear is probably modifiable to be used for DT systems as the public safety band is not too far off.
« Last Edit: February 26, 2007, 04:12:22 AM by immabadspellor_ »

Offline Nullix

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2007, 07:38:42 AM »
He said he wanted a radio scanner/reciever, not a transciever.

You may want to consider getting some sort of Uniden Scanner. The Bear Cat Series has radios that will decode P25 Digital, and to all the trunking you could ever imagine.

Offline PHISH-PHREAK

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Re: Replacing my radio scanner
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2007, 10:14:32 AM »
He said he wanted a radio scanner/reciever, not a transciever.

You may want to consider getting some sort of Uniden Scanner. The Bear Cat Series has radios that will decode P25 Digital, and to all the trunking you could ever imagine.

Good thinking Evan Hendrick!