Who has a scanner thread

Slippin Jimmy

Just thought i'd start up a little thread to see who actually owns a scanner. I own a Bearcat UBC220XLT and have been using it for years, maybe its a bit out dated now, but sure it does me:rolleyes: . Who else has one???

god's toy

Yep I've got one, it's a Alinco x10. over 1000 channels and frequency range of 0 to 2000Mhz.. have it years now and it's still going Strong.

(as for transceiver I use the Alinco DX70 (0 to 60 MHz)

DublinWriter

That brings back memories.

I have an ancient Fairmate handheld that goes from .5Mhz to 1300Mhz without interuptions from about 1992.

I hardly use it anymore as all the 'interesting' stuff has gone digital.

I'd love to get one of the new Bearcat scanners that automatically detect strong local signals.

Slippin Jimmy

god's toy wrote:

Yep I've got one, it's a Alinco x10. over 1000 channels and frequency range of 0 to 2000Mhz.. have it years now and it's still going Strong.

(as for transceiver I use the Alinco DX70 (0 to 60 MHz)

Are they still available?

gyppo

Recently got an AOR AR3000 base scanner (secondhand, but in great condition), using a 2m Whip at the moment, but I must get a discone. I find it very good, a proper aeriel would make it great.
Also have my original cheapy handheld commtel scanner - a fecker on batteries though!

Owen

I've a small handhelt bearcat scanner, very handy when you've to collect someone in the Airport, you can sit in the car and listen to the plane land. I use it for my PPL training too, it's great to listen to the RT chatter and become versed in it.

Wishbone Ash

Two Uniden Bearcat 780s and an Icom IC-R5. My ears are always on.

Flying

Got and ICOM IC-R2 is my little baby goes everywhere with me now

PauloMN

Had an AOR 8200 handheld scanner, sold it when I got my EI and got a cheapy 200 channel job, and put the rest towards a VHF/UHF handheld transceiver (a Yaesu FT-51R). For HF I have a Kenwood TS-50, and also a Sony 7600 for listening.

god's toy

Duffff-Man wrote:

Are they still available?

Well the DJ-X10 has been replaced by the DJ-X2000 a few years ago but you can still find a good X10 on Ebay. seen a nice X10 in CQ-comms not too long ago.

The transceiver (DX70) well lets just say the outpus can burn out if you cook it on a high SWR but once you replace em it's a gem or a Radio I think.

ambasite

got GRE (PSR282 200) from Maplins, could do with better aerial i reckon.

ambasite

total noob when it comes to scanners - this is the spec for the scanner i posted above:

Specifications:
Frequency coverage
66.000-88.000 5kHz steps (FM)
118.000-136.9916 MHz 8.333 kHz steps (AM)
137.000-174.000MHz 12.5 kHz steps (FM)
380.000-512.000MHz 12.5kHz steps (FM)

in general - what should i expect to pick up from these ranges? mostly pick up air traffic control from 118 to 136 range. what should be in the other ranges? also, what is meant by 'steps? thanks.

RoundyMooney

ambasite wrote:

total noob when it comes to scanners - this is the spec for the scanner i posted above:

Specifications:
Frequency coverage
66.000-88.000 5kHz steps (FM)
118.000-136.9916 MHz 8.333 kHz steps (AM)
137.000-174.000MHz 12.5 kHz steps (FM)
380.000-512.000MHz 12.5kHz steps (FM)

It seems to be competent enough for the price.

ambasite wrote:

in general - what should i expect to pick up from these ranges? mostly pick up air traffic control from 118 to 136 range. what should be in the other ranges? also, what is meant by 'steps? thanks.

Well, steps are basically the intervals between adjacent frequencies, i.e starting at 118 Megs, you'll have 118.000, then 118.0125 (a 12.5 KHz "jump") then 118.025 etc. Any PLL tuner will not tune continously, like an old school radio with a tuning dial, they increase in set steps (hence the name).

As regards your query about what's out there, please bear in mind that frequencies *not* in the public domain cannot be discussed, with special emphasis on emergency services/gardai etc.

See here for more.

humaxf1

ICOM PCR-1000 & a Yupiteru MVT 7100 (i think) base/mobile unit.

Have to get myself sorted out with a base station aerial. Saw a discone in maplin(jervis st) for 50quid i think.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I've an old Realistic PRO 2006, a gem from (maybe) the late 80's and probably the best scanner I've ever owned. Its almost always on and running of an old 2mtr 4 ele beam (fixed) on my roof.

I've also a Yupiteru 7100 and an AOR 8000, both of which devour batteries.

Slightly off topic, but in the past I've also owned a JRC NRD 525 & 535 for SWL'ing.

I've used several Yeasu HF radio's with various antenna too.

Although I've been silent for a few year's now I'm presently in the process of re-newing my licence.

My main area of interest was/is CW contesting.

dxhound2005

I have an Icom R7000. More into HF but my NRD 525 also has VHF UHF converters. Like DublinWriter says a lot of the "interesting" stuff to listen to is gone. Always looking for new equipment though so I think I will upgrade to one of these
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2007/ic-r9500.htm

RoundyMooney

I'm sorry, will you pardon me for a moment, while I drool?

That is the momma of all receivers.

Only 13k (in dollars) folks, get 'em while they're cheap.

Beautiful. Just. Beautiful.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I've worked with some of the best, most expensive military spec radio's over the last 20+ yrs and big bucks doesn't always mean big signals, or even pulling the little signals out of the noise.

I wouldn't spend that kind of money, not in a million year's.

dxhound2005

Mairt

I totally agree. I was joking about the Icom. Much better to spend any spare cash improving antenna. The military etc gear is not designed for hobby use but it would be nice to get a chance to see it in action.

Just wonder what sort of receivers you have used professionally. Racal, Rohde & Schwartz, Watkins Johnson, Plessey ?

Sorry for going off topic.

RoundyMooney

Mairt wrote:

I've worked with some of the best, most expensive military spec radio's over the last 20+ yrs and big bucks doesn't always mean big signals, or even pulling the little signals out of the noise.

I wouldn't spend that kind of money, not in a million year's.

Oh, I know. It is a nice piece of kit on paper however. I didn't realise "amateur" type kit went so high in price, particularly for RX only.

Are you a signaller, Mairt? Just curious.

RoundyMooney

dxhound2005 wrote:

Sorry for going off topic.

Not in the least off topic

arybvtcw0eolkf

dxhound2005 wrote:

Just wonder what sort of receivers you have used professionally. Racal, Rohde & Schwartz, Watkins Johnson, Plessey ?

Sorry for going off topic.

Receiver's were (mostly) Racal 1772's and ICOM IC-R 9000 E and way back in the day's before digital scanners etc there was the old Eddystone. I can't remember the model number of the Eddystone and can't find a photo to display either.

Transceivers were anything from old valve Tediran's to todays modern HF & VHF radio's, unfortunetly I say whats in use at the moment.

byrner88

hey all , i aint got a scanner, but id like to get one . anyone recomend one of a reasonable price just for starting off , any help will be appreicated ,
tanx
byrner

Heathen

i got a Bearcat 860XLT years ago, and also have an alinco dj-191 vhf transceiver...

sharkman

Got an ICOM IC-R5 ..

Good to see the forum up and running , I proposed it back in 2004 .

whisht

ambasite wrote:

got GRE (PSR282 200) from Maplins, could do with better aerial i reckon.

I have a GRE PSR-216 200 channel I got in Maplins a couple of years ago

Not a bad little scanner. I have mine connected to a desktop discone antenna and it makes a huge difference compared to the standard little rubber one.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29672&criteria=discone&doy=11m5

parsi

Flying wrote:

Got and ICOM IC-R2 is my little baby goes everywhere with me now

Hmm. I miss that scanner. I replaced it with a Bearcat UBC-XLt70 and whilst easier to use (more buttons = good ) it's sound quality is nowhere near as good and I haven't picked up a whole lot using closecall either...

Aquos76

sharkman wrote:

Got an ICOM IC-R5 ..

Good to see the forum up and running , I proposed it back in 2004 .

Thats what I have, and it a fine little radio too.

An excellent Irish run forum about scanners can be found here

Hope its ok to post the link here

<mod edit> I would put this in the links thread, however it contains access to prohibited frequencies.</mod edit>

ambasite

whisht wrote:

I have a GRE PSR-216 200 channel I got in Maplins a couple of years ago

Not a bad little scanner. I have mine connected to a desktop discone antenna and it makes a huge difference compared to the standard little rubber one.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29672&criteria=discone&doy=11m5

yeah, the one it came with was rubbish, will pop into Maplin over the weekend to see if they have one in stock.

watty

Yep I have the Maplin Discone on Chimney. Works 10m, 6m, 4m, 2M, 70cm, 23cm TX.

Use with Bearcat 80ch scanner for weather satellite receive at 137MHz.

On the Yaesu VR500, I have to switch on the Attenuator. R4 LW 198Khz perfect on the discone! Works for receive with VR500 on all the HF bands as well as the "offical" VHF/UHF.


I used CT125 coax as it is lower loss than RG58. The change from 50 Ohm to 75 Ohm coax is actually a small SWR change on TX and not significant on RX.

DublinWriter

watty wrote:

Use with Bearcat 80ch scanner for weather satellite receive at 137MHz.

On the Yaesu VR500, I have to switch on the Attenuator. R4 LW 198Khz perfect on the discone! Works for receive with VR500 on all the HF bands as well as the "offical" VHF/UHF.


I used CT125 coax as it is lower loss than RG58. The change from 50 Ohm to 75 Ohm coax is actually a small SWR change on TX and not significant on RX.

I was nearly going to buy the Yaesu VR500 last week...would you recommend it? What are the facilities on it like for connecting to a PC?

Those Bearcats with the Close Call facility look interesting too. Have you tried it?

...and lastly, has anyone used POCSAG? It's a really nifty piece of software.