New to scanning

smithysmith

Hi, I'm new to scanning, and was looking at cheap scanners. What would the difference between this Omega (http://cgi.ebay.ie/OMEGA-Multiband-Radio-Scanner-AIRBAND-PB-WB-FM-TAXI-New_W0QQitemZ170238895390QQihZ007QQcategoryZ40979QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem ) and this http://cgi.ebay.ie/AIR-MARINE-AM-FM-BAND-SCANNER-RADIO_W0QQitemZ280244788953QQihZ018QQcategoryZ40979QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem .
I don't want to spend too much, and what would I be able to pick up in Mid Louth?
Thanks

watty

The Air-Marine one is really a Marine listening radio, not a good scanner.

The Omega is rubbish. Basically a €10 FM radio with a switch and 80 cents worth of capacitors to extend the range. Manual mechanical tuning only and limited frequency range.

pjjk90

Thanks for saving me waste €30 on that cheap one! Could you point me in the direction of a good scanner between €50-€100?

pjjk90

Anyone? Please!

watty

Various Uniden "Bearcats".
Yaesu VR500 if you want small and lower than 27MHz.
Basically a normal scanner is 25MHz to 500MHz with gaps. FM, with maybe 108MHz to 137MHz AM
A "more complete" scanner is 25MHz to 1300MHz, no gaps. FM, with definate 108MHz to 137MHz AM

A "full" scanner is 100kHz (0.1MHz) to over 1200MHz with AM, FM and SSB (USB & LSB) on all bands. Vary from miniature handhelds (Icom, Yaesu) at €250 to 19" mount surveillance/communication receivers costing €5000

Another feature is computer interface.
Simple is the ability to use PC to create and name the memories. (VR500)
Advanced allows computer control of scan and recording etc. There are models in this range that only work with computer either external unit (for Laptop or desktop) or a PCI internal card.

You can use some PCI TV cards as primitive scanners from 45MHz to 860MHz.

snowman707

I suggest you join this group http://www.frequencydb.com/content/

& read through the threads in the discussion form. you will find help from experieneced scanning enthusiasts also you will have the opportunity to get a discount price on scanners