starting radio scanners - some advice please

jogdish

Hello,
I am new to radio, and purchased a cheap ( €15 ) omega multi band scanner - it has a turn dial for tuning and basically horrible to use and impossible to dial in an exact freq. eg 145.896Mhz.
I would like to purchase a proper radio scanner but since im not sure if its a hobby i will keep up, so < €100 would be best.
I would like to be able to listen to local radio traffic, taxis, over head airplanes and also the International space station ( ISS ) - i think its feq is 145.800 Mhz VHF ( see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUVa5KVAZT4 ).

Could someone point in the right direction for buying a radio, real world or online shop. So far i only found this website:

http://www.radios-uk.com/scanners.htm

Thanks:

eth0

nevermind this scanner stuff get an ould transmitter what good is it if you can't talk back to em?

(yea you need a license to transmit, but you can worry about that later or apply for this year there's still time)

PauloMN

Take a look here for some ideas:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/leisure/scanners-and-accessories/scanners

(Not endorsing Maplin, it's a good starting point to get some ideas of what's available and the prices of new equipment).

Something like this is a good starting point:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/psr282-200-channel-scanner-35695

Even basic scanners will have what you are looking for in terms of coverage and modes as pretty much all have some VHF (for airband, marine comms, 2m amateur coverage, some services etc.) and some UHF (for taxis etc, amateurs, services).

Note that listening to the ISS is almost a craft in itself and is not just a matter of turning on the radio. You need to know when it's overhead (as you only have a window of a few minutes to hear it) and you'd need to know when they are planning to use 2m (the 145MHz frequency you see on the video is an amateur band, general unofficial comms, not official comms). You'd be advised to get some sort of base aerial setup for that also rather than relying on the built-in aerial on the scanner (which would be hit and miss). Best thing to do would be to keep an eye on amateur websites to get a picture of when ISS would be active on 2m.

Imo the antenna is the most important part of a scanner setup. Expect to be a bit disappointed if you rely on the built in aerial. I'd recommend that you try to get setup with a scanner antenna that you can put outside up high (at best) or in a clear space in the attic (as a compromise). It really opens the scanner up when you have a good aerial and you'll hear so much more. Something like these would improve the performance no end:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/multiscan-antenna-29613
http://www.maplin.co.uk/scanking-discone-antenna-29609

As for where to buy, well you have Maplin and also take a read of this post for some other ideas:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=58593597&postcount=12

Try eBay as well, you might be able to pick up a good second hand set (just be careful though to buy from a reputable seller).

Molloys Clondalkin

Adverts.ie is great theres always a few scanners for around 50 euro.

RadioRetro

Agree with MC, Adverts.ie is the place to go. I've bought two handheld scanners from advertisers there for €40 each and they're great. You can also post want ads there as well. Linky up top, 2nd left ^^