HELP for a railfan's wife

[Anonymous]

I am the wife of a rail fan in Colorado looking to buy a scanner for Christmans. What do I need to get and where di I get it????

[Anonymous]

I've always been a radio shack guy myself, but scanners are out there at Wal-mart, K-Mart, Best Buy etc..I have a 20 channel portable, which is plenty of channels for me in my area. If you live in a busy area where you have multiple railroads, then a 100 or 200m channel would be right.
I also like rechargeable batteries, and a way to charge the batteries right insde the scanner. Some do that. And a good antenna is a must. The standard rubber duckie antenna just doesn't cut it.
Hope that helps

John in Jax

[Soo2610]

my sons bought me a unidine bearcat scanner at radio shack two years ago. It is a fantastic unit but I agree with John, the rubber duckie antenna just doesn't cut it.

[Anonymous]

Like the other guys said, Radio Shack has some really good scanners. Usually, they have a sale right after Christmas, and drop their scanner prices by $100 or more. Maybe a gift certificate to Radio Shack would be a good idea? He could buy after Christmas and get a great deal.

[Anonymous]

I was told by several Radio Shack employees that the stock antennas were as good as "after-market" antennas:What is the deal w/this conflicting advice,what are the recommended choices and who/where sells these "better" antennas?

[Anonymous]

I have had a radio shack scanner for several years and it has a duckie antenna and works fine riding amtrak but can't hear much from the house. I also wonder what type of antenna can be purchased that can be attached to the scanner that would be better than the rubber duckie? I don't think there is one any better unless you go to an outside antenna.

[Anonymous]

I have had a radio shack scanner for several years and it has a duckie antenna and works fine riding amtrak but can't hear much from the house. I also wonder what type of antenna can be purchased that can be attached to the scanner that would be better than the rubber duckie? I don't think there is one any better unless you go to an outside antenna.

[Anonymous]

I have both "Radio Shack" and "Uniden-bearcat" scanners and have had good luck with all of them. One big difference between "Radio Shack" and "Uniden" scanners is that the "Radio Shack" scanners is that "Radio Shack" scanners are just the scanner in a box. Extras such as batteries, charger, case, etc., are extra cost options. "Uniden" scanners by comparison are usually complete with the extras. Keep this in mind when comparing final cost.

A scanner can be rather addictive, so I would suggest buying one with more channels than you think you need. This way you can add "Non-home" roads when you travel, or other services that interest you such as police, fire etc. I have a "Radio Shack" Pro 92 500 channel that I got on sale at "Radio Shack" for about 1/2 list price (See comments above about their after Christmas sales). I don't need 500 channels, but the separate banks allow me to put different catagories of frequencies in separate banks. This way if I'm railfanning, I can lock out the police etc.

For railfanning, a handheld portable is very handy since you can carry it with you away from your vehicle. A lighter adapter charger will keep it charged while driving.

For mobile use I have a "Uniden BearTracker BCT-7" in my truck. I have it programmed for all of the railroads along the way when I travel. I can also pick up Highway Patrol, city & county police,& DOT (Real handy in winter weather).

As for antennas, the "Rubber Ducky" on my handheld will pick up the BNSF yard about 5 miles away most of the time,depending on weather conditions. In my truck, I use a converter cable that allows my AM/FM vehicle antenna to also work with the scanner. I know this costs me some range, but is less noticeable than an additional antenna on the vehicle. Sorry for the long post, wanted to try and cover all the bases. Ron H.

[Anonymous]

I know that a lot of railfans in Denver hang out at Caboose Hobbies on South Broadway, and, yes, ladies are welcome there. I'm sure the staff can help you out.....Terry, a BNSF engineer in Denver

[Anonymous]

I'm a Radio Shack scanner person too. My first handheld Pro32 lasted me about 12 years at least. I've dropped it on the tracks a dozen times.
I now own a Pro92 handheld. It's a good scanner.

I fully agree that a gift certificate would be best. And the scanners do go on sale after the holidays. Not many of us will be out railfanning in bad weather. I could wait for a sale muself......

I wasn't able to afford anything else at the time I bought it but I do believe that there is an adapter that is available for handhelds, that helps to boost the power. Check the catalog. I'm sure it's a special order item. I believe it was about $25 or so. Maybe a bit more. I doubt it would add any bulk to the scanner either.

Also beware of regulations about carrying scanners especialy in cars. Many states have different rules!

One extra I did buy was a lapel speaker. It helps you to hear the chatter when it's either very windy or a train is rumbling by and you can't hear your scanner. It also helps to get the sound closer to my video camera as I'm filming. I enjoy that sound on my tapes too.