more on scanners

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have been more specific. I am interested in hand held units. My friend has a Radio Shack scanner, but we have noticed that when we are in the company of other railfans, their hand held scanners pick up signals that his does not. Supposedly his scanner is scanning all the correct freqs., but he doesn't get what the others are picking up. It is supposedly a very good, medium priced programmable scanner. I don't want to end up with the same problem. I will be heading out west (Wyoming) in September and want to have in hand a good scanner that will pick up all the signals. So any advice I can get would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[Modelcar]

A little info on the scanners....I have a Radio Shack 200 ch direct entry model Pro-51...I had a previous R S model [don't remember the model #], that I purchased perhaps 10 years ago and I believe it performed better than this current one. Of course this one hyper-scans much faster than the older one but I believe that one was more sensitive in receiving stations. The old one contained 6-penlite batteries where as this one now uses just 4. Price of old one was 300 dollars to this one's 200 dollars. It does receive well enough to keep one pretty well informed around railroad activities. This one really does scan fast. I'd give it a rating of 4 on a 1 - 5 scale.

QM

[Anonymous]

Here's what I'd reccomend:

1. Make sure the batteries are fresh or, even better, get rechargeables.

2. Make sure the squelch is adjusted right (I turn the knob until I get static, then back off until it stops)

3. It might help to get a longer antenna, perhaps one that you can put on your car. The reason is that the wavelengths of the transmissions are generally longer than the "rubber duckies" that come with most handhelds.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I saw a RadioShack Pro-79 for under $100.00. When I get it, I will include rechargable batteries and then see about a longer antenna.

[Modelcar]

Make sure the model scanner you select to buy includes the railroad channels...basicly, 160 to 163. There may be other ones but this is the bracket they've been in for years.

Alkaline batteies last a lot longer then do rechargeable ones, but of course the advantage is obvious. [Per charge, that is]. Alkaline units have a higher voltage too. 1.5 versus 1.25 v. May allow you a little better volume. Suggest one that has a high speed scan rate. Antenna has less length then signal wave but has a coil to compensate for so...

QM

[dknelson]

I got a longer antenna -- it too had to be matched to the type of frequencies the scanner is intended to receive -- and was astounded at the difference.
It seems to me, as an amateur that a 10 channel scanner might have more time to detect a weak signal than a 100 / 200 channel scanner all other things being equal.
This is a good time to issue the reminder that in some states (Minnesota comes to mind) it is unlawful to drive with a scanner in the passenger compartment!
Dave Nelson
Dave Nelson

[Modelcar]

........And Virginia is another....QM

[Anonymous]

It's only illegal if you get caught ;)

Seriously, I would also suggest to anybody who is doing most of their scanning in their cars the following guidelines:

Get a cigarette lighter power adaptor. It will save you loads on batteries

Get an external speaker. You'll be able to hear much better than with most internal ones.

Get a long antenna. Coils may work for some types of signals, but you need something that is physically long.

Use common sense while driving. If you're up Nort or in VA, be aware of the Smokeys, Snowman. And concentrate on the road while someone else listens to the scanner.

Happy scanning.

[Anonymous]

I've got a Pro-79 myself, and been using it for about a year. Overall, am happy with it. It does scan quickly, though the rubber ducky antenna it comes with has a limited range, so I'm considering a longer antenna. When not at home using the AC adaptor, it efficiently uses (4AA) battery power. I mistakedly left the thing on all night long, and am still using the same batteries.

[Anonymous]

I would like to make one suggestion, have you thought about getting your ametuer radio license? this way you can carry your radio with you where ever you choose to go without problems, as long as you are not using it for illegal purposes. I would recommend that you use the book by Gordon West for the technician test which is available at most Radio Shacks. Most scanners that are available have had their sensitivity tuned down to prevent unwanted intermod interference. Since most people scan for police and fire, they have been balenced towards this portion of the radio spectrum. Since railroads are located on the VHF high ( 2 meter ) around 160mhz, and the Ham 2 meter band is comparatively close (144-148 mhz) you can expect much better reception with a radio that transmits and receives on the ham 2 meter band. You also can enjoy great two way communication with other hams and licensed railfans ( there are lots of us out there) One suggestion for an antenna, try a 5/8 wave for your receiver. A vehicle mounted antenna will increase your reception, your vehicle being used as the ground plane. You can also get a 5/8 wave antenna whip for a portable unit, this antenna will be coil loaded and provide you with much better recetion when you are out of your vehicle. If you decide to take the Ham test, you can take it in most cities on each weekend of the year. The beginning license is not too difficult to pass, no Morse code is required and only a fundemental knowledge of radio science and radio wave propagation is needed. the ansers to all of the questions are included in the test manual, so all you have to do is memorize them for the exam. Thanks. KC8JBK, 73.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Most states that restrict the use of scanners require a permit to use a scanner in a car (mobile use) or use a scanner in public (portable use).

I looked into scanner restrictions a dozen years ago, and I found Minnesota and five other states, Florida, New York, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan restrict the use of scanners in cars. In addition, Kentucky and Indiana require a permit to use a scanner in public [for example trackside).

Three years ago I stopped into a Radio Shack in Minneapolis, and I asked a clerk about Minnesota's restriction on the use of scanners in cars. He confirmed Minnesota requires a permit to use a scanner in your car, but he clammed up when I asked him how strictly the police in Minnesota enforce the requriement for a permit to use a scanner in your car. Most likely the police won't stop you if they see an antenna on the roof of your car to see what it's connected; but, if you are stopped for a traffic violation and the officer sees the scanner in your car, you could receive a citation for that as well as a traffic violation.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Virginia does not restrict the use of scanners in any way. They do ban the use of radar detectors.

[Anonymous]

Is that what the antenna is called? A 5/8 wave antenna?
Mike

[Modelcar]

Has that changed in recent years....? I seem to recall working my way south I was informed via signs Scanners in use in autos was against the law...Not too many years ago.

QM

[Modelcar]

If Indiana currently has a restriction on scanner us in cars it must not be much used. I've purchased several scanners at Radio Shack in Indiana and have never heard any comment of the use of scanners in autos...Nor any signage to that effect. If it's there, it must not be of much interest to law inforcement people.

QM

[Anonymous]

That is a technical term used to describe the antenna length. A good antenna that can be used for scanning is the Diamond RH-205 @ 24.99 available from AES Ham supply at www.aesham.com this is a 5/8 wave collaspable unit that is a +9db gain antenna. Hope that helped. KC8JBK.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

QM:
To answer both of your replies. The signs you see posted along the highways in Virginia (usually at the State Lines) say "Radar Detectors Are Illegal." What they mean is the use of radar detectors is illegal not the fact that you might be carrying one in your trunk, and not using it.

I have never seen any signs in any of the states I mentioned as restricting the use of scanners. I found out which states restrict the use of scanners mostly through one of the ARRL's magazines and later through an organization whose acronymn is RADAR, and is located in Tipp City, OH. I don't know if more states have been added to the list, but I hope not.

I have also never seen any signs to the effect that a permit is required to use scanners in cars or in public in any of the states that restrict their use. You may be right; most of the time the police have more important things to do than to see whether the users of scanners in their cars, or in public (in KY and IN), have permits.

[Modelcar]

Yes, info regarding the use of such is very vague. And I hope it all keeps a low profile. We railfans aren't out to cause trouble with a scanner...At least I hope none are.

QM

[Anonymous]

I HAVE A RADIO SHACK,50 CHANNEL,RUNS OFF ( 6 ) AA,BATTERIES,WORK GREAT AND AM USING THE ANTENNA THAT COMES WITH RADIO,NO ROOF MOUNT,OR SPECIAL ANTENNA, I HAD A RADIO SHACK 10 CHANNEL & THAT WORKED GREAT UNTIL SPEAKER WENT OUT & RADIO SHACK REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME WITH 50 CHANNEL,GO TO"www.trainweb.com" find screach,ype in "RAILRADIO",FOR YOUR FREQUNICES, HAVE LOT OF FUN, I ALSO CARRY SOME FIELDGLASSES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES & CAMREA...........AKA HUB

[Anonymous]

I own a RadioShack Pro-93 and use it when railfanning and never miss a transmition:)There on sale at the time also for $199 i believe
Scott

[BUBBA25]

Uniden Bearcat is what i have always used. In my car i have an outside antenna.