The scanner mega-thread

[Jag50]

The Uniden USC230-e now includes the software as they have stopped doing the large headset originally bundled for the US market. The lead was always bundled with it. http://www.radioscan.co.uk/uniden_usc230.html

Steps : 5 / 6.25 / 7.5 / 8.33 / 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 50 / 100 KHz

[Pete LMC]

Hi All.

I have read numerous favourable reports from satisfied users of the Maycom AR 108 Scanner, but as I also Marshal at Rally's besides Race, I needed a Scanner to Cover the 81Mhz Band, so I bought a Very Good (12Months Old) Maycom FR 100, I can easily manualy set it to the 81Mhz Band but I also want to use it for Race which is 169.3375 Trouble is it will only let me set it Manualy to 169.3350 if I try to go to the 3375 setting it jumps up to the next zero, anyone got advise on How to Manualy Set it to 169.3375.

Thanks Pete.

[Dave Brand]

Assuming it's similar to the AR-108, find the 'step' setting & change it to .0125.

[Pete LMC]

Thanks David.

I am not sure at this moment in time but I think that the 100 is very much different to the 108, I certainly know that the Controls and Settings Buttons are, however I will check out what you suggested.

Pete.

[HairyDJ]

Hi Pete,

I run a couple of 108's (1 for each ear!) and also got a 100 for the rally coverage, but hit similar problems myself. You should find that it will cope ok on the various circuit frequencies with the pain in the butt steps that it insists on using.

Next time at a circuit, get there well before radio checks and just take a few minutes to play and lock on to the frequency in use that day - keep the fiddling to check call time & you won't have any annoying distractions by the time they go live.

Did you get the manual with the kit? If not then go to this site - I think that putting this info up there for all deserves a big thank you!
http://www.radios-uk.com/manuals.htm

Cheers,

David

[Pete LMC]

David.

Thanks for the info, yes I did get the Owners Manual with it, and your link to the various manuals for other makes and models, I am sure will be very useful to other users, I will try what you suggest.

Pete.

[Sparky-steve]

hi all
I was reading about use of scanners as a trainee marshal.
and noted that it was suggested that use of a scanner is distracting.

well I took my first post at Oulton Pk at Druids, saturday
and used my scanner to listen to race control etc.
listening to the goings on around the track etc helped me learn
alot as it raised questions for me to ask the guys i was stationed with.
and i feel that if i wasn't using a scanner i would have missed out on alot of learning.

i would like to thank all the marshals at Druids for your help and support and making my first time a great one

[Paul Newns]

Hi, Steve

A scanner can be invaluable in finding out what is going on, especially if you are out in the sticks away from your Post Chief. The important thing is to keep focused on what is happening on the track.

If you are flagging it helps to know if there are red flags or safety cars coming (especially if you are on your own) so long as you don't react on it.

Glad you enjoyed your day and we didn't put you off coming back.

[Nighthawk]

I Think 85% of all Marshals use scanners these days

[Sparky-steve]

Originally Posted by Paul Newns

Hi, Steve

Glad you enjoyed your day and we didn't put you off coming back.

Thanks, Paul i think i know who you are, flag on lead into druids?
yeah i enjoyed that post you where most informative and helpful. and thanks for letting me have a go
and to putting me off????????????

can't wait until next meet.. got the bug well and truly..

and i agree about keeping your eye and attention the the track and what is around you and your team. the scanner is for info only..

[Paul Newns]

Yes, that was me. Good to meet you and your mate.

[MasonW]

Scanners are an invaluable assett, as they let you know what is going on, Especially at anglesey where all the communication is by radio as they dont have telephones.
But remember always keep your eye on the track and what is going on.
You will soon get used to the scanner and then you tend to forget it is there.
reeally handy on flags, but as Paul said dont react on the scanner, but you can be alert to what flag you may use next.

[warweezil]

My Uniden USC230-E got wet last weekend during the deluge at Pembrey - I let someone else use it as we had no comms on post - just be advised I no longer lend ANYTHING to anyone.

Although it sparks up OK it seems to receive nothing - this I discovered once I realised it had been laid down on the grass. The white noise volume is a lot lower than normal and the squelch doesn't work, and it seems unable to scan.

Does anyone have any suggestions - someone said a system reset might help but so far I have no info about how to perform that - or a reliable repairer - sadly my old "rig doctor" from my CB days passed away a few years ago.


I am grateful for any suggestions anyone has.

[NICK ALLISON]

If its any help ,when my mobile phone has got wet (last time it got dropped down the toilet a clean one I might add ) I took the battery out and left it in a warm airing cupboard for a few days now it works perfectly except the display is a bit darker !

[CLIP-Motorsport]

First thing to try, take the batteries out and put the scanner somewhere warm and dry, best place is an airing cupboard. Leave it 24 hours and see if thats cured it.
Works wonders on damp mobile phones too!

[CLIP-Motorsport]

SNAP!

[Steven Humphrey]

I once fell in a river with my mobile in my pocket-the airing cupboard trick (after dismantling it as much as I could) worked for me too.

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by NICK ALLISON

left it in a warm airing cupboard for a few days

Few days!! Half an hour with the hair dryer sorted out my phone, the morning after!

[rbs]

If you do need a repair then try Thunderpole in Northampton, I had a Yupituru 7000
repaired there 2 years ago.

[warweezil]

Well its been in a warm spot in a warm room since Sunday evening so I guess that some damage has been done I've had the back off and there is no evidence of moisture remaining.

Just tracked down the number for Thunderpole, will give them a call in the morning - Thanks for that tip

[gachjoel]

Originally Posted by warweezil

My Uniden USC230-E got wet last weekend

Does anyone have any suggestions

I am grateful for any suggestions anyone has.

just go and buy a new one you cheap skate, and get one with a smaller bloody ariel, you could have someones eye out with that....
(said the actress to the bishop)
yeah i know firstly, it will reduce the "Doughnut" donation
and secondly its not a helpful suggestion.....
but you didn't state it had to be a helpful suggestion....

Hi Chris

[warweezil]

Trust you to stick your oar in! They should have given us your radio and the whole place would have had some peace

Not having a good week with electricals. the keyboard on my lappy packed up and so did the fryer...

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by warweezil

Not having a good week with electricals. the keyboard on my lappy packed up and so did the fryer...

That'll teach you for frying your laptop

[warweezil]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

That'll teach you for frying your laptop

Well it seemed the thing to do after the rain cooked my scanners goose!

[warweezil]

Called Thunderpole today.. the tech was busy.. so called back later in day.. Im impressed... He listened to my description and told me they would be happy to try to revive it. Posted it this afternoon so now I'm hoping for some fairly good news next week. I know its in professional hands so...

Thanks for the pointer.. They were more helpful than a place I found on-line yesterday who pronounced doom and gloom and went on about corrosion .. why didn't he just say "I don't want to touch it"?