The scanner mega-thread

[Stoowert]

2 points:
1. Scanners are very helpful in keeping marshals in touch with what is going on, out of sight. Used on the GP loop at Brands, it is a real help. Are we going to ban food & drink as well, as they can be a distraction? There is one sure way for marshals to lose concentration, leave them for hours with not contact with the outside world! The old red flag story wont go away! Maybe we should move PA speakers from near posts as well?
2. I bought a scanner in San Francisco last month for someone who has bought one himself. It's a RadioShack 200 Channel, VHF/UHF/Air device. It's very similar to the one I bought last year. It's very tough as I've dropped the damn thing many times!(My one, not this one!) It cost me $149.99 + tax (8%), so make me an offer!
End of advert!

[Mark Mitchell]

Whence I was a Trainee Flaggie, I was posted at Clay Hill at Oulton Park.
The two Observers were both very experienced but a little elderly and and used to chat about gardening more than racing.
One Sunday afternoon during a BTCC race, one of the observers had his ear-piece plugged into his radio - NOT scanner and was listening to the GP of Monaco. I was trying to concentrate on the race in front of me when all of a sudden the observer excitedly jumped up and shouted "RED FLAG". I immediately picked up the red and looked both up and down the track, waiting to see likewise flags. None appeared! Apparently David Coultard had crashed off in Monte Carlo causing a race stop OVER THERE! It was fairly amusing but also worrying....especially as this observer is now a senior official!

[serverbrainfailure]

i think they can be a very good idea - as it keeps people involved with what is going on - which allows people to be pro-active & watch for problems that are brewing on the way 'round the track. However - they should be used with care - and not reacted to - the IO or observer are the mechanism by which reactions to incidents should be controlled...

[Bodysnatcher]

again, just to keep off topic

from PVDA
Another thing, if your on call you should be at home not trackside at a race meeting because you cant just drop everything and P off in the middle of an event. Better the meeting starts down on numbers than try and fill the gap 4 hours later.

guess I'd better hand in my overalls now...

After balancing on call and marshalling commitments for 15 years I think I can safely say that the individual on call is probably in the best place to decide on this. I know the odds for me being called in (50/50 in a 24hr period for me) - making a hard and fast rule about it is helping nobody.

I always inform my chiefs at signing on and when possible will not take on an observers role. Sometimes tho, things are just so short handed...

[danccooke]

Can anyone tell me what frequencies i need to be able to scan to pick up race control, Saturday i was in ear shot of the radio and it was nice to be able to hear what was happening around the track, like last lap, chequered flag, etc etc just don't want to buy some rubbish that doesn't pick up stuff.

Cheers in advance

[sss]

if you use the search function on frequency then you will find various topics on various freq's at other circuits.

[JLD]

have a look here http://www.marshalspost.com/circuits/ .

Gives the frequency used at each circuit (e.g. Silverstone uses several for different areas).

[thepits]

Be careful with your scanner!

Some clubs / chiefs frown on marshals having them.
If this isn't a problem in your case, then remember, it's for information only - never, NEVER ACT on something you have 'overheard'!

[roys1]

this may help... the type of scanner i have is a Maycom AR108 and can be found fairly easily on the web and costs about £60 (maplin used to do them) and will recieve the frequencies you need

[danccooke]

thepits....cheers for advice but yeah well aware of that.

cheers for help guys, have a bid going at the moment on ebay,

[deebrief]

In reply to Roys1 views re MAYCOM AR108,it is not a bad buy at all, but perhaps you need one with a tad more power. I can rarely hear anything when the cars are belting past !!!

[mark ch]

I also have a Maycom AR108 speaker volume is very limited but ok via an earpiece.. also worth noting it doesn't pick up goodwood frequencys you need the next model up to recieve them but AR108 ok for most circuits...

[thebear]

Originally posted by deebrief
In reply to Roys1 views re MAYCOM AR108,it is not a bad buy at all, but perhaps you need one with a tad more power. I can rarely hear anything when the cars are belting past !!!

Scanners are not rated by "Power". :confused: They are rated by frequencies scanned. A good set of earmuff style headphones will enable you to `hear' with any scanner. Be prepared to spend ~£30 for the headset and appropriate adapter plug for your scanner.

[deebrief]

Mark Ch is correct I have tried the Maycom with a small earpiece and it seems to work a lot better.

[Fireblade]

I think that deebrief was referring to the AF(AudioFrequency) power output in this instance. A perfectly valid parameter on the spec sheet in my experience as a comms engineer.

[thebear]

Originally posted by Fireblade
I think that deebrief was referring to the AF(AudioFrequency) power output in this instance. A perfectly valid parameter on the spec sheet in my experience as a comms engineer.

For a transmitter. The scanners referred to for monitoring race teams and the "Race Control" operations 'net are receivers only. :confused:

[JonJ]

Sure there have been threads on scanners in the past, but i can't see one that answers my questions.

Can anyone suggest a good place to get a scanner? Not after anything to fancy, so don't want to pay a ridiculous amount for it! How much would an average scanner cost?

Even better would be somewhere that sold second hand scanners, any ideas??

Cheers

Jon

[M Greenslade]

Forgive my direct response, but why do you want one? Balders

[JonJ]

For when i'm on post. But this thread wasn't to argue whether its right or wrong to use them on post, thats been done before.

Its just that plenty of marshals use them and i was considering getting one.

[M Greenslade]

I have had a scanner for many years, yet I do feel the need to question the use of them, however probably the best supplier is Lowe Electronics, see www.lowe-electronics.com

[Peter Harding]

When I first bought one, i looked first in some Amateur Radio Mags. Helped with some facts and had ads for New/Used equipment.
In those days scanners were about £250 although Tandy had limited freq ones (Still covered MSA freq) for about £70.
Haven't looked since steam ones were discontinued??

[Dave Brand]

The scanner I'd recommend is the Maycom AR-108, around £70 from most retailers - try Maplin (http://www.maplin.co.uk/).
You'll probaly want an earpiece, around £5, & it's worth using rechargeable batteries.

For second hand units, try ebay!

[JonJ]

Haven't got the hang of ebay yet, keep losing out on items at the last second!!

Maplin seems a good place to look, should find something there.

Cheers

[Hepatic]

Yep, ebay is a good place to go when you get the hang of it. I got mine from a guy on there for about £70. All you need to ensure is that it covers the right range and is small enough to fit in a pocket without getting in your way

[garry heale]

HI,DAVE BRAND IS RIGHT TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED,BUT JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU BUY A SCANNER DO WHAT I DID AND "HAGGLE"WITH THE SHOP YOUR BUYING IT FROM,I GOT A FREE EARPEACE & RECHARGABLE BATT'S AT A GOOD PRICE.LIKE DAVE THE MAYCOM AR-108 IS A GOOD BUY,BUT ALSO LOOK IN THE AVIATION MAGS AS WELL,MY OTHER LOVE, YES IAM A ANORAK,THEY HAVE A GOOD LOT TO OFFER AT PRICES FOR ALL POCKETS.