The scanner mega-thread

[andrew_powell98]

I must point out that scanners are not permited on post. Oh must hide my scanner
Must say best place I know of now tandys have gone is maplin. I have seen the scanners there and they seem good.

[Neil Warland]

The BARC info sheets sent out with tickets always used to say that scanners, cameras and mobile phones were not allowed on post.

This year, that has changed and scanners have dropped off the list.

[danccooke]

on my training day way back in Feb we were told that scanners are no longer on the list as it seemed everyone else had scanners, public photographers etc etc and the marshals appeared to be the only people who didn't know what was going on, but it is still down to your individual observer, I always ask first. never been told no yet, but have been told to make sure it is secured to my person well or it is not allowed over the barrier. mine goes in my top pocket securly velcro'd down with just the arial poking through.
Be careful when buying on E-bay there are a lot of radios being sold as scanners. you have to manual dial in frequencies the arials and reception is poor too, sadly you get what you pay for, anything under £50 be wary of.

[aprescott]

Originally posted by andrew_powell98
I must point out that scanners are not permited on post. Oh must hide my scanner

Acording to the MSA you are allowed to use a scanner as long as you DO NOT ACT on anything hear, eg red flags....
And that you are still able to hear the track and IO.

[John Newman]

I think that with the lack of people on the bank today that a scanner is indispensable, if only to know what is going on. Anybody who has flagged at Copse or Maggots at Silverstone will be only to aware of this!

[Adam43]

So do circuits use the cival air-band frequencies then? Is it different for each circuit?

[Adam43]

Just seen marshalspost.com. I see the RAC channel is above the standard civil aircraft frequencies (not that I know much about this thing...)

[KennyG]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
So do circuits use the cival air-band frequencies then? Is it different for each circuit?

They use the commercial PMR band 165-170MHz narrow-band FM. Most circuits use a standard frequency, but not all of them.

Having been a 'radio ham' for over 25 years I carry a scanner along with my mobile phone almost everywhere.

[SCARY]

I am looking to invest in a scanner for next season - what frequency band should the scanner cover; and before anyone says it - I would always ok the use of it with my IO & Observer (if we are lucky enough to have one!).

Personally I think mobile phones can be more of a nuisance on post.

[rbs]

I use a Yupiteru 7000, this covers most frequencies from
CB radio to Russian Satellites.
All circuit frequencies can be picked up and with carefull programming both sides of the conversation can be heard.

When you buy your scanner treat yourself to a scanning directory, you will find the frequencies for most racing teams listed. This includes F1, GT's, Touring Cars, ASCAR and Rally teams.

Be careful if you intend to go abroard and use it, some countries in Europe it is illegal to own one. It is essential if you are going to a Nascar or Champ car race in the USA, all raceday frequencies are listed in the programme. America is the cheapest place to buy if you are visiting in the near future.

[motorsportmarshal61]

Radio Shack
Pro 89, 200 channel vhf/air/uhf race scanner
c/w 2 flexable ariels ,2 battery holders,mains adapt
FREQ MHZ 29.to 54. 108 to 174, 380 to 512, 806 to 823, 849 to 960
£40.00 excluding p.p

[Stephen Green]

Woody, please be aware that Ten-Tenths is not a substitute for exchange and mart!

[Mark Mitchell]

Stephen, Ken is not doing anything different to the blatant selling in the "Marshals Gloves" thread!

[Stephen Green]

That's my next port of call!

[p15pathfinder]

Can anyone tell me the correct radio frequency for Brands Hatch?

I have a radio scanner and it would be good to be able to tune the damn thing into the correct frequency when I'm there.

Here is hoping someone will know.

[j_hampton2000]

Try 169.3375Mhz for the racetrack marshals (it's used by marshals at most Uk circuits).

Others you might find useful for this track are 169.075, 169.300, 169.375, 461.4625. If the race teams (British F3, British GT, BTCC) are using radios for pit-to-car links they tend to use UK Short Term Hire frequencies....PM me if you want a list.

Jim.

[Stephen Green]

169.3375 is I believe an MSA frequency, hence its use at most circuits

[jonbryant]

I thought it was 169.3350... Not going to be far off anyway! Although if you start hearing about Car 747 then you might have picked up Heathrow.

[Andrew Palmer]

The frequency is 169.3375MHZ FM as listed by the MSA for circuit safety. Some scanner don't go exactly to that frequency. So the closest are 169.3350 or 169.3400 both work. And some circuits use totally different frequencies. Check the Marshals Post webb site for more information.

Remembering of course that scanners are really permitted on post. Check with your Observer or IO first. And if you are using a scanner remember the type of information you can over hear may be confidential, and should not be acted upon or past on to spectators.

The other side of this is if you have a radio remember every one is listening so keep the message short and to the point and if you don’t won’t every one to hear use a telephone.

[CombeMarshal]

Think you missed a 'NOT' in that!!!

I got one, it's a god send, but as said, don't act on it, unless that is your on track between sesions and you here 'Release the cars'!

[Andrew Palmer]

Your are correct CombeMarshal that should read;

"Remembering of course that scanners are NOT really permitted on post"

Of course their are times when you can react to messages, like "Release the cars" or the clerk reporting "track clear". And scanners are great for keeping any offical radio user on post out of trouble by checking with them for open mikes. My favourite is "it's now lunch back on post at ____"

[Grandslammer]

Does anyone know if any circuits,either in the UK or abroad use a digital communication system as opposed to the analogue one? I am aware that Rockingham use a type of DECT phone for the Observers, but I am referring to a "multi-link" radio type.Apparently digital is far superior to the old analogue with regards to reception and no "dead" areas,although the downside is the extra expense.There was a rumour a while back that Silverstone were going down this route.(Would put an end to the confusion of repeated,misheared and lost messages!!).

[stroller]

I think you hit the nail on the head with "extra expense"

Says it all really

[Peter Harding]

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

169.3375 is I believe an MSA frequency, hence its use at most circuits

It took me a long time to find out but I learnt about 18 months ago that:
the MSA stopped licensing that frequency about 8 years ago but most clubs/circuits continue with a licence as it is on all their equipment/rescue units etc.
The MSA's withdrawal means that other users (non motorsport) may also have a licence and get in our way.
With the lack of control, there is nothing stopping my club using that frequency in a field oposite Brands circuit and causing chaos. It just useful that everyone uses common sense and don't get in each others way.

[Andrew Palmer]

That's an interesting fact Pete, so if the MSA does not hold the licence for this frequency any body can use it with the correct permit from the DTI radio section.