The scanner mega-thread

[Seoigh]

Thanks to everyone for the clarification on scanner 'rules'. It's virtually the same environment in N.America.

Many Chief Stewards (COC) and Chief Marshals prefer staff to avoid their use, as it fosters disintegration of hand signal skills, and leads the more spontaneous (read: 'Rabbits') to act prior to receiving instructions. As a comms chief, I sort of like to see people use them - most often, it seems the benefits of having everyone 'in the loop' offset the downsides.

By the way, most popular headsets here are the full 'earmiff' 'team' headset to shut out track noise (great on those cold mornings too).

[johngee]

It's all really been said but I'm very happy for marshals to use scanners, at our meetings, to keep up to speed with what's going on and even reacting or preparing to react to situations. With the increasing pressure on timetables, anything that helps with communication and the smooth running of an event should be encouraged.

[PipSqueak111]

If there are several people interested in getting a scanner, you may be interested in this offer that I found:
http://www.ecwuk.com/home_leisure/ra...held/ar108.htm

Price decreases by volume of order. Probably easiest to do if the people buying marshal at the same venue or can arrange cheap delivery/collection, as I'm sure they won't deliver to multiple addresses.

I'm interested if there are any Brands or Combe marshals want one also. PM me if you are, save clogging up this thread.

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by PipSqueak111

If there are several people interested in getting a scanner, you may be interested in this offer that I found:

Why bother with all the hassle when you 'd need to buy ten to get a better price than:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAYCOM-AR-108-...QQcmdZViewItem

(£53.98 including postage)

[Nighthawk]

Now thats worth every penny.
Such a good deal i decided to buy one to replace my old worn out one.

[garybirch]

I've got an old airband scanner I don't use anymore, I wonder if it would pick up the frequencies at Combe? Anyone know the frequency?

[CombeMarshal]

I wouldn't be with out mine, I don't act upon it, that is unless you hear release the cars!!!
They even thank us at the end of the day over the radio!
At Combe and most track the frequency is 169.335 (of the top of my head!)
Air band will not cover that, But you can get some very interesting air traffic conversation, I had Air traffic Control argueing with a piolt over what hight he was at once!!!

[CombeMarshal]

Oh, I also have that Maycom one and I'd recomend it, plus an Ear piece from maplins

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

At Combe and most track the frequency is 169.335 (of the top of my head!)

Close! Standard MSA frequency is 169.3375. 169.335 works OK - a lot of people use it because it's apparently not possible to set a Maycom scanner to 169.3375 - to do it, you've got to alter the 'step' value from its default to .0125. Unfortunately the instructions are very badly written - they describe what each button does, rather than telling the user which buttons to press to achieve the desired result.

[Ian Briggs]

Thanks for all the info so far, I shall look the e-bay offer and compare to a real shops prices.
Personally I am like to know what is going on, thats why I do radio on rallies, plus I honestly belive having some advance warning helps my flagging, not just in getting ready for a red.
Now, all i need is someone at Oulton to program it for me!

[Ian Briggs]

Just noticed, does this website not know we are in British Summertime now?

[Asp]

Originally Posted by Ian Briggs

Just noticed, does this website not know we are in British Summertime now?

Ian, check this thread.

[CombeMarshal]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

Close! Standard MSA frequency is 169.3375. 169.335 works OK - a lot of people use it because it's apparently not possible to set a Maycom scanner to 169.3375 - to do it, you've got to alter the 'step' value from its default to .0125. Unfortunately the instructions are very badly written - they describe what each button does, rather than telling the user which buttons to press to achieve the desired result.

Ah, I'll have to sort mine out later, I knew that the frequency I used wasn't quite right!
Cheers

[Ian Briggs]

Asp, thanks for that, You wont be at OP to program the scanner will you?

[Asp]

Originally Posted by Ian Briggs

You wont be at OP to program the scanner will you?

Only if it waits until July . And if you haven't got it sorted by then, you should be ashamed of yourself!

[Ian Briggs]

Originally Posted by Asp

Only if it waits until July . And if you haven't got it sorted by then, you should be ashamed of yourself!

Hey, I am a Rally Marshal, no sense of shame whatsoever

[John Newman]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

Close! Standard MSA frequency is 169.3375. 169.335 works OK - a lot of people use it because it's apparently not possible to set a Maycom scanner to 169.3375 - to do it, you've got to alter the 'step' value from its default to .0125. Unfortunately the instructions are very badly written - they describe what each button does, rather than telling the user which buttons to press to achieve the desired result.

A listing appears at [url]http://www.flag-marshal.org.uk/scanner.htm

[John Newman]

Originally Posted by John Newman

A listing appears at [url]http://www.flag-marshal.org.uk/scanner.htm

I hope that worked properly! (lack of technical ability!) The address should be http://www.flag-marshal.org.uk/scanner.htm

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Ian Briggs

Asp, thanks for that, You wont be at OP to program the scanner will you?

I was going to offer to do that; however, I've thought of a better idea! Working on the principle of 'give a man a fish & you feed him for a day, teach him to fish & he'll spend all his weekends sitting in a boat getting drunk' (or maybe, seeing who the scanners for, the Carol Vorderman version is more appropriate: 'give a man a fish & he'll give you a dirty plate to wash, teach him to fish & you'll get rid of him every weekend') I'll write up the procedure to set it up & email it to you.

[Ian Briggs]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

I was going to offer to do that; however, I've thought of a better idea! Working on the principle of 'give a man a fish & you feed him for a day, teach him to fish & he'll spend all his weekends sitting in a boat getting drunk' (or maybe, seeing who the scanners for, the Carol Vorderman version is more appropriate: 'give a man a fish & he'll give you a dirty plate to wash, teach him to fish & you'll get rid of him every weekend') I'll write up the procedure to set it up & email it to you.

Errr, thanks for that, I think, As it happens my scanner was programmed by Andy Mccloud (?Ithink?) At Donington about five years ago and I havent ever asked him for a fish, or chips.

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Ian Briggs

Errr, thanks for that, I think, As it happens my scanner was programmed by Andy Mccloud (?Ithink?) At Donington about five years ago and I havent ever asked him for a fish, or chips.

I wasn't referring to your scanner!

I mean the Maycom you're buying for Angie.....if you do! Let me know if/when you need help!

[r.arthur]

i,ve just bought a maycom 108 on ebay for 29pounds. there are bargains when you look.

[r.arthur]

and it works fine

[JimW]

Ebay must be a good place to start, especially for the use you describe. The one I bought is so complex to use that I keep having to consult the manual and struggle with it. I should have kept it simple, stupid!

Regards

Jim

[Ian Briggs]

We now have a new Maycom, and i have managed to programe it, Thanks for all the help. Must remember not to drop it during the Fire training at OP this weekend!