The scanner mega-thread - Page 9

chezza · 29 Oct 2006, 19:16 (Ref:1752931)

I think we all raided maplin for the cheap maycoms!

I managed to get a very cheap set of "sports" earphones so doctored those (chopped one side off) and have been using that!

Mark Mitchell · 29 Oct 2006, 19:20 (Ref:1752933)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezza

I managed to get a very cheap set of "sports" earphones so doctored those (chopped one side off) and have been using that!

Yep! That what I was trying to say earlier.......works perfect!

mark_l · 29 Oct 2006, 20:01 (Ref:1752961)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

I can't wear those - there's too much outside noise!

Mark,

What would you rather hear, the raffle results or the sound of gravel hitting the front of the observers box?

Mark Mitchell · 29 Oct 2006, 20:11 (Ref:1752963)

The raffle results!
What a silly question!!!!

chezza · 29 Oct 2006, 23:00 (Ref:1753124)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

The raffle results!
What a silly question!!!!

Too right!!

BeeJ · 30 Oct 2006, 16:35 (Ref:1753682)

I use a Maycom scanner again from the Maplins sale :-). I use a normal pair of small walkman type headphones but hook one side behind my ear, leaving one ear free to listen to what is going on around me, and it works fine. I have just ordered the wrap around type earpice from E-bay so will see how it fairs up.

Peter Harrison · 31 Oct 2006, 17:13 (Ref:1754562)

I use a Maycom AR108, brilliant little scanner. The earpiece I bought was the Maplin BA58N which wraps around the ear. Very comfortable, even when using ear defenders. The connector is a 3.5mm Mono Jack.

Dave Brand · 31 Oct 2006, 18:47 (Ref:1754621)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Harrison

The earpiece I bought was the Maplin BA58N which wraps around the ear.

The problem with them is that as they are designed to be used in either the left or the right ear (ambiaural?

) the wire comes out horizontally. Eventually it will break at the point where it leaves the grommet which acts as a strain relief. The good news is that if you just prise off the round creamy-coloured but covering the speaker it's easy to cut the wire shorter & re-solder it. I've gone a step further by cutting the moulding which fits behind the ear & fitting a short length of nylon tube which leads the wire out vertically.

Kermit Power · 31 Oct 2006, 22:35 (Ref:1754796)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CombeMarshal

I'll second the ear piece, though I got mine from maplins.
But that scanner is just a tad on the large side, does it come with wheels!!!

I've only just realised you meant the Bearcat in the post above yours rather than the Maycom I originally mentioned! I've spent the last 2 days trying to find something lighter than 98 grammes and 2 AA batteries!

Kermit Power · 6 Jan 2007, 22:48 (Ref:1808519)

Hi All,

I got an Arcom AR108 as a Christmas present, and I've been fiddling around with it to figure out how it works.

So far, all I'm getting is static

Can someone tell me how close I have to be to a transmitter to pick up a signal? I want to make sure it's working before the start of the season!

chezza · 6 Jan 2007, 23:55 (Ref:1808592)

At circuits I've had not problems with my AR108, you just need to make sure you have the squelch set properly.

Not sure how close you need to be to pick something up though, does it say in the distructions?

Also its any consolation I don't pick up anything at home.

thebear · 7 Jan 2007, 02:02 (Ref:1808625)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kermit Power

Hi All,

I got an Arcom AR108 as a Christmas present, and I've been fiddling around with it to figure out how it works.

So far, all I'm getting is static

Can someone tell me how close I have to be to a transmitter to pick up a signal? I want to make sure it's working before the start of the season!

You need to be in the area of a broadcast. If nothing is `on', nothing is what you will get.

Kermit Power · 7 Jan 2007, 08:45 (Ref:1808679)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebear

You need to be in the area of a broadcast. If nothing is `on', nothing is what you will get.

I was just wondering how wide that area was. I live halfway between Heathrow and Gatwick airports, so thought I might pick something up from ATC, but either I've not found the frequency yet, or I'm too far away!

PeterM · 7 Jan 2007, 09:06 (Ref:1808687)

If you go to www.webfetch.co.uk or your own browser and enter "radio frequencies" you will find all the frequencies you need. There is one site which has all the circuit frequencies including ES. Airband is between 110 and 135 Mhz so you should get LHR or LGW. As the bear says you need to catch a transmission in progress to hear anything.

JimW · 7 Jan 2007, 09:58 (Ref:1808705)

Range varies from 500m to 200Km. Depends on frequency, antenna, and altitude of transmitter. So you will get local emergency services (if they are still using the frequency etc. which your receiver works on) but you should get aircraft (in the air!) from a long way away.

Regards

Jim

Mark Mitchell · 7 Jan 2007, 10:38 (Ref:1808716)

I live approx 40 miles from both MAN & BHX airports and get both very clear using the AR108

Circuitmarshal · 7 Jan 2007, 10:40 (Ref:1808717)

Living in Epsom You will or should have no problem at all with aircraft.
Tune between 118 - 122 AM for the busy bit of LHR & LGW.
166 - 172 NFM for mini cabs etc.
Apart from that you won't get a lot these days.
Hope this helps.

Dave Brand · 9 Jan 2007, 17:23 (Ref:1810563)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kermit Power

So far, all I'm getting is static

Can someone tell me how close I have to be to a transmitter to pick up a signal? I want to make sure it's working before the start of the season!

Range depends on a number of factors, including transmitter power & terrain - you need more or less 'line-of-sight' for the best reception. The antenna also has a bearing on reception range - while the standard antenna supplied with the
scanner is adequate, you'll get better reception at circuits with an antenna designed to operate in the vHF waveband used.

If you're getting 'white noise' you need to adjust the squelch; set it to the position where the white noise just disappears.

Davie-c · 9 Jan 2007, 19:52 (Ref:1810659)

Try between 144MHz and 146 Mhz you should be able to here Amateur radio operators.Try 145.625 which is the nearest 2 Meter repeater to Epsom

Kermit Power · 9 Jan 2007, 20:00 (Ref:1810664)

Thanks all!

When the wind abates enough to go outside, Ill give it a try

Circuitmarshal · 9 Jan 2007, 20:07 (Ref:1810669)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kermit Power

Thanks all!

When the wind abates enough to go outside, Ill give it a try

You should get the 2 Meter repeater or aircraft from indoors if you must be a whimp!!

With the repeater you should get it's morse code call ID even if no speech.

Shelagh · 10 Jan 2007, 20:08 (Ref:1811724)

I have a scanner (new as an Xmas Pressie) to replace the one that stopped working. Bill has entered whatever frequencies I might need. That is as technical as I get and - if it works, it works, if not, not.

Is there a touch of "anorakitis" entering here?????????????

Kermit Power · 11 Jan 2007, 18:51 (Ref:1812568)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelagh

Is there a touch of "anorakitis" entering here?????????????

Not on my behalf! I just wanted to hear it working before turning up on the bank and finding out there that it doesn't work, getting upset and taking out my frustrations on a driver, nice though it might be to have a little role reversal!

haystacks · 25 Jan 2007, 10:45 (Ref:1825523)

As Im thinking of buying a scanner, Santa missed me out, what is the best one for BH and Silverstone, in your opinions?

Dave Brand · 25 Jan 2007, 10:53 (Ref:1825530)

Quote:

Originally Posted by haystacks

As Im thinking of buying a scanner, Santa missed me out, what is the best one for BH and Silverstone, in your opinions?

Maycom AR-108 is a good choice for any circuit - good performance, reasonable price.

View Poll Results: Which scanner?
Maycom AR 108	35	83.33%
Alinco	0	0%
Other - let me know!!	7	16.67%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Mega World Superbike Thread (Spoilers)	Hazza	Bike Racing	13	2 Aug 2006 15:08
Thank you to The Ten-Tenths Mega Support Division!	Alan Hyde	Touring Car Racing	70	15 Oct 2001 18:46
All-time Grand Prix MEGA-team	crash	Formula One	2	17 Oct 2000 09:26
Superbike Mega Round	KC	Bike Racing	4	8 Jun 2000 11:44