Motorsport race radio scanners

[Jordan.bird]

Hi guys,

Sorry in advance if already posted.

I am thinking of buying a radio scanner for GT event and BTCC events in UK.

Firstly are they still used??

What can you pick up on scanner? Can you hear any teams? Also what are the best ones to buy?

Hope you can help please.

Jordan

[canamman]

CAUTION - once you start , you will never again go to a race without it.

You will be able hear, drivers , teams, race control, track crews, and tv coverage.

Start your research here: https://www.racingradios.com/collect...-products/fans

[fieldodreams79]

I believe in some US series, the team frequencies must be published. Historically speaking, all teams tend to use a select few frequencies every year and likely can be picked up by scanners.

Outside of that, series officials, track control and marshalls likely use the same frequency year in and out. TV and radio broadcasts are sent through the airwaves and are generally the same all the time. The issue becomes finding them and you'll either need to painstakingly scan all weekend or find someone or some publication that has past ones listed. Otherwise, you miss what you came to see.

Don't know if they're sold across the pond but I've always had Uniden scanners.

Good luck and happy scanning.

[Jordan.bird]

Thanks for that.

[Teletubby]

A word of caution... a number of organisers (BTCC for sure) and teams (certainly in the UK) are using digital radios which I don't think can be picked up on a scanner, I'm sure somebody smarter than me can confirm though.

[Jordan.bird]

Originally Posted by Teletubby

A word of caution... a number of organisers (BTCC for sure) and teams (certainly in the UK) are using digital radios which I don't think can be picked up on a scanner, I'm sure somebody smarter than me can confirm though.

What I thought too.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Teletubby

A word of caution... a number of organisers (BTCC for sure) and teams (certainly in the UK) are using digital radios which I don't think can be picked up on a scanner, I'm sure somebody smarter than me can confirm though.

And that person would not be me! I did not know that!

[keelo1987]

Hi, sorry to jump on this thread, I have recently started marshalling and fancied getting a cheapish radio to see how I get on. Im not a whizz with radios, and the advert descriptions about frequencies arent clear, but would this do the job:

http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/dual-ba...-kt-950ee.html

Thanks in advance for any help

[Fro5TI]

Originally Posted by keelo1987

Hi, sorry to jump on this thread, I have recently started marshalling and fancied getting a cheapish radio to see how I get on. Im not a whizz with radios, and the advert descriptions about frequencies arent clear, but would this do the job:

http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/dual-ba...-kt-950ee.html

Thanks in advance for any help

"would this do the job" In short No . . The model you have linked to states that it is for use on licensed amateur radio frequencies and as such to use it legally (in transmit mode) you must be a licensed / registered radio amateur. In any case it would be useless to you as a receiver for marshalling as it doesn't (according to the info.) cover the frequency range you will require. Also stick to scanners only, avoid buying a transceiver as there is a clear potential to accidentally transmit on a frequency which you are not permitted to do so.
My advice would be to do a search for scanners in the marshals area on this forum; the topic has been covered extensively there.
If you don't mind a bit more advice; if you have only just started marshalling I would wait a while before you commit to buying a scanner, learn the ropes first from the more experienced marshals and get experience under your belt. Then when you know if you like the hobby and understand whats going on around you; only then should you think about buying a scanner. Be aware though (as mentioned above) some circuits have gone 'digital' rendering scanners useless.
In all cases, stay safe and enjoy it

[Coach Ep]

Also keep in mind that some marshaling organization discourage the use of scanners or even simply outlawed them.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Also keep in mind that some marshaling organization discourage the use of scanners or even simply outlawed them.

Why/where/who? Never heard of this and don't understand.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Also keep in mind that some marshaling organization discourage the use of scanners or even simply outlawed them.

Guessing he means banned them from marshals and the posts. Makes sense to have everyone on the same radio and following one voice instead of making calls based off of what they over-hear from team/driver/etc.

[j_hampton2000]

Jordan,

For scanning team radio channels, I'd recommend you start here:
https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/gr...equencies/info

Some teams can still be heard using an analogue scanner, but as stated above most are now digital. A scanner can be modified to decode these digital signals via a windows device, but it's not for the beginner. In early 2017 I would expect the first portable scanners to be released to cover the digital format used now by most teams (and marshals/officials). Expect to pay around £500 for them though.

If you are just starting with radio, I wouldn't recommend a transceiver.

Jim