03-06-2008, 09:40 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
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Scanners
im just getting into the hobby and im looking for a cheap-ish scanner... i could use some ideas.
thanks
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03-06-2008, 10:14 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hilldale, West Virginia
Posts: 3,740
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Eric30247
im just getting into the hobby and im looking for a cheap-ish scanner... i could use some ideas.
thanks
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Wal-Mart sells a Uniden Bearact Nascar scanner, that does a very nice job. Couple that with an 17" antenna, or the adjustable metal one from Radio Shack, and you'd be good to go for under $100
Loyd L.
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03-06-2008, 10:34 PM
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#3
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trainchaser.us
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Evansville IN
Posts: 357
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Since RR's use the 160mhz range, you don't need a high end scanner. Look for something used at your local radio store or ebay.
After you find one, discard the "rubber ducky" and get a good antenna from Railcom.
http://www.railcom.net/railscan.htm
The antenna may cost more than the radio, but it's worth it.
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03-06-2008, 10:48 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: St. Charles, Missouri
Posts: 287
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He could have meant a photo scanner. 
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03-06-2008, 10:57 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hilldale, West Virginia
Posts: 3,740
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Warren
He could have meant a photo scanner. |
Never thought about that.. lol
I guess I need a brain scanner..
Loyd L.
__________________
Social Media elevates the absurd and mediocre to a point where they aren't anymore, and that is a tragedy.
My personal photography site
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03-07-2008, 12:00 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
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no... a radio scanner... also is there a place i can go or does someone have a list for common frequencies?
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03-07-2008, 12:04 AM
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#7
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Alpha Phi Psi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kannapolis, NC
Posts: 264
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This site has a fairly good listing and has just about anybody you would want to hear within reason. Railroad Frequencies
__________________
Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.- Robert E. Lee
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03-07-2008, 12:09 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
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thank you all very much. umm if you have any tips your always welcome to post those as well...
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03-07-2008, 03:32 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,202
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Save The Wave
After you find one, discard the "rubber ducky" and get a good antenna from Railcom.
http://www.railcom.net/railscan.htm
The antenna may cost more than the radio, but it's worth it. |
To be clear, for him and for me!, isn't the link to a magnetic mount antenna for a car top? Doesn't one also need either the ducky or a replacement portable antenna when one is walking away from the car?
I replaced my ducky with something, can't remember what, a 1/4 wave, I think, about $30 back then, about twice as long as a ducky. It helped, some. Hard to say how much. I've never gotten around to investing in another antenna for the car.
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03-07-2008, 04:03 AM
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#10
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Alpha Phi Psi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kannapolis, NC
Posts: 264
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You may want to check local pawn shops too. You can get a scanner for a nice discount over retail if you don't mind that it's been owned before. Sometimes these don't come with the manuals and all that stuff, but most of them are available online from the manufacturer. Just be sure you don't pay too much for a used one if you go that route. You may want to be sure they can be used in areas that you travel to as well. Some places require a permit.
__________________
Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.- Robert E. Lee
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03-07-2008, 04:46 AM
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#11
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Banned
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 79
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what is a 'ducky'?
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03-07-2008, 04:52 AM
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#12
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Alpha Phi Psi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kannapolis, NC
Posts: 264
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A ducky is jargon for the short rubber antenna that mounts on a hand held scanner.
__________________
Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.- Robert E. Lee
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03-07-2008, 11:54 PM
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#13
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trainchaser.us
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Evansville IN
Posts: 357
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by JRMDC
Doesn't one also need either the ducky or a replacement portable antenna when one is walking away from the car?
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Nah. PA speaker 
Seriously, I've never had the need for one away from the vehicle, never even thought about it. Also, I dont' use a portable, I like a base unit as they seem more powerful and better capable of bringing the weak signals in. I have an inverter in the truck to plug the radio and or laptop in to.
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