Baby Shack

[franz]

Here is a pic of my setup. I'm using a Gateway dual-core laptop running Windows Vista.

Radios:

BC796D
BCT-15
Yupiteru-225
Pro-43
Pro-60
Pro-2045
Pro-97
ICOM R-20 ** My favorite HH of all time

All monitoring Civil and Mil aviation freqs only.

I got the Uniden 796 software to run off Vista. The Serial-USB connector from RS does not seem to be compatible with Vista, even after loading the drivers on with their software. But I bought a off-brand one at Fry's Electronics and Vista installed the drivers automatically with no software needed.

I haven't made up my mind on if I really like the BCT-15 or not, but love the 796.

Franz

 

[tonsoffun]

Great looking Franz. Hardly a baby shack, what a great bunch of radios. Any outdoor antennas?.
Take care

 

[kjfswkr]

Looking good. How do you like Gateway? I am thinking of buying a new desktop but not sure of Gateway or Dell

Kevin

 

[RESCUE4NFD]

For a "Baby Shack" it looks very nice...............

 

[jonny290]

Tell me more about the R20 - i'm > < this far from ordering one. They look hotsauce.

I just don't know if it's worth it to get the R20 over, say, a T90A or even a 91A.

Once you get the hang of the new Uniden memory system, you'll love that bct15.

 

[wvd1979]

Nice collection.

 

[franz]

tonsoffun- I have a whole box full of outdoor ants, but not able to put them up where I live now.

kjfswkr- This is my first Gateway. I use Dell at work and the Gateway just dosn't seem as loaded with junk software like the Dell comps seem to be.

jonny290- I just can't get enough of the R-20. I only use it for civil/military aviation and it works great. I can't really speak for any other types of monitoring.

Things I like about it:

Dual watch: listen to 2 freqs at the same time

Dual scanning, lets say I have banks A,B,C,D setup. Banks A and B are setup with civil aviation freqs and C and D have all military freqs. The screen will split in half and the top half I can scan banks C&D and on the bottom half banks A&B. If I get a traffic on bank A at the same time as bank C or D, I can hear both conversations at the same time.

Fast scan rate, getting up there with RS and Uniden

Fast search rate

Record mode *** the best part of the radio. I can record 2 freqs at the same time or while scanning, even in HF mode. The recorder can hold upto 4 hrs of audio and has a voice activated sensor, so it will only record when someone keys the mic, but you have the option to turn off this feature.

once you get the hang of this radio, it's the easiest ICOM handheld I've ever used.

awesome battery life

the audio files can be converted to WAV files for easy sharing on the internet or playback

Dislikes:

Not really much, except the audio is a little weak on HF and there isn't a dedicated button for turning the backlight on and off.

Out of all my radios, if I could keep one.... I'd keep the R-20, it's like having 3 radios and a voice recorder rolled into one.


Thanks everybody for all the nice comments!
Franz

 

[mancow]

Yep, the R20 is awesome. Do a forum search for it and you will find all kinds of details and opinions. I have a few posts listing features I like.

It's probably the best receiver I have ever owned.

We have a big dedicated receiver at work for recording body wires. The thing cost like $2000. Anymore, I end up bringing the R20 along instead. Plug it in, download the recording and convert it to a wav. Nothing could be simpler and the data can be burned to a CD to archive it. There is even an RF sensitivity adjustment feature so you can fine tune the receiver for the RF environment.

 

[fez_uk]

Great setup there mate, My name is also Franz.

 

[K3GI]

Nice little setup with a great variety of radios. I'm looking forward to pics you post as you "grow" it.

 

[SCPD]

When did you get Vista? My Gateway desktop arrived just two days ago and it is loaded with XP Media Center. There is a coupon for a free upgrade to Vista, but I have been so busy setting up the new computer and accomplishing "cable management" that I haven't had time to look into the upgrade. Of course, I knew going into the purchase of the free upgrade.

It seemed like a toss up for me in choosing between Gateway and Dell. I used the Consumer Report ratings on computers to make the final decision. Your sharing of the amount of unnecessary software loaded on Dell makes me glad I went with Gateway. I don't have a brand preference however, three of the four computers I've had have been from Gateway, having just purchased this laptop late last summer.

I'm going to have to look into that Icom. I've owned just about everything but Alinco and Icom in my 35 years or so of listening and amateur radio activity. Again I don't have a brand preference but I seem to buy more Yaesus than anything else, but I've heard a lot of people praising their Icoms. That is what I like about this website, I'm constantly picking up new ideas on this crazy hobby in the most interesting places, especially in this picture forum, where I just thought I would be looking at interesting pictures.

 

[AC7NT]

I have had better luck with MPC, Acer and Gateway over Dell prodcuts and if you are in need of one that can take abuse look at the Panasonic ToughBook series - they are the HMMV of laptops and worth every penny.

I build/maintain/support computers, networking and other communications needs. If you want some ideas or tips on what to look for in a computer system drop me a PM or email.

Good looking setup with the small space you have it in.

AC7NT

 

[N2KMB]

heyy can i hav the Icom

 

[flyingwolf]

Looking good. How do you like Gateway? I am thinking of buying a new desktop but not sure of Gateway or Dell

Kevin

Off topic for a moment.
If your getting a desktop go with a local system builder, or better yet build it yourself, I build them all day long it seems like sometimes, and I can always get them usually 3 to 400 cheaper then the premade things, and with MUCH better hardware.
Plus you get a full version license for your OS and get to choose your OS, so it works out splendidly.

As for the shack, nice setup, and nice gateway, I got the 17 inch wide screen version of that one with Vista on it, went with the wide screen cause it has a full number pad, and I like that extra room.