Dumb Question...

[RadioTech19]

Hey guys,

I am trying to program a lower band frequency (155...) into my basic Radio Shack Conventional scanner. However, when I go to scan mode all I hear is noise. It isn't a static, but a blank transmission. I have adjusted my squelch and nothing. Does anyone know why this is happening? Thanks for any help.

 

[bkantor]

A few quick questions....
a) Have you tried more than 1 15x.xx range frequency? (maybe this one has an open mike or something)
b) Did you check the mode to make sure it is correct (FM, or NFM)
c) Is the scanner working on other frequencies??
d) Just for the heck of it, what model scanner are you using?

Bob

 

[RadioTech19]

Thanks for helping.

a) I have attempted several high band frequencies. (151.15250, 154.2425, 154.1525, 156.2325) and they are the same. It just sounds like an annoying blank transmission. I am attempting to add the Athens County FD's; Athens County, Ohio (OH) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

b) I believe they are FM, but I guess I am not sure.

c) My scanner is working perfectly on all of my other usual frequencies.

d) The scanner that I am trying to add these frequencies too is a PRO-136.

 

[WA1ATA]

Are you close to any high power transmitter sites? Particularly a UHF TV channel 49 or 50 transmitter site.

WIth the 265MHz 1st IF of the PRO136 that _might_ cause an image freq problem, but this guess doesn't quite fit the symptoms because most likely you would hear the buzz of the video or hear the TV audio.

Do you still have the "dead carrier" when you remove the antenna?

 

[RadioTech19]

Okay, so I did some investigating around the room where my scanner is located. I figured it had to be interference because when I take the antenna off, the scanner scans again.

I have tried turning various electronics around the room on then off too see which ones, if any, affected the high bands at all. Too my surprise, when my HP network printer is powered on the scanner locks on too the new frequencies (155.xxx, ect.) and sounds a "dead" signal. When the printer is powered off, the scanner scans just fine and I can monitor traffic like normal.

I have an HP Photosmart C410. The printers wireless adapter is disabled and is networked via the LAN port. The printer has a small LCD screen that shows the current status of the printer. This has me completely confused. Does anyone have any suggestions as too why this is doing this?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[W2NJS]

Your computer, printer, and associated equipment items can, and usually do, produce lots of low-level RF signals which can and do interfere with radio reception. Getting the receiver ten feet or more from the source of the birdies usually helps. You can also shut down the computer gear when you want to monitor, though that's a radical step.

 

[SCPD]

You don't mention what scanner you have, but it might be possible that the mode is incorrectly set. For example, when adding a new frequency to my Pro-164 it defaults to AM mode and if I do not change it to the correct mode of FM, EDACS, etc then it does exactly what your scanner is doing now.