Purchased a Pro-97

[ofna89]

I live in Portland Maine, cumberland county in southern part of the state. I would like to listen to all local activity fire,pd ect also interested in marine,air,and railroad. Actually would like to hear all activity I could get state wide if possible. New to scanning and I picked up this Pro 97 for $80 but is hard to understand the instruction book. Is this a decent scanner for what I want to do, and can I pick up frequencies in the northern part of the state? I had the local Radioshack program some frequencies but would like to program some more. There are about 60 channels in it now. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[icom1020]

here:

http://myweb.cableone.net/marksscanners/97/97.html

It's a great scanner.

 

[BaLa]

Good Choice, good scanner.

Really easy to program., whether it is 'manually' or with Win97.

 

[ofna89]

Thanks guys for the replies. Where can I go to get frequencies for marine,harbor,aircraft and railroad? Thanks

 

[icom1020]

I went to the wiki section here and typed in "marine" and came up with the common plan. As far a RR's and logging those are more of a business and may need a more detailed search on other sites. Trainweb had some good freq info at one time. If you look at the bottom of the Maine page, there is a ARTCC link for New England (Boston)

 

[ofna89]

Now I went and programed the two freq. for Portland from the artcc link. Should I have heard something by now(5hrs ago programed)? If so have I done something wrong here in programming it?Thanks

 

[icom1020]

I forgot about this site, has all the 'host' railroads for Amtrak. http://www.on-track-on-line.com/amtfreq-ne-o.shtml

I was in Rutland VT and Portland last summer and didn't hear much but there are passenger trains still in Maine. EB White would be proud.

 

[icom1020]

is it set for AM and not the other modes in the upper corner by the channel #?

 

[ofna89]

Yes both are set at am.

 

[ofna89]

Icom1020 these rr, should I just put in the freq and should hear communication?

 

[icom1020]

Next question would be antenna, if it's the stock antenna it might be ok.
It's a broadbanded receiver, therefore 1 antenna won't always cut it for all bands. Try another antenna if you have one. The RS 800 antenna is not a good choice for am. Try these local air freqs to see how it's working
Portland tower looks like it's shut down for the night but you can try the others.
CTAF: 120.9
UNICOM: 122.95
ATIS: 119.05(207)775-1039
WX ASOS: PHONE 207-874-7914
PORTLAND GROUND: 121.9 [0545-0000]
PORTLAND TOWER: 120.9 257.8 [0545-0000]
PORTLAND APPROACH: 119.75(SOUTH) 125.5(NORTH) 353.9(NORTH) 381.2(SOUTH) [0545-0000]
BOSTON ARTCC APPROACH: 132.4 [0000-0545]
PORTLAND DEPARTURE: 119.75(SOUTH) 125.5(NORTH) 353.9(NORTH) 381.2(SOUTH) [0545-0000]
BOSTON ARTCC DEPARTURE: 132.4 [0000-0545]
CLEARANCE DELIVERY: 121.9
CLASS C: 125.5(NORTH) 353.9(NORTH)
CLASS C IC: 119.75(SOUTH) 381.2(SOUTH)
EMERG: 121.5 243.0
VFR-ADV: 120.9

 

[ofna89]

Just the Portland tower is down? How about the other Portland freq?

 

[icom1020]

Icom1020 these rr, should I just put in the freq and should hear communication?

If they are within range and the antenna is optimized for VHF and of course, if they are talking at the time. Railroad mobiles are about 40 watts and wayside remotes are a little higher. They usually talk when meeting other trains or give out "OS" times to the dispatcher or a detector is nearby giving a readout. Don't expect it to be a hotbed of activity.

 

[icom1020]

try the VFR ADV freq 120.9 it usually is a non-stop recording We're looking to see how sensitive the radio is to where you are located. How far from the Jetport are you?

 

[ofna89]

Let me put that freq in, Im about3 miles from jetport. Thanks for all the help so far 1020.

 

[icom1020]

Let me put that freq in, Im about3 miles from jetport. Thanks for all the help so far 1020.

I found this too

* APCH/DEP SERVICE PROVIDED BY BOSTON ARTCC ON FREQS 128.2/322.4 (SOUTH ACTON RCAG) WHEN APCH CTL CLOSED.
* COM AVBL ON GND THRU BANGOR FSS ON FREQ 120.9 WHEN PORTLAND ATCT CLSD.
* ATCT OCCASIONALLY STAYS OPEN BYD 0000 LCL DURG ADVERSE WEATHER.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/PWM

If you have other questions concerning Maine, this should probably go over to the Maine forum

 

[ofna89]

should it be set to am?

 

[icom1020]

yes, look at the link I sent about programming and it has a table showing the allocations.

 

[ofna89]

not sure what Im looking for?

 

[icom1020]

the part about 1 or 2 pages down that shows "Your scanner can receive these bands:" all air bands are am mode.

http://myweb.cableone.net/marksscanners/97/97.html