Transceiver vs Scanner?

[RedPenguin]

I remember reading a couple of posts on the RR Forums that Transceivers are way better at receiving then scanners, at least one the bands the transceivers are made for.

I'm curious how true this actually is. I was looking at Walmart.com for a phone and noticed that they have a fair amount of UHF transceivers that actually are not that expensive, but I do not know how good they are.

Most of my area has 453.xxx.

Would it even make sense for me to get a transceiver? I'm just curious, I mean both my BR330T and BCT15 seem to receive this range pretty darn good, but anyway............

 

[W6KRU]

What kind of uhf transceiver are you looking at? I suspect that if it scans it will be very slow. It will also have very limited storage.

 

[RedPenguin]

Not Sure....

Well, I haven't actually picked anything out because I am not sure what would need to be looked for, if I did want to get one.

They all just said UHF Transceiver and said from 1-5W power.

 

[W6KRU]

Are you talking about the bubblepack frs/gmrs radios?

 

[mancow]

wut ?

does a uhf FRS WalMart radio have to do with scanning?

 

[stevelton]

I just looked at walmart.com, and did not see any uhf radio that said power from 1-5wats. They all said either 1 or 2 watts. The ones I seen on walamrt would not be better than a scanner. Looks like those radios are preprogrammed for uhf business band channels, not something you can have programmed to a local PD or fire channel.
Highly doubt they woudl scan either., But if they did, they would scan all the channels,
In your case, stick to the scanners.
Steven

 

[RedPenguin]

Correction....

I did not mean FRS/GMRS radios.

I meant pure UHF transceivers.

I could swear one radio or two said 5W but maybe it was 1-2 only.

Also, when I said that, I don't mean one radio said 1-5, I meant some radios said 1-2 and one or two said 5 watts, but maybe I ended up looking at an FRS/GMRS by mistake.

Anyway, I forgot that most likely PD/Fire channels would not be included, even though the business band doesn't seem that far from 453.xxx of my local Police, Fire, and even Public Works and Transit.

I just wondered if you get a really nice transceiver, like that then a fair amount of people on this board talk about, if there is really any major improvement.

 

[W6KRU]

That's easy! Yes! A transceiver will receive better than a scanner. I have HHs on the same freq as a scanner sometimes and the HH will break squelch first. The performance of mobile rigs is even better. My 857 is awesome on vhf.

 

[RedPenguin]

Alright then...

Well, then where does one normally shop for transceivers?

Like I said, my area is almost completely 453.xxx, except some random 460.xxx.

I would like to not pay $200+

Not that I wouldn't if it was a really nice transceiver, but, I guess I just like to find a good price. Though I don't want complete junk.

Not saying I am defiantly going to get one, but I still would like to browse.

Also, if I do get one, I don't want it to only do my area and that's it. If possible, I would like one that could be used for the NYPD and/or FDNY (Fire or EMS) since I do go there once in a while and think it would be nice to use it there.

Also, do most transceivers allow for completely blocking transmit? I heard you just do not put in any frequency for transmit. Since I only want to listen and defiantly since I am not licensed on any of the frequencies, I defiantly do not want to screw up and every now and then accidentally transmit. Especially since it can actually be a $10,000 each time, though I think the fine is mainly for people who do it purposely, but still I don't want to risk it.

 

[zz0468]

Read this thread:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127498

In particular, read my post #8. While it was written with Motorola trunking in mind, many of the advantages and disadvantages hold true for other brands and for conventional operation. Disregard all the nonsense in the thread regarding legalities, and just, for a moment, consider the technicalities.

Pay particular attention to the places where I point out that if you have to ask how here, you're probably in over your head. Are YOU up to the technical challenges, or are you willing to pay someone who is?

If you are, you can get whatever you want on eBAy.

 

[RedPenguin]

Yes...

I see what you mean....

I defiantly am a computer type guy (I use Linux constantly and other computer people come to me for help) so I am not bad in that department.

Plus, I'm the best radio scanner hobbyist of all my friends in real life. I often program their scanners and constantly my own.

So I don't really doubt that I could do it if I had the software and radio.

But from the looks out if, even though I most likely would know how or could easily learn, it doesn't truly seem worth it.

I mean first you have to buy the radio, then program it, then if I only get a UHF transceiver and my area upgrades to something else, it will be annoying because I try to get equipment that I can use until it breaks, but I know with scanners that is hard. Plus, I wouldn't want that feeling of darn, what if I accidentally transmit, even though I wouldn't use it until I figure out how to not transmit. Though, wouldn't be too fun to try and see that it doesn't transmit. That there is defiantly trouble.

So I guess the bottom line is, for me who just listens to a very select amount of channels in my area and occasionally other areas when I travel, it seems like too much work, money, and probably risk.

 

[firefighter89]

If you were to buy a commercial transceiver I would suggest Vertex. They have great reception and are not that expensive. Also the programming software is a lot cheaper than the programming software for a Motorola radio.

 

[davidmc36]

A guy in this thread:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128168

Found what he was looking for here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000OYLCOA/ref=dp_olp_1/?tag=price4502-20

Not sure if it exactly applies to what you are after, but does scan some of the UHF range. Put the part number into the search box on the Audiovox website and it will pop up the users manual etc.

 

[chrismol1]

Also, do most transceivers allow for completely blocking transmit? I heard you just do not put in any frequency for transmit. Since I only want to listen and defiantly since I am not licensed on any of the frequencies, I defiantly do not want to screw up and every now and then accidentally transmit. Especially since it can actually be a $10,000 each time, though I think the fine is mainly for people who do it purposely, but still I don't want to risk it.

I've programmed a few radios before and they have a spot for "Transmit" and "Receive", so you could just leave the transmit blank

 

[druhe]

Look at Amateur

If I may interject here, have you taken a look at any of the amateur equipment ? The specs on most of the amateur gear is comparable to commercial grade equipment. It's frequency agile (computer programming not required, handy however) and is a fraction of the price of commercial.

Take a look at the Yeasu FT-60, it's selling under $200, is rugged, easy to use and has all the features you need. There are other brands that are just as good, I'm just familiar with Yeasu.

Who knows at some point in time you may decided to test for your amateur license, when you do you'll be ready to get on the air

 

[RedPenguin]

Thank You

If I may interject here, have you taken a look at any of the amateur equipment ? The specs on most of the amateur gear is comparable to commercial grade equipment. It's frequency agile (computer programming not required, handy however) and is a fraction of the price of commercial.

Take a look at the Yeasu FT-60, it's selling under $200, is rugged, easy to use and has all the features you need. There are other brands that are just as good, I'm just familiar with Yeasu.

Who knows at some point in time you may decided to test for your amateur license, when you do you'll be ready to get on the air

That does look like a pretty nice radio. I haven't seen any reviews, but I did notice from different spec sites, that appearntly you could never accidentally transmit on channels you are not supposed to (PS Band). Though I don't know if any amateur radio lets you do so. That will relieve a lot of worries. Not that I wouldn't check that one that could, defiantly didn't transmit. Though, with one of those radios, you always have to be careful.

 

[N_Jay]

That does look like a pretty nice radio. I haven't seen any reviews, but I did notice from different spec sites, that appearntly you could never accidentally transmit on channels you are not supposed to (PS Band). Though I don't know if any amateur radio lets you do so. That will relieve a lot of worries. Not that I wouldn't check that one that could, defiantly didn't transmit. Though, with one of those radios, you always have to be careful.

No Amateur equipment is legal for use (transmitting) in the Part-90 (Public-safety, Business,) bands, even if it is or can be made to transmit there.

Most Amateur equipment has better receivers than scanners, but often is not as good as commercial radios at rejecting interference.

 

[Have_Teeth]

wut ?

does a uhf FRS WalMart radio have to do with scanning?

Hello.

Technically, one could dismantle the radio and enhance operation by means of changing the crystal or rom apparatus. This once worked for a helicopter radio I serviced for a client.

CT

 

[RedPenguin]

Hey, nice....

A guy in this thread:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128168

Found what he was looking for here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000OYLCOA/ref=dp_olp_1/?tag=price4502-20

Not sure if it exactly applies to what you are after, but does scan some of the UHF range. Put the part number into the search box on the Audiovox website and it will pop up the users manual etc.

Actually, that radio doesn't look too bad.

Only thing I would like to know is, every website constantly claims it's a Race Scanner. Yes I know what those are, but what exactly is the frequency range this thing picks up. No site seems to tell me.

EDIT: NVM, I just played it safe and went for the manual at AudioVox's website.

Claims 450-470MHZ. Would work fine in my area, but I guess no listening to NYC when I go traveling. Though I would mainly use it around my area and not a bad price.

Speaking of radio scanners like this, is there any really other cheap radio scanners? Like radio shack once had a $30 or so one. I know a friend or two who would like one but defiantly couldn't pay $100+ for one. So something in the $30-$50 would be nice.

 

[smokeyjones666]

If I may interject here, have you taken a look at any of the amateur equipment ? The specs on most of the amateur gear is comparable to commercial grade equipment. It's frequency agile (computer programming not required, handy however) and is a fraction of the price of commercial.

Take a look at the Yeasu FT-60, it's selling under $200, is rugged, easy to use and has all the features you need. There are other brands that are just as good, I'm just familiar with Yeasu.

Who knows at some point in time you may decided to test for your amateur license, when you do you'll be ready to get on the air

I like this line of thinking. I have a Yaesu/Vertex VX-7R that has wideband receive capabilities. If you're cheap like I am, buy one of these cables off of ePay http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Radio-Progr...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50.

You can then download a copy of VX-7 Commander http://www.kc8unj.com/ and go to town (just as long as you resist the temptation to 'freeband' your radio, all it does is open you up to the possibility of burning out your transmitter as you key up illegal frequencies on your antenna that isn't tuned for them.)

I still prefer my PSR-500 for general scanning, but I appreciate the wideband receive on my Yaesu when I have trouble receiving conventional frequencies. (Of course, there's always my Pro-2006 )