Unified S-Band

[AronDouglas]

Can my BCT15x monitor USB?

While roaming around the frequancy database looking for more frequencies to upload, I found the Nationwide Amateur Radio section. Several of the frequency modes are USB and I wanted to know if I could monitor that.

I'm suppose to be in bed because I have an early work day tomorrow, and I dont feel like looking all over the internet for the answer. So thanks Radioreference forum for being here for me

 

[mmckenna]

It's Upper Side Band, and the short answer is: no.

 

[AronDouglas]

I thought it was upper side band...I blame Wikipedia Is there any way to monitor side bands?

 

[mmckenna]

Yep, you'll need a radio capable of receiving single side band. It's almost unheard of to use SSB above about 54MHz, much more common below 30MHz. Most decent receivers that cover these frequencies will be equipped for SSB. Sounds like you are looking for a shortwave radio that has a BFO (beat frequency oscillator, no that's not the name of a band, although it'd be a good one....). Pretty much depends on your budget from there on out. You can find some very basic inexpensive (< $100) from Amazon and such places. You can spend up to several thousand bucks on one if you really wanted to.

 

[ka3jjz]

Actually hams use SSB on certain freqs in the 144 and 432 Mhz area for chasing DX. But yes, for hearing sideband comms on freqs below 30 Mhz, you need a HF receiver. C'mon down to our HF forums for more if you're interested.

Mike

 

[AronDouglas]

Very helpful guys. I just wanted to know if my scanner could receive this...apparently not Right now I'm pretty up tight, so no more wild spending for a bit.

 

[K8LEA]

Aron:

FWIW, "S-Band" is something else entirely. Can't recall the frequency range, but we're talking "microwave", like your friendly blue-suit's radar unit....

"SSB" is what you wanted to say in the first place, which is a modulation technique (sort of) on the same order as "AM" or "FM". The primary difference is a very narrow signal (saving spectrum space) and a thoroughly hairy hardware design . IAC, it's rarely used (as the guys have stated) above 150mhz. The reason, I think, is that decent audio quality requires either very precise frequency tolerances or being able to change the receiver's settings just a hair. The former was a bear when whatever current standards were created, way back when. Changing settings, for your average LEO or Fireman, implies: "Mr. Bad Guy, please stand still a minute while I set the radio up for this encounter."

Cranking the HT (or the car radio) to the right channel may be tough enough for some of these guys....

Regards,

 

[scanchs]

Is there any way to monitor side bands?

As others have said, your BCT15x won't do it, but the ICOM IC-R10 you have listed in your signature sure can. It can tune SSB (both USB and LSB). So, if you really have an IC-R10 like your signature implies, you're all set to go. Good luck!

ScanCHS

 

[AronDouglas]

I never though of suing my Icom, thanks The thing was badly taken care of when I picked it up. Its been sitting on my shelf for me to look at the the past year. I couldn't ever get any good range out of it, so I didn't put much effort behind it.

 

[mmckenna]

I never though of suing my Icom, thanks The thing was badly taken care of when I picked it up. Its been sitting on my shelf for me to look at the the past year. I couldn't ever get any good range out of it, so I didn't put much effort behind it.

Any radio is only as good as it's antenna. Get a simple wire antenna up high, outside and in the clear and you'll see a big improvement.