FighterPilot said:
After reading an article in the local paper about HAM radio, and how a group of enthusiasts are trying to revive it in the area. I came across the freqs they are apparently using.
http://ve3fyn.ca/aarc/
I entered them in my BC246T and not long after heard something on 144.39. However it was nothing I could understand and was rather Buzzes etc. Can anyone help me to possibly listen to this?
Thanks
Cal
There are a bunch of VHF / VHF FM ham radio bands that will generate the kind of traffic in which you're interested.
The most popular VHF band (which will give you the best opportunity to hear conversations) is the 2 meter FM band (which spans from 144.0 to 148.0 mhz). Voice conversations are usually found between 145.0 and 145.5 and 146.6 and 147.5. The band plan is more complex than this, but this should at least get you started. 99.9% of the communications that you'll hear will be the outputs from repeaters, so reception should be pretty decent. You didn't give your location, so I can't recommend specific repeaters that you should program into your scanner.
The other bands include 10 m FM (29.5 - 29.7 mhz), the 6m FM band (50.0 - 54.0 mhz), 220 mhz (222.0 - 224.0 mhz) and the 440 band (440.0 - 449.9 mhz). Best time to listen is during commuting drive time (6 - 9 AM and 5 - 7 PM), when most hams are talking while driving to and from work.
If you're really interested in monitoring this band, go to
www.arrl.org, and do some exploring there. Buy a copy of the ARRL repeater directory. This inexpensive book lists all of the repeaters in the US and Canada (and other places as well), as well as detailed band plan info on what kinds of stations can be heard on what frequencies.
**********************************************
The ARRL Repeater Directory (Pocket-Sized Edition)
-- 2006-2007 Edition
(Size 3.25 x 5.25 inches)
Choose this pocket-sized book, or the NEW Desktop Edition...or BOTH! Includes 20,389 listings for VHF/UHF repeaters across the US and Canada.
New Features!
# IRLP, WIRES-II, and Echolink (Internet linked) nodes
# Emergency Message Handling procedures
# Transceiver Memory Log
Includes:
# Repeater operating practices, repeater lingo and hints for newly licensed hams
# Frequency Coordinator contact information
# Using CTCSS tones and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS)
# VHF/UHF Band Plans and 2-meter channel-spacing map
# IRLP (Internet linked) nodes
# Tips for handling interference
Also Available:
The ARRL Repeater Directory (Desktop Edition)
TravelPlus for Repeaters
Pocket-sized book (3.25 x 5.25 inches). Thirty-fifth edition, © 2006, The American Radio Relay League, Inc.
(ISBN: 0-87259-958-2) #9582 -- $10.95
**************************************
If you're tuned in at the right time and place, you can even listen to the astronauts on the space shuttle talking on ham radio to other licensed operators. Better yet, why not look into getting licensed? Hams are a great bunch of people, and are usually welcoming of newcomers who have interest in the hobby.
Chris