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- Feb 10, 2010
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The Regency Touch K100 (Model ACT-T-K100) http://www.radiopics.com/Regency/Photos/Regency_Touch K100.jpg was manufactured by Regency Electronics Inc. in 1979, its primary audience were the public safety officials that needed a programmable scanner with basic features at an affordable price. Since the use of scanners in vehicles was also increasing, Regency allowed the K100 to be operating using a standard 12V DC cigarette lighter power adapter as well. Basic features include:
1 LED Digital frequency readout and status screen.
12 LED units signifying Channel or S1 and S2 functions
Direct Entry keypad (membrane type)
Search Function
Manual (monitor) Function
Delay (2s post-transmission delay)
3.5mm mono audio jack on back panel
The K100 is a basic 10 channel HF/VHF/UHF analog scanner. It's scope only covers the following:
VHF Low Band - 30-50MHz Programmable 5KHz Steps
VHF Amateur - 144-148MHz Programmable 5KHz Steps
VHF High Band -148-174MHz Prgrammable 5Khz Steps
UHF Amateur - 440-450MHz Programmable 12.5KHz Steps
UHF Standard - 450-470MHz Programmable 12.5KHz Steps
UHF Extended - 470-512MHz Programmable 12.5KHz Steps
Airband and FM frequencies are not available in the K100 as listed. The K100 also lacks any preprogrammed frequencies as well, so all frequencies must be entered by the direct entry keypad on the front panel. Software programming is not available for this scanner either.
I currently own 2 of these scanners, and from personal experience, they are very good scanners. Their receive is clear, however PL tones and processor noise is present. The K100 scanner's internal processor will make itself known by being audible over any transmission as a low hum, not to be mistaken for a PL tone. The speaker is large and a front-firing type, so all audio is loud and clear. I use both of my scanners in a rather rural area, and repeater towers are spread out in long distances, coverage is poor, however this scanner seems to have no difficulty filtering out static and receives a clear signal each time (processor noise aside). I receive frequent transmissions from Virginia Beach City, VA (which is approximately 110 Miles from me) and all transmissions are clear and understandable. Elevation here is rather flat, slight graduations from county to county, I have used this scanner in Claysville, PA where the approximate highest elevation is about 1400ft above sea level, and it performs well. However, Washington County, PA where Claysville is located operates on Low band VHF and has several repeater towers scattered throughout the county. I am not too sure how close the nearest tower was to me at the time.
The K100's longevity is exceptional for a typical scanner, if it is still operating in 2013 and it was made in 1979, I do believe that it is doing a fantastic job at staying alive. In fact, one of my K100s is the unit broadcasting my live feed here on Radio Reference, here is the link to hear it in action Hanover County Fire and EMS Dispatch Live Scanner Audio Feed
The K100 is not only long lasting, but its overall appearance and asthetics are good too. Most electronics manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s were normally displayed and made with wood veneer, so it was easy to make this scanner blend in with a contemporary or rustic environment. However, if exposed to moisture or heat, the veneer on this scanner was very quick to peel off. Unfortunately one of my K100s has experienced this and I am not able to repair it at this time. However, it still functions normally.
All in all the K100 is a good scanner, my rating I give it a 4 out of 5. It's a basic scanner with not much to boast about. But the sheer fact that it can last as long as it does is why I am giving this rating.
1 LED Digital frequency readout and status screen.
12 LED units signifying Channel or S1 and S2 functions
Direct Entry keypad (membrane type)
Search Function
Manual (monitor) Function
Delay (2s post-transmission delay)
3.5mm mono audio jack on back panel
The K100 is a basic 10 channel HF/VHF/UHF analog scanner. It's scope only covers the following:
VHF Low Band - 30-50MHz Programmable 5KHz Steps
VHF Amateur - 144-148MHz Programmable 5KHz Steps
VHF High Band -148-174MHz Prgrammable 5Khz Steps
UHF Amateur - 440-450MHz Programmable 12.5KHz Steps
UHF Standard - 450-470MHz Programmable 12.5KHz Steps
UHF Extended - 470-512MHz Programmable 12.5KHz Steps
Airband and FM frequencies are not available in the K100 as listed. The K100 also lacks any preprogrammed frequencies as well, so all frequencies must be entered by the direct entry keypad on the front panel. Software programming is not available for this scanner either.
I currently own 2 of these scanners, and from personal experience, they are very good scanners. Their receive is clear, however PL tones and processor noise is present. The K100 scanner's internal processor will make itself known by being audible over any transmission as a low hum, not to be mistaken for a PL tone. The speaker is large and a front-firing type, so all audio is loud and clear. I use both of my scanners in a rather rural area, and repeater towers are spread out in long distances, coverage is poor, however this scanner seems to have no difficulty filtering out static and receives a clear signal each time (processor noise aside). I receive frequent transmissions from Virginia Beach City, VA (which is approximately 110 Miles from me) and all transmissions are clear and understandable. Elevation here is rather flat, slight graduations from county to county, I have used this scanner in Claysville, PA where the approximate highest elevation is about 1400ft above sea level, and it performs well. However, Washington County, PA where Claysville is located operates on Low band VHF and has several repeater towers scattered throughout the county. I am not too sure how close the nearest tower was to me at the time.
The K100's longevity is exceptional for a typical scanner, if it is still operating in 2013 and it was made in 1979, I do believe that it is doing a fantastic job at staying alive. In fact, one of my K100s is the unit broadcasting my live feed here on Radio Reference, here is the link to hear it in action Hanover County Fire and EMS Dispatch Live Scanner Audio Feed
The K100 is not only long lasting, but its overall appearance and asthetics are good too. Most electronics manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s were normally displayed and made with wood veneer, so it was easy to make this scanner blend in with a contemporary or rustic environment. However, if exposed to moisture or heat, the veneer on this scanner was very quick to peel off. Unfortunately one of my K100s has experienced this and I am not able to repair it at this time. However, it still functions normally.
All in all the K100 is a good scanner, my rating I give it a 4 out of 5. It's a basic scanner with not much to boast about. But the sheer fact that it can last as long as it does is why I am giving this rating.