carsonbm
Member
Is there much difference in the scanners if they are hooked up to an atenna? :evil:
Base Scanner vs Hand
- Thread starter carsonbm
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I assume you mean an outdoor antenna? Either way, there are some differences in the selectivity (and similar things) between individual scanners, but you won't usually find a great deal of difference between handheld and base model scanners.
Also, have you asked a question and followed it with a
yet, instead of a :evil: ? Just curious! :wink:
Also, have you asked a question and followed it with a
yet, instead of a :evil: ? Just curious! :wink:
carsonbm
Member
I only smile when I know what I am doing. I am having a heck of a time learning how to operate the scanner. :evil:
kar2n101
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I'm partial to base scanners, however I do own at least one portable. I am not in the public safety field, therefore I have no need for having a scanner out in public. I'll probably just end up getting in trouble with it anyway. When it comes to base vs HH there really is not much of a difference (comparing two radios w/ identical features that is).
If you are an avid scanner the plus side of having a portable is that you can listen wherever you go, as where the base scanner is limited to mostly home use.
kar2n101
If you are an avid scanner the plus side of having a portable is that you can listen wherever you go, as where the base scanner is limited to mostly home use.
kar2n101
bill_n
Member
While I have owned base units, I'm partial to hand-helds.
I tend to keep busy... move around a lot, office, basement, garage, patio etc. I can listen anywhere I want.
bill n
I tend to keep busy... move around a lot, office, basement, garage, patio etc. I can listen anywhere I want.
bill n
At one time, a base unit was better to use with an external antenna since they usually had a better front end and were a little more immune to overload and images. Since the FCC has mandated that all 800mHz receivers be triple conversion to screen out cell phone images and miniaturization has improved, there's very little performance difference between a base and a handheld. The biggest advantage of a base unit, generally are a bigger display, a bigger speaker, and not having to worry about batteries.
gatorhater
Member
Portable
I prefer the portable for one simple reason: Hurricane Andrew in 1992. I was in Miramar, Florida and relied on my portable scanner for information after the storm. We didn't have electricity for 5 days and without the portable model I'd have to stick with regular AM/FM radio. The scanner was great to get what was really going on.
I prefer the portable for one simple reason: Hurricane Andrew in 1992. I was in Miramar, Florida and relied on my portable scanner for information after the storm. We didn't have electricity for 5 days and without the portable model I'd have to stick with regular AM/FM radio. The scanner was great to get what was really going on.
I happen to prefer base/mobile models over handhelds. I do own one Uniden handheld, but all the rest I have are base models. I do most of my listening at home or in my truck, and rarely carry one in public, so the base/mobiles are better for me.
I also have a tower-mounted antennas at home, so having the base models allows me to leave them hooked up all the time.
I am in public safety, but have department issued radios that fill my need when I'm 'on the job'.
I also have a tower-mounted antennas at home, so having the base models allows me to leave them hooked up all the time.
I am in public safety, but have department issued radios that fill my need when I'm 'on the job'.
K5MAR
Member
carsonbm said:
As SAR2401 indicated the newest handheld scanners are lees prone to overloading of the front end by strong signals. However, that is going to vary by model. My new Pro-83, which is Uniden-made, is very susceptable to intermod. My older Pro-92, which is GRE-made, does better in this respect. So does the BC245XLT (Uniden). As in so many things, you get what you pay for.
The unasked question that everybody seems to answering is which is better, a handheld or a base/mobile scanner. So I'll throw my two bits in here and say: Yes. :lol: For many newbies, the handheld scanner is a good way to go for their first purchase. It alows for more flexability in use. Likewise, as gatorhater pointed out, those that live in areas prone to natural disasters (such as Tornado Alley, the hurricane, wildfire and earthquake areas, and Washington, DC oops, that's not a natural disaster!), will benefit from having a handheld.
Others may prefer the features of a base-style scanner, for it's better (usually) audio, larger display and bigger buttons. For those that lead a more sedentary lifestyle, a base-style scanner may be a better choice.
One thing's for sure, if you really start getting into scanning, you'll end up with a bunch of scanners of all types! My current stable:
Base-Only Scanners - 4
Base/Mobile - 3
Handheld - 6
And this doesn't include the non-scanning receivers (Motorola/Plectron/Sonar receivers), my classic crystal scanners (early Regency models) or my Motorola VHF and UHF mobiles for emergency management and news-gathering activities with scanning control heads.
So buckle in your checkbook, it's going to be an expensive ride!
Mark S.
carsonbm
Member
Thanks everyone for your opinons.
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