1nt3rc3pt0r
Member
I've been scanning the public action bands for about 10 years with an old AOR handheld. When it finally gave in I bought an icom handheld because the darn thing was built like a tank. In late 2006 I got a Uniden 396 and was surprised to discover how much having a digital receiver opened up the airwaves and delivered so much more to listen to. Then of course, the next step was to get a Pro 2096 with a discriminator tap to find even more communications.
I'd like to try HF listening and am looking for something new or used under $600, but I honestly don't know enough to make a good decision on make or model. But I'm guessing I would use it like a scanner, searching for spontaneous communication rather than listening to standard broadcasting stations.
Preferences:
Since I enjoy the "behinds the scenes" and oddities of scanner listening, like hearing the camera crews at a pro basketball game or security at a big town event, I'm guessing I would be doing most of my on air monitoring time decoding utility messages and things of that nature rather than scheduled, formal broadcasts like VOA (there's certainly nothing wrong with that, it's just not my biggest interest).
I would like something with computer control, something which would scan a frequency range, and one that would also scan a set of memories. I would prefer something with a LED readout so if I did discover something I would know the exact frequency.
My antenna choice and placement will be limited since I live in an apartment, so I don't think I'll need a really sensitive receiver, unless that's all that will pull in the signals with a weak antenna. I live on the outskirts of a small to medium sized city, so overloading shouldn't be a problem. There's no major power sources nearby, and few inside my apartment excluding the computers.
I don't leave the apartment much do to a medical condition, so a desktop receiver is probably the best bet.
Thanks in advance and I appreciate everyone's help. I hope I gave you enough information. I also have one question:
Does a HF receiver need a discriminator tap to decode utility and other digital messages, or is the circuitry such that it doesn't need it?
Thanks again.
I'd like to try HF listening and am looking for something new or used under $600, but I honestly don't know enough to make a good decision on make or model. But I'm guessing I would use it like a scanner, searching for spontaneous communication rather than listening to standard broadcasting stations.
Preferences:
Since I enjoy the "behinds the scenes" and oddities of scanner listening, like hearing the camera crews at a pro basketball game or security at a big town event, I'm guessing I would be doing most of my on air monitoring time decoding utility messages and things of that nature rather than scheduled, formal broadcasts like VOA (there's certainly nothing wrong with that, it's just not my biggest interest).
I would like something with computer control, something which would scan a frequency range, and one that would also scan a set of memories. I would prefer something with a LED readout so if I did discover something I would know the exact frequency.
My antenna choice and placement will be limited since I live in an apartment, so I don't think I'll need a really sensitive receiver, unless that's all that will pull in the signals with a weak antenna. I live on the outskirts of a small to medium sized city, so overloading shouldn't be a problem. There's no major power sources nearby, and few inside my apartment excluding the computers.
I don't leave the apartment much do to a medical condition, so a desktop receiver is probably the best bet.
Thanks in advance and I appreciate everyone's help. I hope I gave you enough information. I also have one question:
Does a HF receiver need a discriminator tap to decode utility and other digital messages, or is the circuitry such that it doesn't need it?
Thanks again.
