Can scanners be detected?

[n1das]

While a scanner is tuned to "your" frequency, its local oscillator is not on your frequency, so why would you hear it? A hammie should know better.

I've had it happen before. I was listening to mall security with my handheld scanner at a local mall and the Motorola bricks security people were carrying were ancient and radiated their local oscillator very well. I found I was IMAGE receiving their local oscillators! My handheld scanner (this was back in the late 80's BTW) had a 10.7MHz first IF and the Moto bricks had a 21.4MHz first IF freq...exactly twice my scanner's 1st IF. While listening to mall security's repeater, I could hear the repeater fine when there was traffic but also heard their receiver local oscillator(s) when the repeater was not in use. It was a rather lucky combination that enabled me to use my scanner to detect when a security guard was close by in the crowd. When close by, their local oscillator could be heard strongly (DFQ). If they were more than about 50-100ft away, it would be weak and scratchy. More than about 100 or so feet away and I couldn't hear it anymore.

They didn't detect MY scanner but I sure was able to hear the receiver's local oscillator in their Motorola bricks!

 

[N_Jay]

Hey IEEE guy - I once received the Neilson log book and crisp $1 bill as you described.. The instructions included a note stating that my feedback was to be representative of 100,000 viewers! That's all I needed to know. I then created a made up family of four with very unlikely viewing habits (ie. my fictional 9 year old daughter watched nothing but news shows, while my fictional 15 year old son watched nothing but religious programs, and the head of household watched nothing but cartoons and wrestling, etc). I had more time on my hands in those days, and a little sicker sense of humor than currently.

Don't worry, A good survey company knows how to weed out the non-representative (AH) responses.:lol:

 

[trashcan]

I dont understand why you are concerned that a scanner could be detected ???
In your area is it not allowed under law or ??????

 

[SkyPager]

CTCSS transmitted with program audio. Each station in a market has a specific tone 67.0, 114,8 etc. Those little Nielson Soundscan boxes would detect the sub-audiable tone transmitted by the station and record the time & date and length of time you listened to the station. Neilson Soundscan also collects data from music sales at record stores etc.

For TV they use a set top box. that tracked what show you watched. I would guess the current DVR set top boxes do this auotmatically.

 

[screenersam]

heard this on state police channel while on the road last week;
"She's doing 75 and has a radar detector. go get her."
and they did...

 

[apd3190]

heard this on state police channel while on the road last week;
"She's doing 75 and has a radar detector. go get her."
and they did...

And??

 

[kb2vxa]

I got so bugged I turned it off and turned on another show
But there was the same old state police and the same highway rodeo
Trooper Sam was tryin' to stuff Sweet Sue in a cage in the back
He said, "If you don't give me the paperwork
I'm gonna throw you on the railroad tracks!"
And then he grabbed her (and then)
He tied her up (and then)
He threw her on the railroad tracks (and then)
A train started comin' (and then, and then...!)

And then along came Sargent Jones
Tall thin Jones
Slow-walkin' Jones
Slow-talkin' Jones
Along came long, lean, lanky Jones...

YouTube - SHINDIG! #23 (1965) - [2of7]

 

[DozerD1]

I dont know about radio detection,however, if you are under investigation they could be watching you turn it on....paranoia will destroy ya!!!!

 

[trashcan]

Just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not out to get ya

 

[DozerD1]

I know thats right. I never figured out how they know, but the know!!!

 

[georgew0819]

Can they detect my scanner

In order to avoid paranoia and not worry about them (Big Brother) detecting your scanner just do what I do.
Completely line the room your scanner is in with aluminum foil. Make sure you do the windows and door as well. This way when your in the room with the door closed, they can't detect your scanner. You might want to wear a foil hat as well in case they try to find out if your listening to a scanner by reading your mind. Hope this helps....

By the way, you never got this info from me and this message was never sent......

 

[chumpy64]

Scanners and other electronic equipment.

Try reading the manual of your scanner ot any non-transmitter type equipment and you will see the FCC reference to their (I think section 15) about the electronic equipment. The equipment must not give off any "interference" of any type, meaning to radiate, transmit or give off any type traceable electrical signal and must absorb all electrical interference of any type. This is not the exact wording of the code section but it's the pretty much what it says. So, there is not way to create a signal to cause a scanner to give off any traceble type of "signal" that could be detected. Besides, the amount of EFI that is in a home today would bury any amount traceable "signal" that a defective scanner could ever possiblly create. As for radar detectors, most of ya'll should know this but if you don't, you going to love it. Police use radar equipment that are controlled by a switch that the police officer presses when he thinks that he has a speeder. That when the radar equipment transmit it's signal and it bounces back to the police car. Then the police officer lets go of the switch and the radar equipment stops transmitting, Yep, it's that simple. Now, when your radar detector goes off, most people react and stomp down on the brake pedal for the car to nose dive & so does the speed of the targeted car. The police notices the driver's reaction and can easily assume that the driver has a radar detector. At night, it's easier for the police because the radar detector lights up inside the dark car to notify the driver of the police's officers radar signal. Their no equipment that can detect any receiving equipment, unless by feedback or actually hearing what is being received, there is no way.

 

[gmclam]

The FCC wants you to know

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a scanning
receiver, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

 

[rescuecomm]

Hmmm?? I was almost sure that the old single band Fuzzbuster radar detector I had long ago was a simple TRF circuit. Very stealthy by comparison.

Bob

 

[scanchs]

Here's a link to a FAQ page on the Valentine1 radar detector web site -> Ask Mike - Previously Answered #2

The second FAQ talks about "an instrument called a radar-detector detector". If, after reading this, you still believe that all super-heterodyne receivers (and yes, this includes scanners) do not emit detectable RF emissions, then you may want to consider taking a reading comprehension course. Now, I'm not aware of any commercial devices that are designed to detect scanners, like the VG2 detects radar-detectors, but it would certainly be possible to build one. Will anyone ever build and market such a device? My guess is probably not, but only time will tell...

ScanCHS

 

[slicerwizard]

Their no equipment that can detect any receiving equipment, unless by feedback or actually hearing what is being received, there is no way.

Wow, that post is just chock full of fail, isn't it? Radar detector detectors have been around since at least the mid 80's and scanners' oscillators have been interfering with other receivers for far longer.