Can't Narrow it Down

[dannysale]

I'm curious, what scanner/receiver picks up everything (Shortwave, SSB, AM/FM, CB AM/FM, etc.) and features the most digital coverage (DMR, NXDN, P25, etc.)?

I have a Uniden BR330t (100 kHz - 1.3 GHz) and love it for the analog stuff, but am wondering if there's something I could upgrade to that would give me what it does, but which can also do digital. I'm not familiar with all the brands (I don't think Uniden or Whistler have a unit like this) so I'm unsure about specifically how to find such a thing other than by asking.

 

[a417]

A computer running an SDR suite.

 

[mmckenna]

SDR, like @a417 said.

Or, you are looking at what is commonly referred to as a "communications receiver". Communications Receivers are not "scanners". They'll often scan, but not as well as a scanner does. They usually do have very wide bandwidth, as well as the capability to decode a lot of different modes. I've got an old AOR-2300 that will do all that (minus the trunking and DMR/NXDN) natively.

They get kind of pricy:

AR-DV1 | RECEIVERS | AOR U.S.A., INC. Authority On Radio Communications

 

[ka3aaa]

sdr is not a "scanner"

 

[dannysale]

So the latest and greatest from AOR would be the way to go? I'll look into SDR, as I am not acquainted with it at all. It looks interesting, though.

 

[a417]

So the latest and greatest from AOR would be the way to go?

For someone who "isn't aquainted with it at all", you sure are willing to commit to the first thing someone told you about. If you want to spend over a grand, sure ... it's your money.

I'll look into SDR, as I am not acquainted with it at all. It looks interesting, though.

You could get an SDR for anywhere from $40 up and give it a go, most of the software is free - as well. You most likely already have the computer.

Good luck!

 

[mmckenna]

So the latest and greatest from AOR would be the way to go? I'll look into SDR, as I am not acquainted with it at all. It looks interesting, though.

No. That was just an example. There's a lot of suitable radios and they get VERY expensive. You need to do a ton of research.

I agree, try the SDR first, it's a cheaper entry into the hobby and will let you learn about what you -really- want to do.

The 'new to the hobby, I want everything' approach often leads to disappointment. Blowing that kind of money on a radio that does everything right out of the gate isn't the way to do this. The radio is only half your cost. You'll need suitable antennaS to do what you want to do. Not only the antennas (important to understand that you'll need MORE THAN ONE to cover this range) but you'll also need the antenna support, GOOD coax, lightning protectors, grounding, antenna switch, etc, etc, etc, etc, and more etc, and then add on some etc. Don't go blowing thousands of dollars on a radio and then hook it up to a $25 antenna. Your radio will work at the $25 level, not the thousand dollar level.

 

[dannysale]

For someone who "isn't aquainted with it at all", you sure are willing to commit to the first thing someone told you about. If you want to spend over a grand, sure ... it's your money.


You could get an SDR for anywhere from $40 up and give it a go, most of the software is free - as well. You most likely already have the computer.

Good luck!

I'm not acquainted with SDR, but am acquainted with scanners. I looked up the latest receivers from AOR and, at first glance, they appear to do what I'm looking for. They do come across as being more complicated than scanners, though, so perhaps they should be out of the question. I'm really just looking for suggestions, is all; I wouldn't buy something for a grand before knowing everything about it. Additionally, I found some things people don't like about the AOR that are indicative of problems I wouldn't want to deal with. So no, I doubt I'll buy one.

So, to reframe, there is no SCANNER that does all of these things? Well, shouldn't there be?

I'll be looking into SDR. It may be the way to go, even though I love the handheld form factor.

 

[CanesFan95]

Communication receivers usually don't do trunking, which is important if you wanna monitor local emergency services.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I'm curious, what scanner/receiver picks up everything (Shortwave, SSB, AM/FM, CB AM/FM, etc.) and features the most digital coverage (DMR, NXDN, P25, etc.)?

I have a Uniden BR330t (100 kHz - 1.3 GHz) and love it for the analog stuff, but am wondering if there's something I could upgrade to that would give me what it does, but which can also do digital. I'm not familiar with all the brands (I don't think Uniden or Whistler have a unit like this) so I'm unsure about specifically how to find such a thing other than by asking.

IF you don't want to tie up your pc with a SDR dongle, there's always the Uniden SDS200 or SDS100 ? Take a look, these can do what you want, EXCEPT for SSB and Shortwave below 25 Mhz.

 

[RoninJoliet]

You could look for a used clean Icom R75 Communications Receiver, if your interested in side band...Mine is about 10 years old and still going , however they have been discontinued,....

 

[dannysale]

I've decided to try SDR for now. The features and cheap price sort of demand it, I think. My dongle arrives tomorrow.

Thanks all!