Fustrated Scanner Buff

[bartman]

Hey all, been lurking here for a while and trying to learn.

I have an AOR 8200 Scanner that I have owned for years. I dust it off every once in a while, but invariably get frustrated at my lack of hearing anything.

Last month in another "I am going to get this thing to work" fit, I purchased an AOR SA7000 antenna, placed it in the attic. (In the years prior, I never had an external antenna) I got the computer cable, and the spiffy Butel control software.

I have "bandscoped" "searched" "scanned" for a few weeks now, all over the spectrum. I have copied every frequency list I can find (including this site)

What I have heard:
NOAA on 162.55
Local FM Stations
Local AM Stations
A few voices on 450.450 and 450.350
An airplane or two around 122.000

I must say I am less than impressed. I realize my scanner is not digital, but sheez…

I almost wonder if my BNC antenna jack is broken. I say this because while listening to NOAA, when I disconnect the antenna there very little change in the quality or strength of the signal.
:?
Perhaps if I can get someone to give me a few "test" frequencies to do a little more troubleshooting. (i.e. some frequencies or frequency ranges where I have a good chance to hear ANYTHING) I live in the Brandon, FL area (east of Tampa) Again, I don’t care if it’s the local dogcatcher.

Otherwise, any other advice would be great.

:x

 

[K5MAR]

I can't tell where Brandon is in relation to Tampa, but looking at the database, it appears that all the PD/FD activity is trunked, which your AOR doesn't do. Here is the link to the Tampa-area database:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&mid=34

Try asking this in the Florida Forum, somebody more local can help you better.

Mark S.

 

[ov1]

Conventional freq's in your area

Follow this link for some conventional freq's you can program in your radio.

Your area has many trunked systems as well.

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&ctid=344


Good luck Terry

 

[ka3jjz]

Hey all, been lurking here for a while and trying to learn.

I have an AOR 8200 Scanner that I have owned for years. I dust it off every once in a while, but invariably get frustrated at my lack of hearing anything.

Last month in another "I am going to get this thing to work" fit, I purchased an AOR SA7000 antenna, placed it in the attic. (In the years prior, I never had an external antenna) I got the computer cable, and the spiffy Butel control software.

I have "bandscoped" "searched" "scanned" for a few weeks now, all over the spectrum. I have copied every frequency list I can find (including this site)

What I have heard:
NOAA on 162.55
Local FM Stations
Local AM Stations
A few voices on 450.450 and 450.350
An airplane or two around 122.000

I must say I am less than impressed. I realize my scanner is not digital, but sheez…

I almost wonder if my BNC antenna jack is broken. I say this because while listening to NOAA, when I disconnect the antenna there very little change in the quality or strength of the signal.
:?
Perhaps if I can get someone to give me a few "test" frequencies to do a little more troubleshooting. (i.e. some frequencies or frequency ranges where I have a good chance to hear ANYTHING) I live in the Brandon, FL area (east of Tampa) Again, I don’t care if it’s the local dogcatcher.

Otherwise, any other advice would be great.

:x

Dumb question - is your attenuator on? I believe that's a per-channel setting...
Otherwise there's a very active Yahoo group devoted to the 8200. It might be worthwhile to join that as well.

73s and GL...Mike

 

[loumaag]

Well you can always try WWV, it is a constant signal and should be able to be heard on at least one of the frequencies any time, Day or Night. See the Web Site for the details, but at 10,000 watts on 5.0 10.0 15.0 MHz and 2,500 watts on 2.5 & 20.0 MHz if you can't hear that, you have a problem. I just checked and I can hear 15.0 MHz on a dummy load! :wink:

 

[bartman]

Thanks for the WWV tip, I have tried them before with no luck and I just tried again...

nada on 15 Mhz (or any of the others) with my SA7000 antenna (yes, I know...not optimal for HF)...and noting with the little MW "bar" antenna that AOR supplies with my radio. Oh and just for good measure nothing with no antenna at all.

So, perhaps I do have a problem...

Seems strange, that I can get 162.55, though...

Looking closer, my BNC connector on the radio will rotate with finger pressure about 15 degrees...that doesnt seem good....

Again thanks...

 

[loumaag]

Looking closer, my BNC connector on the radio will rotate with finger pressure about 15 degrees...that doesnt seem good....

:shock: Most certainly, your solder joint is broken.

Time to break out a screwdriver, soldering iron, etc. 8)

 

[bartman]

Loumaag--

You are exactly right, after a little work I managed to open the radio up and sure enough the base of the BNC connector has a wire wrapped half way around it and the PC board has a wire sticking out, not attached to anything!

Hmm, this one looks interesting...never done much soldering much less a "delicate" operation like this. :? :roll:

But again, looks like you were 100% correct.

I took a picture if you (or anyone else) wants I can try to post it...

 

[bartman]

After further review...I believe I will send it in for repair...

Again, thanks

 

[loumaag]

I took a picture if you (or anyone else) wants I can try to post it...

Well you can if you want. I have been there and done that so I know what it looks like. Good luck on the repair.

 

[leftystrat]

Loumaag--

You are exactly right, after a little work I managed to open the radio up and sure enough the base of the BNC connector has a wire wrapped half way around it and the PC board has a wire sticking out, not attached to anything!

Yup, that would be the thing I fixed twice on my used 8200.
Add in some quirky battery connectors that are more like projectiles and LEDs that go out and you have the 8200.

I love the unit - just don't like fixing it.

 

[racin06]

bartman,

I'm sure you will find the 8200 a fine receiver. I just purchased a new 8200 Mark III B. I received the unit 3 days ago.

First of all, the 8200 is VERY complicated to operate. I've spent more time reading the manual (140 pages) than actually monitoring. Though, now I'm beginning to feel comfortable with the 8200's complicated programming and menu system.

As far as performance, UHF/VHF is excellent with the stock telescopic antenna. The 8200 is far superior to my Pro-96 as far as monitoring aircraft here in Indiana. The 8200 also does a better job than my Pro-96 on pulling in conventional police and fire frequencies from adjacent counties in which I live.

Regarding HF, I made myself a 30 ft. wire antenna for use indoors and that really improved things vastly as far as reception is concerned. I have heard many HAM conversations along with ATC/aircraft transmissions over the Atlantic. Also, SW broadcasting stations come in loud and clear from Europe and some from Asia. Just adding my two cents worth on the 8200.

I also just purchased a new Icom IC-R75. The 75 is due on my doorstep tomorrow. I can't wait to get may hands on it!

 

[bartman]

Thanks guys, good info to know...

I mailed it off for repair, did not feel confident in fixing it myself. Hopefully the folks at AOR don't "gouge" me too bad.

I have only begun to play with the BUTEL software, but it seems like the only way to go as far as programming this little radio.

I still feel pretty dumb for spending days scanning with no antenna

I cant wait to see what it does when I get it fixed...

The FM stations were maxed on the scale with no antenna, wonder if that will cause problems when I get it fixed? (I live very close to several broadcasting towers)

Again, thanks a million for the help and feedback.[/quote]

 

[INDY72]

Also a hint as to your NOAA/NWS NWR station..... If your within say 10 miles or less of the tower, you can usually pick it up on any reviever that has that freq with no antenna, a busted connector, and the radio half dead... If your around 20 to 25 miles out,.. you may start to notice some degredation with no ant... And at 30 PLUS miles.. you definitely will know if your ant is working.... Hope you get a good deal on the repair job, and have fun.

 

[bartman]

Yep, makes sense...I used this link:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/usframes.html

to verify the tower is very close to my location (5-10 miles max)