icom 2100h used as a scanner?

[kc9neq]

i was thinking about purchasing an icom 2100h to be used as a scanner. i saw some on ebay for under $100.00. i would like to monitor the 160 to 161 mhz band. no transmit just monitor. does anyone know how many freqs this will this radio scan? is under $100.00 a reasonable price? and would this radio be a good choice to be used as a scanner. i have a bcd 996t and am very happy with it but i reside in a highly congested radio traffic area and frequently get a large amout of paging intermod on the 160 to 161 mhz band.

 

[trace1]

ICOM IC-2100H Specifications

General
Frequency Coverage [USA version]:
Rx: 136-174 MHz
Tx: 144-148 MHz
Mode: FM
Number of Memory Channels: 113 (inc. 3 pairs of scan edges, 3 log, 3 repeater, and 1 call channel)
Usable Temperature Range: +14°F to +140°F, -10°C to +60°C;
Frequency Resolution: 5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 50 kHz
Frequency Stability: ±10 ppm (-10°C to +60°C)
Power Supply Requirement: 13.8 V DC+/-15% (negative ground)
Current Drain - Transmit: 12.0 A (55 Watts)
Current Drain - Receive: 1.0 A (max. audio output) 0.8 A (standby)
Antenna Connector: SO-239 (50 ohm)
Dimensions (projections not included): 5.5(W) x 1.6(H) x 7.1 (D) inches (140 x 40 x 180 mm)
Weight: 2 lb, 10 oz (1.2 kg)

Transmitter
Output Power: 55 Watt, 10 Watt, 5 Watt selectable
Modulation System: Variable reactance frequency
Max. Frequency Deviation: +/-5.0 kHz
Spurious Emissions: Less than -60 dB

Receiver
Receive System: Double-conversion superheterodyne
Intermediate Frequencies: 1st 15.65 MHz, 2nd 450 kHz
Sensitivity: Less than 0.18 µV for 12 dB SINAD
Squelch Sensitivity: 0.13 µV at threshold
Selectivity (wide/narrow): More than 12 kHz at -6 dB, Less than 28 kHz at -60 dB
Spurious and Image Rejection: More than 60 dB
Intermodulation rejection ratio: More than 70 dB
Audio Output Power at 13 V DC: More than 2.4 W at 10% distortion with an 8 load.
External Speaker Connector: 3-conductor 3.5 (d) mm (1/8 inch)/8 ohm
Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

I have several of the Rail Road frequencies (160-161 MHz range) programmed into my 2200H (newer version of the 2100H) and it works great when scanning.

 

[jonny290]

It'll work just fine. I use my icom 208h for wideband scanning stuff and it works okay - mild intermod when my UHF beam is pointed at pager towers but just fine otherwise. Your single-band radio would have even better performance since it doesn't need a 'wide' front end - just VHF.