In-car setup for road trip

[bengl3rt]

Hi everyone,

I consider myself fairly tech savvy and even have some prior exposure to the shortwave (i.e. below 30MHz) radio hobby incl. packet radio and SSTV. However the world north of 125MHz is brand new to me!

I am planning a road trip inside the continental United States total of about 3500 miles. My hope was to buy a fairly high-end scanner that could automatically, using GPS, select and monitor the appropriate frequencies for the local area as we drive along.

I have done a bit of reading and watched a lot of Youtube clips, but I have a few questions I was hoping you guys can help me with:

a) My research led me primarily to the BCD996XT scanner. I'm given to understand that with:
• the scanner (connected to appropriate antenna and power supply)
• the outboard GPS module
• appropriate PC cable and software (I assume Windows-only)
• a paid subscription to this site that gives me access to frequency data files

I should be able to set the thing up to automatically select frequencies using GPS fairly easily. I am confident I can sort through the details but before I do - have I missed any big-picture items? Do the frequency data files available through this site already contain location information that a GPS-enabled scanner can understand, or would that need to be added in manually?

b) In my research I came across a number of in-car setups that use *BOTH* the BCD996XT and the BCT-15. Why would I need both of these at the same time?

c) Is it reasonable to store an entire 3500mi road trip passing through several major metro areas in the scanner at one time? Would the scanner's performance improve if, for example, we took a laptop and only loaded the next day worth of frequencies at every night stop?

d) Can these things monitor Citizen's Band? Of course they are receive-only so if I wanted to transmit CB I would need a separate device. Can bad things happen if a CB transmitter and receiver are that close together? Any precautions with regards to placing their antennas a certain distance apart on the exterior of the vehicle?

Thank you in advance for time and advice.

 

[GrayJeep]

I've used a Pro-197 (Radio Shack) for trips from Colorado to Seattle and back.
It's not turnkey nor even GPS enabled so maybe my advice is meaningless.

I've spent quite a few hours working out the state, county and city agencies of interest along the way then used Win500 and RadioReference Premium to program the radio. I create a spreadsheet of them by examining the road atlas. Then I program groups using RR.

For that run (either I-80 or I-90) , it takes less than half the radio's capacity to hold everything of interest on the route so I just push a scanlist button at each boundary to activate the new freqs and systems and push another one to deactivate what's behind us.

This might be too much trouble for you. But it DOES work for a radio geek.

CB- yes, most scanners receive CB. If you transmit on CB with the scanner receiver antenna really close it probably won't damage anything (if you aren't using an amplifier) but it'll sound like you are. (the sounds of radio overload)

 

[AC0RV]

May I ask from to and where to ? I may have some files that might helpful.

 

[scanchs]

...
I am confident I can sort through the details but before I do - have I missed any big-picture items? Do the frequency data files available through this site already contain location information that a GPS-enabled scanner can understand, or would that need to be added in manually?
...

Hi bengl3rt,

First, welcome to Radio Reference!

I think you may have missed the biggest "big-picture" item. Specifically, if you use a Uniden HomePatrol instead of the BCD996XT, you won't need to load any frequencies while you're on your trip (unless you just want to for fun). The HomePatrol contains the entire Radio Reference database, and with an optional GPS connected to it, it will automatically load the frequencies for the local area you're driving through. Check it out at -> HomePatrol

ScanCHS

 

[bengl3rt]

May I ask from to and where to ? I may have some files that might helpful.

Roughtly US Northeast to US Southwest ending in Los Angeles, but definitely not the most direct route. Lots of sightseeing.

I've spent quite a few hours working out the state, county and city agencies of interest along the way then used Win500 and RadioReference Premium to program the radio. I create a spreadsheet of them by examining the road atlas. Then I program groups using RR.

I'd be very interested in automating a good chunk of this process - imagine you generate a route on Google Maps or Google Earth which spits out a KML file, and then some magical widget sucks up the KML file and gives you back an RR file with all the frequencies of interest, ready to load onto your scanner?

I think you may have missed the biggest "big-picture" item. Specifically, if you use a Uniden HomePatrol instead of the BCD996XT, you won't need to load any frequencies while you're on your trip (unless you just want to for fun). The HomePatrol contains the entire Radio Reference database, and with an optional GPS connected to it, it will automatically load the frequencies for the local area you're driving through. Check it out at -> HomePatrol

Interesting! Too bad they don't make a single DIN version for automotive mounting... so does it have a 3G modem in it or something to talk to the database? Or does it literally have enough onboard storage for the entire db, including geo coordinates?

 

[n5ims]

Another thing you should have handy is a collection of the various state and local scanner laws. In some areas having a scanner while mobile is illegal and often fairly heavily inforced (note, often it doesn't matter if that scanner is on or not, simply having one may be enough for the violation). If you're a licensed amateur radio operator, this may allow you to have and use a scanner on many of those states, but you'll need to have proof of your license and having a copy of their law showing the exemption is probably a good idea as well. A Google search can help you create this collection for your route. If you want to scan while mobile, you may be able to avoid troublesome areas while planning your route.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Hi, welcome to RadioReference. For some good radios for a road trip I would use the Uniden HP1 and the Uniden BCD396XT. The HP has a feature in it that if used with GPS it will change freqs for any city/town/county you go into while driving, the HT is good to have if you want to walk around with a radio on your trip and/or if want to have a more complex scanner to use too.

These are the links to the two radios.

http://www.scannermaster.com/Uniden_HomePatrol_Police_Scanner_p/10-501530.htm

http://www.scannermaster.com/Uniden_Bearcat_BCD396XT_Police_Scanner_p/10-501358.htm

Another good thing to have is some good antennas, one or two handheld antennas for the 396XT and a couple for the mobile use for the HP1 and the 396XT. Also a laptop with internet access, a ham radio (provided you are licensed) , extra batteries, I could go on and on with good things to bring on a road trip that have to do with radios, antennas, and electronics.

And yes it is dangerous to have a transmiting antenna to close to a scanner antenna, even a CB one.

 

[bengl3rt]

HomePatrol + GPS seems like a pretty good solution. I assume a RadioReference subscription is required to keep the database up to date - or does Uniden roll the database content updates into the freely available firmware updates?

If not, is there special software required on the PC side to drop in the latest database?

 

[bgav]

HomePatrol + GPS seems like a pretty good solution. I assume a RadioReference subscription is required to keep the database up to date - or does Uniden roll the database content updates into the freely available firmware updates?

If not, is there special software required on the PC side to drop in the latest database?

IMHO the HP-1 + GPS would be your best bet, closest to a "turn key" solution on the road. You do *not* need a RR subscription to update the database via the Sentinal Software (included with the HP-1), it's free.

See here for more information on how the GPS works with the full database and favorites lists. Bottom line with the GPS: Set the range to 0.

 

[GrayJeep]

I'd be very interested in automating a good chunk of this process - imagine you generate a route on Google Maps or Google Earth which spits out a KML file, and then some magical widget sucks up the KML file and gives you back an RR file with all the frequencies of interest, ready to load onto your scanner?

Sounds good - in theory. But I come from an Engineering background where showing your work and being able to backtrack to where you went wrong is helpful.

In this case, when you're out there on the road, if the magic script didn't work right, you'd have a hard time recovering.


Don't worry. People who think like me will all die pretty soon

 

[GrayJeep]

One thing to consider with the GPS enable radius of agencies is that the radio doesn't know which direction you're going or that you may have just crossed a boundary.

For example, I find that agencies and states that are behind me aren't of interest. I want to know what's going on ahead of me. If your scanner is spending time searching for transmissions in towns behind you, it may miss something that's going on up ahead. That may be entertaining and all but if you're trying to use the scanner to aid your trip that factor won't help much.

In my manual method, as soon as I cross a state line and I change scan lists, my radio is not wasting time on things behind me.

I use this same strategy on my daily commute to listen ahead for crashes and problems.

But it's not the turnkey solution.

 

[bengl3rt]

One thing to consider with the GPS enable radius of agencies is that the radio doesn't know which direction you're going or that you may have just crossed a boundary.

For example, I find that agencies and states that are behind me aren't of interest. I want to know what's going on ahead of me. If your scanner is spending time searching for transmissions in towns behind you, it may miss something that's going on up ahead. That may be entertaining and all but if you're trying to use the scanner to aid your trip that factor won't help much.

Very good point.

I think I will spend some time with the data and the software before deciding whether to use an HP-1 and Sentry or a more traditional scanner with manual loading via the RR software.

Can someone point me to the link where I can pay for & download a dump of, say, the entire continental US of geotagged sites & frequencies?

 

[cacherjoe]

Home Patrol and GPS all the way. I have that set up and it is by far the easiest GPS to use especially while mobile. The touch screen allows for quick access to anything you will ever need. Mute button on the screen allows for quick mute. I have traveled with it in both Canada and the US and love it. A great added feature is the ability to hit the replay button and replay what you didn't hear right. Also being able to record the audio with the touch of a button lets you go back and relive the moment.

The database update is free and easy to do so you are sure you have all the frequencies you need for the trip.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Very good point.

I think I will spend some time with the data and the software before deciding whether to use an HP-1 and Sentry or a more traditional scanner with manual loading via the RR software.

Can someone point me to the link where I can pay for & download a dump of, say, the entire continental US of geotagged sites & frequencies?

Have you tried the RR database?

RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference Database

 

[cacherjoe]

I agree, RR database is where to go. Get a premium membership which allows you to run some reports as well allow some various software packages to pull the frequencies from the database. As a point of interest, the HP-1 and Sentinel pull from the RR database without needing a membership. I choose to get the membership anyway to support the service.

As complete as the RR database is you may find that there are some local interests (businesses, ham radio, etc) that might not be in the database. Sentinel and the other packages will allow you to add these frequencies to the scanner so you can monitor them also. I have several frequencies that are not in the database loaded, also allowing you to add location coordinates so the HP1 will automatically lock them out.

You will also hear people talk about the extreme upgrade. I have it and love it, however unless you are looking to do some advanced things with the unit, you may want to hold off on that. It can be purchased at anytime.

 

[bengl3rt]

It looks like the HP1 has been out for a year or two... what is the upgrade cycle on these things? If my trip isn't for a few months, should I hold off in case an HP2 comes out?

 

[bengl3rt]

b) In my research I came across a number of in-car setups that use *BOTH* the BCD996XT and the BCT-15. Why would I need both of these at the same time?

Wondering if anyone can address this point as well.

 

[RBMTS]

You would not need both scanners. Some people like to listen to multiple radios at the same time and perhaps due to budget chose a digital and an analog scanner to use while mobile.

As per some of the above posts, I strongly suggest the HP-1 with the GPS. I have gone on several long cross-country trips and the HP-1 is the only way to go in my opinion. It will automatically turn on and off the systems for you based on the distance you set and your location. Set it and forget it. With the 996XT, you'll need to plan ahead and download what you want to listen to into the memory in advance. Before HP-1 I use to do that very thing. I will fill up almost all system keys and had to use 3x5 cards for each state as reference system. The HP-1 was virtually hands free and the only fine-tuning I performed was to turn on additional services when I was bored in the rural quiet areas.

I use the GPS18x puck antenna from Garmin. The HP-1 get mounted either onto the air vents or into a cup holder (depending if I am the driver or riding shot-gun). The install is much less cumbersome than the larger 996 footprint.

No matter what you decide on, make your decision soon and get the radio in your hands to learn how it works in advance of your trip. The last thing you want to do is try to figure out how to work the thing while you are actually on the road.

Have fun!

 

[Rt169Radio]

It looks like the HP1 has been out for a year or two... what is the upgrade cycle on these things? If my trip isn't for a few months, should I hold off in case an HP2 comes out?

I don't know if there is a HP2 coming out or not, but have you seen the HP1 extreme upgrade?

HomePatrol Extreme Upgrade Software

 

[loumaag]

I am coming to this party just a bit late but let me say that I have been doing this for awhile. In my vehicle, when I am local I just use the regular scanner (not GPS enabled) that is mounted in my vehicle. When I travel, I use the HP-1 with GPS and just put it on Entire Database, GPS Enable, 0 miles additional radius and let it do all the work. I don't really mind hearing about what happened behind me (or to either side), but based on the way we currently put the location coordinates in the database (here on the site that are subsequently imported into the HP-1 DB) there is some over-extension of actual coverage area in most instances. So you generally hear a bit before you get to an area and, yes you will hear some behind you. This will probably change sometime this year when the DB starts to incorporate rectangular coverage for GPS tagging. But that doesn't apply to you yet.

When I first started using the HP-1 on trips, I took the time to load the areas I planned on traveling through in the regular scanner (the one always in the vehicle) but now I don't bother. I will, if I have a set destination that I will be at for a bit, put that info into the regular scanner but I will also set up a Favorites List for the HP-1 for that area so I can have one I can carry into the room/house/destination. That said, the HP-1 does present some mounting difficulty, I finally went with the HP-1 mounting bracket (sold by Uniden) and a windshield mount (by Ram Mounts) that I must say provides a very stable solution.