long range scanner

[prcguy]

Back in the 80's I could easily pick up cell phone conversations out to 40mi with a 6ft omni 800MHz antenna. Cell phone users were always letting the other person on the phone know where they were and it was easy to track them. It was also a big deal to announce you were in their driveway.
prcguy

rofl..

Even if it were possible.........
You're not gonna be listening to a cell phone from 40 miles away, to begin with...

 

[N_Jay]

Back in the 80's I could easily pick up cell phone conversations out to 40mi with a 6ft omni 800MHz antenna. Cell phone users were always letting the other person on the phone know where they were and it was easy to track them. It was also a big deal to announce you were in their driveway.
prcguy

Back in the day of 3 Watt mobiles and 15 mile site separation.

Long ago, and oh so very far away, . . . .

 

[KB9NLL]

Yes to all the above analog only for old scanners, modded scanners, my pro-51, Illegal Imports, unblocked versions for governmental entities (seen it somewhere in my catalog) whoever that includes (government entities listening to analog cellphones digital just means they have taps to the phone companies now to listen to conversations ), anyways I don't listen to phone conversations but do happen uppon them if using my pro-51in search mode and agree that still around but over the years its scarcer and scarcer. I remember 1996 (when I did not know it was illegal) while downtown hundreds of them in programed search when one dropped off another imediatly came on.

but all that aside there's still cordless phones, baby monitors,etc. which are disapearing to. But now there's frs radios that have privacy codes so no else can hear them:lol: I just love listening to those people.

 

[elk2370bruce]

If you really think one of those exists then I have some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you too. :lol:

Wait until the next big earthquake and the "Lost" Angeles syndrome occurs. You'll get big money for that new beach.

 

[WayneH]

Won't be for long. You have not been able to even buy an analog phone in several years.

Strictly analog, no. But there are phones that are still backwards compatible with AMPS. I have a Sprint one, which was sold last year.

 

[gmclam]

I need to know the name of a long range radio scanner that would be strong enough to monitor a cell phone conversation at a range of 40-50 miles from the scanner. It must also be a scanner that has the possibility of a cell phone band block modification. (as far as deactivating the block). The reasons that I want a scanner of this nature are purely legal. I do not intend to illegally eavesdrop on the cellband. However any info you guys could supply would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Interesting FIRST post on RR. You should do a search here and read all the threads on this topic that have already been written.
While many posters have indicated this is illegal, that does depend on WHERE you are. You did not fill out your profile and/or tell us where in the world you are. That answer will change everything.
All "cell phones" are not created equal. There are several technologies. Older technologies were analog, newer are digital. Even new digital scanners are unable to decode digital cell transmissions - even if you can tune to the correct frequency.
Funny that you make it clear you know this could be illegal. But you don't elaborate so we can help best; and so we don't get all the posts writing about the illegalities of this request.

 

[k9rzz]

Ask where they can get the same equipment the NSA uses in ECHELON

I thought I heard that the govt. monitors at the switching station rather than over the air.

??

 

[N_Jay]

Strictly analog, no. But there are phones that are still backwards compatible with AMPS. I have a Sprint one, which was sold last year.

Which model? Bet it is not still in production.

 

[N_Jay]

I thought I heard that the govt. monitors at the switching station rather than over the air.

??

Shhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

You are giving away big secrets!

 

[gcgrotz]

My Nokia 6015i still has analog, it is only a couple of years old and has an option to force analog only, which I do use from time to time. The service is usually bad, but when my digital site is down and the phone is trying to lock in on some site 10 miles away, analog will get me through. Kinda like CW in a way...

That being said, back when I used to have analog test gear in the vehicle, we could only get about 20 miles from sites on 300ft towers around here in the rolling hills of central VA. Even IF you could hear a tower 40 miles away, chances are good in most parts of the country that there would be other users of the channel interfering.

Also, at least in the CDMA world, the govt has to monitor at the switch level, can't be done over the air.

 

[Don_Burke]

As of right now, his last activity was one minute after his one post.

This is quite a bit of response to a hit and run. Perhaps he is viewing this without logging in under the username used for posting the OM.

 

[gldavis]

This may be going off the current topic, but the original question was for a long range(distance) scanner. The major factor on determining distance reception will be the antenna that you are useing, not the legality of the freq being monitored. Sensitivity of the scanner is about the same now-a-daze, and the main contributor to distance listening will be the capture area, and gain of your antenna. A good 15 to 20 element beam, cut for the freq you want, will pulll in signals from much farther away than the issued "Rubber Duck" you get with the scanner. However, even with a good beam antenna, 40 to 50 miles is a bit much. Elevation, and surrounding terrain would be a factor, as well as the power out of the transmitters you are trying to copy.
Instead of looking for a new scanner, you need to be looking at Real Estate (location and elevation) and a good antenna system.

 

[N_Jay]

My Nokia 6015i still has analog,

And discontinued!

 

[WayneH]

Which model? Bet it is not still in production.

It's not but I'm willing to bet I can find one in Sprint's portfolio that still does.

ETA: SCP-3100 supports AMPS

 

[slicerwizard]

A good 15 to 20 element beam, cut for the freq you want, will pulll in signals from much farther away than the issued "Rubber Duck" you get with the scanner.

Not going to help much when the target cell site's antennas are only a few hundred feet off the ground and the frequencies have been reused half a dozen times along that 50 mile hop.

 

[N_Jay]

It's not but I'm willing to bet I can find one in Sprint's portfolio that still does.

ETA: SCP-3100 supports AMPS

Sanyo SCP-3100
This affordable clamshell CDMA phone sports Push-To-Talk, a large external display, and a basic camera. Other features include speakerphone, Java, and real-time voice call screening.

Offered By:

Qwest Wireless Discontinued
Sprint Discontinued

 

[gcgrotz]

And discontinued!

Well, yeah! You should see it, all beat up and the numbers worn off. My wife won't even touch it. (Insert joke here...)

I'm not looking forward to the day when it dies. Like I said, if I'm out in the sticks working on a site that is OOS, and my phone is trying to lock on an unusable signal from a distant site, and I have to drive 5 miles to call the switch, I'M GONNA BE P.O.'d. The only way I can force a Roam is to force analog. I guess the company will have to buy us a competitor phone. HA!

 

[87gmc]

There are still plenty of phones you can buy that still go into analog.

Motorola and LG are some of the main brands.

M800
M900

 

[loumaag]

Well indeed most of the large carriers (AT&T, Sprint, etc.) have phased out (or will soon phase out) AMPS service for roaming there are still phones that can be purchased that will do AMPS. Current phones N_Jay, take a look at this Samsung example; note it is offered service by Alltel, Cricket, U.S. Cellular and Verizon.

 

[jimyleg]

ooo!

Well indeed most of the large carriers (AT&T, Sprint, etc.) have phased out (or will soon phase out) AMPS service for roaming there are still phones that can be purchased that will do AMPS. Current phones N_Jay, take a look at this Samsung example; note it is offered service by Alltel, Cricket, U.S. Cellular and Verizon.

Yo, I had that phone when i switched to vw and man i thought that was a bad ass phone!
I lived in an area "Mound, Mn" which is kinda far from the metro.. Any who, that phone has a super loud speaker phone.. deceant camera.. and nice quality all around for a cheap phone.. It was free in my plan. I could see the phone actually go from anog to dig on the screen. BUT it died when i put it in the wash. I got the choco now..