I'm looking for your recommendations for a good scanner with PL for low band Dxing. And logging software and maybe a YouTube video of your set up.
Thanks
Marvin N5RKW
Thanks
Marvin N5RKW
Low band skip scanner recommendations
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jaymatt1978
Member
If that's all you want I would get a BCT15X with Unitracker
ka3aaa
Member
scanners dont normaly cover frequencies below 30 mhz where a short wave receiver will.
You don't have to spend a lot of money for one. I've been running an old BCD996XT for years and you can see from my posts how it performs. It's coverage is to 25 MHz. I'm running Butel ARC software and it saves the audio files and tags them with frequency, squelch, date and time.
You post some nice logs and it would be good if you could log the squelch tones/codes also. That would certainly help you identify who you are hearing.
You post some nice logs and it would be good if you could log the squelch tones/codes also. That would certainly help you identify who you are hearing.
Thank you so much guys! I'll get on this as soon as possible. I know just the time saved would pay for a scanner/ logging software.
BCT15X (or any scanner) will do you no good for anything below 25MHZ. OP will need either an SDR or a wideband communications receiver capable of coverage below 11m & SSB modes. My ICOM IC-R20 can bring in good DX for SWL when conditions are ideal
Looks like the Marvin was looking to monitor low band VHF 30-50 MHz based on his comments on scanner and pl tones.
A BC15X would work fine for this analog monitoring task.
A BC15X would work fine for this analog monitoring task.
Where do you get Unitracker?
jaymatt1978
Member
Google it
Are you referring to UniTrunker ? A search on Google typed like this "BCT15X with Unitracker" comes up with nothing but references to UniTrunker.
Assuming you mean UniTrunker why would he need that? He’s not looking to do any trunked system CC decoding.
I don't see how Unitrunker would be a benefit in monitoring for low band skip, as these are conventional frequencies.
Unitrunker is for monitoring trunked radio control channels to decode the data.
Sure has been a lot of misinformation posted in reply to Marvin's question on this tread. People need make sure to clearly read the post and questions ask to make sure answer it correctly.
Unitrunker is for monitoring trunked radio control channels to decode the data.
Sure has been a lot of misinformation posted in reply to Marvin's question on this tread. People need make sure to clearly read the post and questions ask to make sure answer it correctly.
jaymatt1978
Member
My mistake I'm sorry I meant freescan so he can log
Thanks everybody! You've been a tremendous help! I'm going with the BCD996XT with Butel ARC XT software. Also ordering USB-1 INTERFACE CABLE.
Don't. Use Proscan and a basically 10 meter dipole antenna.
jaymatt1978
Member
Let me know what antenna you use
A T2FD and 10 meter ground plane. But for simplicity a 10 meter or shorter dipole would work fine.
Unitrunker? SWL? Oh lord. 
The 996XT is an OK scanner, but it is getting long in the tooth. However for your situation, it'll suit you well. And ARC-XT will log what you need just fine, but I've had it crash my machine before. Proscan is another great option I've used, and is reliable. One note if using ARC-XT, make sure you tick on the "log subaudible tones" check box! It comes default off.
The 996XT is an OK scanner, but it is getting long in the tooth. However for your situation, it'll suit you well. And ARC-XT will log what you need just fine, but I've had it crash my machine before. Proscan is another great option I've used, and is reliable. One note if using ARC-XT, make sure you tick on the "log subaudible tones" check box! It comes default off.
I prefer the old BC780XLTs and the other variants. They have great receivers and are fast. The 996/15 series are just slow as hell, or at least seem like it to me.
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