Each device in shacks like Ted's or mine usually have very specific functions. In my case I currenly have 10 scanners (3 BC15's, 3 BC780's. 2 BC785's, a Pro2096 and a BC996), each with specific functions. For instance, my BC15's are dedicated Fire Tone Out Receivers, the 785's are used as "GoTo" radios for Trunker and Pro96Com, the 996 is used to monitor a local APCO25 trunked system and for CloseCall work, )ne of the 780's and the 2096 are used for Trunker/Pro96Com and the other 2 780's are used for local police, fire, rail and aircraft use. I also have an R8500 used mostly for searching, a dual band ham rig and a pair of Moto mobiles used for GMRS and other stuff to talk on.
Most scanner nuts that use multiple radios like this that I know usually have very defined purposes for each radio, and match the radio up to it's strength. One of my 780's is particularily sensitive on VHF-High so I tend to use it mostly for fire and railroad, another 780 works real well on 800 and thus is dedicated as a Trunker data receiver.
Many of us also use different computer logging programs, so often do not actually listen to the radios much of the time, but rather collect data via programs such as Trunker and Pro96Com.
I also use multpile computers. My main computer is a PowerMac with dual monitors, and I also have a P4 loaded with RAM and a couple large hard drives that I use to record audio files for later decoding (mostly for fire tones). I use an older DOS machine for Trunker, and when not in use elsewhere I have a couple laptops that are used for special purpose stuff at home. These laptops however are often in use at work or in the field, so are not always available at home.
I count myself lucky as to being able to afford to obtain radios and computers to dedicate to specific tasks like that. Each of the radios in my shack has a purpose, and while may not be so tasked all the time, it doesn't just collect dust. I also justify some of the expense for work purposes, both in my career field and consulting endeavors, but for the most part it is for hobby purposes. I will admit however to cleaning up the joint before taking pictures for this forum, my shack is not usually as neat as my pictures tend to show.
Most scanner nuts that use multiple radios like this that I know usually have very defined purposes for each radio, and match the radio up to it's strength. One of my 780's is particularily sensitive on VHF-High so I tend to use it mostly for fire and railroad, another 780 works real well on 800 and thus is dedicated as a Trunker data receiver.
Many of us also use different computer logging programs, so often do not actually listen to the radios much of the time, but rather collect data via programs such as Trunker and Pro96Com.
I also use multpile computers. My main computer is a PowerMac with dual monitors, and I also have a P4 loaded with RAM and a couple large hard drives that I use to record audio files for later decoding (mostly for fire tones). I use an older DOS machine for Trunker, and when not in use elsewhere I have a couple laptops that are used for special purpose stuff at home. These laptops however are often in use at work or in the field, so are not always available at home.
I count myself lucky as to being able to afford to obtain radios and computers to dedicate to specific tasks like that. Each of the radios in my shack has a purpose, and while may not be so tasked all the time, it doesn't just collect dust. I also justify some of the expense for work purposes, both in my career field and consulting endeavors, but for the most part it is for hobby purposes. I will admit however to cleaning up the joint before taking pictures for this forum, my shack is not usually as neat as my pictures tend to show.
