"New" Analog Scanner with Better Screen/Controls

[kingshootr]

$100 ($150-but that has to be run by procurement {I.e.missus} 😁.

 

[ratboy]

I modded a few scanners over the years from orange to green backlights just because people really hated them as much as I did. I modded one of my handhelds, I can't remember which one, since I had it apart because the factory had forgotten to solder one of the speaker leads and I got tired of smacking it to make it talk. It was pretty easy, I didn't have the right size LEDs, but Digi-Key had thousands of them. The last one I modded was a 2 meter mobile, and I think it was an Alinco, modded to blue LEDS. Not crazy about reading the display afterwards, but the blue light was nice.

 

[rgchristy]

Not "new", but the RadioShack Pro-92 (handheld) & Pro-2067 (mobile/base) were always two of my favorite scanners, in terms of display readability and features.

Pro-92 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

I believe that the PSR 310 & 410 (mentioned above) are newer and possibly better alternatives.

PSR-310 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

I prefer the green Pro-92 display to the white, but I think that either should fit your needs.

Another option with the white display, is that you can use tinting film to change the background color to your preference. I did that with my GRE PSR-800 and found that a light blue background was easiest for me to read.

 

[RoninJoliet]

Really neat

 

[kingshootr]

I could live with a LCD display if the radio has a squelch controlled backlight, I'm not up to try and mod a Pro-92 and it does not appear that the PSR-310 has the option.

 

[I_Am_Infinite]

I could live with a LCD display if the radio has a squelch controlled backlight, I'm not up to try and mod a Pro-92 and it does not appear that the PSR-310 has the option.

If your saying that the 310 turns the screen light on when there is comms, it definitely does not have that. It's either press light button and it turn off after several seconds or press a hold for second and it stays on

 

[merlin]

I have to agree with the OP, too many scanners are featureless, with nice displays, or small, hard to read displays but packed with features.
If I were far better at coding, there are a lot of changes I would make or add to firmware.
As a hardware man, I could Franenstine a scanner with say a 4X3 inch display, maybe add touchscreen.
I have a Bearcat BCT-15X. My only gripes are display is too small. The orange is OK and the contrast adjustable, I can read fine if I stick my face into the scanner. Next gripe, I would take firmware back to formula. It is way too complicated, learning programming or usage a big learning curve.
Just to monitor analog VHF, 136-174, my go to radio is Ericsson M7100, a commercial tranciever. It needs certain CPS and cables to program
but covers VHF except air band AM. Excellent if it fills the bill. Price near $200
That has been replace with a full spectrum XG-100M in a desktop console, price for that, around 2 grand. I have the same in portable, XG-100P.
Down side is with backlight on it is hard on batteries. Price near $600.
Now I really like that Icom ID-52 (post 15) that should work for you all the way around. Tat will set you back about $500

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Sometimes you just need to revisit old products. Like Uniden MR8100. I have one of these for easy of use/performance as a scanner. The only drawback, no CTCSS.

Uniden Mr8100 for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Uniden Mr8100 at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

 

[kingshootr]

Sometimes you just need to revisit old products. Like Uniden MR8100. I have one of these for easy of use/performance as a scanner. The only drawback, no CTCSS.

Uniden Mr8100 for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Uniden Mr8100 at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

And it's not a hand held. Cool design and I could live with that display - but it'd be hard to take it out on the deck to listen while enjoying my cigar and scotch.

 

[kingshootr]

As a hardware man, I could Franenstine a scanner with say a 4X3 inch display, maybe add touchscreen.

I'm all ears if you can steer me to some kind of guide on how to do that.

Or, if you're bored I can mail it to you - tell me what parts you might need, etc.

 

[jfr454]

D31245, what antenna are you using on the ICOM ID-52A Plus? Possibley made by Comet?

 

[D31245]

D31245, what antenna are you using on the ICOM ID-52A Plus? Possibley made by Comet?

@jfr454, no I’m using the stock ICOM antenna that came with the radio. The pic I posted above was from a Japanese website. Used that as an illustration of the screen.

 

[merlin]

I'm all ears if you can steer me to some kind of guide on how to do that.

Or, if you're bored I can mail it to you - tell me what parts you might need, etc.

It wouldn't be easy and have to start with design concept, then select a suitable display. Not like it is plug and play. I have an Agilent spectrum analyzer I modded with an LCD display in place of the CRT. It was a challenge, mostly mechanical. They sell a kit for that but like $700 so saved a LOT of money.