No Channels?

[JackThunder]

Hi, I just got my UV-5Rs. When I set them to scan, the only thing that ever comes in is the weather and sometimes white noise will click in.

The beep is set appropriately.

I've switched antennas.

I can hear local commerical FM radio very well.

I live in downtown Tucson. Can anyone suggest a local frequency I should be able to hear some traffic on frequently?

Thank you!

 

[bharvey2]

Not trying to be a wise guy but did you program any channels with local frequencies into the radio?

 

[jonwienke]

You have to program the radio with locally used frequencies before scan will pick up anything.

 

[N8IAA]

Hi, I just got my UV-5Rs. When I set them to scan, the only thing that ever comes in is the weather and sometimes white noise will click in.

The beep is set appropriately.

I've switched antennas.

I can hear local commerical FM radio very well.

I live in downtown Tucson. Can anyone suggest a local frequency I should be able to hear some traffic on frequently?

Thank you!

The problem you have is that most everything in your county, or city, is P-25 Phase II and DMR. There is some conventional, but not much for you to program into the radio.
One of the mistakes people make is buying these inexpensive radios and expect them to replace scanners.
There is an extensive database here on RR. Click on the database tab and go to your state and county to see what there is for you to monitor with the radios.
Larry

 

[KevinC]

Deleted radio police comments and associated replies. If you aren't going to help, then move on.

 

[JackThunder]

Thanks -

Hi,

Thanks everyone. Didn't realize I had to program in any channels if I had the radio set to frequency mode while scanning.

I did put a few channels and can tune to them in channel mode. Still nothing but white noise, even when I push "monitor."

Well, the radios do work... they can communicate to themselves... I was able to hear a couple of sporadic short lived messages... heard someone on 448.975 for a few seconds today.

I suspect there is just no traffic within range of the radio (even though I literally live at Speedway and Stone nearly downtown). Could this be true?

Thanks again,

Tony

 

[N4GIX]

Hi,

Thanks everyone. Didn't realize I had to program in any channels if I had the radio set to frequency mode while scanning.

Well, you actually don't have to. You can "scan" in frequency mode, but it would be a very slow and horribly painful experience since you can't set any limits to the search.

It will simply scan the entire range of VHF or UHF frequencies, and the odds of actually hearing anything during the hour or so of "scanning" the full range would be from "slim" to "none." :roll:

 

[JackThunder]

Okay, so, should I set it to, say, 146.52 and give it a listen for a while? Just wanted to hear any traffic at all... thanks!

 

[N8IAA]

Okay, so, should I set it to, say, 146.52 and give it a listen for a while? Just wanted to hear any traffic at all... thanks!

Good luck monitoring .52. It is simplex and not always used. Plus, using the duck antenna that came with the radio will limit you to close range transmissions.
You may want to put in repeater outputs for your area just to see if there is any activity.
Larry

 

[JackThunder]

Meh, I changed the antenna with a HPA-771. I guess I'll monitor some local repeater outputs for a few hours see if anything pops up.

Thanks all!