Observations

[RadioSquirrel]

Welp, This whole journey as been My friend for 62 Years, starting with My Star Roamer, that folks helped Me build.

Couple of issues forced Me to put the hobby on hold for awhile, to get things back under control, but here I am.

I drive a LOT. Right now I mostly listen to F.D.'s. In My area, they are mostly analog. Using an old 75XLT portable with a rubber duck in the car. Does alright. Went to a hamfest and bought a mag-mount antenna for the car that the seller said was cut for UHF. Put it on and ran the cable with modest expectations.

Holy cow! What a difference! Full quieting on My town's Fire Dispatch (VHF) 30 miles away!

Have a HP II extreme at home, bought the Uniden external GPS, and it works fine, but Man, I CANNOT tolerate the rat's nest of cables. So the HP II sits at home, scheduled closing on My last house, the house I'll probably die in is 6 weeks from today. Maybe I'll put up a Sky Hook when I get settled. SO SDS-150 for the car, here I come. I wonder if I'll hear My own rescue call. If there's one think I learned from this hobby, it's the acknowledgement of the Serendipity and Jeopardy that weaves and winds its way through ALL Our daily lives.

 

[RadioSquirrel]

I think when I was younger, and flush with ca$h. I bought an Optocom receiver. Had a speedy 386SX and loaded the software. Gave Me LOADS of entertainment. **** went sideways, and had to ca$h out the radio. Miss those days, hard AF.

But life moves on. Oh My Buddha. Grateful for the time I had.

Went to ebay, and there's ONE for sale. No software.

 

[RadioSquirrel]

Any of Y'all ever intercept drone videos feeds?

Another thang, is I'm thinking about making an offer on a place I'll probably die in. It has a modest (to Me) tower that was used pre-cable.

Where does one source installers? I'm personally healthy and fit, but there's NO WAY I'm personally climbing a tower. Funny (NOT in a Ha-Ha way) we had a tower climber get dehydrated while climbing, and needs a High Angle Technical Rescue. That rescue just wrapped up, 4 1/2 Hours later.

 

[RoninJoliet]

Be careful hiring , I'm 84 and can't climb anymore on the tower. My connection to my scanner antenna wires broke off, I hired a guy out of the phone book, he came and repaired it, I then asked what do I owe you, he said $350.00 , WHAT, he said I fixed it didn't I , it's dangerous job ☹️

 

[mmckenna]

Where does one source installers? I'm personally healthy and fit, but there's NO WAY I'm personally climbing a tower. Funny (NOT in a Ha-Ha way) we had a tower climber get dehydrated while climbing, and needs a High Angle Technical Rescue. That rescue just wrapped up, 4 1/2 Hours later.

There's no way I'd climb an old tower that has an unknown history. Just way too much risk. No idea if the foundation was done right, no idea if the tubular legs have rusted out from the inside, many shops won't touch them.
Usually what you'll get is a guy with a bucket truck, cheaper, faster, easier.
You can rent those yourself, but it can get expensive and it can be a bit nerve wracking if you haven't used one before.

Check around with local TV/satellite TV shops. They'll either do it, or have someone who does.

Usually just getting the antenna outside the house is a big help, especially if it is just your local agencies you want to hear. Height gives you more range, but unless you want to hear far off agencies, sometimes just a simple antenna poking above the roof is enough.

 

[KK4JUG]

Check the nearest ham club for a possible referral.

 

[bearcatrp]

What frequencies are the drone videos on? Would be interesting to capture the feed. Not sure what software would be used. Would think any law enforcement drones would be encrypted.