Remote Control Heads

[PeterGV]

There are a long list of features available in amateur radio products that are not available in scanners. Remote mount is one. Dual receive is another. Here's another example (not exactly a new radio, the example in the previous post is the follow-on to this model):

I don't understand the economics of the two markets, but I have looong wondered (and posted questions here about) why the scanner market doesn't provide products that are as advanced as the amateur radio market. I wonder about the difference in market size worldwide.

I *would* have guessed that the scanner market was LARGER (based on the licensing requirement for ham radio), but the products we see lead me to believe the scanner market must be significantly SMALLER.

Peter
K1PGV

 

[N4GKS]

Is there not a person on here that's posts for Uniden when there is a question? I'd like to know why it's so hard to make a removeable head instead of selling a remote head for another $200.00.

 

[KE4ZNR]

Is there not a person on here that's posts for Uniden when there is a question? I'd like to know why it's so hard to make a removeable head instead of selling a remote head for another $200.00.

Yes there is a person from Uniden here (UPMan). However he cannot reply to every single post. He does a great job of trying to answer as many questions as possible but there are many reasons why he can't answer every single question. Remember: He has people to answer to in his job just like you do.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[UPMan]

The models that enter the amateur radio market are typically also sold for the air and commercial (and sometimes public safety) radio market with only a change to the RF section and firmware. Combined, any particular platform has a much larger combined market base than scanners. They also tend to cost more per band.

If I could limit a scanner to only one or two bands and still sell them, I could afford to either sell them at a much lower price or put in more features.

 

[PeterGV]

Thank you, UPMan...

Peter
K1PGV

 

[K4APR]

Just for the sake of the the discussion, here is one other amateur radio, amongst several out there, with this option. I have [this] radio and just purchased the remote mounting hardware for it last week for about $50. Like the ICOM, Kenwood also uses an odd ball connector on one end of the connection cable and if I was good at fabricationg such things, I would make one...but! Anyway, same concept as everyone else out there is wanting. The head can be slid off of the radio, a cable connected between the head and the main unit and remote mount said unit! I did buy a RH96 from SM for $149.95...now I just have to get another scanner to use it on since my BCT15 was stolen and havent replaced it yet.

What kind of connector does this model radio use for the head to main unit connection?

I also have a couple Icom IC-2720s with remote heads. These are really nice and easy since they use RJ12 conenctors on both ends. I just need some three or four pair cable, crimpers and I can make a cable to any length I need for pennies. This is an advantage over my IC-706MKIIG since the 706 uses the odd pogo pins for the connector.

My Alinco DR-610 used a hard to find single row white modular plug for the head to main unit connection. Even with the head attached, they used a very short (~4") jumper that tucked behind the head when snapped onto the front of the radio.

DR-610:

 

[N4GKS]

I don't get it. Uniden sells a seperate control head but cannot make future scanners with the same head attached to the scanner which then could be removed and used with a cable. Strange indeed.

 

[KE4ZNR]

I don't get it. Uniden sells a seperate control head but cannot make future scanners with the same head attached to the scanner which then could be removed and used with a cable. Strange indeed.

No one has said that Uniden Can't make a separate control head. They could in a heartbeat. Is it worth their investment though? Nothing strange here. Just Uniden trying to balance ROI (Return on Investment) with customer demand.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[K4APR]

No one has said that Uniden Can't make a separate control head. They could in a heartbeat. Is it worth their investment though? Nothing strange here. Just Uniden trying to balance ROI (Return on Investment) with customer demand.
Marshall KE4ZNR

Regardless of what Uniden plans to do in the furture, I am moving on with my extension kit project. I think with the fact that Uniden has released a new version of the head, with updates, there is a market for this extension kit. I have already sourced parts and the PCBs are ready to go to fab. If I can get them submitted soon, I can have some in hand before Christmas to try. I checked with my PCB fab house and I had the shutdown dates wrong, they will be open for the next couple of weeks before shutdown for the end of the year.

So far, I have only found Scanner Master to have the heads in stock and the best price. I will probaly get one of those on order this week or next. I was hoping for a sale, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[K4APR]

Just a quick update on this:

I have a brand new BC-RH96 on the way, I also have the first run of PCBs on order. The head will get here Thursday, but I am heading out of town that morning. The boards take 10 days from the fab house in China, so I can't start building a test unit until those come in anyways. I have all of the other connectors and parts in-hand, so I can build up a test set when everything else gets here.

I don't know if this is going to be somthing the public is interested in, but I know I can use it, so I am willing to put the time into it. Once I have it working, I will most likely offer the kits up to anyone else who is interested. No target on price right now, other than, it should be under $40 for the set, including a 10' CAT5 cable and the other required patch cables.

 

[NickH]

I am looking at the remote head setup but have a few questions...

My outdoor antenna and main scanner (crappy BC350C soon to be replaced with either a 996 or 15x) are in my "man cave" in the basement,

Currently I have 2 Motorola speakers (best sounding speakers hands down) one in "the cave" and the other in my living room on the first floor, directly above the scanner.

My thought is, when I upgrade scanners, to get the RH kit so I can control the scanner in the living room as well. It's a pain running up and down the stairs to adjust volume, lockout channels and such.

So...

- Can I control the scanner from both control heads? (obviously not at once)

- Can the 10' remote cable be extended? I need it to be about 15' if not a hair longer...

-Nick

 

[K4APR]

- Can I control the scanner from both control heads? (obviously not at once)

Even without the kit I am working on, you can do this.

- Can the 10' remote cable be extended? I need it to be about 15' if not a hair longer...

I would say so. I can't say how long until I get everything built up, but I would venture a guess at 50' or less. I think someone here said they extended their factory cable with a standard stereo 1/8" male to female extension cable at least 25'. It all depends on at what length the control signal degrades.