Scanner Recording

[indepmo]

Hi all. I have a question.
I run a police scanner website http://www.indepmo.com

I am working on putting up another site for the local fire.

Currently, I am looking for a better way to record/edit my audio.

I am using teamspeak and broadcasting as a server, then I simply
click "record" and I can go for about 10 hours with no problems, but if
the audio files get any larger, they refuse to open (in sound forge)

Any comments and suggestions that would better my site are greatly
appreciated!

Thanks

 

[flyingwolf]

You can look into using shoutcast. And if you are ambitious you can grab yourself a copy of SAM3 Broadcaster from Spacial Audio. It is quite a peice of software. It may be a bit much for a simple streaming server but it does have a built in recorder that can cut the recording into managble chunks.

At least worth a look.

And yes I am a member there but I do not make a dime if you buy it so no incentive for me to post. But I do love the software. :wink:

 

[ham612]

Just wanted to say thanks for putting up the site. It’s good to hear about (and to hear) one of my favorite hobbies from my old hometown.

I don’t know if it would work for your application or not, but I have had good luck with Xcorder for recording scanner audio. The recording is audio triggered with an adjustable threshold so radio silences are automatically edited out. It also has a feature that allows you to automatically create a new file each hour so your file sizes will be easier to manage. I haven’t had any experience with streaming audio so I cant lend any advise in that area. Sorry.(also check with the software licencing requirements)

Anyway, thanks for the site and keep up the good work.

Ham612

http://www.xcorder.com/downloads.html

 

[indepmo]

Glad you enjoyed it!
I may look into Xcorder. Looks like many people are using it.

 

[STiMULi]

Depending on the scanners you use check into ScanStar as it is a very good scanner control program as well as recorder. I think it records by intercept rather than fulltime.

http://www.scanstar.com

I found this as an option so it could be optional as to how it records:

Release info ...

2. Added option to digital audio logger to force a new segment every time squelch opens.

Scan*Star Spectrum Commander supports the following radios:

AOR AR3000
AOR AR3000A
AOR AR8000
AOR AR8200 (all versions)
AOR AR8600
AOR AR5000
Icom R10
Icom PCR-100
Icom PCR-1000
Icom R7000
Icom R7100
Icom R8500
Icom R9000
Optoelectronics OptoCom
Optoelectronics OS456 (PRO-2005, PRO-2006)
Optoelectronics OS535 (PRO-2035, PRO-2045)
Radio Shack PRO-92
Radio Shack PRO-93
Radio Shack PRO-95
Radio Shack PRO-96
Radio Shack PRO-2067
Radio Shack PRO-2052
Radio Shack PRO-2053
Uniden BC-245XLT
Uniden BC-895XLT
Yaesu FRG-9600

 

[Scan-Denver]

Try Audio Record Wizard - web site... http://www.nowsmart.com/arwizard/
I use this application for all of my scanner recording - it is an awesome program, offers VOX, MP3/WAV recording formats and may others, check it out ! http://www.nowsmart.com/arwizard/

 

[kar2n101]

I have been using Scanrec, which is a free audio recorder that utilizes the Line In jack of your sound card. It is really simple to use and since it is a VOX (voice/sound activated) it never records the gaps, just the transmissions.

You can download it from Davee.com

Not quite sure if this will help you with your net feeds, but for recording scanner audio it works quite well and you can't beat the price :wink:

kar2n101

 

[rasputen246]

Just wanted to say thanks for putting up the site. It’s good to hear about (and to hear) one of my favorite hobbies from my old hometown.

I don’t know if it would work for your application or not, but I have had good luck with Xcorder for recording scanner audio. The recording is audio triggered with an adjustable threshold so radio silences are automatically edited out. It also has a feature that allows you to automatically create a new file each hour so your file sizes will be easier to manage. I haven’t had any experience with streaming audio so I cant lend any advise in that area. Sorry.(also check with the software licencing requirements)

Anyway, thanks for the site and keep up the good work.

Ham612

http://www.xcorder.com/downloads.html

ham612, Thank you for the xcorder link/info.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Love the scanner specific interface and simple operation.

I monitor a very slow PD 15 miles away, but it is so slow I can xcord it overnight & only get a 20-30 min. long file.

Now I can catch my local action on the PD/SO freq's while I'm away.

I'm sure if I ever decide to stream I may want something with more options, but for just recording vox & EASE of operation xcorder is awsome! :shock:

 

[Scan-Denver]

It also has a feature that allows you to automatically create a new file each hour so your file sizes will be easier to manage.

With Audio Record Wizard, each time more than 2 seconds of silence has passed, it will create a new file with a date and time stamp - makes it alot easier for finding something you know that happened earlier when you were away from your computer/scanner.

No this program isn't free, it is $24.95 last time I looked - but well worth this measley amount for all that it does.

 

[rasputen246]

Yeah, I hear you. Xcorder creats time stamps but I don't think I want to generate that many files. The 1hr file chunk is just fine for my needs.

Not into serious recording/streaming.

Someday I might step up but as a freeware product xcorder suites my current needs.

 

[Scan-Denver]

I don't think I want to generate that many files.

Ok, if it is a file size issue - it will probably amount to be the same with a 1 hour long file or with several files adding up to be the same in size - just an FYI for others who are looking at options.

 

[mdulrich]

Depending on what scanner you are using check out ID Tracker. This will create a file for each talkgroup (trunked systems) or frequency (conventional systems) and will time stamp all transmissions.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/k/d/kd5eis/IDTracker/IDTracker.htm

Mike

 

[wesm1957]

I picked up a TEAC CR-320 Communications Recorder by luck. This unit records on a VHS video tape and will record for 24 hours and 20 minutes on a 180 vhs tape. I didn't get any documentation with it though. It was used to record radios and telephones. It will record 20 seperate channels and time stamps the tape with date and time. I am trying to find info so I can connect my scanners to it and record while I am at work. I know the time stamp function works, I had a tape in and started it recording and later tested it to see if it would find a time on the tape. It went in fast forward to the time I had set to find and stopped and went into play mode. So far I have not had any luck getting any info from TEAC. I plan on checking with some of the communications retailers here in my area to see if they can help. I did look at some websights and found out these units started at about $8000.00 when they were new and saw one sight that sells then refurbished for $2000.00 I got mine for $1.00, yes $1.00 plus $30.00 shipping.

 

[DanHenry]

I picked up a TEAC CR-320 Communications Recorder by luck. This unit records on a VHS video tape and will record for 24 hours and 20 minutes on a 180 vhs tape. I didn't get any documentation with it though.... So far I have not had any luck getting any info from TEAC. I plan on checking with some of the communications retailers here in my area to see if they can help....

If you haven't gotten a manual yet check out:
http://www.vlrcommunications.com/prod_view.asp?prodid=15

18 page user manual:
http://www.vlrcommunications.com/media/TEAC CR320 Instruction Manual.pdf

-Dan

 

[wesm1957]

Thanks, I have been there and got all the info they have. I think I need the functions and facilities manual. I'll send TEAC another e-mail to see if one can be gotten.

 

[jwheatley]

I am new to the recording of scanner transmissions. I am having some problems with it. Here is the information that I can give you:

I am using a Pro-95
I am using a cord from Radio Shack (Catalog #: 42-2387)
I am using Sound Recorder to record select transmissions.

The cord is plugged into the scanner and connected to the back of the computer in the Line In jack.

When it records, it records the transmissions just fine. On playback its all distorted and you cannot understand a word that is being said.

If anyone has anymore questions, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer as best I can.

If anyone can help me in any way that would be great.

Thanks a lot ahead of time.

 

[flyingwolf]

If you would mind attaching a clip of the problem it may help.

 

[scanfan03]

When it records, it records the transmissions just fine. On playback its all distorted and you cannot understand a word that is being said.

If anyone has anymore questions, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer as best I can.

If anyone can help me in any way that would be great.

Thanks a lot ahead of time.

Sounds like the volume on the scanner or the volume on the line in is too high, turn one or both of those down and you should be good.

 

[jwheatley]

If you would mind attaching a clip of the problem it may help.

Ask and you shall receive, Flyingwolf.

I have uploaded a sound clip to my web site for review.

Here is a direct link to the clip:

http://www.geocities.com/diamondriofan1985/scanrec.wav

That clips runs about 10 seconds. I am sure that you will be able to tell when the transmission is taking place.

I hope that this helps in determining my problem and assisting me in finding a solution.

Thanks for all of the help thus far and for any further help that might be posted.

 

[UPMan]

Try turning the scanner down to about 10% volume and adjust the line input volume setting to about 80%. While the volume level is very low, it sounds heavily clipped, more like you have the scanner at 80% and the line input at 10%. Either that, or it could be channel bleed-over...that is, you have the line input turned off, but enough signal is being blasted into the input line that it is bleeding over through a MIC input.

Does the audio come out of the PC Speakers while recording?