Scanner that can be programmed via serial for remote feed

[radef]

I've been running a feed for almost a year with an RTL SDR dongle & Raspberry Pi. The concept is nice, but the audio quality is terrible & I haven't been able to get results like a dedicated receiver can provide.

I'm looking for options for a remote controlled scanner that I can tie into a Raspberry Pi and be able to add/remove channels via a serial connection to the scanner (through a serial terminal session...no custom software is my preference). I need this because the Pi is not in a location that I can access.

I've seen some Uniden scanners have serial protocol info online. What about the GRE/Whistlers? Here's my list of requirements:
channel add (set frequency and modulation)
channel remove
channel skip
scan start
manual channel change (for instance if I want to listen to one freq)
scan stop

Anyone else with a similar setup have some insight? I don't mind if it's a current model or no longer in production. I only need analog conventional FM (and AM would be nice, too). No trunking, no P25, etc.

 

[nated1992]

I've been running a feed for almost a year with an RTL SDR dongle & Raspberry Pi. The concept is nice, but the audio quality is terrible & I haven't been able to get results like a dedicated receiver can provide.

I'm looking for options for a remote controlled scanner that I can tie into a Raspberry Pi and be able to add/remove channels via a serial connection to the scanner (through a serial terminal session...no custom software is my preference). I need this because the Pi is not in a location that I can access.

I've seen some Uniden scanners have serial protocol info online. What about the GRE/Whistlers? Here's my list of requirements:
channel add (set frequency and modulation)
channel remove
channel skip
scan start
manual channel change (for instance if I want to listen to one freq)
scan stop

Anyone else with a similar setup have some insight? I don't mind if it's a current model or no longer in production. I only need analog conventional FM (and AM would be nice, too). No trunking, no P25, etc.

Pretty much any of your new scanners do this, My pro 652 has a computer interface.

HOWEVER... none of this is built on Linux so running it on the pi isn't going to be possible the way your wanting.

 

[larryka]

I wrote a Node.js based WebRTC webapp that remotely controls my Pro-106. It should run on a Pi, but I haven't tried it yet. I send keypresses and screen updates via a websocket. The audio is fed via Asterisk with Opus for 500ms or so of audio latency.

I'd be happy to chat about how I did it.

- Lawrence

 

[larryka]

Here's a screenshot from my webapp. Please forgive the misaligned keypad.

 

[wyShack]

Look for an old Pro-2052. 1000 channels and came standard with a RS232 port on the rear panel. the Manual explained all the commands for a terminal connected to the port (straight ASCII so it would be pretty much universal). Old fashioned by today's standards-the major drawback would be finding a couple so you have a backup. The 22052 is not set up for rebanding and may not cover all the frequencies you are interested in.

There are other model scanners that had serial I/O -you may want to check the Wiki or otherwise do some research.

have fun

 

[radef]

I wrote a Node.js based WebRTC webapp that remotely controls my Pro-106. It should run on a Pi, but I haven't tried it yet. I send keypresses and screen updates via a websocket. The audio is fed via Asterisk with Opus for 500ms or so of audio latency.

I'd be happy to chat about how I did it.

- Lawrence

Very slick! I just ordered a BCT-15X to play around with...I'm going to give that a whirl for now.

 

[radef]

Look for an old Pro-2052. 1000 channels and came standard with a RS232 port on the rear panel. the Manual explained all the commands for a terminal connected to the port (straight ASCII so it would be pretty much universal). Old fashioned by today's standards-the major drawback would be finding a couple so you have a backup. The 22052 is not set up for rebanding and may not cover all the frequencies you are interested in.

There are other model scanners that had serial I/O -you may want to check the Wiki or otherwise do some research.

have fun

Thanks, good info! Seems to me I had a 2052 a ways back...even think I have a service manual laying around for it! Do they have a narrow band option...or just need to crank up the volume? Are the volume and squelch adjustable via the serial port?

I did pick up a BCT-15X with some hopes of tinkering around with it.

 

[radef]

Here's a screenshot from my webapp. Please forgive the misaligned keypad.

Kudos! That's awesome!

 

[PACNWDude]

Nice application.

I use a Unden BCT-15 (Not the newer X version) and bcTool. It is pretty nice controlling and logging the scanner via the computer. Then it is a small step beyond to stream that feed.

 

[larryka]

Kudos! That's awesome!

Thanks. If the Uniden DMA protocol is documented (I haven't looked), you could probably do something similar. Just write a small bridge between the websocket and the serial interface to the scanner.