Pro-106: Scanning 6 Meters

Status
Not open for further replies.

pjc2k5

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
11
When using my RadioShack Pro-106 scanner around 50 MHz, it picks up various signals that are basically sequences of repeating whistles and tones. Are these some kind of signaling being used on these frequencies or is it some form of interference? I'm not that familiar with amateur radio, and I wasn't able to identify them. Also, I received similar sounding signals below 6-meter HAM band which makes me question whether these are genuine broadcasts. Besides these, I haven't picked up anything discernible in these bands. There's also a lot of buzzing and other noise from 25 - 50 Mhz, which makes it tough to even scan these bands.

I've attached a few example recordings of what I did pick up.
 

Attachments

  • example-sounds.zip
    152.4 KB · Views: 17

jaspence

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
3,042
Location
Michigan
6 meters is not easy to understand and varies from useless to frustrating. A ham friend and I had 6 meter HTs and lived about 1/2 mile apart. We had far better results with our FRS radios than any attempt to communicate on 6 m. My HT had a loaded whip antenna about three feet long.
 

wtp

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
5,914
Location
Port Charlotte FL
is the antenna near a TV, computer, modem, router, toaster ?
i threw in the toaster to see if you were paying attention.
 

ko6jw_2

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
1,448
Location
Santa Ynez, CA
The lower portion of six meters is USB. There may also be CW or digital. Check the ARRL band plans. FM will be in the upper part of the band. There won't be a lot of activity. 52.525MHz is the simplex calling frequency.
 

WB9YBM

Active Member
Joined
May 6, 2019
Messages
1,390
When using my RadioShack Pro-106 scanner around 50 MHz, it picks up various signals that are basically sequences of repeating whistles and tones. Are these some kind of signaling being used on these frequencies or is it some form of interference?

In amateur radio applications tone signalling is usually sub-audible, unless you're hearing DTMF used for repeater control. Other whistles & such might just be heterodynes...
 

prcguy

Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
15,228
Location
So Cal - Richardson, TX - Tewksbury, MA
I've done some hill topping with a 2w military handheld on 6m and got about 60mi range. The same radios in the desert got over 10mi range with their 24" long antennas. I occasionally use a 5w military hand held with 1m long antenna and get into many 6m repeaters around here from 25 to 75mi away.

6 meters is not easy to understand and varies from useless to frustrating. A ham friend and I had 6 meter HTs and lived about 1/2 mile apart. We had far better results with our FRS radios than any attempt to communicate on 6 m. My HT had a loaded whip antenna about three feet long.
 

pjc2k5

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
11
It does seem to be some sort of interference. I switched off some nearby electronics and that resulted in a change but not elimination of the noises. There was less noise when I went out to the garage. I'll still have to try shutting off even more devices and/or using the radio further from the house.

Another curious situation I discovered was that when I switched on my shortwave radio and had the scanner nearby, the scanner would sometimes begin to receive a nearby FM broadcast station on certain frequencies in the 2-meter ham band. As soon as I switched off the radio, the scanner stopped picking it up.
 

CycleSycho

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2016
Messages
640
Location
Central South Carolina
I've done some hill topping with a 2w military handheld on 6m and got about 60mi range. The same radios in the desert got over 10mi range with their 24" long antennas. I occasionally use a 5w military hand held with 1m long antenna and get into many 6m repeaters around here from 25 to 75mi away.



:) I remember... Oh the good ole days!.... Simple analog AM (sometimes skip) with almost no background 'noise'... :)


.
 

krokus

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
5,964
Location
Southeastern Michigan
It does seem to be some sort of interference. I switched off some nearby electronics and that resulted in a change but not elimination of the noises. There was less noise when I went out to the garage. I'll still have to try shutting off even more devices and/or using the radio further from the house.
The noise is likely a switching power supply, to something. They are popular right now, so it could be almost any item that plugs in.

Another curious situation I discovered was that when I switched on my shortwave radio and had the scanner nearby, the scanner would sometimes begin to receive a nearby FM broadcast station on certain frequencies in the 2-meter ham band. As soon as I switched off the radio, the scanner stopped picking it up.

Mixing of RF products, so the broadcast signal appears in the passband of the scanner.
 

pjc2k5

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
11
After unplugging more items, it turns out several wall warts in particular were responsible for the bulk of the noise.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top