Ultimate scanner that doesn't scan? Can it be done?

[safetyobc]

I am not a computer wiz or a scanner wiz. I do use both. I am not exactly sure how close call actually works but I have a question for anyone who wants to comment.

Can scanner makers create a scanner that doesn't actually scan through freqs? What I mean is, can a scanner sit idle, doing absolutely nothing until it recieves a signal, then check that signal against all stored frequencies. If there is a match you hear traffic, if no match, maybe activate close call or something similar to alert you to a new freq. Then you can save the freq or lock it out. We would need lots and lots of lockout space. Also maybe have temp lockout, say lockout for x number of minutes.

Anyway, with all the modern technology it seems that a computer program could be written that allows a scanner to recieve a hit then check against your freqs, all instantly of course taking less than 1 second or so. I realize that there would be problems to overcome with my theory but if it was ever made, with digital and dynamic mem, it would definately be the ultimate scanner! Is it possible or am I just dreaming?

 

[N_Jay]

I am not a computer wiz or a scanner wiz. I do use both. I am not exactly sure how close call actually works but I have a question for anyone who wants to comment.

Can scanner makers create a scanner that doesn't actually scan through freqs? What I mean is, can a scanner sit idle, doing absolutely nothing until it recieves a signal, then check that signal against all stored frequencies. If there is a match you hear traffic, if no match, maybe activate close call or something similar to alert you to a new freq. Then you can save the freq or lock it out. We would need lots and lots of lockout space. Also maybe have temp lockout, say lockout for x number of minutes.

Anyway, with all the modern technology it seems that a computer program could be written that allows a scanner to recieve a hit then check against your freqs, all instantly of course taking less than 1 second or so. I realize that there would be problems to overcome with my theory but if it was ever made, with digital and dynamic mem, it would definately be the ultimate scanner! Is it possible or am I just dreaming?

Yes and no.

You could do ALMOST what you are saying for $30,000 to $100,000 in test equipment.

 

[safetyobc]

well so much for my idea huh.

 

[Joseph11]

I am not a computer wiz or a scanner wiz. I do use both. I am not exactly sure how close call actually works but I have a question for anyone who wants to comment.

Can scanner makers create a scanner that doesn't actually scan through freqs? What I mean is, can a scanner sit idle, doing absolutely nothing until it recieves a signal, then check that signal against all stored frequencies. If there is a match you hear traffic, if no match, maybe activate close call or something similar to alert you to a new freq. Then you can save the freq or lock it out. We would need lots and lots of lockout space. Also maybe have temp lockout, say lockout for x number of minutes.

Anyway, with all the modern technology it seems that a computer program could be written that allows a scanner to recieve a hit then check against your freqs, all instantly of course taking less than 1 second or so. I realize that there would be problems to overcome with my theory but if it was ever made, with digital and dynamic mem, it would definately be the ultimate scanner! Is it possible or am I just dreaming?

Good idea, but wouldn't it freak out since something is always transmitting?

 

[poltergeisty]

Well this idea is already out there. 30,00 to 100,000 dollars What the @#*&!.

There are many things that can do just this. I will give you 3 examples.

1) Go to this link. Click me

2) There was a schematic that was in poptronix that will allow you to build a near field receiver that will demodulate a close signal from HF to 2.4 GHz.

3) If you can find a Pro 2042 with opto electronics board inside and run the software probe you will have a wealth of features including what you just mentioned. Not only that but when the signal goes active it will tell you where it is from by means of a data base you downloaded from the fcc. 8) 8) 8) :wink:

 

[N_Jay]

Well this idea is already out there. 30,00 to 100,000 dollars What the @#*&!.

There are many things that can do just this. I will give you 3 examples.

1) Go to this link. Click me

2) There was a schematic that was in poptronix that will allow you to build a near field receiver that will demodulate a close signal from HF to 2.4 GHz.

3) If you can find a Pro 2042 with opto electronics board inside and run the software probe you will have a wealth of features including what you just mentioned. Not only that but when the signal goes active it will tell you where it is from by means of a data base you downloaded from the fcc. 8) 8) 8) :wink:

That would work OK for near field only.

But if you wanted to have any level of sensitivity at all you would need a spectrum analyser with a tracking front end. Then a processor to identify any recieved sigals and determine the correct opperationg information to load into a computer controlled receiver.

The cost and the effectiveness would depend on the bandwidth you were interested in monitoring and the effective search speed (signal aquasition time).

The hardware would be 1/2 the cost, and teh software development would probably be the other 1/2 the cost.

Call Agilent, Tektronics, or R&S and they can get you a quotation.

 

[kg4icg]

There is also the AOR SD5600 but you need a communications receiver with a 10.7mhz i.f. output to use it and it will only set you back 1500 dollars and all you do is set the start and ending frequencies on the spectrum unit. If the receiver was the AR5000 it would control it also, but like i said it can be used on any comm unit with a 10.7 mhz i.f. output such as the icoms and other units.

R Collins

 

[DaveH]

The idea is not too far-fetched but would cost way too much with present technology. As was suggested, a spectrum analyzer front end can detect which frequencies are active and send the info to a receiver; OR it could be integrated into one unit. I bet such things exist in the specialized high-end surveillance market. Since the spectrum analyzer sweeps through the spectrum, it is in fact a sort of scanner.

Another method would be the "software radio". It takes a chunk of spectrum, digitizes the whole thing, and processes it digitally. It can process every channel in the range, which is easier than the old way of handling every RF channel separately. I believe this is already done by some cellular base station equipment.

 

[safetyobc]

i don't think it would be that complicated. Think about the first computer chip intel ever made. It had like 4000 microprocessors on it. The new pentium 4 chip has over 42 million on the same size chip. My theory is that they have made computers in the size of palm pilots, if they can do that, they can make a scanner with a computer inside that does what I was talking about. I know they can do it if they put the development and money into it just like they do every other scanner like the 246t and the 386. Anyway, they could sell the unit from 800 to 1000 bucks (based soley on the new features) and people would eat it up. The price for me to build a unit from scratch would be 30 to 100K but for a company (overseas with cheap labor) to do it in an assembly type setup they could mass produce the units much much cheaper. You go out and build a modern day car from scratch, and I'll bet you you'll spend over 100,000 bucks, but you can go buy a similar car for $15,000 No one will convince me otherwise. But thanks for the response.

 

[N_Jay]

i don't think it would be that complicated. . . . . .

. . .

No one will convince me otherwise. But thanks for the response.

Nuff Said!


With no experiance in product design or RF receiver design you; "don't think it would be that complicated", then with your EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND, you have determined "No one will convince me otherwise".

Well, I guess this thread is closed.

Let us know when you solve world peace?

 

[kevindy]

I really like the idea of a temp lockout feature, that way you could L/O secondary channels if it was meaningless chit chat and not forget to unlock it later(are you listening uniden?).

 

[JoeyC]

I really like the idea of a temp lockout feature, that way you could L/O secondary channels if it was meaningless chit chat and not forget to unlock it later(are you listening uniden?).

And how would that work? By timing? If so, how long a lockout? Nobody would agree on a lockout time and programmable temporary lockout times would be demanded next. On top of wanting 50,000 channels, instant this, automatic that, how is this to be cost effective if nobody REALLY digs the idea of paying $500 for a digital scanner now?

 

[AZScanner]

I really like the idea of a temp lockout feature...

And how would that work?

I'd think such a thing would be cool - it would basically lock out the channel until you power the scanner off and back on again. In other words, the changes made to lockouts woud not be saved in non-volatile memory.

It would require an extra keystroke or two, but I think it would be intuitive enough:

To temp lockout: L/O + Scan
To perm lockout: L/O + L/O + Scan
Clear a lockout: L/O + L/O + L/O + Scan

Just a thought. A neat concept, but old school scannists might get confused at first.

-AZ

 

[INDY72]

Hmmm are we wandering into SDR type of scanners here???

:twisted:

Anyway.. No matter what system it uses.. it is still going to technically "Scan" whats programmed into it.

 

[JoeyC]

I agree it would be totally cool. Many times I've locked out a talkgroup for a boring operation (training and drills come to mind) and forget to unlock it later when something interesting is on it.

I was only saying that people complain about what they give us (Uniden/GRE) now and whine about pricetag. How can anyone expect all these cool features without paying a price.

 

[flyingwolf]

An alternitive could be this.

Multiple chips each with a scanner on them capable of picking up one frequency. Always on.

Enough chips to cover the entire spectrum. And as each one would always be on then you would pick up everything as soon as it came on.

Fun part would be deciding which part to listen to lol.

I am sure if you were able to build a single frequency radio onto a small transistor size chip you could build a full spectrum scanner about the size of a pack of cigarets. Or better yet the size of a PCI card. This way all controls could be handled via a pc interface. You could take your laptop with you and have a full spectrum scanner right there with you.

All of this is of course a dream but it would be nice.

Once SDR is feasable (read that as on sale for all of us) then we will be seeing a crap load of inovation at that time.

 

[N_Jay]

An alternitive could be this.

Multiple chips each with a scanner on them capable of picking up one frequency. Always on.

Enough chips to cover the entire spectrum. And as each one would always be on then you would pick up everything as soon as it came on.
.

Do we get some Dip with all those Chips?

 

[flyingwolf]

Maybe a ranch dip (switch)

 

[MilBil]

Ultimate Scanner

Does not an Opti Scout hooked to a scanner do what you are asking :?: React tune that is .

 

[poltergeisty]

Re: Ultimate Scanner

Does not an Opti Scout hooked to a scanner do what you are asking :?: React tune that is .

This is what I was thinking. But it is good for near field. However using a filter for the bands you want might work, throw a huge antenna on there and bada bain! Don't be surprised if the tuner blows up. :lol: