I started to play with scanners back around the same time, 1982. I was 24 though! I remember I had quite a few different ones. But there is one that comes to mind especially.....a JIL SX 100. It was a 16 channel programmable with fluorescent blue display. It had the best audio. I had it mailed to my job so I could listen to it while working. I like those old radios. Around here there is still a lot of analog systems to hear so those old scanners will still be good to use. The only thing is those old rigs didnt have ctcss, which back in early 80's wasn't really needed. I have an old Radio Shack hand held that still works great. Just receives the regular bands and has that dim light in display when you press the "light" button.I was barely a boy, when I started on scanning. 1982, I was 17 years old, and, in the Army, when I've got my first Bearcat, a Bearcat 220 which enabled me to listen to the base MP's.
Things have really changed since then.
I can't do anything, or at least listen to anything I currently listen to with that 220.
Still, how nice it is, you found something from your youth, and still be able to use it...
Yeah it sure used to be nice to be able to program a scanner on the fly. I miss some of those old radios. It's probably not going to get any simpler as time goes on and technology moves along. I remember when the digital stuff began we were all convinced that the only things we'd be able to scan is McDonalds drive thru and the weather channel!Best thing I liked about those times? No trunking!
Everything was straight forward; input the frequencies in a bank and you were off to the races.
Nowadays?
Frequencies plus, tones, system id's, talk groups, UHF, VHF, Phase 1, Phase 2, DMR, NXDN, Systems, sites...ARRGHHH!
I used to have a Bearcat electra "Thin scan" I think it was a 4 channel crystal controlled radio. It was nice but audio was weak and thin. There was only one place that sold crystals 1/2 hour drive to Wakefield (RI) to this big old furniture store who's owner was a radio nut. Unfortunately his box of crystals were limited and I ended up getting 3. Eventually I bought one of the first programmable scanners back around 1983-84 somewhere back then. It was a Regency HX1000 which was very nice.
Thats a work of art. I remember those scanners. Didn't Regency have a similar looking one with black front?
Just finished restoring it back to its original grandeur
The first time I heard a police broadcast was on my father’s patrolmen II. I was about 9 or 10. I was amazed. I loved that radio. As soon I as got my first job I saved up for 10 channel radio shack scanner. I wish I can remember the model.Not a scanner, but the Realistic Patrolman CB60 was my first introduction to the fun of listening to the police & fire department when I was a kid. I should get one off of ebay just for the memories it brought me back in the late 70's until it broke sometime in the late 90's.