Which Crystal Scanner?

[af0h]

Hello all.

To add to (and start building) my vintage scanner collection, i'm going to get an old Crystal Scanner. Here are the 3 models i've been looking at.

Realistic Pro-53
Regency Model PCT-E10
Regency Model ACT-R10H/L/U

Or any others you guys might recommend?

Any thoughts or preferences (other than 8 vs 10 channel)? Some of you that have or have had these models can probably point me in the right direction. Obtaining crystals is not a problem, just gotta have that vintage look, feel, and sound.


Thanks,

Rob

 

[zz0468]

None of the above. Realistic PRO-16.

 

[af0h]

None of the above. Realistic PRO-16.

Thank You. I've seen them in the past, and they do pop up once in a while.

Is there any particular reason? Sure, more channels, but what about performance and sensitivity?

 

[reconrider8]

Yea i had a realistic pro16 good ol 4ch scanner bought it for $1 at a yard sale was my first scanner

 

[talkpair]

My favorite crystal scanner that I owned was an RCA model 16S400.

It is a 10 channel base/mobile, VHF Low/Hi and UHF radio. In my opinion, it has really good quality audio, as well as having decent sensitivity.

The potentiometers used in the radio seem to be of higher quality than anything made today. They have the feel of high end stereo equipment.

The radio has separate antenna jacks for VHF and UHF, and also features a variable scan delay.

Not many retailers here carried the radio, and I remember making a 50 mile trip for one.

There was also an 8 channel version of the radio with a model number of 16S300.
Both models can be frequently found on eBay.

 

[af0h]

Thank you, Talkpair. That's exactly the type of info I was looking for.

I'll give that one a look and consideration too.

 

[markandjere]

I have a Pro-53 collecting dust in the bedroom...............................

 

[af0h]

I have a Pro-53 collecting dust in the bedroom...............................

If you're looking to move it, PM me with details and info about it.

 

[gmclam]

Pro-77 & pro-10

It depends on the specifics or features of the scanner you seek. I am quite partial to the PRO-10 and/or PRO-77 from Radio Shack. I still run them!

The PRO-77 handles VHF-LO (30-50 MHz) and VHF-HI (147-174 MHz).
The PRO-10 handles basic UHF (450-470 MHz) and is triple conversion. Not common back in its day.

 

[af0h]

It depends on the specifics or features of the scanner you seek. I am quite partial to the PRO-10 and/or PRO-77 from Radio Shack. I still run them!

The PRO-77 handles VHF-LO (30-50 MHz) and VHF-HI (147-174 MHz).
The PRO-10 handles basic UHF (450-470 MHz) and is triple conversion. Not common back in its day.

Mostly (in this area) VHF-Hi is used. There is some activity on VHF-Lo and UHF, but 90% of my listening is Analog on VHF-Hi. I'm not picky on features, just want something semi-sensitive and durable - something I can run 24/7 and not worry about. I like radios that are built like tanks.

 

[zz0468]

Thank You. I've seen them in the past, and they do pop up once in a while.
Is there any particular reason? Sure, more channels, but what about performance and sensitivity?

Well built, good audio quality, good performance.

 

[Para078]

Stay away from the Jonson Duoscan. First scanner I owned and it spent more time in the shop that at home. They were so sensitive that a low band 50 watt radio two blocks away could blow out capacitors. Happened to mine twice.

I'm paertial to the old Regency 8 and 10 channel scanners. great sensitivity, good sound, and built like a tank. I've still got two of them and they need some repair or they would be up and running.

 

[K9WG]

If you are just wnating to add to your vintage collection, you must have a Bearcat BC-III

 

[Rt169Radio]

What model was that blue colored BearCat crystal scanner?

 

[talkpair]

Stay away from the Jonson Duoscan.

There was also a Tennelec scanner that I owned that had some really cheap slide switches for locking out individual channels.

Within two weeks of buying it, the switches worked intermittently and just the vibration from the audio would lockout channels.

I didn't have it two months before I got rid of it.

Steer clear of this brand as well if the model uses slide switches

 

[af0h]

My favorite crystal scanner that I owned was an RCA model 16S400.

It is a 10 channel base/mobile, VHF Low/Hi and UHF radio. In my opinion, it has really good quality audio, as well as having decent sensitivity.

The potentiometers used in the radio seem to be of higher quality than anything made today. They have the feel of high end stereo equipment.

The radio has separate antenna jacks for VHF and UHF, and also features a variable scan delay.

Thanks for the recommendation, Talkpair. By chance, I found an RCA 16S400 at a local Indoor Flea-Market for $20. It had 10 crystals in it - 4 of which are active in my area. Works great, all lights light up, all switches work, pots are good and tight with no static or crunching. Case is a little scuffed, but the front panel is in good shape. No rust or dents, and came with the power cord.

Sometimes things like this happen for a reason. If you had not mentioned them (causing me to research this model), I'd have likely passed it right by.

Thanks again, Buddy! I'll try to get a couple of pics up tomorrow.


Rob

 

[AC2OY]

Wow that looked like my first Bearcat!! For the North Jersey guys a radio guy up on rt.46 west in Little Falls where I used to buy my crystals...Ah the good ole days!!!

 

[kb2vxa]

Collecting and using are two different ana-mules so what does it matter? To a collector the most important things are cosmetics and that it be in working condition, rarity adds to value. One thing to note, modification makes it a candidate for the trash barrel. The same can be said of any "boat anchor" from Atwater-Kent to Zenith Transoceanic.

 

[af0h]

Warren - this is very true. At this point I'm more of a user than a collector. Condition is nice, but I want functionality above looks. I'm not into mods on the older gear, unless it's an internal/performance mod that does not show in the exterior.

 

[af0h]

Here is the RCA 16S400 that I got for $20 at the local indoor flea market. It had 10-crystals in it already, but only 4 of them were useful in this area. I've already got 4 more in it that are exactly what I wanted, and a couple more on the way courtesy of eBay. I gave it a good cleaning and polished the external antenna connector with a Dremel equipped with a small wire brush, so as to get good conduct on the ground sleeve. Currently running on an outdoor 2-meter groundplane up 10' above the roof, and I live on a decent hill. Yeah I'm a cheapskate, but one day i'll upgrade to a better antenna.

Currently i'm running it on 110, but I got a DC connector in today, so I can run it off the bench supply. I'm not too worried about it really, as it's internal supply runs cool, hardly producing any heat at all. But I do trust my bench supply more, so DC will probably be the route I go - just one less thing to possibly go wrong...

Don't mind the Pro-2004 sitting underneath it, this is just a temporary spot for the RCA. However, the Pro-2004 has had the common mods done to it and I replaced the backlight, so it's good to go.


Rob