Why can't I access certain frequencies?

[Borky]

I'm a newbie when it comes to this (just got my first scanner today, a bearcat 895XLT) and I see that I can't access the range of frequencies between about 54.0mhz and 108.0mhz. The scanner just skips them. I'm also unable to get anything below 29mhz. Is there anything I can do to listen to these or are they blocked or something?

 

[K2KOH]

Not all scanners cover all frequencies. What you're missing out on is the VHF Lo TV Band, and the FM Broadcast Band. The BC 785 and 296 covers these frequencies.

 

[Llwellyn]

All frequencies assigned in the United States are broken out into frequency "bands" based on intended purpose. There's not much below 29Mhz you'd want to listen to; CB radio and HF amateur radio is there, and you need CB or HAM equipment to effectively listen to/utilize it. Between 54 and 108 Mhz, you have the broadcast FM band which uses a different type of FM transmission than other VHF FM radio, also things like low-power microphones, equipment control, telemetry, etc.

Your scanner is older, so it doesn't support certain bands. It's also not high-end, which also doesn't include certain bands. There was a mentality for awhile where the statement "Well, who would listen to THAT?" was used to determine whether to include them in a scanner or not.

The short summary would be, they only include the bands on most scanners that the average person would be interested in hearing - Marine, Public Safety, Aircraft, etc. and not all the mundane stuff or the data.

 

[Dubbin]

Your scanner is older, so it doesn't support certain bands.

Since when does the age of the scanner have to do with what bands it can and cannot get?

 

[grem467]

i think what he meant was that with alot of the recent scanners are including coverage into those 'extended' bands.

 

[eyes00only]

There was a mentality for awhile where the statement "Well, who would listen to THAT?" was used to determine whether to include them in a scanner or not.

Or could THIS be what he meant!

Jerry

 

[Llwellyn]

A little of both, guys :lol:

Also, some bands that used to be empty now have other uses (FRS, GMRS for example) legal or otherwise, and some things have been rebanded. I wrote hastily because I was busy earlier so it probably wasn't crystal clear what I meant.

I also misread which scanner he mentioned, didn't mean to ruffle any feathers, eh? 8)

 

[Borky]

What scanners cover a greater range of frequencies and do those run real expensive?? I also noticed there are some gaps in the 800mhz band.

 

[K5MAR]

The gaps in the 800 MHz band are to prevent the reception of the older cellular phone range, per the E.C.P.A. (Electronic Communications Privacy Act).

Mark S.

 

[hvcap]

895

its not all bad the 895 will pick up the military air band 225-400mhz.







thanks

 

[eyes00only]

Re: 895

its not all bad the 895 will pick up the military air band 225-400mhz.
thanks

Good point! I did notice however, that we lost the original poster.

Jerry

 

[WilburHobbit]

My County Is Going To A Vhf Trunking System
And My Pro-82 Wont Be Worth A Durn Anymore

 

[bwhite]

Always been amused that they exclude regular FM broadcast from many scanners; engineering-wise it probably woulda been easier to leave it in. (Although that makes for an expensive FM radio, occassionally it serves a purpose.)

 

[Joseph11]

Anyone notice that this topic is from 12/15/2004?

 

[bwhite]

Could the date/time on the submitter's PC? Not sure if the forums work that way, but, I'm thinking Borky is about 200+ days behind the rest of us. Hope his Christmas shopping is almost done.

 

[Voyager]

Could the date/time on the submitter's PC? Not sure if the forums work that way, but, I'm thinking Borky is about 200+ days behind the rest of us. Hope his Christmas shopping is almost done.

No - it's an old thread someone brought back up to the top of the list again. Look at the replies - all their clocks are not off. And I think it's the system's clock that matters anyway.

Joe M.