Why is 53 to 88 mhz blocked on scanners?

[CrabbyMilton]

Just as an aside, I don't listen to the ham bands that often. Most of the time at least around here it's between 144-148mhz and some 440 UHF but I don't in at least recent memory recall any traffic between 50-54mhz.

 

[nd5y]

Just as an aside, I don't listen to the ham bands that often. Most of the time at least around here it's between 144-148mhz and some 440 UHF but I don't in at least recent memory recall any traffic between 50-54mhz.

There aren't 6 meter FM repeaters everywhere. I'ts not that popular in most places.
Most activity is from 50.0 to about 50.5 on SSB, CW and text-based digital modes like FT8 that no scanner can decode.

 

[nd5y]

People should not compare frequency ranges that are blocked in the US by FCC rules with frequency ranges that are left out of low end consumer grade receivers because of engineering and design considerations.

 

[spacellamaman]

People should not compare frequency ranges that are blocked in the US by FCC rules with frequency ranges that are left out of low end consumer grade receivers because of engineering and design considerations.

ummm i agree, but which ones are blocked by the fcc rules that are germane to this discussion?

 

[wtp]

spacellamaman​

ummm i agree, but which ones are blocked by the fcc rules that are germane to this discussion?

none.

 

[Golay]

75 Mhz is used for RC model for hobby use.......

For a few years, I worked at a place that had remote control locomotives and overhead cranes at 72 and 75 MHz. Shortly after hiring in, I brought in a handheld scanner to listen. Everyone liked it. The "boxes" transmitted a steady tone that would be modulated if you moved one of the controls. Because of the scanner I brought in, they could rule out the transmitter without having to take it back to the shop.

 

[BinaryMode]

Back in analog TV days. The audio was the same as FM radio. So if you had a receiver that could be turned to the audio part of the signal you could hear the T.V audio.

If you're curious. Black and white NTSC TV broadcasting is pretty simple and there are good websites explaining it. It could be a fun thing to learn. I had to do a write up on it in college. The black and white part was easy to understand. When you throw colour in. It makes it more complex. especially since they couldn't change the Black and white part at all. Both colour and black and white listened to the same transmission and decoded them both.

Line 19 was where the Feds used subliminal messages...

I used to listen to the good ol' TV audio all the time. One has to wonder if a future modern day scanner will ever have the ability to decode the digital TV signal audio now-a-days? But, it would kind of be a form of mission creep or whatever I guess as it relates to the scanner hobby. I guess it's like the age old question: why add broadcast radio reception to a scanner?

 

[spacellamaman]

Line 19 was where the Feds used subliminal messages...

I used to listen to the good ol' TV audio all the time. One has to wonder if a future modern day scanner will ever have the ability to decode the digital TV signal audio now-a-days? But, it would kind of be a form of mission creep or whatever I guess as it relates to the scanner hobby. I guess it's like the age old question: why add broadcast radio reception to a scanner?

While I get your point about mission creep, for me I wish there was someway I could listen to an OTA TV program while I am working out side. The few portable DTVs I have gotten my hands on have been unsuitable for a variety of reasons. Id love a pocket carry option.

 

[KO4OTL]

Most VHF TV stations across the US have been shut down and part of the VHF TV frequency range is supposed to auctioned off at some point.

Somewhat of a TV reception enthusiast here, VHF tv is not going away, Low VHF spectrum isn't in much demand these days so the FCC isn't going to sell it to Cell Phone companies (fortunately). They keep selling UHF spectrum so they have repacked TV stations and some have had to go back to Low VHF. As time goes on they'll want to sell more on UHF so more TV stations will probably be forced back onto Low (and High) VHF. The main threat to the Low VHF allocations is FM radio, there's been talk on and off about making Channel 6 into a new FM band, but nothing official.

 

[k9wkj]

Most VHF TV stations across the US have been shut down and part of the VHF TV frequency range is supposed to auctioned off at some point.

with the repack there are channels 2-6 again

editoopppss didnt get to the last post before commenting

 

[majoco]

Here in NZ the band around 75MHz is well used by the police, fire and ambulance - on separate frequencies of course. My UBCT125 picks them up very well just sitting on top of the dash in my car. A couple of BCT8's does well when I'm at home too.

 

[pinballwiz86]

Here in NZ the band around 75MHz is well used by the police, fire and ambulance - on separate frequencies of course. My UBCT125 picks them up very well just sitting on top of the dash in my car. A couple of BCT8's does well when I'm at home too.

That’s because you have such flat land and long distances to cover. Makes sense they would want to use 75 MHz and a long antenna on top of the police car.

 

[MiCon]

I, too, have head milcoms on the 63 ~66mhz range. And in the 72mhz range I used to hear wireless microphones, and wireless headsets used mostly in churches for the hearing impaired.

As mentioned in previous replies here, some of the older scanners covered this frequency range.

 

[merlin]

ummm i agree, but which ones are blocked by the fcc rules that are germane to this discussion?

Those would be like cellular phone frequencies. 53 to 88 Mhz, there is nothing there but the low TV channels and time synch.
The TV is ATSC now, all digital.

 

[parnass]

I have logged several time sync signals in the 72 MHz range associated with local schools. Also, there is a fairly strong NFM signal in my area on 72.70 MHz, WQTP990. It is a link to Naperville's 1610 kHz TIS station.