would a Kenwood TK-880 mobile UHF radio work as a scanner. Would a be able to program frequencies into it and scan them. Would it be hard to get it programmed what is a good price for a Kenwood TK-880 mobile UHF radio. Is 150 good?
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Would a Kenwood TK-880 mobile UHF radio work
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b7spectra
EMS Dispatcher
A TK880 will work quite well as a scanner (UHF only), but the SAPS (Self Appointed Police/Sheriffs) will get you for it!
what do you me saps would get me for it? How much should they cost? Is it hard to program police and fire into them?
It is usually a bad idea to have a transceiver for frequencies you are not licensed to use. The consequences of transmitting on un-licensed frequencies vary wildly.
What if i dont even have a mike to talk on. What about the price. All i want to use it as a receiver. Is 150 to much?
$150 is a great price. If you don't have a mike hooked up to it make sure that you select "Off Hook Scan" which can be found under the scan information menu, this will allow the radio to continue scanning with the mike disconnected.
what type of antenna should i use for a base station?
50 for the antenna
That would be an awfully cheap base antenna for uhf. You could kludge a mobile I guess. Your other option would be a multi-band antenna for scanners. That would be a compromise though if you are only listening to uhf.
Two questions: One for my police scanner which is a bcd996t if i took a magnet mount and put it on a shelf that is made out of wood behind the scanner instead of the stock antenna it comes with would that help the reception it is inside the house. Make it work or stay the same. The shelf is about an inch thick. I want to do this i i can mount the radio. With the stock antenna it is always in the way. Do you need any code or anything to listen to the police radio freq on the TK-880 or can you just put the freq in and hear them. How would the reception be if i did the same thing with the TK-880 as the bcd996t.
petey_racer
Member
You can simply not program in TX freqs. This way there is no chance of TXing by accident, although, without a mic that would be hard anyway. It just 100% assures you won't be doing it.
$150 is a good price I feel, but the 880 is WAY more then you need for scanning purposes. A TK-840 would do just as good, and you can get one for around $75-$80.
$150 is a good price I feel, but the 880 is WAY more then you need for scanning purposes. A TK-840 would do just as good, and you can get one for around $75-$80.
b7spectra
EMS Dispatcher
Lots of people use the commercial gear as an alternative to a scanner for different reasons.
1. It is more sensitive than a scanner.
2. It's cooler looking than a scanner.
3. It's cooler looking than a scanner.
1. It is more sensitive than a scanner.
2. It's cooler looking than a scanner.
3. It's cooler looking than a scanner.
if i would use commercial gear would a be able to have an indoor antenna or would that have to weak of a signal for commercial gear. It is a lot cheaper then some scanners.
BaLa
Member
TK-880 as a scanner
My $0.02 worth:
Yes, while a TK-880 mobile is a great radio, it really isn't great as a scanner.
1) if you want to change anything about how it scans, you'll have to read & reprogram it; kinda a PITA in my opinion. To me, that's one of the advantages of a plain scanner - being able to change from the front panel, in a (almost) intiuitive manner.
2) it's a waste of a radio that has a good transmitter,
3) it's UHF only, which if you have any agencies that are VHF Hi or Low, you're out of luck.
for your 150 bucks, plus the cost of acquiring the cable & correct Kenwood program, you should be able to get a really good scanner. I'm not a guru on scanner features, but htere might be one or two people here who are.
Chuk
My $0.02 worth:
Yes, while a TK-880 mobile is a great radio, it really isn't great as a scanner.
1) if you want to change anything about how it scans, you'll have to read & reprogram it; kinda a PITA in my opinion. To me, that's one of the advantages of a plain scanner - being able to change from the front panel, in a (almost) intiuitive manner.
2) it's a waste of a radio that has a good transmitter,
3) it's UHF only, which if you have any agencies that are VHF Hi or Low, you're out of luck.
for your 150 bucks, plus the cost of acquiring the cable & correct Kenwood program, you should be able to get a really good scanner. I'm not a guru on scanner features, but htere might be one or two people here who are.
Chuk
lmn1tjd131
Member
TK-880 Narrowband capable?
I am looking to use a TK-880 for a scanner with only the receive frequencies programmed, just for listening to the UHF in my area. Is the TK-880 narrowband capable? at least some of the departments are already narrowbanded and companded, if the TK-880 isn't capable then i guess it won't be worth the trouble.
I am looking to use a TK-880 for a scanner with only the receive frequencies programmed, just for listening to the UHF in my area. Is the TK-880 narrowband capable? at least some of the departments are already narrowbanded and companded, if the TK-880 isn't capable then i guess it won't be worth the trouble.
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