chguest@AMES.ARC.NASA.GOV> (01/17/90)
BEFORE I START: Thanks to Gordon Vickers for the frequencies.
To the person I promised a copy of the SX62 manual, Brian, I am still
working on it. To Ralph Brandi, Was that what you wanted for an r.r.sw
intro?
Okay, on with the REAL topic....
Well.... If all goes well this year I will get a small tax refund.
Being that I have not treated myself to something *expensive* in the
last several years, I am considering buying myself a scanner.
I will be happy with a tabletop model as long as I can keep the cost
as far under 500 dollars as possible. I have already read Bob Parnass'
review of the Realistic PRO 2005 and his used scanner selection article.
(Both very well written documents by the way.) If this comes to pass
I want to make certain that I spend my hard earned money wisely as this
will probably be the last radio I will be able to afford for quite some
time. (Getting married drains the budget, so I hear. Not to mention my
fiancee seems to think we are going to need useless luxuries like sofas
and refrigerators more than we will need necessities like a radio to
listen in to the neighbors baby monitor or the city street sweeper. :-)
Would you like to help me with my plight? I need to find a scanner that
meets the following criteria:
1) Continuous Coverage or as close as possible, from 30 mcs up to
AT LEAST 950 megs or so.
2) Ability to operate in all covered bands in AM, and FM mode. SSB
would also be nice, but I expect it would get too expensive.
3) LOTS of memory available. Certainly 100 frequencies or more is
not too much to expect.
4) A good search capacity allowing for variable search increments. ie:
12.5 khs 5 khz etc.
In addition The following features would be considered a great plus:
1) More than one antenna jack.
2) A (good quality) backlight.
3) The ability to run off of 12 volts. (For automobile use.)
4) An S-meter.
5) A built in recording jack.
6) A built in clock/timer.
7) A built in micro-wave oven. (so I don't have to get up all the
time :-)
8) Anything else you reccomend?
So far I am considering the Realistic 2005, however,except for one
well known poster, I have heard nothing first hand from people who own
one. I want to know what quirks you have found to be annoying or whether
or not you would buy one again. Also any other comments you might have.
I have heard good things about the Realistic 2004 as well. Has
anyone out there contrasted the 2004 and 2005? Which is better for you
which does more after the standard modifications have been made?
Are there any other scanners available (That are not made by
AOR -- heard too many bad things about them) that fit the first several
criteria I mentioned? Is there anything upcomming for release in 1990
that would be better to wait for?
Along a different vein:
I am going to want to purchase a good listening antenna for
whatever scanner I choose. It will have to be compatable with
frequencies from 50 to 900 or so and will have to be omni-directional
for standard reception. Any choices available? I know painfully little
about this as I have been using Radio Shack's (ugh theres that word
again), bottom of the line for about 4 years now.
What will this run $$$?
Lastly, what is the best cable for an application such as the
one I have described above? I know that good quality RG8U is the best
for the bucks for shortwave, how about for VHF UHF and borederline
microwave?
Any help on any of these subjects would be appreciated.
Charles
I have directed followups to rec.radio.shortwave
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+ *READ* ---> The opinions expressed above are to the best of my knowledge, +
+ however all options should be discussed with persons who have professional+
+ training with the subjects covered here. * ALL POSSIBLE DISCLAIMERS APPLY!+
+ ____FROM: chguest@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov =>or<= sun!ames!pioneer!chguest____+
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ A new Soviet/American truism - KGB does NOT stand for Kinder Gentler Boys +
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