Combo Scanner/CB with detachable faceplate

[mbanik]

Sounds like a tall order, no? Well Uniden makes the UH015sx for the New Zealand and Australian markets. Word from Uniden USA is "No, we don't sell that in the US" ... which is exactly what I expected them to say. This thing is slick IMHO...

http://www.uniden.com.au/AUSTRALIA/p_uh015sx_index.asp

http://www.backfire.net/images/cbscanner.jpg

some features...
- Detachable Display Unit
- Transmit & Receive FM 40CH (UHF-CB, TX Power 5W)
- Wide Band Scanner (400MHz - 512MHz)
- Band Search Function (5 Bands separately)
- Duplex Capability (from CH01 - CH08)

Where I am weak is the specs for the frequency ranges/bands ... are these ideal/compatible for the US of A? If so I would attempt to bring one over. I actually don't care too much if the scanner range is limited ... although it appears to be severely limited. What ranges/bands should I be looking for?

Finally ... does anyone know of any alternatives out there?

[JackMac4]

Sounds like a tall order, no? Well Uniden makes the UH015sx for the New Zealand and Australian markets. Word from Uniden USA is "No, we don't sell that in the US" ... which is exactly what I expected them to say. This thing is slick IMHO...

http://www.uniden.com.au/AUSTRALIA/p_uh015sx_index.asp

http://www.backfire.net/images/cbscanner.jpg

some features...
- Detachable Display Unit
- Transmit & Receive FM 40CH (UHF-CB, TX Power 5W)
- Wide Band Scanner (400MHz - 512MHz)
- Band Search Function (5 Bands separately)
- Duplex Capability (from CH01 - CH08)

Where I am weak is the specs for the frequency ranges/bands ... are these ideal/compatible for the US of A? If so I would attempt to bring one over. I actually don't care too much if the scanner range is limited ... although it appears to be severely limited. What ranges/bands should I be looking for?

Finally ... does anyone know of any alternatives out there?

nice! This would work well for my project. based on the description it sounds like it would work..but I'd be interested to know for sure.

[mbanik]

nice! This would work well for my project. based on the description it sounds like it would work..but I'd be interested to know for sure.

I saw you thread (http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=4228) and I thought of this unit... If I can't get something like this I will be going your route but I'll be using a Uniden Pro 520XL, a Bearcat BC350C and a Blaupunkt Hamburg MP57 ... I do not want navigation ... I still prefere a map and compass ... ha ha.

The trick will be making the 520XL and BC350C removable for safe keeping ... a nice custom fab challenge... especially working in 2 channel mixer for the scanner / CB audio ...

[JackMac4]

I saw you thread (http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=4228) and I thought of this unit... If I can't get something like this I will be going your route but I'll be using a Uniden Pro 520XL, a Bearcat BC350C and a Blaupunkt Hamburg MP57 ... I do not want navigation ... I still prefere a map and compass ... ha ha.

The trick will be making the 520XL and BC350C removable for safe keeping ... a nice custom fab challenge... especially working in 2 channel mixer for the scanner / CB audio ...

Yep..indeed a challenge. I still have a lot of ideas swirling around on how to handle the mixing. I've been looking around this evening for other cb/scanner combos but can't find any.

I'm also looking at handheld scanners with DC input...thinking maybe I could tear one apart and build my own scanner.

[mbanik]

Yep..indeed a challenge. I still have a lot of ideas swirling around on how to handle the mixing. I've been looking around this evening for other cb/scanner combos but can't find any.

I'm also looking at handheld scanners with DC input...thinking maybe I could tear one apart and build my own scanner.


nice ... another good route to consider ... repackaging electronics is a good time...

I'm gonna work up a schematic for the mixer this week ... basically a simple DJ crossfader... full left is CB 100% ... full right is scanner 100% ... middle is 50/50. I think that will get it done...

[JackMac4]

nice ... another good route to consider ... repackaging electronics is a good time...

I'm gonna work up a schematic for the mixer this week ... basically a simple DJ crossfader... full left is CB 100% ... full right is scanner 100% ... middle is 50/50. I think that will get it done...

Yeah, it would but it wouldn't have to be that complicated..probably could do just a rocker switch with 2 mono inputs and 1 mono output

maybe take the innards of something like this (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049647&cp=&sr=1&origkw=stereo+switch&kw=stereo+switch&parentPage=search)

then you could integrate video srcs as well.

edit: but then again, after thinking about it - the simplest way might be the best..so a mixer might really be the best way to handle that..then you could just mount a mixing knob.

[JackMac4]

FYI, the frequency range of the scanner on the combo scanner CB listed above is pretty small. The range is also a pretty unused portion of the spectrum for here in the US. Even if you got it, you wouldn't hear a lot. ;)

There are some that have repackaged scanners for use in vehicles and you might want to check out www.radioreference.com for some hardcore scanner heads and some information on repackaging.

I have several scanners but just got the new Uniden digital with 6,000 channels in 500 dynamic memory banks. I do wish the head was separate but I can make it work in it's stock form.

I think there may already be some mixers for radios out on the market. May be easier and possibly cheaper than building your own. I haven't looked yet but I have heard of them and it's on my list.

Cool site. thanks for the heads up. now i have a lot of reading to do.

[JackMac4]

Wow. After reading that site, I feel like a dummy. There are a lot of people using newer systems than I thought. My tax dollars at work I suppose. This changes all my plans, as it seems most of the communication I would want to scan here is unscannable/encrypted.

I'll just stick to a CB and FRS/GMRS

[John L]

Wouldn't work, CB freqs here in the US center around 27mHz which is VHF, they list the unit as UHF. Also most larger cities run trunk systems for police and fire. Nice unit though, we never get the good stuff over here...why is that?:thinking:

[JackMac4]

Wouldn't work, CB freqs here in the US center around 27mHz which is VHF, they list the unit as UHF. Also most larger cities run trunk systems for police and fire. Nice unit though, we never get the good stuff over here...why is that?:thinking:

Yeah it doesn't, and I've been looking for something in the US...but I couldn't find a single thing -- most likely due to your above statement regarding trunking systems...just seems nowadays scanning is a bit too complex to stuff into a little unit.

[John L]

Yeah it doesn't, and I've been looking for something in the US...but I couldn't find a single thing -- most likely due to your above statement regarding trunking systems...just seems nowadays scanning is a bit too complex to stuff into a little unit.

Not to mention that in some states it is illegal to have a scanner in a vehicle. Oklahoma is not one of those, thank god. I carry my trusty Rat Shack portable 1000 ch dual trunk scanner and pipe it through the aux input on the radio sometimes.

[mbanik]

Yeah it doesn't, and I've been looking for something in the US...but I couldn't find a single thing -- most likely due to your above statement regarding trunking systems...just seems nowadays scanning is a bit too complex to stuff into a little unit.

We never get cool electronics in the US because we don't demand it ... :rollingeyes:

As far as up to date mobile digital scanning goes ... I'm looking at these two setups...

Radio Shack - PRO 2096 $499
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-digital-trunking-mobile-base-scanner--pi-2036235.html

Uniden Bearcat BCD996T with the remote head... $750
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=BCD996T&filter=Mobile
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/32280996.html


...

[John L]

Three letters. F.C.C.

Trunking systems can be easily scanned. Digital systems can also be easily scanned. Encrypted systems, for the sake of argument, can not be scanned. However almost all systems have a backup or common frequencies that can be scanned for things like mutual aid and compliance with Federally mandated interoperability. Oddly enough the bulk of this influx in new technology use is due to massive amounts of money being made available in a post 9-11 world. Unfortunately the feds didn't mandate or dictate which system everyone should use. So the fiasco of 9-11 will more than likely be repeated due to those not using the radios making decisions not based on operability and interoperability. So the cops won't be able to talk to the fire guys, again.

Oddly enough back before trunking (it's not trunking's fault) we had ease of use and interoperability with old 10 channel analog radios that operated at frequencies that could go around buildings and mountains and wasn't limited to line of sight and everyone had at least one common frequency. Today's radio's require a complex network to allow people to talk to one another and for interoperability. However when the next disaster strikes and the fancy radio systems fail you will see the cops and fire guys borrowing everyone's CB radio or hitting up the local ham to stay in contact.

Pretty sad state of affairs IMHO as the feet on the street already have a tough and dangerous enough job without some suit making some poor judgments in communications choices so they can build their own personal empire.

I totally agree.I remember how simple scanning was, all you needed was a modestly priced Bearcat and a few crystals. Now it almost takes an electrical/engineering/computer degree just to program the damn things.

[John L]

We never get cool electronics in the US because we don't demand it ... :rollingeyes:

As far as up to date mobile digital scanning goes ... I'm looking at these two setups...

Radio Shack - PRO 2096 $499
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-digital-trunking-mobile-base-scanner--pi-2036235.html

Uniden Bearcat BCD996T with the remote head... $750
http://www.uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=BCD996T&filter=Mobile
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/32280996.html


...


If it were me, I would go for the Bearcat. Remote head, probably better specs, and a better built unit IMHO.

[JackMac4]

Just to continue the recommendation stream of this conversation, what do you guys think of the vendor ScannerMaster and this particular model more specifically

Bearcat BCD396T (http://www.scannermaster.com/BCD396T_Scanner_p/01-501003.htm)

[John L]

Just to continue the recommendation stream of this conversation, what do you guys think of the vendor ScannerMaster and this particular model more specifically

Bearcat BCD396T (http://www.scannermaster.com/BCD396T_Scanner_p/01-501003.htm)

If I was in the market for another portable, I would probably get this one. Lots of nice features, will cover all the new fancy formats if you decide to take it to a real busy city like Dallas or LA. It may be overkill for Tulsa, I don't think we support even half the doo-dads this receiver offers. OKC is probably a different story, though.
I do OK, I have a PRO-94, 1000 ch, dual trunk portable. Tulsa is split 3 ways, North, East, and South for police, EMSA is scrambled now, but I follow fire and rescue, they get the call first anyway. Broken Arrow is on EDACS, I can get them also. When this radio will no longer do what I need it to, I'll upgrade.
I like the bcd396t, if you get it let us know how it performs.

[Ge99ne]

Hey, not trying to derail the thread or anything, but what purpose does the scanner serve?
Is this a way to find an active channel to call on someone for help from your jeep? Or is it purely passive for listening only? I remember my great aunt having one back in the old days, before all the scrambling & channel jumping started.