Frequency Scanner
 

Just found the new toy that is a MUST have. I use the Icom R2 scanner but I also just purchased this one for the heck of it. I have to say Range is only about 300
feet unless you buy the optional antena, but something is better than nothing,





http://www.hobbico.com/fieldequip/hcap0340.html


Turbulence

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

that does look good.
If it was in 35mhz, then
im sure my club will get one.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Some of us in Raleigh have just purchased one and it works great! I checked Jerry Smith's against the "high dollar" scanners at Joe Nall and it kept pace just fine with all the TX traffic. At my local field I noticed that sometimes it will "drop" a TX that is on (but on the other end of the flightline) for a bit but it picks it right back up on the next scan. It's certainly awesome for the price! We are all getting the optional antenna for more sensitivity, too.

Robert Vess

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Great buy,

I have one and it's a great "last check" item to make sure it's safe.

Kevin

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

I just won one of these at my club's fly in last Saturday. I didn't have any AAA batteries at the field but I did test it in the garage briefly this morning. It picked up my tx on channel 49 as it scanned by my channel and the LED stayed lit. When I shut off the TX, the channel 49 LED went out on the next pass of the scanner. I can't wait to test it out with multiple frequencies in use. I'm going to buy the external antenna for it.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

How much is this thing and how much for the external antenna. Thanks.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Tower Hobbies has both.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...er&FVPROFIL=++

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Actually, Tower has both listed in their catalog, but actually has neither product available. I thought about putting one on back order until I saw Tower's dumb-as-dirt back-order policy ... to put the external antenna on back order, you are required to purchase a minimum of TWO of them. What kind of stupid idea is that ?

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

The meter is 54.99 and the antenna is 8.99. I have been using one and it works great. BTW.......the local hobby shops will not make you BO two antennas.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

I have mine on order at Tower, since I seen it at the Toledo Show in April. The unit was shipped out 10 days ago and I should get it this week. The external Antenna is still backorder, the antenna will give you a range of 1000 feet.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

My LHS had ten in stock last Friday and they where going like Hot Cakes, the antennas had been ordered but did not arrive with the scanners and said to be in back order. I will check with him later (he opens at 10) to see if he has any more units in stock.


Turbulence

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

O.K. Here is the scoop. There is 15 scanners ZERo antennas in stock, Robins Hobby, He does not carry a lot of Jet items, BUT he gets me whatever I need so I always tend to support him. Anyway $46.00 (O.K., he said 45.99) http://www.robinshobby.com/ (818) 240-2093 He ships anywhere in the US

and he takes PAYPAL.

Turbulence

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

OK, after reading Ralph's post I ordered one from Tower (plus the two damn antennas)... stupid me, I was in a hurry to place the order and just assumed that you actually needed two antennas (yes I'm a lazy Delta Alpha)...

I'll gladly offer the extra external antenna for $7 plus whatever it cost to ship (via mail) to anyone that wants it...PM or Email me.

Barry

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Ralph, please buy me one and I'll take that spare antenae.

Email me at [email protected]

I will paypal.com the amount

send to sean reitmeyer
2612 Corabella Place
Cedar Park, TX 78613

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Got you covered Sean.

Turbulence.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

I bought one too!!! Saw them at Joe Nall and had to have one. I'm using the wiring from a mini headphone set for the antennae, works great and you just wind it up.......

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

I do not understand the claimed range. The range should be a function of the receiver's sensitivity (which is better with the optional antenna), but it should also be a function of the transmitted power, right? So how can they claim certain ranges as they do? Are those distances simply based on average R/C transmitter output? If so, then what about interference that does not originate from an R/C TX?

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

They probably *gasp* TESTED it.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

But even if they did test it, they can not know what power the source of the interference is putting out. That's why I assume they mean those ranges are from typical R/C transmitters, right? Can someone that owns one confirm that, might be in th manual? Thanks.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

I own one. The manual only states that in a noisy RF environment, the scanner may show frequencies in use that aren't actually in use. It simply states that 'the 72MHz Frequency Checker has a built-in antenna which is designed to receive transmitter signals from whini a 300 foot radius'

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

I've been pricing scanners and the last post seems to point out the rub:

The source of transmission must be within 300 feet, making the scanner good only for the pits area and frequency control to help prevent two radios from being turned on at the same time. It does not look like it's designed to scan for interfereance from other sources, such as pager towers, etc. that are not within your "300 foot area".

Not bad for the price for the pits area - put it up by the transmitter impound or have one for a last check - it's very cheap. But the Icom wide band receivers (at about $250+) are really the only thing I've found to date that will give you a better picture of the active frequency spectrum and signal strengths of sources at your position around your 72mHz channels.

There was another guy selling a device more suited that showed strength of the signal source only on 72 mHz channels, but he was out of production at the time (Wolf something?).

Anybody got any other product's capability/suggestions?

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Chuck, that was exactly my point. It obviously will tell you there is a signal on a channel even if it is not within 300'... IF IT IS A STRONG ENOUGH signal. So the range limitations must apply to a known strength of transmitted signal, ie. an R/C transmitter, I asume.

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Has anyone tried the RC SCAN 7200 from Brian Wolfe? It is $250 and just wondering if anyone can give me their feedback.

Thanks, Dennis

RE: Frequency Scanner
 

Dennis,

Our club purchased an RCScan 7200 a couple of years ago and we are quite pleased with it. It does much more than just check which channels are being used. Check out the web site for more information. www.desert-wolfe.com

Doug