From: parnass@lucent.com (Bob Parnass, AJ9S)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.scanner,alt.radio.scanner,rec.radio.info
Subject: Introduction to Scanning
Date: 17 Apr 1996 02:42:16 GMT

 Last changed: April 15, 1996.                                |

 Lines changed since the previous issue are marked with a  |
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                  Introduction to Scanning
                    by Bob Parnass, AJ9S

  [NOTES: This article may not be reproduced in whole or  in
 part   on   CDROMS,   in   bulletin  boards,  networks,  or
 publications which charge for service without permission of
 the author.  Free distribution is encouraged.]

 This  introduction  is  intended  for  people  new  to  the
 scanning  hobby and is oriented to scanning in the USA.  It
 tells where you can buy your first scanner,  what  features
 it  should  have, where to get it repaired if required, how
 to get frequency information, and mentions  a  few  scanner
 clubs worth joining.

 The author writes a monthly "Scanner Equipment" column  for
 Monitoring  Times magazine, published by Grove Enterprises,
 but views expressed in this article are his own.


                        Why Scanning?

 Every day and night, scanner hobbyists are  entertained  by
 what  they  overhear  on  their  radios.  Police cars, fire
 engines,  ambulances,  airplanes,  armored  cars,   trains,
 taxis,  and  buses are all equipped with radios and you can
 listen to them.  You can monitor the local sheriff and fire
 departments  to  hear about events "as they happen," before
 the news reporters hear about them.  Hostage  dramas,  bank
 robberies,  car  crashes,  chemical  spills,  neighbor  and
 domestic disputes, tornado sightings are all fair game.  In
 a single afternoon, you can hear a high speed police chase,
 Drug  Enforcement  agents  on  a   sting   operation,   and
 undercover FBI agents as they stakeout a suspect.

 How about listening to  a  presidential  candidate  discuss
 strategy  with his advisor from a 415 MHz radiophone in Air
 Force 1, or a team of G-men protect him while  transmitting
 in the 167 MHz range?

 Baby monitor intercoms are actually  transmitters  and  you
 can hear them between 49.67 and 49.99 MHz.

 Stay ahead of road conditions by listening to highway  road
 crews,  snow  plows,  and  traffic helicopter pilots.  Many
 midwesterners monitor  the  state  police  and  and  county
 sheriff  to  learn  of  approaching  tornados  long  before
 warnings are broadcast on TV and  commercial  radio.   Take
 your  scanner  to  sporting  events  and listen to race car
 drivers, football coaches, etc., in the 151, 154,  and  468
 MHz ranges.

 Monitor the everyday hustle and bustle of businesses,  from
 cable  TV  repair  crews  tracking  down pirate descrambler
 boxes, to security guards at your nuclear  power  plant  or
 mall security guards chasing a shoplifter.


                     Is Scanning Legal?

 In the United States, scanning from your home or at work is
 perfectly   legal   in  most  situations.   The  Electronic
 Communications Privacy Act  of  1986  made  it  illegal  to
 listen  to  mobile phones, common carrier paging, and a few
 other types of communication.  Public law  103-414,  signed
 Oct.  25,  1994,  amended  the  law  (Title 18 USC, Part I,
 chapter 119, sections 25110 and 2511) and outlaws listening
 to  cordless  phones,  too,  but  many scanners cover these
 frequencies, and it's clear that Americans still listen  to
 whatever  they  want  in  the  privacy  of  their own homes
 despite the laws.

 It  is  now  illegal  for  companies   to   sell   recently
 manufactured scanners which cover or can be easily modified
 to cover the  cellular  phone  frequencies,  but  sales  by
 private individuals will still be allowed.

 Speaking of privacy, federal law also requires you to  keep
 what  you  hear to yourself and not use the information you
 hear on your scanner for personal gain.

 Be aware  that  several  states  have  laws  pertaining  to
 scanning   while  in  your  car.   Indiana  restricts  some
 portable scanners.  A few states  have  enacted  their  own
 laws  against  listening  to cordless phones.  You can find
 out about these restrictions in a paperback book, Listeners
 Lawbook,  compiled by Frank Terranella, Esq.  available for
 $9.95  +  shipping  from  Grove  Enterprises,  PO  Box  98,
 Brasstown, NC 28902.


                 What Scanner Should I Buy?

 Radio Shack and Uniden  (maker  of  Bearcat,  Regency,  and
 Cobra brands) offer a wide choice of scanners.  Radio Shack
 scanners are actually manufactured  by  both  GRE  (General
 Research  Electronics)  and by Uniden.  Personally, I don't
 recommend Trident nor  many  of  the  AOR  brand  scanners,
 although the AR8000 and AR3000 have good reputations.

 Programmable  (synthesized)  units  have  replaced  crystal
 controlled  models  as  they  don't  require  crystals  and
 usually have a keypad that permits you to store frequencies
 into  channels.   Programmables are now so cheap it doesn't
 make sense to buy a  crystal  unit  as  your  main  scanner
 unless you get it for under $45 or so.

 You can get a battery operated hand held scanner, a  bigger
 "base"  scanner  which  is  powered from an AC outlet, or a
 mobile scanner which connects  to  your  auto's  electrical
 system.   There  are  tradeoffs -- base and mobile scanners
 have larger displays and almost always provide  more  audio
 than  portables,  and  some  portables  are  more  prone to
 interference when connected to outdoor antennas  than  base
 models.   But  when  severe weather knocks out the power in
 your home, there's nothing like having a  battery  operated
 scanner   to   monitor   the   power   utility  and  police
 frequencies!

 Make sure your first scanner:

  1.  has a "search" feature, which allows it to search  all
      the  frequencies  between two frequency limits of your
      choosing.  The lowest cost programmables can't search.
  2.  covers the 800 MHz band.  Usage of the 800 -  950  MHz
      band  is  growing  fast  and  you will miss out on the
      action unless your scanner covers this band.

 If you're not sure whether you'll like scanning, don't want
 to  spend  much  money,  a  40  channel  radio will do.  In
 general, the more channels and banks, the better.

 Most of the action takes place on  frequencies  between  30
 and 1000 MHz, so don't be misled by scanner models boasting
 coverage from 3 to 2000 MHz.  There's currently not much to
 monitor in the 1000 - 2000 MHz range.

 If you are interested in receiving  short  wave,  that  is,
 signals  in  the 3 - 30 MHz range, it's best to get a short
 wave  radio  specifically  designed   for   that   purpose.
 Although  some  scanners receive the short wave band, their
 performance in that range is often second rate.

 Deluxe scanners can be controlled and/or  downloaded  by  a
 personal  computer,  a feature which appeals to a small but
 growing number of scanner owners.

 Almost  all  low  and  mid-priced  scanners  are  prone  to
 receiving  images  -- receiving the same signal erroneously
 on two or more frequencies.  With a few exceptions,  images
 are  unwelcome  due  to  the interference they cause, e.g.,
 hearing aircraft transmissions while the scanner  is  tuned
 to  the  local  police frequency.  Premium quality scanners
 use "up  conversion"  circuitry,  a  scheme  which  greatly
 reduces, but does not eliminate, image reception.

 Currently,  the   more   popular   scanners   include   the
 Uniden/Bearcat  BC760XLT  (a/k/a  950XLT)  and discontinued
 Radio  Shack  PRO-2006  base/mobiles,  the   Uniden/Bearcat
 BC200XLT (a/k/a BC205XLT), BC220XLT, and Radio Shack PRO-43
 portables.  A number of owners  report  problems  with  the
 Icom  R1 portable and the older Uniden/Bearcat 8500XLT base
 and 2500XLT portable.  The new Uniden  BC9000XLT  base  and
 BC3000XLT  portable  work  very  well  and  are  my current
 favorites.

 Considered by many as the best scanner ever made,  the  400
 channel  Radio  Shack  PRO-2006  was  replaced  by the 1000
 channel PRO-2035, which was replaced by the PRO-2042.   The
 portable Radio Shack PRO-62 and PRO-60 are good performers.
 All five models employ up conversion and are made for Radio
 Shack by GRE (General Research Electronics).


                      Scanner Antennas

 All scanners come  with  a  built  in  antenna,  permitting
 reception up to about 20 miles or so.

 Portable scanners  are  supplied  with  a  helical  (spring
 shaped)   antenna,   covered  by  rubber.   The  rubberized
 antennas furnished with current models are  too  stiff  and
 place  stress  on  the  antenna jack.  Older scanners to be
 supplied with more flexible antennas.  I prefer to  replace
 the  stock  antenna  with  an  Icom FA-1433B dual band flex
 antenna which is thin and  very  flexible  while  providing
 better performance than a stock antenna.

 Although it is small  and  somewhat  tolerant  of  physical
 abuse,  the  range  of  a heliflex antenna is very limited.
 Augmenting it with a  19"  telescoping  metal  antenna  can
 improve portable reception greatly.

 Since 1988, I've used the "Thin-Stick" 18 inch  telescoping
 antenna  for  extended  range on my portable scanners and 2
 meter walkie-talkies.   The  Thin-Stick,  made  in  USA  by
 Smiley  Antenna  Co., Inc., is designed to cover both the 2
 meter and 220 MHz bands, but its variable length  means  it
 can  be  adjusted  for  optimum performance on other bands.
 What  makes  the  Thin-Stick  different  from  an  ordinary
 telescoping  antenna  is the spring between the antenna and
 the connector portions.  The spring  absorbs  most  of  the
 impact  if the antenna collides with an object.  The street
 price is  about  $17  and  it  is  available  from  Amateur
 Electronic Supply, Milwaukee and other retailers.

 Outdoor antennas, like the Channel Master 5094A or  Antenna
 Specialists  AV-801  (recently  discontinued),  can  extend
 reliable reception to 100 miles or more.  If you do use  an
 outdoor antenna, be sure to disconnect and ground it during
 storms and when not in use to  avoid  a  lightning  hazard.
 Discone and ground plane type antennas can be more prone to
 cause scanner damage due to static charge  buildup  because
 they are not at "DC ground."



                   Coaxial Cable Feedlines

 If your antenna installation requires more than 50 feet  of
 feedline,  use RG213/U or high quality RG8/U coaxial cable.
 RG213/U  has  a  non-contaminating  jacket  and  will  last
 longer.   Each  has  an  outer  diameter  of  about 13/32".
 Similarly sized Belden 9913 cable  and  clones  have  lower
 attenuation  but  are  difficult  to  bend, require special
 connectors, and can accumulate moisture inside because they
 are hollow.

 If you must use a small diameter cable for long  runs,  use
 RG6/U.   Avoid  RG58/U (7/32" OD) due to its losses at high
 frequencies.  RG8/X (1/4" OD) is suitable for  short  patch
 cords.



                 Where Can I Buy A Scanner?

 Almost every community has at least one Radio Shack  store,
 and  you  can  find  scanners there.  Discount chain stores
 like Wal-Mart, K-Mart,  Service  Merchandise,  and  Circuit
 City   sell   scanners,   but  carry  just  a  few  models.
 Department stores, like Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards,
 sometimes offer low end scanners, although at high prices.

 The best buys on new scanners are from reputable mail order
 radio dealers, for example:


    - Grove Enterprises, 300 S. Highway 64 West,  Brasstown,
      NC  28902.   For  a  free catalog, call (704)837-9200.
      Telephone (orders only): (800)438-8155.

    - National Tower Company, PO Box 15417, Shawnee Mission,
      KS 66215.  Telephone (913)888-8864.

    - The Ham Station, 220 N. Fulton  Ave.,  Evansville,  IN
      47719-0522.  Telephone (800)729-4373, (812)422-0231.

    - Scanner World (Albany, NY). Telephone (518)436-9606.

    - Amateur Electronics Supply (Milwaukee, WI).  Telephone
      (800)558-0411.

 Beware of inflated "shipping and handling" charges  and  be
 sure to include these when comparison shopping.

 Used scanners may  be  found  at  hamfests,  flea  markets,
 garage  sales,  or  listed  in the classified advertisement
 section of your newspaper.


                   Modifying Your Scanner

 The  term  "mod"   is   often   used   as   shorthand   for
 "modification."   If  you  are handy with a soldering iron,
 you may be interested in modifying ("modding") your scanner
 to add features or enhance its performance.  Be warned this
 usually  voids  your  warranty  and  current   models   are
 difficult  to  service  due  to the small, delicate surface
 mount  components.   By  federal  regulation,  new  scanner
 models cannot be easily modified to tune the cellular phone
 bands.

 The term "mod" has been narrowly used  by  some  people  to
 mean  a  change which permits a scanner to receive cellular
 phone frequencies.  This definition is far too  restrictive
 as there are several ways one could modify a scanner, e.g.,
 changes  to  improve  audio  quality,  adding  an  S-meter,
 expanding  the  number  of  channels, changing the earphone
 jack to accept stereo headphones, etc.

 Modification article files can be copied from  several  ftp
 sites including the /pub/ham-radio/mods directory at:


        garfield.catt.ncsu.edu
        oak.oakland.edu (IP address 141.210.10.117)

 KD4MOJ maintains a scanner modification server  for  people
 without  FTP  access.   You  can  request a list of scanner
 modifications by sending electronic mail with the words GET
 INDEX.TXT to FTPmail@exchange.tlh.fl.us

 If you cannot find  files  describing  modifications  to  a
 particular  scanner,  it's probably because nobody bothered
 to devise a modification, or more likely, nobody has  taken
 the time to document their modification.

 Modification articles posted on Usenet seem to have a  life
 of  their  own.   Frequently, they are plagiarized from the
 Internet  and  compiled  by  book,  CDROM,   and   magazine
 publishers,  sometimes reworded, then sold.  Hobbyists then
 copy  the  modifications  from  the  books,   CDROMs,   and
 magazines  back  onto  the Internet or BBSs (bulletin board
 systems)!

 Grove  Enterprises  and   other   companies   advertise   a
 warranted, modification for fee service.


                    Scanner Repair Shops

 Is your scanner broken?  Aside  from  sending  the  scanner
 back  to  the  manufacturer  for repair, here are least two
 companies which repair scanners:

   1.  Electronic Repair Centers (telephone 708-455-5105)  -
       Several  people  have  been  pleased with good repair
       service from Electronic Repair  Centers  in  Franklin
       Park,  Illinois.  Although they are not authorized to
       perform warranty work, this outfit has been repairing
       Bearcat  scanners  for  several years.  They charge a
       flat rate of fixing scanners, and shipping is  extra.
       Electronic  Repair  Centers will fix Regency scanners
       if they can obtain the parts.

   2.  G & G Communications (telephone 716-768-8151) -  This
       family  owned company repairs scanners and pagers and
       stocks parts for several older models.  G & G  cannot
       usually   repair   AOR   scanners   due  to  lack  of
       manufacturer support.  G & G sells and sometimes buys
       old  scanners  and  parts,  too.  They are located at
       9247 Glenwood Drive, LeRoy, NY 14482.


          Where Can I Obtain Frequency Information?

 To avoid chaos, the FCC licenses two-way  radio  users  and
 assigns  them  specific frequencies.  Groups of frequencies
 are allocated to specific types  of  users,  so  you  won't
 usually find fire departments using the same frequencies as
 taxi drivers, for example.

 Scanner enthusiasts can obtain frequency  information  from
 several  sources,  including  books,  government microfiche
 records, or other listeners.

 Books: The most convenient  source  of  fire,  police,  and
 local  government  frequencies is Gene Hughes' Police Call,
 published each year in 9 regional volumes by Hollins  Radio
 Data,  and sold at Radio Shack and larger book stores.  The
 1996 editions  contain  selected  business  listings,  too,
 although callsigns are listed only for local government and
 public safety licensees.

 I also recommend the book, Monitor  America,  published  by
 SMB  Publishing  (now  known as Scanner Master Publishing),
 and available from Grove Enterprises for about $30.  A new,
 1100  page  3rd  edition is now available.  Monitor America
 contains several pages of police, fire,  local  government,
 news  media,  sports,  federal  government,  and commercial
 broadcast frequencies  for  all  50  states.   It  contains
 detailed  communications  system profiles and precinct maps
 for major metropolitan areas.  Police and fire radio  codes
 and  unit  identifiers  unique to local agencies are listed
 for several cities.  This differs from Police  Call,  which
 gives  a  more sterile, but uniform treatment of licensees,
 listing even the smallest of towns.

 Uniden has published several regional directories using the
 "Betty  Bearcat"  name,  although  there  are  much  better
 directories   available   from   Scanner   Master   (Newton
 Highlands, MA, tel. (508)655-6300) for some regions.

 The  most  readily  available  source   of   sensitive   US
 government  frequencies  is  still Tom Kneitel's Top Secret
 Registry of US Government Radio Frequencies.  Published  by
 CRB  Research,  the  8th  edition  is  available from Grove
 Enterprises  for  about  $22.   Kneitel's   book   contains
 frequency listings for NASA, military, FBI, Secret Service,
 DEA,  IRS,  Border  Patrol,  arsenals,  ammunition  plants,
 missile sites, and others in the 25 to 470 MHz range.

 Tab Books Master Frequency File, first edition, written  by
 James  Tunnell and Robert Kelty, lists federal agencies and
 frequencies and deserves a read.   However,  there  are  no
 military  listings and many pages are devoted to appendices
 and references which contain no  frequency  listings.   The
 space  would  be  much  better  used  by a combined federal
 frequency list sorted by frequency.

 Commercial Magazines:  Although  national  in  circulation,
 local  frequency  information  is  sometimes  available  in
 Grove's  Monitoring  Times  (tel.  704-837-9200)  and   the
 sensationalistic  Popular  Communications,  (tel.  516-681-
 2922).  National Scanning  Report  is  a  national  scanner
 magazine   published   bimonthly  and  is  affiliated  with
 Uniden's Bearcat Radio  Club.   Early  issues  disappointed
 experienced scanner hobbyists, but it now has a good column
 on scanner  modifications  and  has  greatly  improved  its
 coverage  of east coast frequencies since merging with NESN
 (North East Scanner  News).   The  best  scanner  frequency
 lists  are often found in club publications, not commercial
 magazines, and are discussed later.

 Government Records: Every year, the US Government sells FCC
 license  information,  in  the  form  of microfiche, floppy
 disk, and magnetic tape,  to  the  public  through  the  US
 Department   of  Commerce  National  Technical  Information
 Service (NTIS).  The high cost of buying government records
 limits their appeal to hardcore enthusiasts.  You can write
 for a catalog of FCC Master Frequency Database items to the
 NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.

 The FCC has an agreement with PerCon (tel. 716-386-6015), a
 private  company,  to  sell  FCC license information to the
 public on CDROMs.  You can buy the full license information
 for  a  multi  state  region  or  a  less  detailed license
 database covering the the entire USA  on  CDROM  for  about
 $100.  The PerCon Spectrum CDROM sells for $29 and contains
 a handful of fields for every FCC license in the  US.   The
 Spring   1995  edition  works  in  DOS,  Windows,  and  Mac
 environments.

 Grove enterprises sells FCC license  information  on  CDROM
 for  $100.   In the 1995 edition, fields are different than
 PerCon's Spectrum CDROM but the data appears to be  of  the
 same vintage.  The licensee name and licensee city are used
 instead of the DBA (doing business as) name and transmitter
 city which makes query results confusing.

 As I have already done for hundreds of  radio  enthusiasts,
 companies,  government  agencies,  and organizations across
 the country, I will locate FCC licensed  and  selected  FAA
 transmitter  sites in an area of your choice, in any state,
 and produce a custom RadioMap(TM) report, including  an  8-
 1/2"  by  11"  scaled color map, protected by plastic.  The
 map is marked with  transmitter  sites,  cities,  highways,
 airports, military installations, national parks, etc.

 RadioMap allows you to identify antenna sites and visualize
 the  transmitter  locations in your neighborhood, near your
 office, and other places of interest --  from  VLF  through
 microwave.   The  report  lists frequencies, callsigns, and
 licensee  names.   RadioMap  covers  police,  fire,   local
 government,   TV,   business,   industry,  common  carrier,
 railroad, trucking, and  many  more  types  of  transmitter
 sites,   excluding   ham   radio  stations.   Wireline  and
 nonwireline cellular phone and AM/FM broadcast  transmitter
 sites are clearly marked using unique color icons.

 Industrial customers use RadioMap  reports  to  survey  the
 "radio  environment"  prior  to  installation of radios and
 wireless microphones at customer sites.  RadioMap  is  used
 by  the  maritime  and broadcast industries, as well as ham
 radio operators to solve  intermod  interference  problems,
 and  has  been  very  favorably  reviewed  in  RCMA Scanner
 Journal, American Scannergram, and USSN.

 The  RadioMap  processes  and  software  are   unique   and
 proprietary.   Unlike  "more tame" maps, RadioMap shows the
 locations of military bases, ammunition  plants,  arsenals,
 weapons factories, and other military installations.

 For a flat fee, you  choose  the  center  location,  and  I
 choose the range, depending on transmitter site density:

         suburbs: 5 mile range (100 sq. mi. area)
         rural areas: 10 or more miles (400 sq. mi. area)
         dense urban area: 1 - 2 mile range

 Longer ranges for additional charge - call for pricing.

 A custom RadioMap report costs $20.95 plus  $5.00  shipping
 and  handling.   For  an additional $4.00, I will include a
 custom frequency allocation histogram,  a  0  -  1,000  MHz
 "spectrum  analyzer-like" display showing spectrum usage by
 the transmitters in the map coverage area.  Send  check  or
 money  order payable to Bob Parnass for $25.95 for standard
 or  $29.95  for  deluxe  RadioMap  report  with  histogram.
 Include  your  name,  address,  and telephone number, along
 with center location (nearest intersection of 2 streets, or
 latitude  &  longitude)  and  mail  to:  Bob  Parnass, 2350
 Douglas Road, Oswego, IL 60543.  tel. (708)554-3839 6-10 PM
 central time.  For a brochure, send SASE.


            Do Your Own Frequency Detective Work

 When you try listening to a frequency for the  first  time,
 you'll want to know who you're hearing.

 Although FCC rules require radio systems to identify  their
 operations   with   their   assigned  call  letters  either
 automatically or  verbally,  most  ignore  the  regulation.
 This  often makes it difficult to know who is transmitting.
 Moreover, many radios  are  now  being  placed  in  service
 illegally,   without   first  obtaining  the  required  FCC
 license.

 There  is  a  challenge  in  deriving  new  spectrum  usage
 information  on  your  own.   Sometimes it requires several
 days of  listening,  taping,  and  compiling  fragments  of
 information.   Other  times,  the  frequency information is
 there for the taking - without hassle.

 You can approach from two directions:

   1.  Listen first: Monitor a frequency or frequencies, and
       try  to determine who's transmitting and what purpose
       the channel serves.  Once you identify the user,  log
       the information.

   2.  Compile first: Take advantage of opportunities,  such
       as  examining the frequency label on a guard's radio,
       or reading the FCC  license  hanging  on  the  "radio
       room"  wall, to compile frequency lists, then monitor
       the listed  frequencies  to  confirm  that  they  are
       really  in  use.   Readers  are urged to abide by the
       rules of good taste and local laws in the  quest  for
       frequency  information.   Don't trespass, wait for an
       invitation.

 Most listeners use a combination of both approaches.

 You can examine the FCC license on premise.  I  have  found
 the  actual  FCC  radio  license,  complete  with frequency
 assignments, hanging on the walls of places like  the  mall
 security  office  or  company guard shack.  You can examine
 the labels on radio equipment.   Frequency  information  is
 engraved  on  labels on the back of many walkie-talkies, or
 inside the battery compartment, like in the Motorola  HT220
 model.   Most  pagers  have labels on the bottom or inside.
 Like passwords taped onto terminals, it's not  uncommon  to
 find labels embossed with frequencies or call letters glued
 to the front of base stations.

 You  can  make  your  own  opportunities  for  eyeing   the
 equipment  or  take  advantage  of "open house" events.  If
 information is displayed publicly, then a reasonable person
 could  assume  it's  not  government secret.  Hobbyists are
 urged  to  exercise  a  modicum  of  restraint   and   good
 judgement, however.

                   How Can I Use Equipment
                 to Uncover New Frequencies?

 If you don't know the exact frequency, but have  a  general
 idea  of the range (e.g. 150 - 152 MHz), use your scanner's
 "search"  mode.   Most  programmable  scanners  afford  the
 ability  to  search between two frequency limits set by the
 user.  A few models, like the ICOM R7000/R7100, and R1, and
 older  Bearcat  250  and  Regency K500, have the ability to
 automatically store  active  frequencies  found  during  an
 unattended search operation.

 To find the frequency of a hotel communications system, one
 fellow  installed  his Bearcat 250 in his car and parked in
 the hotel lot, leaving  the  scanner  in  the  "search  and
 store"  mode.   He  left  the  antenna  disconnected so the
 scanner  would  only  respond  to  a  transmitter  in   the
 immediate vicinity.

 Aside from a scanner and antenna, the most useful piece  of
 equipment  for sleuthing is a voice actuated (VOX) cassette
 tape recorder.  You don't need a  high  fidelity  model  or
 anything fancy, a Radio Shack CTR-82 will do.  It's best to
 use a shielded, attenuating cable to feed the scanner audio
 into  the  recorder  rather  than relying on the recorder's
 internal microphone.

 VOX recorders allow one to compress a whole day's worth  of
 monitoring  onto  a  single tape.  I often leave a recorder
 "armed" and connected to a scanner at home while  I  am  at
 the  office or doing something else.  When call letters are
 mumbled, I can play and replay the tape until  I  hear  and
 understand them.

 Test equipment can aid  in  the  quest  for  new  frequency
 information.  I've used a spectrum analyzer connected to an
 outside antenna, and a frequency counter for close-in work.


                Are There Any Scanner Clubs?

 One of the best parts of the hobby is sharing it with other
 radio  buffs.   Trading  information  with  other hobbyists
 about frequencies,  communication  systems,  and  receiving
 equipment is more valuable than any pile of magazines.

 The   world's   largest   scanner   club   is   the   Radio
 Communications  Monitoring  Association (RCMA).  Founded in
 1975, the RCMA is the  "first  national  and  international
 organization   of  monitor  radio  listeners."   There  are
 several regional  chapters  which  hold  regular  meetings.
 Club  dues  are $27.00 per year, which includes the monthly
 Scanner Journal, approximately 50 pages  in  8-1/2"  x  11"
 format.  Although the focus is on VHF and UHF ranges, there
 is coverage of HF utility stations below 30 MHz.  The  RCMA
 web page is at http://comp.uark.edu/~plaws/rcma/.  The RCMA
 electronic mail address is RCMAHQ@GEnie.com.

 Inquiries about RCMA membership  should  be  sent  to  RCMA
 General Manager, P.O. Box 542, Silverado, CA 92676, USA.


                    All Ohio Scanner Club

 A smaller club is the All Ohio Scanner Club.  Its bimonthly
 publication,  The  American  Scannergram, is about 60 pages
 long.  Although concentrating on Ohio and the  Northeastern
 states,  there  is frequency information from other states,
 and plenty of good product reviews and scanning tips.

 Annual dues are $18.50 and more  information  is  available
 from:


               Dave Marshall, Managing Editor
               All Ohio Scanner Club,
               50 Villa Road,
               Springfield, OH 45503.



          Chicago Area Radio Monitoring Association

 The Chicago Area Radio Monitoring  Association  (CARMA)  is
 the  foremost  club  for  scanner  radio  hobbyists  in the
 northern Illinois area.  CARMA was formed from the  Chicago
 chapter  of the Radio Communications Monitoring Association
 (RCMA), and we have been meeting since the early 1980s.

 Many CARMA members are active in ham radio  and  GMRS,  but
 the club is devoted to scanning and scanners.

 Meetings are held on Saturdays, many at  area  restaurants,
 about  6  times a year.  Although lunch starts at noon, the
 meetings begin officially at 1 PM and often run until about
 4  PM.  You must purchase a lunch since we get the room for
 free.  Meetings consist of a quick review of club business,
 sometimes  a  special  presentation,  and  a  "round table"
 discussion/question & answer session.  Large quantities  of
 information  and  frequency  lists are often distributed in
 the form  of  free  handouts.   Members  often  sell  radio
 equipment at the meetings, too.

 In addition  to  regular  meetings,  there  are  two  CARMA
 picnic/field  days  during  which  members  meet at a park,
 erect antennas, eat,  and  operate  scanners  from  battery
 power.   CARMA  members  take  organized  tours  of various
 communications facilities in the area.

 Club meeting dates and times are  published  in  the  CARMA
 newsletter,   published   6  times  a  year.   A  one  year
 subscription is available by mailing a $15  check,  payable
 to Kim Moran, to:


                     CARMA
                     P.O. Box 2681
                     Glenview, IL 60025

 Some  CARMA  members  participate  on  the  CARMA  computer
 bulletin  board,  run  by  Will  Sperling.   There is a $15
 annual fee for the BBS.  If you have a modem  and  terminal
 or  computer,  you  can  reach  the  CARMA  BBS  by calling
 (708)852-1292.

 All meetings are held on Saturdays at  locations  announced
 in advance.  Meetings are usually held at:                   |

    - the Destiny Restaurant, on Rand Road, in Des Plaines,   |

    - Philly's in the shopping center at the corner  Rt.  83  |
      and 53rd St. in Willowbrook,                            |

    - The Great Escape, on Irving Park Road, Schiller Park    |

 and at other restaurants.
-- 
==============================================================================
Copyright 1996, Bob Parnass, AJ9S                           parnass@lucent.com

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