Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby

Do you struggle to understand why antenna designs differ?

In this episode, I explain antenna polarization and how the design impacts it.

What You Need To Know

• Your antenna needs to be within the same polarity in order to receive what you're trying to receive.
• A vertically polarized antenna will pick up vertically polarized signals better than horizontal.
• Radio waves are oscillating sine waves, and the frequency at which they oscillate is measured in a hertz.
• Vertically polarized antennas are perpendicular to the earth's horizon
• Horizontally polarized antennas are parallel to the earth's horizon.
• Satellites are not in a fixed position, so we've needed to develop circular polarization to communicate with satellites when their polarization is constantly changing.
• Vertically polarized antennas are the most common in general, and horizontally polarized antennas are common in the scanner radio hobby world.
• A common example of vertical antennas is on cars.
• Cell phones are the most common example of a need for cross-pole antennas.
• Circular antennas are good for eliminating multi-path distortions.
• A GPS and some drones use circular polarization.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session126

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

The Spring (or Fall) to take inventory and make a note of how your radio setup is doing. Phil covers, antenna, masts, mounting, coax, and grounding.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session125

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

• Are there any scanners that are commercially available that are capable of Tetra decoding, and if not, what other options are there?
• What jacks are on the SDS-200?
• Is it possible to upgrade an HP2 to make it function more like an SDS-100 or SDS-200?
• How do you cross-reference what's available on Radio Reference with how it appears in Uniden's software?
• And more

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session124

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Do you want to find deals on used equipment on eBay?

In this episode, Phil shares his do's and don't's of bidding on eBay auctions.

Alls session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session123

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Are you wondering what it's like to participate in a Scanner School Zello net?

In this episode, Phil plays a recent Zello net chat for you to hear what it's like.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session121

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Yes - Episode 122 is being released before episode 121...

We are all starting to feel a little bit cooped up in our homes. Social distancing is the new normal and keeping inside may be driving you nuts.

Today we go over 12 different radio ways you can keep yourself sane during an insane time.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session122

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

In this episode, Phil plays the live Ask Scanner School session he held on Facebook and YouTube.

This month we answer:

• Has there been anything about new scanners on the horizon from Uniden or Whistler?
• Where should you look for tips if you're brand new to scanning?
• How to troubleshoot scanning on a Windows 10 Sentinel machine?
• What to do about a hum sound on an SDS-200?
• What impact will the passing of Paul Opitz at Uniden have on future scanner quality?
• Will Phil ever do an IceCast setup tutorial for Windows or Linux?
• Would Phil recommend Butel software for a beginner?
• What is the best antenna to use for your house without breaking the bank?
• Is there a known issue with the Radio Shack Pro 197 resetting its memory?
• How is the SDR class coming along?
• Does DSD support trunking?
• Can you fly with any of your scanning equipment?
• How can using quick keys benefit you?
• Is there a database to identify non-voice signals on scanners?
• What to do if you get an "Unknown" error?
• Are there certain settings to pay attention to, like filters, to improve your audio quality?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session120

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Today we're talking about a classic, the Uniden BC780XLT.

This radio came out in 2000 and it shook up the scanner radio market.

Learn why the power that was behind it made it a go-to scanner for many people at the time and what was available for this model on the aftermarket.

What You Learn in this Week's Podcast:

• Learn what the BC780XLT could do right out of the box.
• The BC780XLT was strictly analog.
• You can put a Motorola trunk system in the same bank as conventional frequencies.
• You can't mix two trunk systems in the same bank but you can mix conventional and trunking together.
• This model allows you to search out CTCSS and DCS tones.
• You can program 500 channels in 10 banks.
• It works well as a weather receiver
• You can program scan delays that are built-in per channel, and you can have a limit hold on each frequency.
• This scanner has channel alerts.
• A very cool feature is this scanner's versatile RS232 serial port.
• You have a tape-out on the back of the radio
• Program searches are built-in.
• You can pre-program ten search ranges and have selectable step sizes.
• The display was revolutionary for the time.
• There were many aftermarket software options for this model.
• People took this scanner with them and actually used it as a portable radio.
• Aftermarket Accessories Include:
• • Protective carrying cases for portable use
  • There was a way to have internal battery packs powering the scanner.
  • AM and shortwave broadcasts modification
  • An automatic mute with an RF sensor mod.
  • Remote head kit.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session119

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Have you ever wondered what it takes to set up a dispatch center?

In this episode, Phil talks to his old friend Rob Bambino to discuss his company RF Designs.

Rob's company specializes in consulting with fire departments and local law enforcement to build and maintain their dispatch centers and equipment.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session118

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Where can you find frequencies that might have Coronavirus-related traffic?

In this episode, Phil shares with you what he's listening to and makes suggestions for you to find what you might want to listen for in your area.

What You Need To Know

• Some local radio frequencies will be encrypted, but don't expect everything to have encryption.
• You may be able to find local ambulance companies or EMS.
• Many of these dispatches give a rundown of symptoms before responders go in.
• Find frequencies for your local hospitals.
• Don't forget about news frequencies.
• Another suggestion is a university public safety office.
• On a national level, Phil suggests trying TSA, FEMA, and CBP.
• The NIFOG is a group with Homeland Security that responds in emergencies, and Phil has heard them in the past when they responded to Hurricane Sandy on Long Island.
• In search mode, maybe you'll hear something in aviation or rail, although rail is now being affected by the pandemic.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session117

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello