Gear Talk: Scanner suggestions

[Tireman]

I'm interested in getting a handheld scanner. This will NOT be used in the race car. I'd like to hear the SB staff race chatter when I'm out and about the viewing areas around the tracks and not hovering near the staff to catch their wry comments. The family would use it as well when I'm actually on track ("hey, did they just call Dad a blooming idiot ?? " )

Being a scanner novice, I know little. I see Uniden is pretty robust in the number of models they offer, Radio Shack (made by Uniden ?) perhaps just a wee bit different but not by much.

Now, if I can just get past those NASCAR logos on the Unidens , any suggestions ? The BC95XLT lookis interesting, and probably has more function than I'll ever need, or does it ?

Thoughts ? Suggestions ?

Viz

[cdh]

my Radio Shack scanner works fine, model Pro 95, 1000 channels, triple trunking, dual quads, blown, injected, etc. It is so overly complicated I will get something simpler next time, I need scanners for dummies.

I assumed it could scan at a track and pick up and store the freqs used by SB. No, at least I don't think it can, I only got to page 1,846 in the manual

I need to know the freqs, program them in, then I can scan amongst the channels. I know there must be a simpler way (I will hold the Nascar comments). Actually I can select a range of freqs that fall outside the SB freqs and scan for them, don't ask me how to do it again though.

It is a good unit, does a zillion things I will never need but I can listen to the ATIS and traffic at HPN, marine traffic, the cops / fire, weather, hams - all relatively entertaining things that I never do. Simple is better..........y'all

I think this is the equivalent model now

Some customer reviews are amusing

Favorite was this

Cons: Difficult Controls, Unable to scan prog/freq
Best Uses: Paperweight
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

or

Pros: Easy Open Package
Cons: Need PHD to program
Best Uses: Haven't been able to use

[LimeRockRacer]

I have had the Radios Shack $149 special for years. It works and once you have the frequency programmed you dont need to do anything, As CDH states, programming initially is not that simple. I carry the directions in my gear bag just in case...

[dalyduo]

Yep... Radio Shack it is. Bought mine about 4 years ago. Back then $100. Didn't have am/fm and some other bells and whistles but don't need 'em. It's a bit big and clunky but it always gets the job done. Weather channel is useful as well.

[AlDelattre]

Hey, I have a Uniden "NASCAR" scanner - maybe a different model, but it is small and it works, and it was cheap. I used some tape to cover the NASCAR logo...

I created a cheat sheet about how to program, and have the Skippy, SCCA and ALMS freqs listed on the back - East is different than West, I learned.

I actually use it IN the car to listen in on the spotters - the humor is sometimes distracting, but I do get a heads up on "situations" earlier. I tuck it into my suit or clip it to the frame rail behind me. Reception if fine everywhere I've been, except between T6 and T7 at Laguna (behind the hill).

Key thing is to get GOOD earphones - I have a pair of custom ones from Sampson Racing - make the mold at home, they send them to you. I use when flying with my iPod and PC, better than Bose. Tom Roberts has a pair of the rock-star ones. They are made to fit under your helmet, and are compatible with the radio coaching setup. (I know have my helmet wired, so even easier)

If you are interested in getting a two-way radio, check with Todd Snyder - he hooked me up with Skippy's radio supplier and I got a used one for $99 with all the extras.

[Slowhands]

I have a $100 Uniden Nascar scanner-- and can't stand it. Have never been able to figure out how to get it to "hold" a frequency for more than a couple of minutes. When transmissions die down on the "instructor" channel, it wanders off to the corner worker channel or some other UHF channel in use nearby. I'm sure there is some menu item I have overlooked, but I have limited patience for trying to figure out that sort of stuff. Also have a Raceceiver which works great but no external speaker, so only works with earphones, for use in the car as Al talks about. Personally, the Skippy 2way deal sounds good as a next step-- a bit big, but probably the best overall.

[Tireman]

Originally Posted by AlDelattre

......
I created a cheat sheet about how to program, and have the Skippy, SCCA and ALMS freqs listed on the back - East is different than West, I learned.......

Hey Al (or anyone else), can you post the Skippy frequencies (if that's not some sort of forum violation . Any others would be appreciated too.

Viz