Current Personal Scanning and Amateur Equipment List

Last Updated: 19 Jan 2008

The Shack

• Click on this link for images of the shack and communications equipment.

Scanners

• Radio Shack PRO-2006 - 400 Channel Base/Mobile, 25-520Mhz, 760-1300Mhz less cellular, AM, FM, WFM.  Computer controlled scanning with the Optoelectronics OS456 allows 60+ cps as well as DTMF, DCS, and CTCSS decoding. Radio of the 20th Century according to Rich Wells survey.
  Opinions: My first scanner and was top of line at the time of purchase.  Even better now with the OS456 computer interface installed.  Still considered by some to be one of the best scanners made.
• Radio Shack PRO-2066 - 150 Channel Mobile, 27-54Mhz, 108-174Mhz, 406-512Mhz, 806-956Mhz less cellular, AM, FM. Weather, CB, Highway, Public Service, Ham, Marine, Aircraft, Police and Department of Transportation service searches.
  Trunking: Motorola.  50 Trunk IDs per bank.
  Opinions: Simple, inexpensive (on closeout for $99), trunk following scanner for mobile use.
• Uniden BC250D TrunkTracker - 1000 Channel Handheld, 25-512Mhz, 806-1300Mhz less cellular, AM, FM, WFM, NFM, digital (with optional card). WX service search with SAME alerts.  Alpha tags for banks, channels and Trunk IDs.   Computer control. Signal strength meter.  This has replaced the Radio Shack PRO-26.
  Trunking: Motorola, EDACS, LTR.  100 Trunk IDs per bank. Scans multiple systems at a the same time.
• Uniden BC780XLT TrunkTracker III - 500 Channel Base/Mobile, 25-512Mhz, 806-1300Mhz less cellular, AM, FM, WFM.  WX service search with SAME alerts.  Alpha tags for banks, channels and Trunk IDs.   Computer control. Signal strength meter.
  Trunking: Motorola, EDACS, and LTR.  10 Scanlist per bank with 10 IDs per list.   Scans multiple systems at one time.
  Opinions:  One of the most versatile scanners yet.  While it is complicated to use, this would be expected for a scanner with so many features.  You should use the built-in computer interface to easily program all the information.
• Uniden BCD996T TrunkTracker IV - 6000 Channel Base/Mobile, 25-512Mhz, 764-1300Mhz less cellular, AM, FM, WFM, P25.  WX service search with SAME alerts.  Alpha tags for systems, channels and Trunk IDs.  Computer control. Signal strength meter.
  Trunking: Motorola, EDACS, LTR and APCO 25.  Dynamic memory allocation for channels and scanlists.  Scans multiple systems at one time.
  Opinions:  The more I figure this scanner out, the more I like it.  Allowing multiple sites per system is a great feature.  You should use the built-in computer interface to easily program all the information.  Uniden offers free software.
• ICOM R8500 - 1000 Channel Base, 0.1-2000Mhz less cellular, AM, AM-N, AM-W, CW, LSB, USB, FM, FM-N, WFM, computer interface.
  Opinions: This is the scanner I use most often at home.  It has taken the place of my PRO-2006 scanner except when I want high speed computer control or DTMF, DCS, or CTCSS decoding. Nothing beats it in standalone operation.  It's scan speed is faster in standalone mode than the PRO-2006 in standalone mode (40 cps vs. 25 cps).  Makes a great HF/SW receiver.
• ICOM R10 - 1000 Channel Handheld, 0.5-1300Mhz less cellular, AM, CW, LSB, USB, FM, WFM, computer interface.
  Opinions: Same as the AR8000. I love the compact size and feel.
• Radio Shack PRO-2053 - Basic trunking scanner. Resides in my office at work.

Amateur Radios

• ICOM IC-W32A (2) - Dual band (2M/70cm) HT with PC interface and 5W output. Expanded receive range.
• Kenwood TM-D700A (2) - Dual band (2M/70cm) mobile with built in TNC/APRS.
• Kenwood TM-V7A - Dual band (2M/70cm) mobile.

Antennas

• Diamond X-50A - 2M / 70cm Dual Band Ground Plane
• Diamond SG7200NMO - 2M / 70cm Dual Band Mobile
• Diamond NR770HNMO - 2M / 70cm Dual Band Mobile
• Wellbrook ALA1530 - Broadband Active Loop SW Antenna
• Scantenna - Wideband Scanner Antenna (Radio Shack version)
• Scanner Beam - Heavy Duty Log Periodic

Miscellaneous Equipment

• Garmin GPS V - GPS for APRS.
• Garmin StreetPilot 2610 - GPS.
• MFJ 30A Power Supply - 12V supply for radios and accessories.
• Optoelectronics Scout Model 40 - Great for tracking down those unknown frequencies.  Especially when reaction tuning the AR8000 or R-10.
• Optoelectronics OS456 Computer Interface - Opto got it right with this one.  Allowing the first affordable computer controlled scanner.
• Optoelectronics Optolinx - Used to allow the computer to talk to the AR8000, R-10, Scout, IC-746.  Also used with "Trunker" program for trunk system monitoring.
• GRE Super Amplifier - 100-1000Mhz, 0-20db gain amplifier.
• Stridsberg Engineering MCA204 Multicoupler - Allows connecting up to 4 receivers to one antenna with no loss.
• Timewave DSP-59+ - Digital signal processor used to clean up audio and eliminate miscellaneous unwanted signal and interference.
• Diamond SX-600 - 1.8 Mhz to 525 Mhz SWR / Power meter.

Baton Rouge Area Scanning Home Page