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Old November 15th 04, 07:22 PM
GrtPmpkin32
 
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The real question is "Is there anything to listen to in the 30-60 MHz
range?".


Actually, depending on your region and the type of monitoring you enjoy, there
are a number of types of signals to be heard in this range if you're patient,
or just curious.
You could listen to the windows at just about any fast food place between 30
and 35 MHz... no, it's not exactly riveting stuff to be sure, but it's there.
Sometimes it's interesting to see how many people actually order McDonald's, or
Taco Bell, after 2 am, and what they eat at that time. Gives me an idea of why
many folks in my area are somewhat chubby.
Also, during Spring and Summer, when conditions are right, you can hear cabs in
NY, or Mexico, or Cincinnati for all I know... or dispatchers and units from
very un-local police and emergency services. This occupies the same space of 30
to about 35 MHz. I can recall many times over the last few years, during early
Spring and late Summer, hearing hours worth of police and EMS comm's from the
northeast (I'm in SW MO), when they were dealing with flooding rains in PA, CT,
OH and IN. It's very interesting DX... but no, it's not regular.
OF course, there is the 6 mtr amateur band, which doesn't get a lot of use in
my neck of the woods. Oh yeah, and cordless phones/intercoms/baby monitors in
the 48 to 50 MHz range.
I like to use my R75's 30 - 60 MHz range as an addendum to my base scanner,
when there is something going on in town, or when conditions are bringing in DX
in that range, and I can switch between the two receivers to catch whatever
short burst comm's are flying my way.
But again, if you're not into DXing/waiting, or fast food and intercoms, then
there isn't much to listen to on any regular basis.
Linus