Frequency counter range query
 

Hi,

I recently bought a frequency counter, the Watson FC-130 and know from
various postings and the little info I could find about freq counters
in general that their range of coverage is quite limited. The sheet
that comes with mine mentioned that (for example) cordless phones can
be picked up to 12" away. However, when I tried my frequency counter
against my own analog cordless phone, it would only pick up the phone
(when switched on) up to about two inches away.

I'm just wondering, is this typical (ie. is the supplied leaflet
giving 'best-case' scenario only)? I've walked within ten yards of
the local church which broadcasts its services on the CB band (2 miles
listening radius) but didn't lock on to any frequency, even when near
the back of the church (and could see the antenna on top of the
church). I haven't been around anyone with walkie talkies yet to try
the counter against those.

I don't know anyone else with one locally so can't compare results.

Thank you for any advice in advance about this!
...Francis
Dublin, Ireland

On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 00:19:31 -0800, byrnefm wrote:

Watson FC-130

I think the Watscon FC-130 is manufactured in
Taiwan by Aceco.

I tested 2 different Aceco-made counters in
Monitoring Times magazine:
an MFJ-886 and Aceco FC-2002. Both counters
were able to display a 49 MHz cordless phone frequency
only when they were within a couple of inches of
the phone's antenna.

They were able to display a 5 watt 146 MHz walkie-talkie
signal a 261 and 185 feet away, respectively.

Ranges were 145 and 161 feet at 446 MHz.

The length of the counter's telescoping antenna affected
the range.
--
================================================== =======================
Bob Parnass, AJ9S GNU/Linux User http://parnass.com

I had about the same results on my Optoelectronics Cub counter. There are
so many frequencies blurring around us all the time - the counter will not
usually lock in on a frequency unless it is significantly pronounced
compared to the other ones floating around. I can stand near a watertower
with several ham radio antennas on top but it won't lock them in if more
than one is in use at any given time. Not exactly what I expected, but I
still find uses for it...

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Thank you both for your replies! I was very interested hearing how it
compared with the other models you both mentioned of. I guess I was a
bit optimistic in how sensitive the frequency scanner is. Still,
every frequency found is one less to search randomly for...

In rec.radio.scanner byrnefm wrote:
: Thank you both for your replies! I was very interested hearing how it
: compared with the other models you both mentioned of. I guess I was a
: bit optimistic in how sensitive the frequency scanner is. Still,
: every frequency found is one less to search randomly for...

Another opionion ... remember that there are *hundreds* of radio signals
out there at any one time! AM/FM broadcast stations, TV stations,
shortwave radios stations .. and the list goes on .. a frequency counter
has to "find" a signal that is significantly stronger than all those
'random' frequencies so that it can lock on and give you a readout.

If you are tryng to find a feq of a radio that is low powered to begin
with, then you'll need to get really close for that to happen.

Richard in Boston, MA, USA

I've had the Radio Shack Frequency counter and it performs
just like the others. For twenty years got by using the SEARCH
feature on radios scanners and short wave radios .

Frequency counters are a test instrument and as such do what they are
intended to.
The one aspect of using frequency counter is getting close enough
or having access to the unknown transcevier-tranmitter to make the count!
With out arousing suspicion of the operator or intruding on an incident in
progress.

For casual frequency hunting the search feature on radios works
well.
Many of the newer communications (scanner) radios and VHF UHF police/fire

radio scanners have sophisticated search banks that do an excellent job
finding
new and unknown frequencies. The tone coded squelch search feature used in
some
radio scanners rivals that built into more expensive frequency counters.
Once a tone code is found it can be loaded right into memory along with
it's frequency!

After monitoring a the communications on a new frequency (found with
a frequency counter or by searching ) the user if they don't I D
can be deduced easily, by the context of their comms!
Jim

byrnefm wrote:

Thank you both for your replies! I was very interested hearing how it
compared with the other models you both mentioned of. I guess I was a
bit optimistic in how sensitive the frequency scanner is. Still,
every frequency found is one less to search randomly for...