What can't scanners receive?
 

My guess would be all non-voice mode communications taking place in
the frequency coverage. I guess my main concern is what if I can't
receive even the voice communication unless it is FM or AM. For
instance, to hear trunk services, one needs expensive scanner (eg.
Radio Shack Pro-96). Any comments?

Jim wrote:

My guess would be all non-voice mode communications taking place in
the frequency coverage. I guess my main concern is what if I can't
receive even the voice communication unless it is FM or AM. For
instance, to hear trunk services, one needs expensive scanner (eg.
Radio Shack Pro-96). Any comments?

You can certainly receive non-voice comms with the appropriate
adaptor/decoder hardware/software. I have been copying packet for years.
I think many folks are monitoring ACARS, and probably many other modes.

Most, but not-all scanners cannot handle SSB voice.

Depends what you want to listen to - decide that and then select a
scanner with those capabilities. For me military aviation is a major
interest so AM between 118-150MHz and 225-400MHz is a must. I generally
am not interested in low band or anything above 512 MHz so I don't mind
if they are missing.

Dave

My guess would be all non-voice mode communications taking place in
the frequency coverage. I guess my main concern is what if I can't
receive even the voice communication unless it is FM or AM. For
instance, to hear trunk services, one needs expensive scanner (eg.
Radio Shack Pro-96). Any comments?


I'm not following.

You can certainly hear any signal with an FM or AM front end. You can certainly
hear data signals. Truck tracking is a different story. You can still listen to
trunked services, but entering the correct frequencies, but the radio won't
track from channel to channel without a trunk tracking radio.

What'cha trying to hear?

jw
wb9uai

Hearing a SSB signal on FM or AM is not very good. Especially when you
can't "fine tune" your radio. BUT, the originaly postesr question is a
question .. I have no idea what he is asking.

Richard in Boston, MA, USA

J999w wrote:

:
:My guess would be all non-voice mode communications taking place in
:the frequency coverage. I guess my main concern is what if I can't
:receive even the voice communication unless it is FM or AM. For
:instance, to hear trunk services, one needs expensive scanner (eg.
:Radio Shack Pro-96). Any comments?
:

: I'm not following.

: You can certainly hear any signal with an FM or AM front end. You can certainly
: hear data signals. Truck tracking is a different story. You can still listen to
: trunked services, but entering the correct frequencies, but the radio won't
: track from channel to channel without a trunk tracking radio.

: What'cha trying to hear?

: jw
: wb9uai

You won't recieve Air Force One(oops! 'Echelon' just picked up that one)
The NSA,(they're on their their way to my house) and the FBI.(excuse me,
the 'men in black' are at my door. Boy! those guys are fast!)

Vic Martinez wrote:

You won't recieve Air Force One(oops! 'Echelon' just picked up that one)
The NSA,(they're on their their way to my house) and the FBI.(excuse me,
the 'men in black' are at my door. Boy! those guys are fast!)


Why not? I've heard Air Force One several times over the years, and a
few other equally interesting folks. "Nationwide" used to be interesting
but it seems to have gone away.

Dave

Well, thanks for the replies so far. Obviously I won't be able to
hear NSA or AF1 etc even though they use the same frequency spectrum
for communication. Most likely they'd use spread spectrum and/or some
other kind of encryption. Theoretically any type of signal that can
be encoded can be decoded. So, am I correct that scanners can't
receive and decode ALL signals even if they are in standard AM, FM,
SSB modes?

I'd be dumbfounded if AF1 broadcasts in standard AM mode on 126.5 MHz
for instance. Thus, having a scanner that covers airband wouldn't be
able to receive AF1 communication.

(Vic Martinez) wrote in message ...
You won't recieve Air Force One(oops! 'Echelon' just picked up that one)
The NSA,(they're on their their way to my house) and the FBI.(excuse me,
the 'men in black' are at my door. Boy! those guys are fast!)

Vic Martinez wrote:

You won't recieve Air Force One(oops! 'Echelon' just picked up that one)
The NSA,(they're on their their way to my house) and the FBI.(excuse me,
the 'men in black' are at my door. Boy! those guys are fast!)

I've heard AF1 here on the scanners, and on HF. Heard the FBI too!

Steve
Holland, MI

They won't hear "Spread Spectrum" at all.....Eddie

"Jim" wrote in message
om...
My guess would be all non-voice mode communications taking place in
the frequency coverage. I guess my main concern is what if I can't
receive even the voice communication unless it is FM or AM. For
instance, to hear trunk services, one needs expensive scanner (eg.
Radio Shack Pro-96). Any comments?

Vic Martinez wrote:
You won't recieve Air Force One(oops! 'Echelon' just picked up that one)
The NSA,(they're on their their way to my house) and the FBI.(excuse me,
the 'men in black' are at my door. Boy! those guys are fast!)


AirForce One? I must have a special scanner than cause I hear AF1 all
the time. In fact if you go to
http://www.milaircomms.com/audio_library.html you'll hear some records
of AF1 comms.

George
http://www.MilAirComms.com