Hi....

I'm considering the purchase of an NRD-545. I was wondering about the
CHE-199 Frequency Converter option. It adds 30 - 2000 MHz.

Has anybody used this option? Is it like a regular scanner, with squelch
etc?

The reason I ask is that I have a Sony ICF-2001D (ICF2010) which has air
band. But it's not that effective because there is no squelch. So you listen
to noise whilst there's no transmission.

So I'm wondering whether the NRD option card is the way to go for a good
scanner (as well as a decent HF receiver of course!).

I live in New Zealand and will import the unit myself. That means of course,
I can't even see a working 545 before I buy one, let alone know what the
scanner capabilities are like!

Any thoughts appreciated.

Mark.

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Hi....
I'm considering the purchase of an NRD-545. I was wondering about the
CHE-199 Frequency Converter option. It adds 30 - 2000 MHz.
Mark.

Hello Mark,

I believe that you will get a compromise expecting the 545 to cover such a
range and be very good as both a SW receiver and a scanner. My preference
would be to purchase the 545 without the scanner option and use the
difference in money to purchase a dedicated scanner (Radio shack and others
have plenty to choose from). That way you have two units each dedicated to
its own specific functions, and therefore, theoretically, best at doing what
they are expected to do.

Al KA5JGV
San Antonio, Tx.

Hi,

I also have the 545 with the extended freq range option/scanner.

Works just fine, But VERY slow as a scanner.

Strongly recommend to get it without, and buy one of the new Uniden scanners
instead with the saved $.

Bob
----------------------------
"Al - KA5JGV" wrote in message
...

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Hi....
I'm considering the purchase of an NRD-545. I was wondering about the
CHE-199 Frequency Converter option. It adds 30 - 2000 MHz.
Mark.

Hello Mark,

I believe that you will get a compromise expecting the 545 to cover such a
range and be very good as both a SW receiver and a scanner. My preference
would be to purchase the 545 without the scanner option and use the
difference in money to purchase a dedicated scanner (Radio shack and
others
have plenty to choose from). That way you have two units each dedicated to
its own specific functions, and therefore, theoretically, best at doing
what
they are expected to do.

Al KA5JGV
San Antonio, Tx.

Thank you Al, and thank you Robert.

You've pretty much confirmed what I thought. I have a couple of very old
scanners, so I was looking at my upgrade options. As you mention, it will
cost me around $600 NZ dollars to get the converter option, and I can buy a
very decent scanner for that much money anyway.

Thanks again,

Mark.

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I also have the 545 with the extended freq range option/scanner.

Works just fine, But VERY slow as a scanner.

Strongly recommend to get it without, and buy one of the new Uniden
scanners
instead with the saved $.

Bob
----------------------------
"Al - KA5JGV" wrote in message
...

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Hi....
I'm considering the purchase of an NRD-545. I was wondering about the
CHE-199 Frequency Converter option. It adds 30 - 2000 MHz.
Mark.

Hello Mark,

I believe that you will get a compromise expecting the 545 to cover such
a
range and be very good as both a SW receiver and a scanner. My
preference
would be to purchase the 545 without the scanner option and use the
difference in money to purchase a dedicated scanner (Radio shack and
others
have plenty to choose from). That way you have two units each dedicated
to
its own specific functions, and therefore, theoretically, best at doing
what
they are expected to do.

Al KA5JGV
San Antonio, Tx.

wrote:


I also have the 545 with the extended freq range option/scanner.

Works just fine, But VERY slow as a scanner.

Strongly recommend to get it without, and buy one of the new Uniden scanners
instead with the saved $.

Bob

Agreed. While the 545 w/converter has decent VHF/UHF reception, the scanning
speed and functions are nowhere near as good as a "real" scanner (like Uniden
Bearcat, etc.). I like to use my 545 for FM broadcast DX and sometimes it's
just fun to slowly tune around VHF/UHF and see what pops up. It's also good for
monitoring a favorite police or fire frequency, but you would get frustrated if
you tried to use it like a regular scanner.
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