I know nothing at all about this but was reading another forum and someone mentioned Chinese scanners, ala cpf this was quickly closed topic! So I thought I'd ask on here, just interested if I could hear what the local shopping centre/nightclub security were saying on some cheapo Chinese receiver? Anyone use one or recommend any particular models, ease of use would be priority, I don't want to accidentally transmit illegally or anything!
Well after a little more looking I'm none the wiser, does nobody on here have a Chinese dual band?
BaoFeng UV-3R;
This one seems popular on eBay, any experiences, what exactly can it do?
link?
I don't know much about them, but check your local regulations. I think portable ones are restricted in some areas here. I guess the idea is they could be used to listen to law enforcement when you're up to no good...
I was looking at that one also. It scans and can transmit on some police and fire channels as well as the old cell phone frequencies. Be very careful if you buy one of these because you can talk on known fire and police channels.
Most police scanners have no tramsmit function. If you get one, make sure it has the new digital channels. The old analog ones are cheap, but you can't get much on them anymore since most emergency agencies have migrated to digital.
I't legal to use a portable scanner-except in your car. That's a no-no
except if you just robbed a bank.
I have a Wouxon (Chinese) Dual band radio. Its not much of a scanner. It will scan but its so slow you wont catch much. It is a nice little HT though.
I use mobile scanners in my vehicles. I'm a ham. Was into WX spotting years ago for WX services.
Lots of restrictions here if you're not a ham, police, fire, CD, or forestry member.
States have restrictions, but Federal law may trump state law, here in the U.S.
I've not had any trouble at all. YMMV.
I hope anyone thinking about transmitting on public service bands, or even on VHF/UHF amateur bands, is properly licensed to do so.
The F.C.C. frowns heavily on unlicensed operation, to the tune of felony citations, and monetary forfeitures sometimes exceeding $20,000 per infraction, in extreme cases, here in the U.S.
Here's a link to the one mentioned
http://www.essexham.co.uk/news/baofeng-uv-3r-handheld-radio-review.html
I believe it cannot listen in on any of the emergency services, no easily avalible equipment can so robbing banks will still be awkward.
I think transmitting using this requires a licence even on open frequencys as the power is too high.
Wow, that's cheap! I may have to get this to keep in another car!
For the OPs use this might work but you will not be listening to very much police/emergency service traffic. You need to look for at least an 800 MHz trunking scanner.
Interesting, never thought about budget scanners. I like to listen to the air and mil-air frequencies mainly. Fun to listen to the refuelers based here at night.