Scanner News Story Archives
|
|
|
|
||
|
Uniden BCD396T Receives FCC Type Acceptance
Posted 03/28/2005
|
||
|
Possible Frequencies for the Academy Awards The 77th annual Academy Awards (Oscars) will be held on Sunday, February 27th at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. The following frequencies were verified last year and may be in use again this year.
Posted 02/22/2005
|
||
|
San Bernardino Sheriff to Buy New Helicopters for Patrol and Rescue SAN BERNARDINO - San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday approved spending $7.8 million on three new helicopters, advancing the Sheriff's Department's plan to acquire a brand-new fleet for patrols and rescues. "This is something that we need to move forward on to keep the county safe," 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane said. Read the complete story HERE Posted 02/08/2005
|
||
|
FCC Fines Continue to Mount in Gerritsen Case Briefly licensed radio amateur and alleged jammer Jack Gerritsen, ex-KG6IRO, of Bell, California, now faces a total of $52,000 in FCC-imposed or proposed fines. In a January 21 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) the FCC proposed to levy another $21,000 forfeiture on Gerritsen--this time for apparently violating Section 333 of the Communications Act by interfering with a US Coast Guard rescue effort last October 29 on amateur frequencies. Part 97 Amateur Service rules also require that control operators "give priority to stations providing emergency communications," the FCC noted. Read the complete story HERE Posted 02/08/2005
|
||
|
RFID Golf Balls - Radio is EVERYWHERE! Radar Golf has developed a U.S. Golf Association-conforming golf ball that contains a radio-frequency tag. The company's Ball Positioning System (BPS) technology enables a golfer to find a "lost" golf ball via a RadarGolf Handheld device. The handheld device "beeps" when pointed toward the ball. Detection range is 30-100 feet. BPS combines proprietary radio-frequency and golf ball manufacturing technologies to create the RadarGolf System. The system allows communication between a handheld device and a tiny chip implanted in the core of a golf ball. Read the complete story HERE Posted 02/08/2005
|
||
|
New BC246T Web Site
|
||
|
UNIDEN DEBUTS NEW APCO 25 CAPABLE DIGITAL SCANNER AT CES Uniden America Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wireless consumer electronics, will introduce a new handheld digital scanner, the Bearcat BCD396T, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 6-9, 2005, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in booth #14414. The BCD396T offers APCO 25 digital capability, allowing users to monitor the activities and signals of city and government service departments, utilizing advanced scanner technology in an all new compact, handheld design. See the full story HERE Photos taken at CES by Wayne Clemons are posted HERE Posted
01/04/2005
|
||
|
Patch Collector's Show January 15th 24th Annual "Porky D. Swine" Police Memoribilia Show Taylor Hall For more info: Posted 01/04/2005
|
||
|
Updated SCMA Frequency Lists We are in the process of updating and adding to our frequency database. Over the next few weeks, look for many updates to our Frequency Page. Tournament
of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Frequencies New LAPD
Frequency List Click on the FREQUENCIES link on the left for more. Posted 12/31/2004
|
||
|
SCMA Holiday Party December 8th was a Huge Success! The annual SCMA Holiday Party was held on Wednesday, December 8th at the Grinder's Restaurant. Thanks to all of you who helped make it a huge success. We set a new record for doorprize ticket sales!
Above is the winner of the grand prize, Michael Sucher, SCMA-106 holding his new Radio Shack PRO-83 scanner. We also raffled off a Corgi Diecast Sikorsky Sea King Los Angles Sheriff's Department helicopter (thanks to Brian, SCMA-201 for the donation), A Code-3 Collectible Diecast LAFD Engine 88, books, speakers, tools, hats, mugs, license frames, flashlights, and more. All together more than $400 in prizes were raffled off! Click the picture above for more photos from the party. Posted 12/09/2004
|
||
|
Helicopter Awareness Day Photos Click on the photos see all the pictures, or click HERE.. PHPA Helicopter
Show at Santa Monica Airport Photos The Professional Helicopter Pilot's Association (PHPA) held a Helicopter Awareness Day at Santa Monica Airport on March 25th, 2006. SCMA Member Jim Sauer - SCMA 209 - took some great photos which he shares with the group.
Posted 8/11/2007
|
||
|
New Scanner Now Available from Radio Shack
In the past, you had to use a device like an Optoelectronics Scout frequency counter and a radio with special circuitry to "reaction tune" to a nearby frequency. With this new toy, you simply turn it on, press a few buttons and you'll be able to display the frequency and listen to those signals. You can even "Signal Stalk" while scanning memory frequencies. The radio will alert you with a tone and/or flashing display. The scanner covers the following frequency ranges: 25-54, 108-174, 406-512, and 806-956 MHz (except cellular). For more information check out the Radio Shack PRO-83 web page. Posted 10/24/2004 San Fernando Valley Frequency Guide SCMA Supporter Wayne Smith has assembled a few frequencies that may assist individuals who are interested in monitoring the radio systems in and around the San Fernando Valley. This guide is available at: http://www.n6lhv.net/valleyscan.html Wayne says: "I have learned a good deal from the SCMA group and I hope to learn even more over time. I welcome your constructive comments and suggestions for improvement of this guide." Human Errors Silenced Air Traffic Control Radios
Two separate human errors caused a breakdown in radio communications that brought Southern California's major airports to a near-stop Tuesday and led to at least five instances in which planes came too close, Federal Aviation Administration officials said. "A loss of communication is a serious matter, and it should not have occurred," Rick Day, a senior FAA official, said Wednesday. Read the full story HERE Posted 9/16/2004 Military Choppers Ready To Fight Wildfires
Local military aircraft, which sat idle during last year's firestorm, are now ready to attack if a major wildfire strikes San Diego. The California Department of Forestry can now call on Navy and Marine helicopters and their pilots to help fight fires in San Diego County. Read the full story HERE Posted 9/10/2004 "Intruder Signal" on 40 Meters Remains a Mystery for Now An unidentified signal that's been showing up on the 40-meter phone band on or about 7238 kHz has mystified amateurs in the western US and Canada, where it's been heard frequently for the past few weeks. While no one's sure what it is, the FCC HF Direction Finding Facility has been able to determine that it's coming from somewhere east of Prescott, Arizona. FCC monitoring indicates the "buzz" is centered on 7238.1 kHz with a bandwidth of about 1 kHz and spikes spaced at about 90 Hz apart. Read the full story HERE Posted 9/10/2004
|
||
|
Incompatible Radios Hinder Emergency Response in California Three years after incompatible communications hampered Sept. 11 rescue efforts at the World Trade Center in New York, California counties and cities continue to use different radios, different airwaves and different coded languages, according to newspaper reports published Wednesday. Read the full story HERE Posted 9/9/2004 See related story HERE Posted 9/10/2004 |
||
|
Spanish Language Weather Alert System Launched A new Coachella Valley weather transmitter will bring warnings closer to Spanish-speaking residents, many of whom live in the most dangerous areas of the desert - rural towns along the Salton Sea that stand in the path of rainfall rushing down from the Santa Rosa Mountains. Read the full story HERE Posted 9/9/2004 |
||
|
Santa Barbara Frequency List Thanks to SCMA Member Hubert Stamps, KC6NAH, here is a great Santa Barbara frequency list in Excel file format. Posted 8/17/2004 |
||
|
SCMA Tour of L.A. City Fire Dispatch Thanks to longtime SCMA member and supporter Brian Humphrey, Public Service Officer of the Los Angeles Fire Department, SCMA members toured the Fire Department's Dispatch Center, better known to scanner listeners as "OCD" the night of August 25th. LAFD Home Page: http://www.lafd.org Posted 8/27/04 |
||
|
SCMA Tour of L.A. City Fire Dispatch Thanks to longtime SCMA member and supporter Brian Humphrey, Public Service Officer of the Los Angeles Fire Department, SCMA members are invited to a tour of the Fire Department's Dispatch Center, better known to scanner listeners as "OCD." The tour is scheduled for a date in late August. Participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is for SCMA members ONLY due to the limited number of people the tour can support. If you'd like to attend this special, inside look at the LAFD, please contact Rick DiFiore. LAFD Home Page: http://www.lafd.org Posted 7/25/04
|
||
|
Memorial Service for Firefighter Jaime Foster
On the afternoon of Saturday, August 14, 2004, Firefighter Jaime L. Foster was killed in the line of duty after having assisted in the extinguishment of a residential structure fire located in the community of Encino. As Firefighters were leaving the scene of the fire, there was a single vehicle accident near the scene that caused fatal traumatic injuries to Firefighter Foster. Despite the combined efforts of our Firefighters, Paramedics and Hospital Emergency Department personnel, Firefighter Foster was declared deceased at Tarzana Hospital. Her family, friends, and the members of the Los Angeles Fire Department are mourning this tragic loss. Two services have been scheduled to commemorate the loss of Firefighter Foster. Both services are open to the public, and all are welcome. Click Here for information on the Sevices The SCMA extends its support and sympathy to the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department and to the Foster family. Posted 8/17/2004
|
||
|
Coming Up: August 14th is the Hawthorne Air Faire "Northrop Wings and Other Wild Things" 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Hawthorne Airport. The Western Museum of Flight in conjunction with the City of Hawthorne and Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Jack Northrop Field, will stage a magnificent Air Faire featuring a selection of Northrop-designed aircraft including the amazing Northrop N9M Flying Wing. More than 50 classic and vintage aircraft will fly in for public display. Military Aircraft are scheduled to arrive on Friday, August 13th between 12:00 Noon and 4:00 PM. This is always a great show by itself! You can get a good view from Nat's Coffee Shop on the southeast corner of the airport or from the Park and Ride lot on 120th Street west of Crenshaw Blvd. Hawthorne Tower: 121.10 Updated 7/25/04 |
||
|
Jack Gerritsen and the Long Beach Bomb Squad
Last month, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability to fine Jack Gerritsen $10,000 for violating the Communications Act, including transmitting on Amateur Radio frequencies without a license. See our story here. This month, Gerritsen's radio was blown up by the Long Beach Police Bomb Squad after a "suspicious package" was found at the Long Beach VA Hospital. That package was Gerritsen's Yeasu VX-5 and spare battery that he left on the 11th floor of the hospital. VA Police also confiscated a second radio and his recorder used to play his now-infamous messages on L.A. area ham radio repeaters. Sources say the VA is interested in pursuing charges against Gerritsen. Gerritsen has reportedly purchased a replacement radio and has been heard on local repeaters since the incident saying "I shall return... With my recordings!" Posted 7/9/04 |
||
|
800 MHz Decision Goes Nextel's Way The FCC took its long-awaited shot today in settling public safety communications interference problems by voting 5-0 to swap Nextel Communications' 800 MHz holdings with spectrum at 1.9 GHz. The commission voted to require Nextel to give up rights to most of its 800 MHz licenses and all of its 700 MHz licenses in exchange for spectrum in 5 MHz chunks at 1910-1915 and 1990-1995 MHz. The commission valued Nextel's spectrum at $4.8 billion, less the cost of relocating thousands of public safety organizations, said John Muleta, FCC wireless telecommunications bureau chief, in a press briefing after today's vote. Click Here for the full story. Posted 7/9/04 |
||
|
Coming Up: July 17th is the American Heroes Air Show The American Heroes Air Show is in its 10th year of profiling aviation's unique role in Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Homeland Security, and National Defense, Communications, Search and Rescue and emergency response with helicopters from local, county, state and federal/military units.
Posted 7/9/04 |
||
|
FCC Proposes $10,000 Fine for Jack Gerritsen, Ex-KG6IRO
A new chapter has begun in the West Coast chronicle of Jack Gerritsen. The FCC says Gerritsen, of Bell, California, doesn't have an Amateur Radio license but continues to operate, despite numerous complaints from Los Angeles-area amateurs. It's now proposing to fine him $10,000 for violating the Communications Act. Gerritsen, who was very briefly KG6IRO in 2001, contends the FCC acted improperly in setting aside his license. He claims he still holds a valid ham ticket until the Commission affords him a hearing to decide its fate. The FCC says the set-aside of its Amateur Service grant to Gerritsen followed the rules, and his arguments are irrelevant. |
||
|
FCC To Give 1.9 GHz Spectrum to Nextel WASHINGTON -- After weeks of back and forth on the 800 MHz interference issue, FCC Chairman Michael Powell apparently has settled on a plan that would give Nextel Communications spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band in exchange for vacating frequencies that interfere with public safety providers. |
||
|
Powell Set On Spectrum Swap Decision WASHINGTON -- After weeks of back and forth on the 800 MHz interference issue, FCC Chairman Michael Powell apparently has settled on a plan that would give Nextel Communications spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band in exchange for vacating frequencies that interfere with public safety providers. FCC officials close to the deliberations declined to provide specific details on Powell's recent conclusion, but said the chairman has determined how he wants to handle the matter. A draft of the proposal could be in circulation among the other commissioners as soon as tomorrow. However, a vote on it probably won't come until next week, they said. Although the officials wouldn't specify the details, they did offer some hints. For instance, the widespread support of public safety organizations for the swap of spectrum at 1.9 GHz for Nextel spectrum played an important role in the proposal, they said. Reaction from the carriers that have bitterly fought each other over the issue was muted and tense. Nextel spokeswoman Leigh Horner declined comment, saying the company doesn't comment on matters pending before the FCC. Verizon Wireless, which backs an alternate plan with replacement spectrum at 2.1 GHz, was a little more emotive. The company has been particularly vocal about the 1.9 GHz spectrum swap that it contends would cede spectrum to Nextel at other carriers' expense. "If the FCC ends this with a private sale of 1.9 GHz, it would create such a mess that only the courts could sort it out," warned Verizon Wireless spokesman Jeffrey Nelson. Wireless Week |
||
|
Low Power FM Bill Introduced in Congress On June 4, Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) introduced legislation – co-sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - that could allow the licensing and construction of thousands of low-power FM (LPFM) radio stations. The bill is currently called the The Low Power Radio Act Of 2004. In a published statement, McCain said that the bill will allow the FCC to "license low-power FM stations on third-adjacent channels to full power stations without limitations, eliminating the requirement that the FCC perform further testing on the economic impact of low-power FM radio. Additionally, the bill seeks to protect stations that provide radio reading services, which some have suggested are more susceptible to interference than other stations because they are carried on a subcarrier frequency." |
||
|
Congress Mulls New Firm DTV Deadline The tide is shifting in Congress against television broadcasters who oppose a hard date for turning off America’s analog television system. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has endorsed a plan that would force TV stations to return their analog spectrum to the federal government by 2006. While the FCC has proposed a plan that would complete the transition by 2009, it was Barton who suggested the earlier 2006 deadline. Otherwise, he said, the transition could take decades to complete. “Why shouldn’t we just short-circuit this debate about a transition that might drag out to 2009 or some other date?” Barton asked. According to the legislation governing the DTV transition, television stations are supposed to switch to all-digital transmissions and return their analog spectrum by the end of 2006 or by the time 85 percent of American homes can receive digital signals. Most experts believe the law will allow broadcasters to tie up both their analog and digital spectrum for at least another decade.
|
||
|
Ham Invents New Antenna Technology An amateur radio operator since he was 14, Rob Vincent has always lived in houses situated on small lots. Because he couldn’t erect a large antenna on a confined property, he has been continually challenged over the years to find a way to get better reception. "The Holy Grail of antenna technology is to create a small antenna with high efficiency and wide bandwidth," explains Vincent. "According to current theory, you have to give up one of the three—size, efficiency, or bandwidth—to achieve the other two." After decades of experimentation, combined with a 30-year engineering career and Yankee ingenuity, Vincent has invented a revolutionary antenna technology. The distributed- load, monopole antennas are smaller, produce high efficiency, and retain good to excellent bandwidth. And they have multiple applications. With this technology it will be possible to double, at minimum, the range of walkie-talkies used by police, fire, and other municipal personnel. |
||
|
Color TV Celebrates its 50th Anniversary this Year
NPR has posted a story and some interesting historical resources here. |
||
|
KFI to Begin Broadcasting from New Studios This Friday KFI's new studios in Burbank will become operational sometime in the 9 PM hour on Friday night, according to a source at the station. The old studios on South Ardmore in Los Angeles will be shut down. Marvin Collins has photos of the current Ardmore location posted here. |
||
|
Fire Service Recognition Day, Saturday, May 8th. The SCMA was invited to "show it's stuff" at this popular Southern California event which is the Fire Department's Annual Open House. Several SCMA members manned a booth at Los Angeles City Fire Station 88 in Sherman Oaks from 10 AM to 4 PM. Click on the photo below for more pictures and information.
|
||
|
Remote Head Kit for Uniden BC785/786. BuTel Software has announced the release of software that, along with hardware from Scannermaster, will allow you to control your scanner from a PDA device. ARC-pocket is Windows pocket PC software and is included in the Scannermaster RSC2 remote head kit for Uniden BC785/796 and Pocket PC. With the RSC2 kit you can place your Uniden BC785/796 safely in the trunk of your vehicle and use your pocket PC to control your scanner. The kit includes all parts to build an external volume/squelch control (no soldering, or drilling required!). No price has been announced but the software and the new RSC2 remote head kit will be shown at the Dayton Hamvention 2004, booth 402/403 (May 14-16 2004). The RSC2 remote kit will be available from Scannermaster (sales desk: 1-800-SCANNER ) after the Dayton Hamvention and limited quantities will be available at the Hamvention show. Click on the photo above for more information. |
||
|
Radio Shack's PRO-96 Digital Scanner: Info on Radio Shack's new handheld Digital Scanner made by GRE (Catalog Number 20-526) has been released on the FCC Web Site. Price will be around $500. When it goes on sale is not known. Scroll down to see a picture. Here's some preliminary specs:
Features "Intelligent Adaptive Digital Tracking" for optimum reception of digital signals. No special sound quality settings are needed for different digital systems. The DSP module in the scanner has updateable firmware. If DSP improvements become available, you can download an update file from the Internet and your scanner will have the latest DSP firmware version. New V-Scanner (Virtual Scanner) technology allows you to build and store 11 separate configuration profiles, each containing 500 channels. Stored profiles can be recalled, edited and activated at any time. Great for traveling! CLICK HERE for a copy of the manual in PDF file format. More PDF's from the FCC Web Site: CLICK HERE for Radio Shack's PRO-96 Catalog Page.
|
||
|
Feb. 22, 2003 (The Philadelphia Inquirer) Good Samaritan saves Overbrook woman from fire Carl Ross got his new police and fire scanner, capable of receiving the city's recently upgraded emergency radio system, just in time. The 36-year-old tow-truck operator was driving his rig in the 5700 block of Wynnefield Avenue in Overbrook about 10:50 a.m. Feb. 11 when he heard a call reporting a blaze on the block, police said. Ross, who with his brother operates One Stop Towing in West Philadelphia, looked to his left and spotted the fire. When a mail carrier told him an elderly woman was still in the house, Ross made his way inside, found the 79-year-old resident, who was overcome by smoke, and carried her out, police said. "It was kind of scary, but it was meant for me to be there," Ross, who was uninjured but for some hair burned off his arms, said yesterday. Now, he is up for accolades. "Because of the heroic actions of Mr. Ross, [the resident] only suffered a superficial burn to her right thigh," wrote Police Capt. Michael McCarrick recently in a letter, seeking a citizen commendation for Ross. "Actions such as these reflect highly on the entire city."
|
|
|
