Strong Signals
Mega Scanner

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Introduction
What I have started here is a page dedicated to what I would consider to be the scanner of all scanners!

I've started by listing all of my wishes as well as including all the useful features I have found on all the radios I have played with over the years. It should help to get us off to a running start.

Review the material and let me know what you think! What have I left out? Did I go overboard somewhere? Perhaps you'd like 10,000 memory channels?

It's your job to write in and vote on these issues. All "sane" requests will be posted at the bottom of the page under the Feedback section.

I'll state whether I agree or not thereby allowing everyone to vote on your vote. I'll simply try to determine what is the majority opinion as well as seeking to hit the middle ground between all the extremes. Remember, we each will have to make some compromises since just as one radio today will not do it all, no one single radio of the future will make EVERYONE happy. But our job will be to try and get as close to the mark as possible.

It won't be at all scientific but it should be fun and allow everyone to dream just like I did when I was putting all this together!

Thank you, and enjoy!

Definition

The Numbers
  • 1000 memory channel "pool"
  • 2000 search lockouts
  • 100 memory banks (00-99) with dynamic channel allocation
  • 20 search bands
  • 10 instant recall frequencies ("favorites")
  • 2 VFOs
  • 1 Priority bank
  • Frequency range: 500 kHz - 1500 MHz?
  • Receive modes: AM, NAM, FM, EFM, WFM, LSB, USB, CW
  • Step sizes (a la AR8200):
    50/100 Hz
    1/5/6.25/8.33/9/10/12.5/15/20/25/30/50/100/200 kHz
    User-defined
    • RF Performance
  • Triple conversion
  • Very good dynamic range
    Like PRO-43 on VHF/UHF
    Like MVT-9000 on HF
    Similar, overall, to IC-R10 as far as sensitivity versus interference across the entire receive range
    We don't need another ultra-sensitive radio with poor rejection
  • Good selectivity
    FM = 12 kHz
    EFM = 50 kHz
    WFM = 200? kHz
    AM = 6 kHz
    NAM = 3 kHz
    LSB/SSB = 2.4 kHz
    CW = 500 Hz
  • 2 level attenuator
    3 & 10 dB?
  • AFC
  • Well shielded internally for few birdies
    • Physical Size
  • Handheld model
    Somewhere between MVT-9000 and AR8200
    Closer to the AOR if possible
  • Base model
    Sized like the AR3000A?
  • Mobile model
    Dash sized like the PRO-2066
    • VFOs
  • 2 of them at the very least
  • Selectable and default step sizes and modes
  • Tuning with rotary control w/accelerated feature (like IC-R2)
  • FUNC + rotary = 1 MHz steps
  • VFO search from any freq using current step size and mode
  • VFO search between two VFO freqs
  • Can perform CTCSS/DCS tone search on current freq
  • Hit counter for each VFO w/reset
  • Selectable offset tuning
  • RF squelch level setting
    • Memory Banks
  • Can have alpha-tag
  • Number of channels is dynamic
  • Operations to delete, copy, move and sort
    • Memory Channels
  • Dynamically allocated from "free" pool
  • Can have 8 char alpha-tag
  • Selectable alpha-tag only, or alternating tag & freq
  • Stores frequency, step size and receive mode
  • Operations to delete, copy, edit and move
  • Hit counter w/reset
  • CTCSS/DCS squelch value
  • RF squelch level setting
  • Delay setting
  • Lockout setting
  • Tag scan setting (selected "important" channels in a bank)
  • Copy to VFO function
  • Selectable audio alert (for emergency channels)
    • Memory Write
  • Auto-increment feature (like Yupiterus)
  • Optional duplicate frequency programming check
    • Priority - memory bank 00
  • Adjustable sampling rate
  • Dynamic channel allocation like normal memory banks
  • Usable during VFO, scan and search modes
  • Ability to lock out channels to temporarily exclude from sampling
    • Scan
  • Each bank has selectable pause/busy/hold resume mode
  • Each band has selectable delay (if not channel specified)
  • All banks can be linked
  • Scan rate of 50/sec
  • Select scan of current bank, linked banks or tag scan
    • Search
  • Each band stores step size and receive mode
  • Each band can have alpha-tag
  • Each band has selectable pause/busy/hold resume mode
  • Each band has selectable delay
  • Each band has 100 skip memories
  • All 20 bands can be linked
  • Skip memory review with add/delete/clear
  • Step rate of 50/sec
  • Auto-store to multiple banks
    "Smart" feature
    Hit count feature
  • Selectable offset tuning for duration
    • LCD - just like the MVT-9000
  • Custom indicators on top 2 lines - show settings, step, mode & mem channel
  • Frequency readouts on next 2 lines - for memory, VFOs and bandscope
  • Dot matrix display on last 2 lines - alpha-tags, bandscope, S-meter, tone codes, messages
    • Bandscope
  • Graphical display on bottom line
  • Adjustable frequency, spacing and width
  • Marker function like MVT-9000 to identify and listen to signals
  • Selectable overwrite or accumulate plotting
    • Backlit Keypad and Display
  • Selectable keypad and/or display
  • Selectable off, timer or toggle modes
  • Selectable timeout value
  • Timeout timer resets with each keypress or control activation
  • Selectable scan/search squelch linking w/adjustable lighted time
    • Keypad and Control Lock
  • Selectable, individual lockout settings for keypad, rotary, light and power
    • S-meter
  • Selectable typical ramp bar graph, numeric dBm value, or numeric 1-N?
    • Alpha-tags
  • 8 characters with A-Z, a-z, 0-9, punctuation, symbols
  • Memory banks & channels
  • Search bands
  • Opening message
  • Trunking talkgroups
    • Timers
  • Time of day clock
  • On/Off Timers
  • Auto power-off (APO) w/selectable time
    • Computer Interface
  • Side panel jack connection
  • Upload/download all data settings
    Memory banks - frequencies, settings, alpha-tags
    Search bands - frequency limits, settings, alpha-tags, linking
    Bandplan
  • Control of the radio as though using keypad
  • Published protocol
    • CTCSS/DCS
  • Squelch control for memory channels and VFOs
  • Tone search in VFO mode
    • Full Function Keypad
  • Good feel and feedback
  • Durable keys and lettering
  • 4 columns x 5 rows arrangement?
  • Keep beep with adjustable volume setting
    • Physical Layout
  • FUNC key on side panel
    Press to operate, no holding required
  • MONI key on side panel
    Hold to break squelch
    FUNC + MONI to toggle on/off
  • Volume and Squelch on top panel
    White, yellow or bright green setting stripes
  • Rotary Control on top panel
    Solid feel
    Accelerated tuning encoder (like IC-R2)
    Can be used in conjunction with FUNC for 1 MHz steps
  • BNC antenna jack on top panel
  • Earphone jack on top panel
  • Computer jack on rightt panel
  • Discriminator jack on right panel
  • DC power jack on right panel - 9-12 volts
  • Rx LED on front panel
  • Belt clip on back
    METAL!
    Long, wide and sturdy
    • Speaker
  • 400 mW maximum audio
  • 2" speaker
  • Very good fidelity on ALL modes
    • SAME Wx
  • Selectable alerts and counties
  • Display of messages
    • Trunked Radio Tracking
  • Motorola and GE/Ericsson
  • Each memory bank has ? scan lists of ? talkgroup IDs each
  • Alpha-tagging of programmed IDs
    • Power
  • 9-12 volts DC via panel jack
  • 4 AA cells
  • Optional 7.2v Lithium-Ion pack
  • Switch in battery bay to select alkaline, NiCd/NiMH or LithiumIon pack
  • Smart battery charging circuitry
  • Battery voltage display
  • Adjustable power saver - 5-10 levels
  • Power-on resume feature
    • Antennas
  • Supplied with 2 external models
    The typical average performer for VHF/UHF - 6"
    The other for enhanced VHF/UHF or beginning HF work - 15"
  • Internal bar for MW reception?
    • Owner's Manual
  • Well organized and methodical
  • Written by someone with actual experience with this radio and with the monitoring hobby itself
  • Table Of Contents
  • Index
  • Hints and Tips sprinkled in
  • Quick Reference Card
    • Cost
  • Consider that the AR8200 is probably the radio which most closely fills the overall specifications listed on this page
  • Consider that this radio sells for $550 US
  • That would probably put our Mega Scanner around the $1000 mark
  • Sobering thought isn't it?
    • User Feedback
    Upgradeable Firmware
  • Chris Gordon wants the ability to add features and perhaps different trunking formats/changes
  • Bob Scott wants to be able to upgrade to new modes and signals when new hardware isn't required
    • Alpha-tag Characters
  • Ed Walsh would like 10-12 characters
  • Paul Caesar would like a simple entry scheme whereby the numeric keypad is used to key in characters. He would also like to be able to search for tags in memory to help locate desired entries
    • EF Johnson/Uniden
  • Ed Walsh just wants it all!
  • Wes Ogilvie wants LTR and Multi-Net
    • Pricing
  • Ed Walsh raises the argument that while the radio would be expensive, one Mega Scanner would replace several models we already have which try to do what this one radio does
    • Instant Recall Frequencies
  • Bob Scott would like these to be simply links to actual memory channels or talkgroup IDs so that you are not limited to frequencies only
    • Digital
  • Bob Scott would like to decode "legal" signals like packet, ACARS, RTTY, morse, etc.
  • Tyler Yost also points out ACARS, RTTY and FAX as well as signals which are illegal to decode in some countries but not others
  • John Drake wants a digital decoding radio for the future
    • Receive Modes
  • Bob Scott would like ACSB (amplitude compandored single sideband) and synchronous AM tuning
  • Alan Dixon would like to see APCO 25 TDMA and FDMA as well as linear modulation (LM)
  • Mike likes the idea of ACSB for 220 MHz systems
  • An anonymous user would like a key to automatically monitor a repeater input frequency when pressed
    • Removable Memory
  • Bob Scott wants to use a standard memory type like Smart cards, PCMCIA, Compact Flash, etc. to be able to transfer data quickly and easily between radios/PCs without the need for extra software and proprietary cables
  • John Everitt wants this as well
    • IrDA Interface
  • Bob Scott wants and infrared data port to export data to a computer or PDA for enhanced display capabilities
    • GPS Receiver
  • Bob Scott wants the ability to tag search/intercepts with scanner location at time of intercept
    • Hard Disk
  • Bob Scott wants the newest micro-drive technology integrated so that large frequency databases could be stored and accessed immediately for signal identification. Could also be used as digital voice recorder
  • Tyler Yost wants the ability to record audio to catch those transmissions on seldom used frequencies
    • User-Defined Display
  • Bob Scott wants the ability to select the items on the LCD as well as where they are placed, just like current GPS units
  • John Everitt wants this as well
    • Frequency Counter
  • Bob Scott wants frequency counting capability along with the ability to tune the receiver when a "hit" is registered
    • Decoders
  • Bob would like a DTMF decoder with LCD display
  • Carl Guse would like an instant CTCSS/DCS decoder
  • Rich Williamson would like reverse-burst detection on CTCSS/DCS to remove squelch tails
  • Gary Barr would like to see composite audio/video for connecting to a monitor to view TV signals. A special option would allow the scanner to display alert notifications on the TV signal for specially tagged memory channels
    • Trunking
  • Michael wants the ability to monitor and track Motorola ASTRO
  • Mike wants the ability to track MPT1327 systems
  • Don Bergquist would like auto-store of trunking IDs
  • Carl Guse votes for an APCO Project 25 capable tracker as well as LTR and LTR Net
    • Auto Audio Gain
  • Tyler Yost wants the radio to compensate to deliver a constant volume signal regardless of the received signals strength
  • John Drake wants this as well
    • Multiple Speakers
  • Brian Levy wants too large speakers (I would guess in the base model) for power, and to handle stereo signals
    • Command Programming
  • Tyler Yost wants the ability to have access to low level functions to make the radio perform and react to signals just as he programs it to. For examples, to search a range and for each signal found, log the date and time, keep track of the number of times the signal is active, the duration, perhaps record the audio, make the radio beep, and on and on. Kind of like Visual BASIC for scanners ;-)
  • John Everitt wants PERL or LISP to do the same
    • Operating System
  • John Everitt wants a built in micro operating system kernel to go with the above
    • Adjustable PLL Frequency
  • Todd Malone would like an adjustable PLL to help shift birdies off of important frequencies
    • IF Filters
  • John Everitt wants to be able to pick and choose which filters he uses...kind of like high end HF and HF/VHF/UHF radios
  • David Black would like a series of built-in bandpass and notch filters to be able to remove harmful interference based on your monitoring location
  • Mike would like a FSK/RTTY filter offset and failing that, be able to offset the filter center frequency manually
  • Mike wants variable bandwidth filters as found on the JRC NRD-series receivers to give a continuously variable passband from 6kHz to 10Hz
  • Miller Liu would like DSP technology to implement variable filters between 500 Hz and 200 kHz
  • Gary Barr would like adjustable notch filters to deal with adjacent paging signals
    • Audio Filters
  • Joe Milano would like a set of audio filters to be able to tailor audio output to the user's preference which could also be used to reduce various, extraneous noises
  • Richard Abelar also wants a tone control to suit the user
  • Rich Williamson would like a digital delay and anylysis to remove squelch tails on signals which do not support CTCSS/DCS. He would also like a large speaker for base models and switchable high-pass filter
    • Power
  • John Everitt wants the ability to disable certain components, like the display, to save as much energy as possible during unattended monitoring sessions
  • Craig Sanders would like two power jacks on his handheld - one for power and one for recharging
    • Shielding
  • John Everitt wants a sheilded aluminum case with internal Farraday cage to eliminate all external interferance
    • External Keyboard/Mouse
  • John Everitt wants a jack to plug in a mini-keyboard
  • Andre Roessel would like the option of using a PC-style mouse to navigate a graphical or spectrum display
    • Waterproof
  • John Everitt
    • Flexible Priority
  • John Drake wants to be able to tag any memory channel as a priority channel to avoid having to replicate the data into a separate priority bank
    • Multiple Antenna Connectors
  • John Drake wants to be able to attach at least two different antennas for two different ranges and be able to configure the radio to let it know which antenna should be used for what ranges as it scans, searches, etc.
  • Brian Levy wants 6 antenna connectors; 2 HF, 2 VHF & 2 UHF. Two for each band would give the choice of polarization as well as beam versus omnidirectional
  • Gary Barr wants multiple inputs (2 BNCs for VHF/UHF, SO-239 for HF, and input for a long wire with attenuation) along with the selection of each connector by each memory channel
    • Fast Scan/Search
  • Dave D wants rates up to 100/second
    • Scanning Lockout
  • Jon Rice would like a temporary lockout which expires after a certain time or when the radio is turned off
  • An anonymous user would also like a temporary lockout with 1, 5 and 15 minute selectable expiration times
  • Joe Milano would like a way to easily review all locked out channels
  • Joe Milano wants temporary lockout with an adjustable expiration time in minutes
    • Unimportant Scan Bank
  • An anonymous user would like a bank for less important frequencies which would scan one channel from this bank on every scan of all the other banks. Each full pass of the other banks would then increment to the next channel in this bank
    • Scanning Alert
  • Joe Milano would like multiple alert types to be able to tag specific memory channel such that when activity was detected on that channel, its alert would be sounded
    • Drop-In Charger
  • Dave D wants to place the radio in a charger to charger internal cells or a pack without having to remove the cells/pack or mess with adapters and plugs. It should charge quickly as well
  • Ken Clardy wants this as well
  • Richard Abelar wants a drop-in charger which also allows the radio to be used while doing so
    • Construction
  • Dave D wants a nice, robust aluminum case and none of that "plastic" feel
  • Ron Krumland wants an all-metal case
    • Accessories
  • Wes Ogilvie wants a carry case (handheld), cigarette lighter cord, control software included, headphones and perhaps a small, lapel-type external speaker
  • Andy Burns would like the belt clip to have a slot in it so that it could be firmly secured by sliding a belt through it
  • Ken Clardy would like the option of selecting a smaller sized but shorter lasting battery pack, or a larger sized but longer lasting pack (just like most amateur rigs)
  • Ron Krumland wants a detachable battery pack like those found on most amateur HTs
  • Jon Rice would like an optional mobile mount to drop the radio into it which would connect it to external power, antenna and speaker
  • Richard Abelar would like a swivel mount belt clip
    • Do-It-Yourself Kit
  • Andy Burns wants to know if the Mega Scanner will come in kit form for those trying to save a buck or two ;-)
    • Dual Receivers/Audio
  • Chris Schlieter would like two receivers to go along with the two VFOs like some of today's amateru radios to perform dual reception. Along with this would be the option to have one signal come out the speaker and the other out the earphone. Or configure the stereo earphone jack to send the two signals out, each on a different side. Also, the ability to have one receiver scan while the other searches, etc. Have one receiver do audio signals while the other decodes data signals, etc.
  • Ron Krumland wants dual receivers across the entire spectrum to allow trunking tracking or scanning/searching of two different frequencies/ranges simultaneously
  • Todd Malone desires dual VFOs and perhaps a second audio output jack for patching to the car stereo
    • SDU
  • Bruce Stewart would like to see a spectrum display unit to aid in signal detection and identification. He did not mention whether he wanted it built in (like the Standard AX-700) or be made available as an option (like the AR3000A/AR5000)
  • Brian Levy also wants to see all near-band activity on a graphical display
    • Docking Station
  • Cappy Anderson would like the ability to plug the Mega Scanner into a desktop docking station to allow usage of a larger/stronger speaker, keyboard, larger display and perhaps computer interface
  • Richard Abelar likes this idea with the added feature of being able to have instant access to an external antenna
    • Ergonomic Design
  • Michael Campton would like a unit "designed to fit in your hand, with sexy curves and grooved rubber strips on the sides"
    • RF Direction Finder
  • Brian Levy wants to be able to track down local signals
    • Touch Panel
  • Brian Levy would like a large front panel with what sounds like a touch-panel or pressure sensitive membrane
    • Stand
  • Ron Krumland would like a fold-out stand, like those found on some portable SW receivers, to keep his handheld from falling over
    • Onboard Frequency Database
  • Ron Krumland would like an uploadable frequency database so that when a frequency is discovered while searching, you could recall information on it for all licenses
    • Tape Recorder Control
  • Steve would like a built-in micro tape cassette recorder with variable speed control to trade off tape time versus quality
  • Rich Williamson would like a squelch-activated control relay for external recording or broadcasting with an adjustable delay and digital buffering so the audio does not get clipped by any mechanical recorder start-up delays
    • Bandscope
  • Radostin Danev would like a bandscope which can accumulate peak signals as well as hit counts for each frequency logged. He also suggests that the peak loggings have a variable timeout to fade away after a selected number of sweeps
  • Radostin Danev would also like a method to transfer all bandscope logged frequencies above a certain signal level or hit counts to a memory bank
    • Memory Channel Attributes
  • Radostin Danev would like each channel to hold the date and time of the last "hit" as well as accumulated active time. Memory could then be sorted to place the most active frequencies first
  • Gary Barr would like a special bank just for storing birdie frequencies which could be enabled or disabled for purposeful scanning or to avoid when searching
  • Jon Rice suggests being able to group channels within a memory bank into separate lists for selectable scanning. This would, say, allow a bank which holds police frequencies to be further segmented into areas so that you could listen to the entire bank or any combination of these "sub-banks"
    • Step Sizes
  • Carl Guse wants the 7.5 kHz step sizes for the 15 kHz bands which are getting split into 7.5 kHz steps for more bandwidth
    • S-meter
  • Rich Williamson suggests a meter which is capable of displaying 80 - 120 dB over S9
    • Lighting
  • Gary Barr suggest adjustable LCD and panel lighting based on tone squelch, carrier squelch, or selectable memory or priority channels
    • Copyright © 2001 by Richard J. Wells Return to Home Page