Any radio monitors out there?

[JayM]

We have a few amateur radio operators (hams) in the forum, but does anyone run a "listening post" and enjoy just listening to whatever you can hear? Shortwave, medium wave AM broadcast stations from far away, longwave, VHF/UHF public service traffic, satellites, commercial and utility stations, aircraft, it doesn't matter: whether you just like to monitor a scanner to find out what's happening in your area, sit in front of a receiver and twiddle dials, peruse the bands on a portable radio or whatever. What brought you into the hobby? What equipment and antennas do you use? What sorts of things do you like to listen to?

[Bartman]

I have an old Realistic Pro 2023 table top 20 channel radio scanner the link below will explain what the device is.

https://www.rigpix.com/rs-realistic/rea ... _20128.htm

I've had it for many years and at one time it was very active in what was happening in my area but not any more.

These days I scan different bands frequency by frequency just hunting for any activity at all.

If I do find any I save it and than monitor it for a bit to try and figure out what it may be.

Pretty boring most of the time as there's not much of any interest but something to do.

[davidy]

I bought an sdr setup to plug in to my pc and kinda got it working but really need help on using it and the guys who sold it provide zero help. All I need is a better antenna and some knowledge. I'm eying winradio cuase it has the awesome gui but it's like buying a pc.

[rokytnji.1]

Listened to the Russian Squeaky wheel military broadcast back in the past. I have a old grundig portable.
https://www.hifiengine.com/images/model ... _radio.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4caG_wfcvY

[JeffA]

I have a RadioShack (Sangean) portable that receives SSB SW, but I haven't listened in quite awhile. Maybe I should get rid of the increasingly expensive satellite TV bill and get back to simpler things.

I also have a Realistic PRO-2006 I used to listen to local law enforcement, public utilities during emergencies and snowplows and such. Most of them seem to have gone to cell phones or such, and the State Patrol and Sheriff eventually went to APCO-25 or whatever. I started to research what I would need to get APCO-25 freqs, but even the cheapest receivers seemed to cost a few hundred so I didn't get very far.

[JayM]

I bought an sdr setup to plug in to my pc and kinda got it working but really need help on using it and the guys who sold it provide zero help. All I need is a better antenna and some knowledge. I'm eying winradio cuase it has the awesome gui but it's like buying a pc.

Check out Radio for Everyone. Also, search YouTube for "Signals Everywhere". Another informative YouTube Channel is Frugal Radio though the videos there are usually more overviews, though there are often informative links in the descriptions below the vids.

SDRs really need proper, resonant antennas for whatever frequency or band you want to monitor. The antennas that usually come with the dongles aren't good for very much, those with a magnetic mount and a short length of coaxial cable. You can either buy these antennas, or build them which is more fun. Generally, the antennas need to be mounted outdoors (or at least near a window) and as high as possible, just like those for any radio receiver. Depending on the intended frequency, the coaxial cable you use can have a large effect on signal strength too, particularly its attenuation or loss rating.

[duane]

I too bought one of those SDR's several months back but found I could not get much on it.
I have not invested in a proper antenna. Where I live i would have to be careful what I put up and homemade antennas might not be tolerated.
Might be a future project.

[davidy]

Thanks Jay. I know about the tennas. You can buy em fairly easily but yeah building one from stuff lying around would be more fun. When I first bought it I did get it to work but I realized without a full instruction manual for the device itself as well as a simple software installation setup, an antenna was the least of my problems.
I will definitely check those links. I spent a pretty penny buying it and it sits in a drawer just taking up space at this point. All I need is a proper antenna and a correct software setup. It's supposed to just be exploring at that point.

[JayM]

Exactly what SDR did you buy?

[kc1di]

I have listened on Shortwave since the mid 1960 when I also became a Ham op.
So over the years have used many radios and Antenna set ups. Now live is a retirement community and can't put up a good outside antenna but use
amplified indoor antenna and it works Ok. Though the broadcast offering are nothing compared to what they use to be.
Lot's of fun anyway. One of the best Shortwave Receivers I've used was a Collins R-390. Great versatile radio.