From: technews@iitmax.iit.edu (Kevin Kadow)
Subject: FAQ: alt.radio.scanner
Followup-To: alt.radio.scanner
Organization: Technology News, IIT, Chicago, IL
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 92 19:34:51 GMT

0.   This is the Frequently Asked Questions list for the newsgroup
   alt.radio.scanner. Changes, additions, and corrections should be
   mailed to KADOKEV@CHICO.IIT.EDU

1.  What should be posted in this group?

        There is no restriction on any questions pertaining to scanners
and related topics, with one major exception:

-->     Do not POST _large_ (over 200 lines) frequency lists  (or other
        files) to this newsgroup. SHORT lists of GENERAL interest are
        strongly encouraged, as are text instructions on making
        modifications. pictures should NOT be posted to this group.

        This Newsgroup is propagated around the world, so it is unfair
and wasteful to post large lists of frequencies that are not of interest
to people outside your local area.

        If you have such a list, please upload it to the FTP site (see
below) and post a message announcing the availability of the list. If
there are too many requests and you feel that you must post a large list
that is only of local interest, PLEASE restrict the distribution to your
local area. For example, if the line:

Distribution: ca

is in the header of a message posted from San Francisco, then it will
not be sent to users outside of the state of California.

2. Are there any modifications for XXX brand scanner model YY ?

    Many scanners can be modified to provide features that the
manufacturer did not include, or which were locked out in the factory.
It is possible to permanently damage your scanner if an unauthorized
modification is made, and doing so will void all warranties. Many of
these modifications are available from the FTP sites (see below).

3. Where are the ftp sites for modifications and frequency lists?

        There are many FTP sites that have information on scanning,
however the "official" a.r.s FTP site is garfield.catt.ncsu.edu. A copy
of this document is stored on that site at all times. The internet number
for that site is 152.1.43.23

        When uploading files to a FTP site, please compress files with
ZOO or compress. Use of the ZIP compression format is not reccomended,
because many users are on UNIX machines which do not support this
format. For information on how to use FTP, see the FAQ for just about
any other newsgroup.

 Other sites of interest include:

cssun8.cs.tamu.edu                 128.194.2.48    /pub/freqs (lists)
armstrong.cs.buffalo.edu           128.205.32.3    rec.radio.amateur.* archives
iraun1.ira.uka.de   (GERMANY)                      ham-radio,mods
kolvi.hut.fi        (FINLAND)      130.233.160.32  radio amateur, packet radio
sics.se                                            packet radio
tandem.com                         130.252.10.8    ham radio
ucsd.edu                           132.239.1.1     ham radio stuff, MIDI

4. What laws affect scanners?

[From "Introduction to Scanning", By Bob Parness, AJ9S ]

        Be aware that California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Tennessee, and Vermont have laws pertaining to scanning while in your
car. Indiana restricts some portable scanners. You can find out about these
restrictions in a 39 page paperback, ANARC Guide to U. S. Monitoring Laws,
compiled by Frank Terranella, avail- able for $7.50 from ANARC Publications,
P.O. Box 462, Northfield, MN 55057.

   New Jersey: Update (4/4/92)

The really strict ban on scanners in cars was repealed in January, 1992.
It is now only illegal to carry a scanner in your car AND to use the
scanner to gain information to help commit a crime AND to commit that
crime using that information.  Basically, you no longer have to worry
about having a scanner in your car unless you're a criminal and the 
cops really, REALLY are out to get you.  Of course, you're still open
to random police moodiness, as when "caught" with a radar detector.  
It's not illegal, but won't help you talk your way out of an unrelated
ticket.

1) it is *not* illegal to monitor cordless phones.  (Cite the supreme court
ruling on this)
2) it is illegal to monitor cellular phone conversations (but, oddly enough,
not the frequencies.  the content seems to be what is technically
prohibited).  (Cite the relevant portions of the EPCA on this).

---------{ Begin included text by Stephen Chinatti }-----------

Quick guide to finding band of a portable by looking at the antenna:

These measurements are for the actual antenna, not including the mount between
the portable and the antenna, which is usually either a BNC connector or a 
screw in connector, which can be a bigger diameter at the base and add 
to the overall length.

If the antenna is longer than about 12 inches, and about 1/2 inch diameter, it
is probably VHF-LO band, usually in the 30-50 MHz range.

If the antenna is about 6 inches long, and about 1/4 inch in diameter, it is 
probably VHF-HI band, in the 150-165 MHz range.

If the antenna is either 2 inches long and about 1/4 inch in diameter, or
about 6 inches long and 1/8 inch in diameter, it is probably in the UHF band,
in the 450-470 MHz range.

If the antenna is about 2 inches long and about 1/8 inch in diameter
(sometimes mounted at the top of another antenna that is about 5 inches
long and about 1/4 inch in diameter), then it is probably in the 800 MHz band,
or possibly even the new 900 MHz band, and the range is possibly in the 
840-860 MHz range, if the portable is using a repeater system.

These ranges should be fairly accurate, with some exceptions like if the radio
is licensed by the federal government in which case the frequencies tend to be
in different ranges than those frequencies set aside for business/public 
safety.

End of insert...

	Let me know,
	Steve
-- 
Steve Chinatti, EMTA <internet:chinatti@phoenix.Princeton.EDU> 
EECS student, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ           


5. Where can I find more information?

[From "Introduction to Scanning", By Bob Parness, AJ9S ]

 Books: The most convenient source of fire, police, and local government
 frequencies is the Police Call Radio Guide, published each year in 9 regional
 volumes by Hollins Radio Data, and sold at Radio Shack and larger book stores
 for about $14.

 I also recommend Richard Prelinger's 1985 book, Monitor America, published by
 SMB Publishing, and available from Grove Enterprises for about $15. Although
 somewhat out of date, this single edition contains 582 pages of police, fire,
 local government, news media, sports, national park, and commercial broadcast
 frequencies for all 50 states. It contains detailed communications system
 profiles and precinct maps for major metropolitan areas. Police and fire
 radio codes and unit identifiers unique to local agencies are listed for
 several cities. This differs from Police Call, which gives a more sterile,
 but uniform treatment of licensees, listing even the smallest of towns.

 Uniden has published several regional directories using the "Betty Bearcat"
 name, although there are much better direc- tories available from Scanner
 Master (Newton Highlands, MA) for some regions.

 Magazines: Although national in circulation, local frequency information is
 sometimes available in Grove's Monitoring Times and Kneitel's
 sensationalistic Popular Communications. The best frequency lists are often
 found in club publications, discussed later.

                                Scanner Clubs

 The world's largest scanner club is the Radio Communications Monitoring
 Association (RCMA). Founded in 1975, the RCMA is the "first national and
 international organization of monitor radio listeners." There are several
 regional chapters which hold regular meetings. Club dues are $18.50 per year,
 which includes a monthly newsletter of about 95 pages. Although the focus is
 on VHF and UHF ranges, there is coverage of HF utility stations below 30 MHz.

 Inquiries about RCMA membership should be sent to RCMA Gen eral Manager, P.O.
 Box 542, Silverado, CA 92676, USA.

 A smaller club is the All Ohio Scanner Club. Its bimonthly publication, The
 American Scannergram, is about 60 pages long. Although concentrating on Ohio,
 there is frequency information from other states, and plenty of good product
 reviews and scanning tips.

 Annual dues are $15 and more information is available from All Ohio Scanner
 Club, 50 Villa Road, Springfield, OH 45503.

/* END OF alt.radio.scanner FAQ */
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Newsgroups: alt.radio.scanner