John,

Your input is greatly appreciated (not to mention addictive).  Speaking of Frequency Counters, when I begin using a transmitting device and hold it up to the Opto Scout, one of two things will happen.  Depending on the transmitting device, the Scout will either get a lock on the frequency or it will get a full signal strength of up to 16 out of 16, but cannot lock on to the frequency.  Is it simply that the device is transmitting outside of the Scout's frequency coverage range? (10MHz-1.4GHz ).

Examples of devices that cause this untraceable frequency effect include a remote control I use for turning on and off my room lights, along with the San Francisco Bay Area's new "FasTrak" electronic Toll Tag system that pays your toll automatically on all bay area bridges.  Oh, and my Microwave Oven (I just _had_ to try this... not that I was actually expecting a real frequency response, hi hi).

Thanks,

Nima

P.S.  If by chance you're wondering why I haven't been using my callsign, it's because I'm a new ham and I've been waiting for the FCC to assign me one for the past 3 & 1/2 weeks.  It's killer staring at my rig and not being able to push the PTT!

Thanks again for all the info, I appreciate it.  I own an Opto Scount frequency counter... but have never heard of a Digitial "dial up"... (?)

I was wondering if anyone who owns or has used the IC-R3 or other similar device could tell me whether they are worth the price and what kind of video broadcasts are commonly found? Just ameteur? Just standard Television channels? Anything else? I hear you can catch the uplink from newsvans to TV news stations, etc.

TIA

Hey guys,

Thanks for the great answers.  Just one new question... what exactly is a service monitor?

-Nima

Hey John,

Thanks for the reply, but I think you misunderstood.  I actually own several different "regular scanners".  One that covers 100khz - 2.04 GHz.  My question was, those little portable TV thingies that ICOM sells as "scanners that not only receive audio, but also video", are they useful?  Are they worht the price and what kind of video broadcasts do you see?  Just ameteur?  Just standard Television channels?  Anything else?  I hear you can catch the uplink from newsvans to TV news stations, etc.

I was simply wondering what type of "stuff" you can monitor using TV receiving/scanning equipment and if it's worth the investment.  Thanks for any comments.

As everyone knows, all receiving and scanning equipment sold in the US is cellular blocked.  However, in advertisements, you'll see "Unblocked versions available to FCC approved users."  What constitutes an FCC approved user?