When you want to store a conventional system, all you need to know is the frequencies they operate on. When you are scanning a conventional system, the scanner stops very briefly on each channel to see if there is activity. If there isn’t, the scanner quickly moves to the next channel. If there is, then the scanner pauses on the transmission until it is over.
Simplex Operation
Simplex systems use a single frequency for both transmit and receive. Most radios using this type of operation are limited to
Repeater Operation
Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits from the radio to a central repeater; the other transmits from the repeater to other radios in the system. With a repeater- based system, the repeater is located on top of a tall building or on a radio tower that provides great visibility to the area of operation. When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the signal is picked up by the repeater and retransmitted (on an output frequency). The user’s radios always listen for activity on the output frequency and transmit on the input frequency. Since the repeater is located very high, there is a very large line of sight.
Typical repeater systems provide coverage out to about a
Where To Get More Information
By itself, this manual really only provides part of what you need to know to have fun scanning – how to program and use the scanner. The included conventional frequency guide will give you a good head start on the other part of what you need to know – what frequencies have interesting content.
Understanding Scanning
20
