07/27/04

Q. What does the SL72A Frequency Scanner cost?

A. The SL72A is $215.00 (Plus $10 shipping and handling)

Q. My friend has a handheld audio scanner that he uses to scan at our local field. Is this the same thing?

A. No, the SL72A was designed for the R/C enthusiast. The handheld audio scanners were designed for those wishing to listen to police, fire and other emergency frequencies. While the audio scanners can monitor the frequencies we transmit on, the only indication that something is on that frequency is some noise.

Q. But isn't that enough?

A. No. The audio scanners are designed to monitor high power transmissions. Our R/C radios put out only 300mw of power, which is little compared to the output of radio tower that broadcast the emergency radio frequencies (up to 1500 Watts or 1,500,000 mw). The end result is that with an audio scanner, you may be able to pick up someone's R/C transmitter at 100 feet, but not much more. This makes that audio scanners useless if there is a someone on the other side of the school hovering their helicopter or flying their plane. The audio scanner just won't pick up transmissions from that distance.

Q. How far away can a R/C radio be and still be detected by the SL72A?

A. Under ideal conditions, the SL72A will be able to register transmissions from an R/C radio from almost a mile away.

Q. What are the groups about?

A. There are 2 groups which are switched with a button at the top of the unit. If the scanner is currently scanning group 1 (channels 11 - 35) and the group is switched, the unit displays a message indicating that the second group is being scanned as well at the voltage of the battery and the firmware version of the software. The following is displayed for approximately 5 seconds the returns to the normal display (see next question).

Q. How are the frequencies displayed?

A. If you are scanning group 1, the indicators have a vertical bar at the left side of the display and another towards the middle, so you end up reading the frequencies from the left side. If you are currently scanning group 2, you read from the right side. For instance, in the following display, channel 45 is indicating a strong signal on channel 45.

Q. Is the antenna detachable?

A. Yes, the antenna screws off of the unit. For short range scanning, it is recommended that the antenna be removed. For long range scanning, screw the antenna on and extend it fully.

Q. The club that I belong to already has a scanner. Isn't that enough?

A. That depends. Frequency scanners owned by clubs are typically used only during events that have many registered pilots. You're at the mercy of the frequency board the rest of the time. Those that forget to put their card on the board or who think that the chances of the one other person at the field can't be on his channel run the risk of shooting down your model. If you're like most people, you don't fly at your field exclusively. Have you ever gone to a park, a buddy's field, or to a school to fly? These locations are becoming more and more popular with new pilots. As the price for park flyers has dropped the risk of interference has gone up!