advice on using a scanner as a cheap 2-meters receiver

[KJ6LRG]

Hi, I'm new to ham radio, and while I was waiting to take the test and get my license, I bought an inexpensive scanner (Uniden BC340CRS) for monitoring.

I am also probably going to get an HT soon as my first transceiver; either 2-meters only or 2-meters with 440. Since most (if not all) the HTs I've been looking at have scanning features, I am wondering if it is worth keeping the scanner I bought at all. I am still within the 'return for any reason' window on the scanner. I have a few options:

A. Keep the scanner, put up a good antenna for it on the roof or in the backyard.

B. Return the scanner, use the money towards a better model scanner. ( I was also looking at the Uniden BC350C, which is just a little more expensive than the 340, but can also 'go mobile' in a car)

C. Return the scanner, keep the money and use the HT's scanning feature. (probably with an external antenna)


I know the HT will work as a scanner, but it seems that having a separate device actively scanning the other repeaters while I'm on a particular conversation would be a nice advantage.


About the BC340's performance: (Is this 'average' or 'crap'?)

With the supplied antenna, inside my house I was able to get a few repeaters (4 or 5) relatively easily the first night using it. I was a little disappointed with the small number compared to the online map of my location (Sunnyvale, CA), but over the over the next few nights, by attaching alligator clips to the antenna, and moving around in the house and garage, I've managed to get around 10 different repeaters (mostly VHF, some UHF), and caught a couple simplex conversations. If I put an antenna up, I'll probably get more. Would I expect the BC350C to be any better?

Any thoughts? Thanks!

[K7KBN]

There has to be somebody USING the repeater before you'll be able to hear anything. There are a lot of VHF/UHF repeaters that are unused just about 24/7.

Although an amateur radio HT has "scanning" features (generally meaning it can be used as a simple, very SLOW scanner), it won't be as versatile as a dedicated scanner. Performance-wise, I'd expect one scanner to be just about equal to any other, with the difference in price made up for in terms of memories, trunking capability, etc. If all you're going to be listening for on the scanner are hams, I'd probably just go with the HT. Never have been a big fan of scanners anyway.

[5B4AJB]

Keep the scanner, they're useful things. Buy a better one later if you feel you need more memories etc.

Put up a 2/70 vertical antenna (as high as you can) for the scanner, which you can transmit on when you get your ticket.
You can upgrade to better coaxial cable for it later.

[AE6ZW]

GRE makes good scanner, normal analog scanner such as PSR-100 , price is less than $100, often around US $85, or if you are using it in US, PSR-300 or PSR-310 with analog trunk scanning may be also useful, their price is between $150 to $200 of cause, you can buy 2 meter handheld transceiver from China on ebay for less than $50 , ICOM 2 meter hand held for around $100, Yaesu mobile radio for around $140 , and there are many used one in place like QTH.com also. I prefer mobile radio, since most of my operation is from base station, and like to have higher power and louder speaker.