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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Martin_1962 on 09 February 2009, 21:35:53

Title: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Martin_1962 on 09 February 2009, 21:35:53
For my fob repair I would liek to monitor the RF out, so would need a receiver.

Does anyone have an old or unwanted scanner they no longer want?

Or where I could get a kit I could build of one?

Thanks

Martin

I tried freecycle but they have changed their rules so I deleted all of my group memberships
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: iainb on 09 February 2009, 21:50:10
Hi Martin, Give us a clue on frequency and band you need to cover !
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: VXL V6 on 09 February 2009, 21:51:02
Somewhere around 433.92Mhz aren't they?

Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Martin_1962 on 09 February 2009, 22:30:30
Yes - I know there are a lot of electronics experts and magies on here so worth a go ;D
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 February 2009, 22:53:03
Will keep an eye out. 433.92 is within the 70cm amateur band. It is useful to get some confirmation that they are transmitting. The 3 different types have distinctive sounds too.

You can get little receiver modules for WT exempt bands. In fact, I think I might have one or two in the junk box. Will have to check....

Kevin
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: zirk on 10 February 2009, 02:14:20
Hi Martin,

not too sure what your trying to monitor and why?, Freq., Demod Audio, FSSK Data, Spectrum, O/P power, Signal Strenght?

Give us a clue?, Im a Radio Communications Engineer, might be able to help?  :y
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 February 2009, 09:29:55
Thinking a little further, if you simply want to establish that it's transmitting you could knock up a simple diode detector probe which you could attach to the antenna strip on the PCB. Put a bit of gain on it and you could have an LED that flashes whenever it transmits.

Kevin
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 February 2009, 09:36:13
I use a scope.....and a bit of wire as an aerial
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Martin_1962 on 10 February 2009, 10:43:42
Quote
Hi Martin,

not too sure what your trying to monitor and why?, Freq., Demod Audio, FSSK Data, Spectrum, O/P power, Signal Strenght?

Give us a clue?, Im a Radio Communications Engineer, might be able to help?  :y


Basically that it is transmitting and not just flashing the LED. I am not too well up on this - I am more practical level.
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Martin_1962 on 10 February 2009, 10:44:24
Quote
Thinking a little further, if you simply want to establish that it's transmitting you could knock up a simple diode detector probe which you could attach to the antenna strip on the PCB. Put a bit of gain on it and you could have an LED that flashes whenever it transmits.

Kevin

Sounds usefull :y
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Martin_1962 on 10 February 2009, 10:45:01
Quote
I use a scope.....and a bit of wire as an aerial


I don't have one of those either!
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Martin_1962 on 10 February 2009, 10:51:00
OK My electrical knowleage

I know what components do, I can read diagrams, I can tackle simple repairs and modifications, but I can't design a circuit or knock up somethink without instructions.

An example of my level is I was able to study the circuit diagram of a VCR, find a good source of IF, and mono sound, and a good place to reinsert stereo and also trigger stereo light, I had to solder 1 wire to one board, replace an interboard loom, cut one track and solder another lead back. I also fitted a load of phono sockets to the back panel.

Kevin and Mark are beyond me but I would understand if they took it carefully.
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 February 2009, 11:38:33
The simplest option for you Martin would be to buy a cheap receiver module i.e.:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=411+500001+1003120&Ntk=gensearch_003&Ntt=433mhz+receiver&Ntx=

and monitor the ouput with a scope or a simple LED.
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 February 2009, 12:22:01
Quote
The simplest option for you Martin would be to buy a cheap receiver module i.e.:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=411+500001+1003120&Ntk=gensearch_003&Ntt=433mhz+receiver&Ntx=

and monitor the ouput with a scope or a simple LED.

Blimey! They're cheap these days. £3.92 for an AM module is a no-brainer really. Not worth messing about with anything else. LED on the output and job's a good'un.

It will probably get triggered by every weather station / car fob / wireless alarm in the neighbourhood but then again, you don't have to connect an antenna to it.

Kevin
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: Martin_1962 on 10 February 2009, 12:49:09
Quote
Quote
The simplest option for you Martin would be to buy a cheap receiver module i.e.:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=411+500001+1003120&Ntk=gensearch_003&Ntt=433mhz+receiver&Ntx=

and monitor the ouput with a scope or a simple LED.

Blimey! They're cheap these days. £3.92 for an AM module is a no-brainer really. Not worth messing about with anything else. LED on the output and job's a good'un.

It will probably get triggered by every weather station / car fob / wireless alarm in the neighbourhood but then again, you don't have to connect an antenna to it.

Kevin


Tell me what I need and what else is required and I'll have a look :y
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: zirk on 10 February 2009, 13:06:05
Quote
Quote
Hi Martin,

not too sure what your trying to monitor and why?, Freq., Demod Audio, FSSK Data, Spectrum, O/P power, Signal Strenght?

Give us a clue?, Im a Radio Communications Engineer, might be able to help?  :y

Basically that it is transmitting and not just flashing the LED. I am not too well up on this - I am more practical level.

Maybe then a simple Frequecy Grabber / Finder, I remember buying one from Maplins a few years back for arround £30. it captures your Transmitted signal and displays Freq. and Signal Strenght.

Would have thought eGay for a second hand one would be a good place to start.  :y
Title: Re: Very cheap or free radio scanner wanted
Post by: zippo on 10 February 2009, 13:07:32
its the same as this Martin
    http://www.ukmidlandscanner.co.uk/r2rev.htm