In defence of the humble handheld scanner

When I began researching what scanner to buy about 18 months ago, one thing became clear - don’t expect a handheld scanner to compete across the frequency range with a desktop scanner.

My main interest then and now was shortwave as well as a smattering of airband and up. But I really liked the idea of a handheld unit.

Again, it was declared that a handheld wideband scanner couldn’t compete against a dedicated HF rig.

I’ve no doubt that that’s true.

But the impression given by a lot of articles I read was that I’d be lucky to hear anything other than European broadcast stations.

That, most certainly has proved not to be the case.

To sum up my set up;

An Icom IC-R20 & about 30 feet of thick electric cable, strung about 6.5 feet off the ground, North-South, on a semi permanent basis.

A few minutes ago I was listening to a Ham in New Hampshire - my first transatlantic copy. But before that I had been getting voice transmissions from Finland, Spain, Germany and beyond.

But the nerd in me was also interested in the various digital modes, and with this simple set up I’ve been able to pick up PSK31, RTTY, MFSK et al from around the world, in addition of course to Morse.

As I posted before, I was able to experiment with PSK31 & SSTV modes through a cheap PMR446 radio to my scanner.

Hearing Santa Maria or New York Atlantic ATC at night is the norm. Number stations originating in Cyprus and Israel are all copyable, especially so at night.

Hearing distant lightning claps for the first time on the radio was a wake up call to set up a proper ground. Strange signals that I couldn’t make sense of were later explained to me as Ionospheric Sounders - something I never even knew existed.

HF/Shortwave listening has proved what a magically atmospheric and interesting band it really is.

So what I’m trying to say is, sure a Wideband Handheld Scanner can’t be considered to be as sensitive as a good dedicated HF rig, but it can be good enough to let you experience the band.

In addition the doom laden warnings of overloading now appear to have been somewhat exaggerated, throwing RF gain a few notches does the job perfectly. Again I’m sure overloading can result in serious problems, but for me, with basic precautions - it hasn’t been an issue.

So if you’re on a budget, or don’t know what frequency range is going to grab your particular interest - based on my experience, by all means get a good handheld unit.

Now, that being said, don’t expect a miracle radio. I’m told that the R20 is rather deaf when it comes to the microwave region, and in my experience it’s pretty deaf on Long Wave too. But nothing’s ever going to be perfect.

To me the most impressive thing about this radio, is the fact that I can go from listening to Austrian Radio on shortwave, to listening to a SAR operation off the west coast, to listening to RTE 2 television, to listening to acars, PMR446 comms, etc etc.. as quickly as i can turn the dial.

In a while I plan on making a small high gain antenna to mount on a small motorised telescope bought from Lidl last year - to see if I can successfully pick up AMSAT comms - and I assure you that it will be the little R20 on the end of the cable.

One can do a lot on a budget if they’re resourceful

Anyway, that’s my 2 cents

Evol