[TRDnAZ]

I have a question… Who owns their own scanner set-up? What I’m looking for are recommendations for a great racing scanner package, i.e. 200 channel scanner, two pair of headphones with intercom. What “package” or combination of accessiories do you have or would you recommend?

[wingkey1]

Lemme see if we can recall some of what we've learned over the years that may be helpfull.

* 200 channels not necessary but seems it's pretty much the common number any more. 100 would do.

* Little stubby antenae (1.5 - 2.0 inch) helps cut down the bleed over from all of the other radio traffic going on at the track. Lots of communication associated with non-race activities going on that will wash across.

* Go for good headsets, they're possibly more important than the scanner. Headsets should be full ear cover and noise reducing/cancelling. Best if there are no vents in the left and right cups (back side away from ear). If there are, cover them with folded over gauze/cotton/napkin piece and piece of duct tape. If you do not do this too much noise will enter the vent holes and it will drown out the scanner talk. The vents are for air release allowing good cone/frequency response for music. Not real important or necessary for listening to race.

* Look in to item like "Boosteroo" which amplifies the scanner output and allows multiple headsets to be plugged in to it. Some scanners have trouble driving two headsets due to low power out.

* Likely all scanners have following but to be sure see that there is a seperate "delay" and "lockout" button(s). The first ensures the scanner holds to the active frequency for couple seconds after driver finishes transmitting so that you'll still be on channel when answer comes from crew. Otherwise, as soon as driver releases, the scanner moves on. The second allows lock out of a particular frequency/channel with push of button.

* Match channel to car number. Make channel 18 the 18, etc. That way you only need look down at scanner and see which team is communicating. You'll get to recognize the driver voices in many/most cases, but the spotters not so easy.

* Don't try to listen to all/every team and driver. Make some picks that interest you. DO program them all in in advance. Lock out ones that you are not interested in or that fall out of race, then "unlock" those you add-in to replace those that fall out.

* Program in MRN (454.00 mhz I believe). Fun to listen to in that you not only hear the "on air" stuff, but also the banter between the on air personalities while commercials are being run. You'll have to lock it out though for your scanner to move on since MRN is constantly transmitting and will "hold" you scanner on frequency.

* Frequencies found on Jayski have repeatedly been found good. There is almost no change throughout the year (in team frequencies), and they remain fairly constant year to year. Updates are available at every track from the Racing Electronics trailer for $5.

We've likely learned other things over the years from trial and error that we are forgetting. Sorry. Hope some of above has value.

[Racer Duck]

Hey wing, that was great!

about the only thing I'd add is bring along an extra battery .. sometimes they decide to go away just when things are getting interesting, especially if you're trying to drive two sets of headphones.

and speaking of headphones: ditto on getting the best noise cancelling ones you can afford - you won't regret it.

[wingkey1]

Yup on the extra battery(ies). Have made this mistake as recently as last year. Fortunately the scanner we use had low battery "beep" feature that gave enough advance warning to allow us to deal with it.

Add also - don't be shy turning up the squelch. Get it high enough where you're not sitting there listening to any "hiss" between transmissions. The transmit sources (drivers/teams/NASCAR officials) are plenty close enough to break through a high squelch setting and cutting back on the amount of noise you're listening too makes for a much more enjoyable time.

[simple simon]

well wing, you seem to be the one to ask ........ occasionally we hear drivers apologize for their radio language .. just how bad is it out there ?

[TRDnAZ]

Lots of good tips, thanks! I've heard good things about Racing Electronics. They seem to have some nice "package" deals on their website. I think they usually have a trailer out at the track (Phoenix International) whenever NASCAR comes to town, so getting updated info and frequencies wouldn't be a problem. I'll continue to do my homework on the subject, I have plenty of time until the next race to get more advise on this subject and make a intelligent decision. Thanks again.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by simple simon

well wing, you seem to be the one to ask ........ occasionally we hear drivers apologize for their radio language .. just how bad is it out there ?

It does get "colorful" particularly when a driver is less than happy with another driver, or when a driver is very displeased with the performance and adjustablility of his/her car, or when there is disagreement or displeasure with competitive decisions within/amongst the team (# tires, when to pit/not pit, what adjustment made).

It IS NOT one continuous puke of blue, vulgar and vile language. The vast majority of what is heard is people at work trying to be successful at/in their chosen profession and there is little to no profanity involved in these communication. There are many times of just jabbering about near anything particularly during caution laps that are simply "wait for the green".

Here's one that some may rather not hear - the "cleanest" top team from a language standpoint - the HMS folks. ALL drivers past and present over the last several years. Don't know if there is some kind of "don't do it" from HMS, the sponsers, or whatever, but it has been definitely noticeable. And understand this is purely from personal and direct listening AND predominantly at only the two Dover races every year for the last 15+. So the sample is little, but what has been heard/not heard is clear.

Folks get testy and angry out there for a variety of reasons. You will hear "the words". I am no fan of the continuous stream or use of it at all and I have to say I still do not find the listening offensive to the (my) point of distaste and quit.

Have heard much much worse over the years in the pits at local tracks where "the words" are there and used in much more a personal attack manner.

As far as putting the scanner headset on your youngster - I'd warn one as to what to expect and perhaps even suggest against it until the age at which one would be comfortable with their specific youngsters maturity / ability to deal with what they will hear / whatever. I'd never assume to simply plunk the headset on anothers offspring.

Having said ALL OF THAT, it (scanner listening) is a real plus in the experience of motorsports event attendance.

Sorry for all the long windedness.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Sorry for all the long windedness.

no need to apologize at all ....... that was a great read .... thanks

though, i cant help but feel you left something out ..... you told us the "cleanest" team ..... how about the most foul mouth you can remember ?

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by simple simon

no need to apologize at all ....... that was a great read .... thanks

though, i cant help but feel you left something out ..... you told us the "cleanest" team ..... how about the most foul mouth you can remember ?

Honestly thought about that as we were fingerin' the keyboard and none really stood out in our experience. None of them just run on and on with the foul stuff. Just times they get aggravated, and it is near all of 'em at one time or another.

Actually the one that shocked us was heard on national TV this year. Can't remember the race and other driver but Kyle P got unceremoniously whacked by someone and the world heard - What da f was that!? He was quite apologetic later.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by simple simon

well wing, you seem to be the one to ask ........ occasionally we hear drivers apologize for their radio language .. just how bad is it out there ?

I have to agree with Wing, it's not horrible. And I even have to agree with HMS being the cleanest. The only time I heard an HMS driver really loose it was when Jeff Gordon lost his brakes at Pocono before the race was called for rain this past June. He was not happy. I have a 13 year old son whom I allow to listen to the scanner. He usually listens to JJ or JG, but has learned some new vocabulary from Tony Stewart and Jr. I simply tell him if I hear that kind of language coming out of his face when he clearly knows it is unacceptable, he will lose his scanner priveledges indefinately. I don't know if you ever frequent a local short track where you are, but at our local track the scanner is great for listening to the race director. The supers and limited supers are only equipped with one way radios and transponders. Let me just say that listening to the race director gives the word "stress" new meaning. It's not a job I'd ever want. The scanner's are great fun and really add to the whole experience, at least for me.

[Bassdogs]

Am new to this scanner thing. Received 2 tickets to the Spring Bristol race from my kids for my 60th. Wanted a scanner to help keep track of things in the rural area I live in. The Bristol trip was a good excuse to take the plunge. I purchased an SC 230 which my research said was the best choice for the price. Now what should I be doing to get comfortable operating this thing, before I actually get to the track?

Also have tics to the Brickyard this summer. How often do the frequencies change? The SC 230 comes with preprogrammed race frequencies.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Am new to this scanner thing. Received 2 tickets to the Spring Bristol race from my kids for my 60th. Wanted a scanner to help keep track of things in the rural area I live in. The Bristol trip was a good excuse to take the plunge. I purchased an SC 230 which my research said was the best choice for the price. Now what should I be doing to get comfortable operating this thing, before I actually get to the track?

Also have tics to the Brickyard this summer. How often do the frequencies change? The SC 230 comes with preprogrammed race frequencies.

Read through this string and you'll get answers to your questions. Within it you will see suggestions to near all (maybe indeed all) of your questions.

See jayski.com for best latest frequency info.

[Bassdogs]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Read through this string and you'll get answers to your questions. Within it you will see suggestions to near all (maybe indeed all) of your questions.

See jayski.com for best latest frequency info.

I did but still wondering if you have any advice on learning to use the scanner? Just looking over the manual it seems pretty heavy stuff. Any suggestions on how I might best prepare for my first big outing? Also are the frequencies pretty much the same all season or do they change a lot? I know you suggested checking when you get to the track and making any necessary changes. Just wondering how useful the preprogrammed nascar channels will be.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

I did but still wondering if you have any advice on learning to use the scanner? Just looking over the manual it seems pretty heavy stuff. Any suggestions on how I might best prepare for my first big outing? Also are the frequencies pretty much the same all season or do they change a lot? I know you suggested checking when you get to the track and making any necessary changes. Just wondering how useful the preprogrammed nascar channels will be.

As you will see by reading through the string the frequencies stay pretty much the same year after year. There are also suggestions to program the channel to equal the car number to make it easier to identify who is speaking. There is much more in the string that I will just be repeating so give it a good read through.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

I did but still wondering if you have any advice on learning to use the scanner? Just looking over the manual it seems pretty heavy stuff. Any suggestions on how I might best prepare for my first big outing? Also are the frequencies pretty much the same all season or do they change a lot? I know you suggested checking when you get to the track and making any necessary changes. Just wondering how useful the preprogrammed nascar channels will be.

Learning to use my scanner was a royal pain in the butt. I literally sat down with the directions and programmed in each and every car's frequency. For example, when I programmed in Stewart's frequency, I put it on channel #20. Then if I wanted to listen to him all I had to do was punch in channel 20. If I had the scanner set to scan all programmed frequencies so I could see who was talking at the time and it stopped on channel 20, I'd automatically know it was Stewart. The best advice I can give you is to have all of the frequencies programmed in before you leave your house, because it can be confusing and very time consuming. If all the NASCAR channels came preprogrammed on your scanner, that's great. The frequencies don't seem to change much. Make sure you take tons of extra batteries. Good luck!