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Last December I (foolishly) bought an old Bearcat IV scanner. This was before I did any research about the state-of-modern-scanning. I thought I might be able to monitor *something* with the charming old machine.

Haven't had much luck with that.

The Bearcat came with a bunch of crystals. Is there anything here that I could actually use to monitor interesting frequencies in the Ballard area?

(I am also the proud owner of a Uniden Trunktracker III that I use for SPD North and SFD, so I already have those and Metro Transit covered.)

Here are the 25 crystals I have:

153.500
153.890
154.250
154.570
154.980
155.010
155.100
156.800
159.210
162.510
168.480
453.250
453.400
453.550
460.350
460.450
153R020
153R71
153R830
153T470
154R430
154R49
154T070
453R77

If I can't use them, who might want them?

153.500
153.890
154.250
154.570 many drive up windows
154.980
155.010 Small city use (Langely, Edmonds...)
155.100
156.800 MArine emergency #16
159.210
162.510
168.480
453.250
453.400
453.550
460.350
460.450


153R020
153R71
153R830 Fireground statewide
153T470
154R430 Old (or soon to be) Sno County fire
154R49
154T070
453R77

Thanks, Mark!

Not a very exciting list, is it? I suppose I should plug in the Marine Emergency frequency and see if it is actually in use.

The drive up windows I can do without. ;-)

Is anyone collecting crystals? I mean, you know, on purpose?

:D :D LOL -- Well -- not really -- but at last count -- I had about 700 or so - in my collection. Someone can always use them some where in the US of A. I try to set up persons that are Home bound -- with older used scanners -- provided that they live in a non-trunked area or city. Bearcat scanners use a 10.8 or 10.85 IF crystal -- so they can only be used in a Bearcat like unit. They do not work in a Regency -- 10.7 Mhz IF type scanner. A Bearcat crystal for 154.43 is minus 10.8 Mhz devided by 3 = 47.8766 mhz. But in a a scanner using the more common 10.7 Mhz IF -- a 47.8766 mhz Bearcat crystal would receive 154.33 mhz - which is not a valid channel. Best advice --- put them all in to your Bearcat -- turn it on --- and see what you can hear. You MIGHT be able to hear some good stuff. Otherwise -- think about giving the Bearcat to someone in a home. Maybe a church group. MTM

MTM - are you in Seattle? Can you find it a good home if I give it to you?

I *hate* mailing things. Makes my brain hurt.

No -- not at this very moment. But I am sure that someone -- in this group could locate a home. Maybe someone in Central or Eastern Washington would be able to donate it to a local school or home. I might have some Bearcat crystals -- if they need to be changed. We need to get more younger kids into the hobby. A good Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop could use an old scanner. Trade up -- take some cookies in trade. LOL -- You might keep a kid -- from getting into a gang -- or help in becomming a "First Responder" someday. MTM

155.100 - sultan,Monroe, Snohomish public works.

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Respond on Tac 3

153-890 is pierce co. fire dispatch still in use and 159-210 is snohomish co. sheriff dept. still in use.