Radio/Police Scanners Anybody?

[designlogic]

Anyone here on topia use or have used police/radio scanners?

Anyone know of any good resources related to the use and modification
of radio/police scanners? (Forums, tutorials, underground resources)

I just picked up a scanner I came across on Craigslist on the cheap
would like to push it and modify it beyond its capabilities
I am sure it is possible. Just a matter of finding the resources to do so.
I am going to open it up here soon just to take a peak at the inards
not totally sure how these things operate mainly how certain frequencies
are kept restricted. Does this have to do with the scanner crystal?

Just looking to pick the brains of those of you who may have some
experience on the subject and I am sure with the diversity of topia
there most likely is some knowledge to be found here on the subject.

Anybody?

[GunPuppy]

What make/model scanner do you have there ? I myself am not much into hardware hacking or RF stuff (besides having my technician class license for HAM radio ) but I have a few friends I can ask for you when they pop online

[designlogic]

That would be cool man
The make/model is: Uniden Bearcat BC60XLT-1
Have yet to find much info at all on hacking these devices
even general information on hacking other devices or
on RF hacking may be helpful since it could potentially
be adapted to my particular device.
Yea I am a major noob right now when it comes to RF
I am not sure where to start might have to jump on amazon and
do a book search for starters

It is interesting to listen too though

[Glasshopper]

Originally Posted by designlogic

not totally sure how these things operate mainly how certain frequencies
are kept restricted. Does this have to do with the scanner crystal?

Just looking to pick the brains of those of you who may have some
experience on the subject and I am sure with the diversity of topia
there most likely is some knowledge to be found here on the subject.
Anybody?

Modern radios don't use a crystal to determine frequency (there is one for the microcontroller),
they use phase lock loop (PLL) and channel lockout is usually in the software running the radio's computer, (although it is possible there may be notch filters you will have to bypass on the hardware side).

so you just find out what family its processor is, learn to program in that family,
then reverse engineer its existing program and re-write it to exclude the locks.

Or with luck & good search techniques you may be able to find the program written for you.

you then need a chip programmer compatible with the processor your radio has to upload the program into the radio and if all goes well the lockouts are gone.

I would try a mailing list or a google group for your brand of radio, there may be ppl there who have already modded theirs.

[jay-pheno]

http://www.mods.dk/
http://www.kb2ljj.com/modsframs.htm
http://www.radiomods.com/
http://www.dxzone.com/
http://www.radiomods.co.nz/
http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/

[jay-pheno]

ooh forgot this pimp stuff :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Radio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univers...dio_Peripheral

http://www.ettus.com/

[shroom57]

I'm thinking that model might be one that you can jump a pin on the main chip.

I'll look out in the storage building tomorrow, I've got the books somewhere.

[designlogic]

Thanks for the info Glasshopper
I know how to program at about a lower intermediate level
need to find some projetcs to practice and improve my programming skils
This may be a good direction to go in.
Actually have been recently looking at some pic and universal programmers
online, some are a bit pricey for me at the moment
have been dabling in circuit bending though which is my way of beginning to
learn the hardware side of things
like I said I am a noob I hope to start on a few hardware/software based projects
maybe some simple robots and
had my eye on creating one of these as a beginner project

not necessarily from that website but there are alot of tutorials that exist on the net


jay-pheno thanks for the resources

[CRAMKO]

i worked in a CB shop at a truck stop, at the time i had books and notes passed on for various scanners, it was like this. Some radios are almost designed for this (snip a diode or resistor, jump a diode or resistor) and all the frequencies were unlocked. And conversely some radios just won't do it. Best quickie bet, check your local cb shops, buy the model suggested, give over a few bucks, proceed at necessary.