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Scanning - Shortwave - Ham Radio - Equipment I nternet Streaming - Computers - Antique Radio Volume 27, No. 8 August 2008 U.S. $5.95 A Publication of Grove Enterprises Can. $5.95 Printed in the United States Also in this issue: • Citizen’s Band at 50! • Monitoring Illinois’ StarCom21 System • Programming made easy: Butel ARC-500 Watch What Happens! AOR SR2000A The SR2000A is an ultra-fast spectrum Frequency Monitor display monitor that lets you SEE � Frequency coverage: received signals in 25MHz ~ 3GHz (no gaps)* � Ultra-stable, high-sensitivity triple-conversion receiver � External video output (composite video) � AM/NFM/WFM/SFM/TV receive modes � Displays up to 40MHz of spectrum bandwidth (20MHz or 40MHz selectable)** � P25 decoding function available with optional P25-8600 � Waterfall (time) display function � 1000 memory settings (100ch x 10 memory banks) � Average or peak value readings � Video display function (NTSC/PAL/SECAM auto Using the power of FFT (Fast Fourier select)*** Transform) algorithms with a powerful � 5 inch TFT color LCD display receiver covering 25MHz ~ 3GHz*, the � Versatile color display SR2000A features a color monitor that uses state of the art displays up to 40MHz spectrum simulated video digital signal processing bandwidth or video display of NTSC, PAL or SECAM signals. � High speed FFT search quickly Ultra-sensitive, incredibly fast, yet easy to use, with a high quality captures new signal transmissions internal speaker for crisp, clean audio signals. � Easy menu-driven operation � PC control through RS232C Scans 10MHz in as little as 0.2 seconds! Instantly serial port or USB interface detects, captures and displays transmitted signals. AOR U.S.A., Inc. *Government version. Cellular blocked for US ® consumer version. 20655 S. Western Ave., Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90501, USA Tel: 310-787-8615 Fax: 310-787-8619 **No audio is available when the frequency span [email protected] http://www.aorusa.com is set to 20MHz or 40MHz. ***No audio available while displaying video Authority on Radio signal on the LCD. If both video and audio need Communications to be monitored simultaneously, an optional (external) TV2000 is required. ...the future of radio.TM Now that's one very powerful brick! Our latest add-on for the popular WR-G315 series of WiNRADiO receivers redefines the idea of "DC to daylight", yet again. � The frequency range of the WR-G315 can now be expanded up to 8.6 GHz using the AMFE™ option (Antenna Multiplexer and � Frequency Extender). This is the first time a receiver of such affordable price range can go that high in frequency. � And you also get an antenna multiplexer thrown in, making it possible to connect four antennas for different frequency bands � directly to your expanded WR-G315: No more hassle with antenna switching! � Input frequency range DC to 3500 (or 8600) MHz � WiNRADiO WR-G315e receiver enhanced Output frequency range 96 to 1800 MHz with WR-AMFE-3500 High temperature stability � High input insulation High dynamic range � Low noise figure Simple installation � Integrates with WR-G315e and WR-G315i receivers Suitable for any third-party receivers (AMFE-8600 only) � Low-noise linear power supply included Application software included � Programmers' API included to support third-party development The AMFE™ unit interfaces neatly with the WiNRADiO WR-G315e � The WR-AMFE™ adds additional antenna or WR-G315i receiver. The receiver's application software is able to inputs - and more. recognize the AMFE™ unit and expand the ranges of the frequency input and display automatically. Switching between the antennas and tuning the local oscillator for the downconversion is accomplished � fully transparently to the user. The AMFE™ enclosure is similar to that of the WR-G315e receiver and stacks neatly on top or under it. HF VHF UHF SHF Antenna � Input There are two models: WR-AMFE-3500 and WR-AMFE-8600 which extend the WR-G315 receiver's frequency range to 3.5 or 8.6 GHz, � AMFE™ WR-G315e respectively. The AMFE™ units are USB controlled, supplied with application software and a linear AC/DC power adapter. The USB Output USB WR-AMFE-8600 model can be also used with third-party receivers, PC and can be optionally fitted with an OCXO for enhanced stability of 0.01 ppm, to suit the most demanding monitoring and surveillance applications. Visit www.winradio.com/amfe for more information. CONTENTS Citizens Band at 50 ........................................................ 10 By Ken Reitz The lowly Citizen’s Band turns 50 this August. Scorned by many hob- byists, this service still serves a useful purpose and is “trucking” along. Vol. 27 No. 8 August 2008 Though CB is a shadow of its former self, several hardware manufacturers Scanning - Shortwave - Ham Radio - Equipment are investing in the service by introducing new model CBs. The author puts I nternet Streaming - Computers - Antique Radio several new models through their paces to see what’s new, how they work, Volume 27, No. 8 August 2008 U.S. $5.95 and how they compare. A Publication of Grove Enterprises Can. $5.95 Printed in the United States If you’ve ever wondered what happened to CB, now’s the time to revisit the old girl on her 50th birthday! At middle age, she’s slowing down, but she’s still got a lot of life left! What’s in the Back Room? .............................................13 By Domenic Mallozzi Pictures of public safety dispatch centers always display lots of comput- Also in this issue: • Citizen’s Band at 50! • Monitoring Illinois’ StarCom21 System ers and video monitors. But where are the radios? The author takes us on • Programming made easy: Butel ARC-500 a tour of the back room at his local “public safety answering point” (PSAP) in Natick, Massachusetts. On our Cover Hurricane Season Illinois’ StarCom21 System .............................................15 By Rich Carlson Once again, August ushers in the season of hurricanes. Illinois’ major statewide system was activated in the latter half of 2007 Favorite targets of many util- and is still being tweaked. The primary user of this Motorola SmartZone, ity monitors are the hurricane APCO-2 compliant system is the Illinois State Police. Several counties hunters – aircraft and crews are also coming on to the system, which is owned and operated by Mo- deployed by NOAA and by the torola. Air Force to gather real-time MT’s comprehensive article by Chicago Area Radio Monitoring As- data by flying into the teeth of sociation (CARMA) member Rich Carlson includes all StarCom tower the storms. sites, locations, IDs and frequencies, followed by all talkgroups known This month’s Milcom col- at presstime. umn “Monitoring the Hurricane Season” (page 52) gives you all the tools you need to monitor the Hurricane Hunters dur- ing an active season. To keep up to date with local weather anywhere in the U.S., you can tune in to weather broadcasts on your computer. Check out GlobalNet on page 23. On the cover a NOAA WP- 3D snaps pictures of Katrina’s Reviews eye wall, while the inset shows Larry Van Horn says it’s hard to teach help, and he found it in Butel’s ARC-500 a P-3 flying in the eye of Hur- an old dog new tricks, but I say his review package, designed to work specifically ricane Caroline. of the Butel ARC-500 software proves with the GRE PSR500/600 series. Voila! that one new trick often leads to another... Problem solved. (See page 66) Having long ago mastered computer tech- Voice command of your computer still nology, then trunking technology, Larry seems futuristic, even a decade after its was surprised to have trouble grasping the advent. But voice control of your radio by organizational concept used in the new a $10 software program? Unreal! VR Com- GRE scanners. But drawing on his bag of mander makes it all so. (See page 72) tricks, Larry went looking for software to MONITORING TIMES (ISSN: 0889-5341; Publishers Mail Agree- ment #1253492) is published monthly by Grove Enterprises, Inc., Brasstown, North TABLE OF CONTENTS Carolina, USA. Copyright © 2008 Grove Enterprises, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Brasstown, NC, and additional mailing offices. Short Departments: Second Departments excerpts may be reprinted with appropri- Letters ..............................................6 Milcom ...........................................52 ate credit. Complete articles may not be Communications ..............................8 Monitoring the Hurricane Season reproduced without permission. Stock Exchange ..............................75 AM Bandscan.................................54 Advertisers Index ..........................75 What’s in a Callsign? Address: 7540 Highway 64 West, Boats, PLANES, Trains ...................56 Brasstown, NC 28902-0098 Airline Company Frequencies Telephone: (828) 837-9200 First Departments Below 500 kHz ..............................58 Fax: (828) 837-2216 (24 hours) Getting Started Essentials for LW Success Internet Address: www.grove-ent.com or Ask Bob .........................................19 Outer Limits ...................................59 www.monitoringtimes.com Beginners Corner ..........................20 Atlanta Braves on Pirate Radio Editorial e-mail: [email protected] The Other Satellite Radio Subscriptions: [email protected] On the Ham Bands ........................60 Global Net .....................................23 Helping Those Who Helped Us Monitoring the World of Weather Subscription Rates: $28.95 in US; $39.50 Canada; and $58.50 foreign elsewhere, Scanning Report ............................24 US funds. Label