CANNER EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR MONITORING POST Bob Parnass, AJ9S bobparnass@monitoringtimes.com http://www.parnass.org
ICOM IC-R5 Portable Receiver
he ICOM IC-R5 is a tiny, handheld scanning receiver with wide frequency coverage. Like the IC-R2 it replaces (April 1999 MT), the IC-R5 detects FM, wide FM, and AM signals from the VLF to UHF spectrum. The palm-sized IC-R5 provides memory channel labeling, but lacks a full numeric keypad. It competes with the Yaesu VR-120 (July 2001 MT), the Japanese-only VR-150 (November 2002 MT), and the Alinco DJ-X3 (March 2002 MT). The accompanying photo shows an IC-R5, ICR2, and a VR-120. All these models are simply powered by two AA batteries, except the DJ-X3, which requires three. The USA version IC-R5 is furnished with two 1100 mAH NiCd AA batteries and a 6 VDC 1000 mA wall wart which can be used recharge the batteries while in the radio.
as the IC-R2. A single range may be searched, though multiple ranges cannot be chained together for searching. Frequencies may be skipped during searches by programming them in a memory channels with the Pskip flag set. A memory write scan stores active frequencies found while searching into a special group of 200 channels. The IC-R5 is smart enough to recognize duplicate hits and store only unique frequencies.
CTCSS and Digital Code Squelch
One of the IC-R2s major assets is its CTCSS squelch. The IC-R5 carries forward the CTCSS tradition and adds a Digital Coded Squelch (aka DTCS, DCS, and DPL), too. You can program a known CTCSS or DTCS code for a memory channel or sit on a frequency and search for the proper CTCSS or DTCS code. When a signal is present, the IC-R5 slowly steps through all codes in sequence until it finds a match. Hunting for the right code is so slow that we cant find the code unless listening to an unusually long transmission.

Frequency Coverage

The older IC-R2 begins coverage at 495 kHz, but the IC-R5 tunes lower down to 150 kHz. ICOM deletes the 822 - 851 and 867 - 896 MHz ranges in the US version IC-R5 to comply with FCC requirements for rejection of cellular telephone signals. This includes 822 - 824, 849 851, 867 - 870, and 894 - 896 MHz bands which are not allocated to cellular telephony. The IC-R5s wider gaps are troublesome to those of us who monitor the conventional and trunked systems in those ranges. The IC-R5s frequency step size choices are the same as the earlier IC-R2, with the addition of 8.33 kHz available only in the VHF air band. Missing is a 7.5 kHz step size, which would be useful on the VHF-high band.

Other Features

with only one bank or none at all. If you want the frequency 155.475 MHz to appear in three different banks, you must program it into three different regular memory channels first. As with the other wide coverage handhelds, memory programming requires you tune the frequency and select other settings using a VFO, then write the information to a regular memory channel. But, IC-R5 memory programming is more complex than other palm sized scanners. If you want the channel to appear in a bank, you must then assign the regular memory channel to a bank and channel number. The IC-R5s belt clip arrangement is similar to the IC-R2. We prefer to carry the radio in a pocket or cell phone case rather than trust the odd plastic clip. An auto power-off feature can turn off the IC-R5 after 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. We exploit the power-off feature in case we forget to turn off the radio. A variable duty cycle power save function can be enabled to cut battery drain while the radio is silently monitoring one frequency. The earphone cord can be used as an antenna for FM broadcast band reception, though you will have to furnish your own earphone. The IC-R5s LCD display contrast is ad-

Memory

The IC-R5 memory organization is a departure from other scanners. It provides up to 18 memory banks of variable size, with up to 100 channels in a bank, with a maximum number of 1000 channels. Banks are named with a single letter: A-H, J, L, N, O-R, and may be identified by an optional text label, as well. The variable size bank scheme is designed in an interesting way. There are 1000 regular memory channels, 000 to 999, which hold the frequency, mode (AM, FM, WFM), CTCSS or Digital Code (DTCS) settings, scan skip, and offset information. In addition, you can associate a regular memory channel with bank and channel number within that bank. For example, regular memory channel 205 may be assigned to bank A, channel 7. A regular memory channel can be associated 78

MONITORING TIMES July 2003

Scanning and Searching

The IC-R5 follows ICOMs tradition of restricting memory scanning to a single bank or all banks. You can scan the regular memories, too, but you cannot scan a combination of memory banks. Channels may be locked out by setting the Skip flag. The IC-R5 provides 25 pairs of scan edges for searching between frequency limits, the same
justable and the larger display is easier to see than the IC-R2. The IC-R5 may be cloned to another radio or configured using a computer. ICOM has not made public the information needed to write IC-R5 con-
figuration software, though some hobbyists have started to figure out the memory image layout and cloning protocol.

Performance

Measurements
ICOM IC-R5 Receiver S/N 01085 Icom America Inc. 2380 116th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004 Phone: (425) 454-8155 Fax: (425) 454-1509 Customer Service: (425) 454-7619 http://www.icomamerica.com Frequency coverage, USA version (MHz): 0.150 - 821.- 866.- 1309.995 Step sizes (kHz): 5, 6.25, 8.33 (VHF air), 9 (AM BCB), 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50, and 100 Modes: AM, WFM, FM, user selectable NFM modulation acceptance: 10 kHz Audio output at earphone jack: 0.1 watt @ 9% distortion Attenuator: 15 dB @ 16 dB @ 15 dB @ 10 dB @ 40 MHz 155 MHz 460 MHz 860 MHz
The older IC-R2, known for splendid audio, is louder and has less distortion than one expects for a palm sized scanner. Subjectively, the IC-R5s audio isnt quite as good because it doesnt have the same treble, or high pitch. Good, high frequency response helps the audio stand out when using a scanner in a noisy environment, e.g., while driving. While the IC-R2s audio sounds best, the IC-R5s audio quality is still excellent better than our Yaesu VR-120 and much better than our VR-500. The IC-R5 has a new, internal bar antenna for AM BCB (broadcast band) reception. The ICR5s BCB reception is improved over the IC-R2, though it is not as good as our VR-120 or a mediocre AM radio.
II and found it worked better and was more flexible than the sound-activated feature built into our VOX recorders. As time passed, we could not find Nitelogger IIs being sold. Recently, a representative of In Compliance Corporation told us they still sell the Nitelogger II for $69.95 plus shipping. For more information, contact: In Compliance Corp., 3260 N. Hayden Road #106, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, email: incompliancecorp@aol.com. To order, call In Compliance at (800)239-0441. The Icom IC-R5 pocket-size receiver is available for $199.95 from Grove Enterprises. Check 1800-438-8155 for sale pricing and current shipping charges.

Summary

If you like the IC-R2, you will probably prefer the IC-R5 except for the missing 800 MHz frequencies and the increased complexity in programming. Good configuration software (not supplied) eases programming of radios lacking a full keypad.

Nitelogger II Source

The BMI Nitelogger II is a tape recorder activator. It may be used with recorders which lack their own sound activation feature. We reviewed the Nitelogger II in August 1996 MT and published a schematic after tracing out the circuit by eye. The Nitelogger contains a sound detector circuit. It connects to a receivers external speaker jack and a tape recorders audio input and auxiliary control jacks. The Niteloggers volume control and internal speaker permit audio to be monitored or the traffic may be silently recorded. The recorders hang time is adjustable between.25 and 2.5 seconds. We were very impressed with the Nitelogger
July 2003 MONITORING TIMES
Intermediate Frequencies (MHz): 266.7, 19.65, 0.45 Image MHz): 37 Rejection Due to 1st IF (266.7 dB @ 40 MHz dB @ 460 MHz dB @ 860 MHz
Squelch tail near threshhold (1 uV @ 155 MHz): 20 ms. Practical memory scan speed: 9 ch/sec

CANNER EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR MONITORING POST Bob Parnass, AJ9S bobparnass@monitoringtimes.com http://www.parnass.org
ICOM IC-R20 Portable Receiver
he ICOM IC-R20 is a new product which fits into the category of superhandheld. Other superhandhelds include the older ICOM IC-R10, AOR AR8200, and Yaesu VR-500. They are distinguished from other portable models by their shortwave coverage, SSB/CW detectors, and full numeric keypad.

The Basics

The IC-R20 covers 150 kHz to almost 3305 MHz. The USA version omits the 800 MHz range cellular phone bands. Like ICOMs USA version IC-R5 (July 2003 MT), the USA version IC-R20 cannot receive 822 824, 849 - 851, 867 - 870, and 894 - 896 MHz, even though these bands are not allocated to cellular telephony. The wider gaps
are troublesome to those of us who monitor the conventional and trunked systems in those ranges. Reception modes include USB, LSB, CW, AM, WFM, and FM. Narrow FM is not available, though it would be useful for monitoring lower bandwidth MURS and land mobile signals. A built-in RF gain control can be used to reduce the IC-R20's SSB and CW sensitivity. The IC-R20 also has an attenuator which can be used in all modes, and I measured 22 to 31 dB of attenuation during spot checks at various frequencies.

Dual Frequency Reception

The Dual Watch feature sets the IC-R20 apart from other portable receivers. During Dual Watch, the display is split into two parts (A and B) and the IC-R20 becomes two receivers, each with its own volume and squelch settings. The flexibility is extraordinary. You can listen to two different signals simultaneously. You can tune a VFO or sit on a memory channel using the A receiver while the B receiver scans memories. Text labels and tone indicators are displayed for both A and B receivers. In Dual Watch mode, the IC-R20 fits twice the amount of information on the display by using a smaller font size. This makes the display more difficult to read, of course.

Furnished as Standard

The IC-R20 comes with a BP206 3.7 volt, 1650 mAH lithium ion battery and wall wart charger. A small plastic tray is included which permits the radio to be powered using three AA batteries of your choice instead of the BP206. The antenna jack is a good, old-fashioned BNC connector. For VHF/UHF reception, ICOM supplies a 23 inch, telescoping antenna which has two hinged joints near the connector. You can lay the radio flat on its back while changing the antenna orientation. Speaking of antennas, an internal bar antenna may be selected for AM BCB reception and the earphone cord can be used for FM broadcast reception. A spring loaded, plastic belt clip is furnished, though I didnt use it. The IC-R20's display is not recessed and this could make it easier to scratch the display if brushed up against something while wearing the radio on a belt.
Memories, VFO, and Scanning
You can program frequencies into 1000 memory channels, numbered 0 to 999. Each channel may be set with an optional CTCSS or DCS squelch code and an offset amount, used chiefly for monitoring repeater inputs. Each channel may be assigned to 1 of 26 memory banks. Up to 100 channels may be assigned to the same bank. An 8-character label can be entered for each channel and bank. You can select whether the IC-R20 displays the bank or memory labels, but not both simultaneously. At 16 channels per second, the IC-R20 scans memories considerably faster the IC-R2, IC-R5, and the IC-R10 I measured. A VFO is provided which permits tuning across bands independent of the memory chan-

MONITORING TIMES

November 2004
nels. A second VFO may be used in Dual Watch mode. Frequencies may be entered directly via the numeric keypad or you can press the BAND key and use the multipurpose knob atop the radio. You can search between frequency limits, and 25 pairs of registers are set aside for defining them. Most of the IC-R20's other scan types are the same as the prior ICOM models, with an important exception: the IC-R20 can scan multiple memory banks in any combination. For example, you can choose to scan banks A, B, and N if you link them together using one of the setup menus.

Other Features

ICOMs optional CS-R20 software lets you configure the radio settings using a PC running Microsoft Windows. An extra cost OPC1382 is required to connect the radio to the PCs USB port. I use Linux, not Windows, and didnt try the CS-R20 software. The IC-R20 can be computer controlled via a CI-V connection to its earphone jack. ICOM documents the interface commands in the IC-R20 instruction manual, but does not offer control software. An internal audio recorder lets you record signals when the squelch is open, and this an excellent feature. Three audio quality levels are available and I use the Normal (middle) setting. You can record up to 260 minutes using the low quality setting. Recordings are played back through the IC-R20. The CS-20 software can transfer the recordings to and from a PC, but not play them on the PC. I am impressed with the Band Scopes operation. You can listen to signals as the band scope sweeps. The sweep step size is selectable (1 to 100 kHz) and directly determines the sweep width (28 kHz to 2.8 MHz).

tenna and observe the results. Most handhelds experience overload and intermodulation when connected to a full size, roof mounted antenna, and the sample IC-R20 is no exception. NWR weather transmissions and television audio is heard while searching portions of the UHF military air and VHF-high bands. You will have to experiment to find an antenna suitable for shortwave reception. I hear just a few shortwave signals when using ICOMs supplied telescoping antenna and reception is very weak. Shortwave reception improves when I clip a short length (10 ft.) of wire to the antenna. The IC-R20's variable RF gain control is useful in mitigating interference from intermod and overload. The control provides finer adjustment than merely engaging the attenuator. The idea is to find an RF gain setting which eliminates the interference but not the desired signals, a balance which is sometimes elusive when using a large outdoor antenna. The IC-R20 is able to receive aero beacons reliably below 500 kHz when connected to a 132 foot wire dipole antenna by using my homemade broadcast band rejection filter and activating the IC-R20's attenuator. Both filter and attenuator are required to prevent AM BCB stations from overloading this ICR20.
dio monitoring, woodworking, computing, walking, reading, and discovering new interests. Thanks for reading the column. Writing it has been a wonderful experience. Ive had an opportunity to test the finest equipment as well as some mediocre gear and to tell you about both candidly. Thanks to Bob Grove and editor Rachel Baughn for giving me the freedom to write with honesty. The ICOM IC-R20 (stock code SCN20) is available from Grove Enterprises for $519.95 (plus shipping).
NOTICE: It is unlawful to buy cellular-capable scanners in the United States made after 1993, or modified for cellular coverage, unless you are an authorized government agency, cellular service provider, or engineering/service company engaged in cellular technology.

Other Notes

The radio powers up in the same condition it was when last turned off, e.g., scanning memory, limit searching, etc. The rubber pushbuttons have a firm feel and provide tactile feedback. The audio is quite good on par with the IC-R2. I am impressed with the IC-R20's features and overall VHF/UHF performance. Its fun to use, has a flexible battery arrangement, and is decently constructed. I wish it had an internal preamp feature which would permit the telescoping antenna to be effective below 30 MHz.

Sensitivity

With one exception, the sample IC-R20 is very sensitive below 700 MHz and fairly sensitive below 900 MHz. It is insensitive in the 280 to 295 MHz range, and I graphed the UHF military air band sensitivity separately to provide a more detailed view. Portable scanners are designed to work best on VHF/UHF when connected to small antennas, but I often connect them to a rooftop an-

Goodbye for Now

I have chosen to make this my final monthly Scanner Equipment column after a 10 year stint. I want to devote more time to riding recumbent bicycles, metal detecting, raNovember 2004 MONITORING TIMES