This post has been a long time coming……(years…).  We will skip the excuses and get right to work! In parts 1 and 2, we discussed the radio and how to power it. All of those ideas and items are all still relevant in 2025. If you missed those posts, start here: https://dialtoneblog.wordpress.com/2019/04/04/low-budget-signal-intercept-kit-part-1/

The most important part of the kit is the antenna. With this kit, we understand that everything is a compromise. The places this kit may be used are less than ideal. We may be in a car, in the woods, or even in a hotel room. We may also want to be more covert, run under the radar… Large equipment, especially antennas, can attract a lot of unwanted attention. The antennas discussed in the next few posts will be a compromise. With that out of the way, let’s remember, “Does it work great?…no, but does it work?….yes!” In part 3(A), we will discuss handheld radio antennas. In posts to follow, we will talk about home brew, emergency, and “use what you have” antennas.

Two of my good friends…..they are very good listeners…..

Systems coming back online………

In part one we discussed what radio to get.   One of the many reasons we chose the uniden BC125AT is for the power options. If your going to keep your radio running you have to have power.

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Yep that’s a BC300. A legend…..

This is a quick response to a reader’s question.  I posted on Facebook about used gear. The reader said they were not comfortable with buying used gear (scanner radios in this case) because they didn’t know how to test/evaluate it before purchasing. Great question! This is even more important with summer approaching,  yard sales,  flea markets etc. will be loaded with old scanners!

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This will be the first in a series of post written to get you started in the right direction when setting up a radio Intercept kit. What is a Intercept kit you ask? Well to keep it simple, this kit will let you listen in on radio signals around you. It’s time to look at your scanner in a different way…… Listening to fire and police is only one task your scanner can do. Hopefully after this you can use your radio to it’s full potential.

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Quick and easy. Simple and stealthy. Just a Binding post to BNC connector. Add ear buds and drop the radio in a bag. Run close call and survey the RF landscape around you with no one even knowing. Don’t over think it. Just take a walk around and see what you get.

Dialtone OUT.

I have resumed control of the Facebook group.  Stay tuned…….all is well…..

It’s safe to say if you’re reading this you already know it’s good to be prepared. Here’s some things you should carry in your kit to make your field expedient operations easier. These items are small, cheap and off the shelf. Continue reading →