Short Story - Trip to the Big Smoke

Bob, known affectionately as "scannerFreak," was a small-town guy through and through. So when he planned a day trip to Hobart—the “Big Smoke”—he was more than ready for a fresh set of frequencies to track. Armed with his handheld scanner and a list of pre-programmed channels, Bob was excited to hear what the bustling city had to offer.

He packed light: a backpack with spare batteries, some logging sheets, his carefully disguised lunch box scanner case, and, of course, his list of known UHF frequencies for retail and security teams. His goal was to see how many stores, shopping centres, and cleaning crews he could tune into. In his small town, Bob knew the frequencies by heart, but Hobart was a new playground, full of unknowns.

First stop was a large shopping centre right in the heart of the city. Bob found a quiet spot in the food court and set up his scanner, hiding it inside the lunch box case and positioning the antenna just so. Within moments, he had CloseCall running and began picking up various signals, tuning into UHF frequencies as he sipped his coffee. A faint crackle came through—security was chatting about a suspicious shopper loitering around the jewellery store. Bob grinned as he jotted down the frequency and tone, pleased to have found his first “catch” of the day.

As the day went on, Bob explored other shopping centres, scanning with a mix of CloseCall and manually flipping through his pre-set frequencies. Some transmissions were routine—store managers giving directions, cleaners coordinating schedules, and the occasional UHF CB conversation between a few bored employees. But there were gems too: he picked up on a brief squabble between two security guards, arguing over who had the last lunch break, and a group of store employees laughing over a coffee order mix-up.

After a few hours, Bob took a break in the atrium of a busy shopping centre, placing his lunch box scanner case beside him as he dug out a sandwich. He was about halfway through when he heard a voice on his scanner—a cleaner reporting a spill on aisle five. He leaned back, half-listening, half-watching the bustling crowd, feeling like an unseen observer in the city’s web of daily life.

When he finished eating, he got up, leaving his lunch box scanner case on the bench. He wandered off, admiring the architecture and people-watching for a few minutes before he remembered, with a jolt, his scanner. He spun around, heart pounding, and saw a security guard eyeing the lone lunch box curiously. Bob hurried over, snagging it just in time, muttering an apology and offering a disarming smile. The guard gave him a quizzical look but shrugged, probably assuming it was just another absent-minded tourist.

By the end of the day, Bob had filled pages of his notebook with frequencies, channel IDs, and notes on various transmissions. It was satisfying to have collected so many new targets, but as he finally hit the road back home, he felt a familiar relief wash over him. Hobart had been fun, no doubt, but the crowds, the noise, the sheer number of people—it all made him long for the slower pace of his hometown. Back home, he knew everyone and every signal, and he could scan the airwaves without looking over his shoulder.

Pulling into his driveway that evening, Bob left his scanner case in the garage, still packed, and leaned back in his favourite chair, feeling the quiet settle around him. The capital city was exciting, but it was good to be back where the signals were familiar, the people were few, and the air was filled with voices he knew by heart.

Loggings - 30/10/2024

118.7-TOWER-LTON - Launceston Tower - Calling Qantas flight which has been delayed on take off, due to customer issue.

438.05-VK7RBL-BENLOMOND - Very bad audio, testing new mobile radio. VK7?E

476.45-UHF CB CH 2 - New business building a road. Lots of chat about where to dump loads, equipment needed and chat with a neighbour about access via a side gate.

476.85-UHF CB 18-TIP - TIP - issues with load of dead fish and being dumped in the wrong spot. Weigh bridge not working so told to only charge standard fee until this is fixed.

464.375-METRO FREELANDS - Bus left too early, people missed it. Sending back around the block to deal with it.

485.25-MARCOM WATSON - Delivery company. Truck won't fit up driveway in Exeter, going to leave near road and home owner will get moved inside fence.

494.925-LCC SWIMMING - Lost mobile phone in car park. Found in bushes. Looks like kids did it on purpose. School group didn't have booking and change rooms too full.

Hobby or Passion or Interest What is the difference? Is there a difference?

Is your hobby also your passion or has your passion become your hobby? Does it matter? What about interests, where do they fit in? A lot of people think that your hobby is your passion and that you have to have a hobby you are passionate about; I disagree for a number of reasons.

What is the difference between a hobby and a passion? One definition I have heard is this: “A hobby is something you choose to do when you have a little spare time, but a passion is something that you consider fundamental to your life, something you make time and effort to undertake on a regular basis.”

Expanding on this and relating it back to radios and me I have some thoughts this. A lot of people are involved in the radio hobby for a number of reasons. Some people have this as an extension of their professional work or volunteer work, for others it was a hobby passed on to them from family or friends. The main difference to me between a hobby, passions and interests is both how you feel about and also how other people see it.

I first became involved in the radio hobby as a teenager listening to distant radio stations on the AM broadcast band of a night time, as I grew older I became involved in electronics at college and this grew to an interest in another radio related area which was radio scanning, this was about 20 years ago. Over the past 20 years while I have mostly been involved in radio scanning I have a couple of times tried by hand at shortwave and medium wave listening with mixed success.

Going back to my original question of the difference between a hobby, passion and interest I have some thoughts, I will use fishing as an example but this can be related back to almost anything.

If you go fishing a couple of times a year when you go away for a holiday, then this is an interest.

If you go fishing a couple of times a month and maybe read a magazine or two this is a hobby.

If you go fishing as often as you can, read magazines and books, maybe be a part of a club and plan things around fishing then this is a passion.

The second part of this is around other people and what they see of you from your interest, hobby or passion. I work with computers as my job and while I enjoy the work, it is not really a passion, it is what pays the bills. Some people I know work with computers but also play games, build websites and build computers outside work, this then becomes a passion for them. Sometimes when I am talking to people they are surprised to find I don’t have a huge computer at home and that I don’t play games much. A lot of people get defined by other people because of their work where as in a lot of cases that is not all that is important to them. I would much rather talk about radios than computers for example.

Something to always be mindful of is that your interest, hobby or passion does not become to the determent of your work, family, friends or relationships. I have on more than one occasion seen how destructive having a single focus can be to relationships. Balance is the key; however, you should not let somebody try and change you to suit what they perceive as being right or better.

This leads to an interesting question: “How Much Is Too Much to Spend on Your Hobbies?” Is this from a financial point of view? What about the value you get from it? Can you put a value on this? What is your time worth? Where does it fit in to your overall life?

Short Story - Inside Information

Bob, aka "scannerFreak," was a quiet, unassuming guy with an extraordinary passion for frequencies. Working as an IT support analyst in a local business office, he spent his days solving network issues and troubleshooting minor and major technical crises. In his free time, though, he tuned into the radio waves, piecing together the mysterious voices that filled the air. It was a hobby that most didn’t quite understand, but for Bob, scanning was an obsession.

One day during a work conference, Bob struck up a conversation with a man named Sam, who managed network infrastructure at another government agency. Sam, a quiet but friendly type, had more than a casual interest in radio systems—he’d been involved in setting up the states EDACS trunking network and was more than willing to chat with someone who shared his fascination for comms tech. They talked shop, swapping anecdotes about radio interference and frequency allocations. Bob sensed that Sam had some deep insights but kept his enthusiasm tempered. He knew it was best not to dig too eagerly.

A few weeks later, an A4 envelope showed up at Bob's desk. No sender, just his name in neat, handwritten letters. Bob’s curiosity peaked as he slipped it open, careful not to draw attention. Inside was a goldmine of information: handwritten and printed notes with callsigns, talk group IDs, and even the elusive radio IDs for various units, each neatly categorized by department. His pulse quickened when he saw a section labelled "SOG" — the Special Operations Group. These IDs, Bob realized, would allow him to recognize when SOG units were on air, even if their transmissions were masked by the EDACS network’s ProVoice encryption. It was the kind of inside knowledge that would take him years to gather alone.

From that point on, Bob felt like he had an edge. When he was out in his car, his scanner picked up familiar talk groups with ease, and he could differentiate routine transmissions from high-stakes operations just by recognizing the IDs on his display. The SOG frequencies became a particular point of interest, giving Bob a glimpse into operations usually hidden from the public.

A few months passed, and Bob often thought about the envelope. He hadn’t told a soul and kept the papers well-hidden in his garage, stored alongside his neatly filed frequency notes and radio gear. Then, another envelope arrived, this one even thicker. The only marking was a small note taped to the outside: For your eyes only.

Inside, Bob found a complete list of the fire service’s frequencies and callsigns, each radio ID assigned to specific stations and trucks. There was also a copy of the fire service’s radio operations manual, a thorough document detailing how transmissions were conducted, and even procedural codes for different types of emergencies. For a radio enthusiast like Bob, it was like peering behind the curtain, accessing information which would take years to work out, some information was so rare, he would never have been able to piece it all together. 

Now, when his scanner caught fire service transmissions, Bob understood them on a deeper level. The operations manual gave context to the calls, and he could picture the scenes unfolding, right down to which units were at the scene and the specific trucks being dispatched.

The envelopes stopped after that, but Bob felt like he’d been given something invaluable, a window into a world that only a handful of people had access to. He kept his notes safely tucked away, careful not to disclose anything or misuse his knowledge. It was his secret, a thrill that enhanced his passion for scanning even more. And every time he tuned in, hearing a familiar call sign or talk group, Bob couldn’t help but feel like an insider, standing on the edge of real-world operations from the quiet comfort of his garage.

Loggings - 29/10/2024

414.025 - TASRAIL UHF LINK - Issue with radio. Going to swap to channel 5 and try when out of yard.

464.375 - METRO FREELANDS - Found a mobile phone on bus, looks to be from school run to Queechy. Has left with office at Queechy to be collected.

485.25 - MARCOM WATSON - Request for load to Evandale, issues with last batch (suspect cement truck). "Won't put up with this sh!t any more". Driver not happy he has to go back.

494.925 - LCC SWIMMING - Issues with getting guards to have breaks, school group left huge mess. Need to clean up before next session. Asked if "John" can cover kids pool while the rest have a break. 

Peter Blundell - L.T.297

 

Short Story - Tracking Down UHF Head Set Users

Bob, known to his radio buddies as "scannerFreak," loved a good challenge. By now, he was pretty adept at hunting down UHF frequencies, and he’d mastered techniques for tuning into private frequencies without getting noticed. His latest target were the communication channels of big-box stores: Kmart, Coles, and similar giants. Many of these places used basic UHF radios with CTCSS or DCS tones, and Bob had heard they were full of everyday chatter—security protocols, inventory updates, and sometimes, personal drama. For him, it was all part of the thrill.

Armed with his trusty scanner equipped with CloseCall and a collection of lunch boxes, Bob set off on a Friday night to the car park outside a cluster of big-box stores. He parked his car in a spot with a clear line of sight to the employee entrances, close enough to pick up signals but far enough to avoid any suspicion. He carefully hid his radio setup inside a nondescript lunch box on the passenger seat, covering it with a sandwich and an apple for good measure. From the outside, it looked like any ordinary snack.

Bob switched on CloseCall, which could catch nearby transmissions instantly. It wasn’t long before the frequencies started popping up. First was Kmart, with staff chattering about the closing shift and moving products. He grinned and jotted down the frequency and CTCSS tone, marking it with a “KM” in his notebook. Coles was next, and he managed to pick up its DCS tone in seconds, right as two staff discussed a misplaced shipment of organic produce.

But the real action started when he caught a faint transmission just past midnight. Most of the store employees had clocked out, and the car park was quiet. He was scanning Coles’ channel when a familiar voice cut through the static, someone he’d heard on his previous scans—a male staff member who’d often been on the night shift. But now, he was whispering to someone else, a female voice, and Bob perked up. He turned up the volume just slightly, trying to catch every word. The two seemed completely unaware that their conversation could be heard. They were talking about meeting up after work, about keeping their secret hidden, sharing laughs over close calls when other staff had nearly caught them. “You know,” the woman said, voice tinged with amusement, “we’ll have to be careful, especially with the cameras in the backroom.” The man chuckled in agreement, and they signed off with a playful, “See you soon.”

Bob sat there, stunned, feeling like he’d just eavesdropped on an unexpected radio soap opera. He wondered how often these late-night confessions went out over the airwaves, assuming no one was listening. After jotting down their frequency, he kept his scanner on, but nothing else quite as juicy came through that night.

Over the following weeks, Bob went back to that same car park, hiding his gear in his lunch box each time. He collected the frequencies, CTCSS, and DCS tones for nearly every store in the area, noting details like shift schedules and little quirks of the staff communications. Occasionally, he’d tune in after hours just to see if the star-crossed employees would share another midnight transmission. It became a strange hobby within a hobby.

Back in his radio shack, he compiled all his findings, cataloguing each store’s details meticulously. To anyone else, it might seem strange, but for Bob, each frequency, tone, and story he’d captured was a piece of a larger puzzle—a way to be part of the invisible network buzzing through the town. And as long as there were signals floating around, there’d always be something new for scannerFreak to uncover.

What is Radio Band Monitoring

Radio scanning is the activity of listening to a wide range of radio frequencies in search of interesting signals or conversations. Using a radio scanner, which can tune across different bands and frequencies, users can monitor various forms of communication, including:

- Public Safety Communications: Police, fire departments, EMS, and other emergency services often use specific frequencies that can be monitored, though some are now encrypted for privacy.
- Aircraft and Marine Communications: Frequencies used by pilots, air traffic controllers, ships, and harbors can be fascinating, offering insight into real-time events in the sky or at sea.
- Amateur Radio: Licensed amateur radio operators communicate on designated frequencies. Scanning lets listeners tune into local or long-distance "hams" chatting about topics like weather, news, or technical projects.
- Utility and Business Communications: Some businesses and utilities use two-way radio systems for operational needs, like dispatching vehicles or coordinating logistics.

Most radio scanners automatically "scan" or jump between channels on preset frequencies, pausing briefly if a signal is detected. This helps users identify active channels without having to manually search each frequency. Today, scanners are available in handheld, desktop, or software-based formats (software-defined radio, or SDR), with advanced models offering trunking and digital modes to follow more complex systems.

Radio band monitoring is an exciting subset of the radio scanning, radio monitoring and amateur radio hobbies. Just like some photographers might focus on macro photography or a person who plays video games might focus on 1st person shooters or sports games, my focus in on monitoring the VHF and UHF bands for all radio signals, this includes voice traffic, DMR, NXDN and Apco25 digital, data links, telemetry and all radios signals, no matter the type or purpose.

This hobby takes the best from the radio scanning hobby and combines elements of dxing and contesting which are key elements of the radio amateur hobby.

In our case the idea of this hobby is to monitor the entire VHF and UHF band between 25 megahertz and 956 megahertz and log any and all signals that are received. We are not interested in the content of the communication except to the point that it is to identification of the user, this means that we can log any signal such as normal FM analogue voice,  P25 digital, DMR which is used by some business and amateur radio operators and things like data signals which can be used for things like water monitoring and so on. This means that the hobby can be undertaking in a wider variety of locations and you're not limited to monitoring signals which are normally active during the business day.

I've personally always found the more technical side of the radio monitoring hobby to be interesting and this is why I've developed the band monitoring blog and program.

Finally a large part of the VHF / UHF band monitoring hobby will be about out and about monitoring, as I'll be regularly undertaking portable VHF / UHF band monitoring at places like parks and shopping centres and other high value radio targets with the goal to log as many active radio uses as possible.

Video - https://launcestonradiomonitoring.blogspot.com/2024/12/video-what-is-radio-band-monitoring.html

User in Focus - Metro Buses Tasmania

Metro Tasmania, commonly called Metro, is a Tasmanian Government business enterprise, which is the largest bus operator in the state of Tasmania, Australia, with operations in the four largest urban centres of Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie and Ulverstone, which joins the two services in the North West. Services are provided by Metro under a range of urban and non-urban contracts with the Transport Commission, a division within the Department of State Growth.

From a radio point of view, Metro are one of the more active radio users and use a number of frequencies in the UHF band. Each of the three areas of the state have a separate system, which all carries the same radio traffic, so you can just program the frequency as shown below for the site closest to you. 

South

464.175MHz - Fire Tower MT FAULKNER TAS 7140 

464.225MHz - Barker Site (West) GUY FAWKES HILL TAS 7170 

North

464.275MHz - Tasmanian Electronics Site ABELS HILL TAS 7250

464.375MHz - Freelands Lookout TREVALLYN TAS 7250

North West

464.175MHz - Council Community Site ROUND HILL TAS 7320

464.2MHz - Container Near TV Translator Site KELCEY TIER TAS 7310

464.225MHz - Commercial Site SULLOCKS HILL TAS 7316

Base is always referred to as "base". 

Buses are normally called by bus number (213 to base), route (Driver of route 112 inbound) or general calls (All operators, please note barn 3 is closed."

Loggings - 26/10/2024 - 27/10/2024

414.02500 - TASRAIL UHF LINK

414.42500 - TASRAIL UHF LINK

438.05000 - VK7RBL-BENLOMOND

438.41250 - VK7RJG(D)

438.55000 - VK7RJG-MTARTHUR

439.77500 - VK7RDR-DAZZLER

462.07500 - TASPORTS

462.16250 - COLES RACECOURSE

462.20000 - COLES

462.22500 - OFFICEWORKS

462.25000 - KMART LTON

462.27500 - SUPERCHEAP LTON

462.32500 - SPOTLIHGT

462.33750 - COLES WELLINGTON

462.37500 - TASPORTS

463.40000 - TARGET LTON

464.27500 - METRO ABLES

464.37500 - METRO FREELANDS

467.47500 - CASINO SECURITY(D)

473.40000 - TASRAIL SIMP UHF

473.50000 - TASRAIL SIMP UHF

474.77500 - UNI SECURITY (DMR)

476.42500 - UHF CB CH 1

476.45000 - UHF CB CH 2

476.47500 - UHF CB CH 3

476.52500 - UHF CB CH 5

476.57500 - UHF CB CH 7

476.60000 - UHF CB CH 8

476.61250 - UHF CB CH 48

476.65000 - UHF CB CH 10

476.66250 - UHF CB CH 50

476.68750 - UHF CB CH 51

476.71250 - UHF CB CH 52

476.72500 - UHF CB CH 13

476.75000 - UHF CB CH 14

476.76250 - UHF CB CH 54

476.80000 - UHF CB CH 16

476.81250 - UHF CB CH 56

476.83750 - UHF CB CH 57

476.85000 - UHF CB 18-TIP

476.86250 - UHF CB CH 58

476.97500 - UHF CB CH 23

476.98750 - UHF CB CH 63

477.01250 - UHF CB CH 64

477.06250 - UHF CB CH 66

477.08750 - UHF CB CH 67

477.10000 - UHF CB CH 28

477.11250 - UHF CB CH 68

477.13750 - UHF CB CH 69

477.15000 - UHF CB CH 30

477.16250 - UHF CB CH 70

477.20000 - UHF CB CH 32

477.21250 - UHF CB CH 72

477.23750 - UHF CB CH 73

477.25000 - UHF CB CH 34

477.26250 - UHF CB CH 74

477.27500 - UHF CB CH 35

477.28750 - UHF CB CH 75

477.30000 - UHF CB CH 36

477.33750 - UHF CB CH 77

477.36250 - UHF CB CH 78

477.37500 - UHF CB CH 39

477.38750 - UHF CB CH 79

477.40000 - UHF CB CH 40

485.25000 - MARCOM WATSON

488.55000 - MARCOM WATSON

494.92500 - LCC SWIMMING

Short Story - Mt Dismal

Bob, known far and wide in the radio circles as "scannerFreak," was always drawn to the high places. The way they called to him with their distant signals and strange transmissions. And nothing intrigued him more than the mysterious Mt. Dismal, an isolated communications site nestled deep in the mountains. Rumor had it that Mt. Dismal housed all sorts of government and emergency communication arrays, and for Bob, the challenge was irresistible.

He had prepared meticulously: extra batteries, a sturdy tripod for his long-range directional antenna, and his best handheld scanner equipped with CloseCall, just in case he stumbled upon something unexpected. The day he chose to go was cool and misty—perfect for keeping a low profile, as he liked it.

The drive up the winding mountain road was tricky, with steep drops on one side and dense forest on the other. His car groaned as it navigated the tight turns, gravel crunching beneath the tires. As he ascended, the air grew cooler and thinner, but Bob was focused. When he finally reached the old fire road that led to the summit, he parked and walked the rest of the way, carrying his gear like a seasoned mountaineer.

The communications site loomed above, its towers piercing through the low-hanging clouds, blinking in the haze. A chain-link fence surrounded the site, topped with rusting barbed wire. The sign warned against trespassing, but Bob had no intention of getting that close. He found a clearing in the woods nearby, setting up his gear just beyond the reach of the security cameras.

As he switched on his scanner, the familiar hum of frequencies greeted him. Bob felt a rush of excitement as he started tuning in, scanning through the channels. The air around Mt. Dismal was dense with signals—weather reports, aviation chatter from nearby air traffic, and bursts of encrypted messages that piqued his curiosity. But one signal caught his attention more than any other: a faint, erratic transmission, low on the spectrum, that didn’t seem to belong.

Bob adjusted the direction of his antenna, triangulating the signal. It was coming from the direction of the main tower, and the static-filled voice crackled in his headphones, barely discernible. He recognized it as some kind of telemetry, but it had a peculiar pattern, almost like a coded pulse. He jotted down the frequency, noting the strange intervals, feeling like he was on the verge of discovering something truly unusual.

Just then, the sound of crunching gravel snapped him out of his focus. Bob froze, peering through the underbrush. A white utility truck, marked with a nondescript logo, was crawling up the road toward the facility. Two men in uniforms got out, carrying toolboxes and looking preoccupied as they headed toward the fence. Bob held his breath, staying perfectly still, hoping his dark clothing and the mist would hide him from view.

The men fiddled with the gate, and one of them muttered something into a radio clipped to his vest. Bob caught a burst of audio from their transmission on his scanner—something about "recalibrating the uplink." He quickly scribbled more notes, his mind racing. What uplink? To where? It was exactly the kind of mystery that kept him climbing mountains and chasing signals.

After what felt like an eternity, the workers disappeared inside the gate, and Bob let out a quiet sigh of relief. He continued his scans, trying to piece together more of the strange signal’s origin. But the mist thickened, and a chill ran down his spine when the scanner picked up a new burst—clearer now, and unsettlingly rhythmic. It almost sounded like a series of coded instructions.

His curiosity burned, but he knew better than to linger too long. With the workers nearby and the weather turning, he packed up his gear, stowing away the precious notes. The hike back down the mountain was tense, every snap of a twig in the forest keeping him on edge. But when he finally reached his car, he couldn’t help but smile—Mt. Dismal had lived up to its reputation.

Back in his garage that night, Bob pored over his notes, replaying the strange signal and decoding its patterns with his computer. He posted a cryptic message to his favourite radio forum, teasing about "finding a new mystery on the mountain." But the full details? Those he kept to himself, savouring the thrill of the unknown.

As he leaned back in his chair, headphones still catching faint echoes from the mountain, Bob knew he’d be back to Mt. Dismal someday. There were more secrets in those clouds, just waiting to be uncovered by a curious mind with a scanner and a knack for adventure.

Short Story - High Security Facility

Bob, known to his online friends as "scannerFreak," was a seasoned radio enthusiast. A wizard with antennas and frequencies, he was always on the lookout for the next big signal to catch. This time, the challenge was new: a high-security storage facility had recently opened on the edge of town. Bob’s ears perked up when he heard the local news chatter about the state-of-the-art security systems and a network that kept everything hush-hush. For Bob, it was like a red cape to a bull.

Armed with his trusty handheld scanner, complete with the CloseCall feature, Bob set out for the facility on a cloudy Saturday afternoon. He had prepared well: dressed in nondescript clothes, his radio gear packed neatly in the backpack slung over one shoulder. He knew CloseCall could sniff out frequencies by picking up transmissions from nearby sources, so he parked a little way off from the facility, just far enough to not raise suspicion, but close enough to catch any stray signals.

He sat in his car, turning on his scanner and setting it to CloseCall mode. It wasn’t long before the first signals started to appear, mostly mundane chatter from a nearby construction site. But Bob was patient. He knew that good signals often took time to find, and the thrill of the hunt was what he lived for.

Then, a blip. A frequency popped up on his scanner, cutting through the static. It was a digital burst, something that sounded encrypted. Bob leaned in, eyes narrowing, as he tuned in more closely. It wasn’t the typical chatter he’d find on common security or maintenance frequencies—it had the cadence of something higher-stakes. He scribbled the frequency into his notebook, noting the signal strength and location.

He drove around the perimeter of the facility, triangulating his finds. CloseCall gave him a few more hits, and he began to piece together the puzzle. There were frequencies for the gates, others for internal communications, and even one that seemed dedicated to monitoring the facility’s surveillance feeds. Bob grinned, feeling like he was decoding the blueprint of a fortress.

His excitement was cut short when a black SUV pulled up a few car lengths behind him, its headlights cutting through the dim afternoon. Bob's pulse quickened. He casually adjusted his scanner, switching to a less conspicuous mode, and flipped open a map, pretending to be just another lost traveller. The SUV idled for a moment before turning away, but it was a close call—literally. Bob breathed out, feeling the thrill of the narrow escape. He decided he’d gathered enough intel for one day. 

As he drove home, his mind buzzed with the possibilities of what he could do next: maybe decode more of those digital signals, or post about the find on his favourite radio forum, keeping some details vague to protect the innocent (namely, himself).

Back in his garage, surrounded by a sea of coax cables and antenna parts, Bob sat down at his desk, tuning into his notes. He plugged the frequencies into a software-defined radio to get a closer listen. The encrypted signals were a challenge, but for scannerFreak, this was just the beginning of a new obsession. He chuckled to himself, wondering how the facility’s security team would react if they knew an old radio guy was already mapping out their hidden airwaves.

As he adjusted his headphones and caught the faint hum of another encrypted burst, Bob felt alive—on the edge of discovery, where every signal held a secret waiting to be cracked.

My Radio Scanning Story - From 27MHz Beginnings to College Classrooms and Beyond

My radio scanning journey began when I was just a child, around 8 years old, under the guidance of my uncle. Back then, he had a 27MHz CB radio, and I’d sit by his side for hours, enthralled by the voices crackling through the static, like hidden conversations from a different world. I still remember the thrill of hearing truckers, local chatter, and the occasional oddball signal. My uncle would explain how the waves travelled, how to adjust the squelch, and why certain channels came alive only at night.

Those early days planted a seed—a fascination with the invisible signals flowing through the air around us. When I got to college, I took up electronics, eager to better understand the workings behind those early conversations. I poured myself into learning circuits, signal theory, and radio propagation, combining my love of radio with a technical foundation. It felt like I was learning the secrets behind the magic.

The Day the Police Came Knocking
College and starting to work also brought access to new equipment. I was no longer restricted to a basic CB rig; I had a growing collection of scanners, tools, and knowledge. My curiosity led me to the 800MHz EDACS trunked radio system that the police in my area were using. As I tinkered and experimented with my Uniden UBC245XLT and UBC780XLT, I worked out how to follow their communications across the system, managing to piece together the method behind their frequency hopping. I was running a website for radio scanning at the time and published a "how to" guide.

But then came the day the police paid me a visit. Someone had caught wind of my ability to track their communications, and it raised more than a few eyebrows.  It was clear they weren’t happy about my newfound skills. I assured them that I wasn’t trying to cause trouble—just fascinated by the technology and the challenge of understanding how it all worked. They gave me a stern warning, and I quickly learned that some parts of the radio hobby were best kept low-profile. They moved to AEGIS and then PROVOICE and it was only in the last 5 years of the TASGRN network, that a PROVOICE capable scanner was for sale here in Australia.

Diving Into Amateur Radio and Beyond
That experience didn’t discourage me; it only deepened my love for radio. I earned my amateur radio license, opening a new world of bands and frequencies. Amateur radio offered a chance to talk to people from across the globe, all while experimenting with antennas and new modes of communication. It became my sandbox for testing ideas, from home-built dipoles to portable setups that I could take into the field.

I also got into ultralight DXing—a passion that combined my love for radio with a minimalist spirit. It was all about taking a small, portable receiver and seeing just how far I could push it, hunting for faint signals from distant AM and FM stations. I’d spend quiet evenings tuning through the dial, picking up the whispers of faraway broadcasters. There was a thrill in catching a station from halfway across the world, just by finding the right spot, the right time, and the right conditions.

The Hunt for New Signals
But my true passion lay in hunting down new users and undiscovered frequencies. I’d scour frequency guides, internet forums, and online databases, looking for hints of unlisted channels. And once I had a lead, I’d go on the chase. I spent countless hours in my car, parked in quiet spots with a portable scanner and a notebook, chasing down elusive transmissions.

One of my favourite tools was CloseCall, a feature that could catch nearby transmissions. I remember one time sitting near an industrial area, CloseCall lit up with signals from a construction crew coordinating their work. I could hear their bulldozers, cranes, and even the foreman yelling at a worker to “get a move on.” Another time, I picked up a private security firm’s conversations near a shopping centre, revealing everything from night shift routines to offhand comments about a suspicious car in the car park, this might have been me...

Portable scanning sessions became my favourite way to spend a quiet afternoon. I’d find a spot on a hill or near a busy area, set up my gear, and just listen. Some of the most interesting finds came during these trips. I’d pick up emergency services, maritime signals, or private contractors—each one revealing a small piece of the world that most people never knew existed.

A Lifelong Connection
This hobby has always been about more than just the gear or the technical challenge. It’s a window into the lives of others, a way to explore the hidden layers of communication that crisscross our everyday world. Whether it’s an airline pilot chatting with ground control, a rural fire service coordinating a backburn, or a distant AM station carrying a late-night talk show over the static, each signal tells a story.

And through all the years—from those early days with my uncle’s CB radio, through college experiments, encounters with the law, and countless nights spent with my scanners—radio has remained a constant in my life. It’s a way to connect with something bigger than myself, to chase the thrill of discovery, and to keep alive a passion that began so many years ago.

Loggings - 14/10/2024

413.10000 - LAUNCESTON COLLEGE 

413.35000 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

414.02500 - TASRAIL UHF LINK

414.42500 - TASRAIL UHF LINK

438.05000 - VK7RBH-BENLOMOND

438.41250 - NORTHERN TASMANIAN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INC 

438.55000 - VK7RJG-MTARTHUR

439.77500 - VK7RDR 70CM

454.27500 - METRO INPUT

464.27500 - METRO ABELS HILL

464.37500 - METRO FREELANDS LOOKOUT

473.50000 - TASRAIL UHF

474.37500 - LAUNCESTON CITY COUNCIL 

474.77500 - UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA 

476.42500 - UHF CB CH 1

476.45000 - UHF CB CH 2

476.47500 - UHF CB CH 3

476.50000 - UHF CB CH 4

476.52500 - UHF CB CH 5

476.53750 - UHF CB CH 45

476.56250 - UHF CB CH 46

476.58750 - UHF CB CH 47

476.60000 - UHF CB CH 8

476.62500 - UHF CB CH 9

476.65000 - UHF CB CH 10

476.68750 - UHF CB CH 51

476.70000 - UHF CB CH 12

476.71250 - UHF CB CH 52

476.73750 - UHF CB CH 53

476.76250 - UHF CB CH 54

476.77500 - UHF CB CH 15

476.78750 - UHF CB CH 55

476.80000 - UHF CB CH 16

476.81250 - UHF CB CH 56

476.82500 - UHF CB CH 17

476.83750 - UHF CB CH 57

476.85000 - UHF CB 18-TIP

476.88750 - UHF CB CH 59

476.90000 - UHF CB CH 20

476.93750 - UHF CB CH 61

476.96250 - UHF CB CH 62

476.97500 - UHF CB CH 23

476.98750 - UHF CB CH 63

477.01250 - UHF CB CH 64

477.02500 - UHF CB CH 25

477.03750 - UHF CB CH 65

477.05000 - UHF CB CH 26

477.07500 - UHF CB CH 27

477.08750 - UHF CB CH 67

477.10000 - UHF CB CH 28

477.11250 - UHF CB CH 68

477.12500 - UHF CB CH 29

477.16250 - UHF CB CH 70

477.17500 - UHF CB CH 31

477.18750 - UHF CB CH 71

477.20000 - UHF CB CH 32

477.27500 - UHF CB CH 35

477.31250 - UHF CB CH 76

477.32500 - UHF CB CH 37

477.35000 - UHF CB CH 38

477.37500 - UHF CB CH 39

477.40000 - UHF CB CH 40

477.41250 - UHF CB CH 80

485.25000 - TECS

488.55000 - MARCOM WATSON

494.92500 - LCC SWIMMING CENTRE

495.06250 - VIZPIX BROADCAST SERVICES PTY LTD 

Band Logging Challenge - 2024

This radio challenge has been designed to make participation possible for anybody interested in the radio hobby. The rules are very simple, and the awards have been designed to be achievable.

How do I start?
Download the log sheet template (HERE) and for the week period, log the number of stations you hear each day, on your chosen band (as shown below), it really is that simple.

Rules:
These rules are simple and have been designed to enhance the enjoyment of this awards program and ensure fairness.

*All frequencies in your selected band are permitted. Data / paging frequencies are permitted for award purposes.

* All HF/VHF/UHF frequency bands are permitted for award purposes. The bands which can be chosen are:
1)Mediumwave (522 – 1602kHz)
2)Shortwave (2 – 30MHz)
3)VHF Low Band (30 – 70Mhz)
4)VHF Midband (70 – 87MHz)
5)FM Broadcast Band (87 - 108MHz)
6)AIR Band (108 – 137MHz)
7)VHF High Band (137 – 174MHz)
8)UHF Band (400MHz - 520MHz)

* Each frequency may only be counted once in a 24-hour period for award purposes.

* All decisions of the challenge administrator are final.

Awards:
Certificates will be emailed to all participants on the receipt of a valid log at the end of the week, with the number of stations logged recorded for the week.

Logging Process:
Below is an example of the log sheet.

The Ten Commandments of Radio Hobbyists

* Thou shall not have any hobbies before Radio
* Thou shall not talk bad about the radio hobby, except if it is about Baofeng
* Remember the Field Day, make it memorable
* Honor the brands of your parents, except if it is Baofeng
* Thou shall not destroy a radio, at least not on purpose, except if it is a Baofeng
* Thou shall retain loyalty to your chosen brand, except if it is Baofeng
* Thou shall not rip another hobbyist off unless he sold you a Baofeng
* Thou shall not lie about your buddy’s radios
* Thou shall not covet thy neighbour's radios, especially a Baofeng
* Thou shall not covet thy neighbour's accessories, antennas etc.

Tassie Devil Radio Case: A Compact Win for My Portable Setup

I recently stumbled upon the perfect solution for organizing my portable radio gear while on a routine trip to Supercheap Auto. I was actually there looking for some hand tools when I spotted this tool case in the clearance section for just $8.95. Curious about the size and build quality, I decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did.

The case is a decent size with a well-thought-out layout. I’m particularly impressed with the dividers—it allows me to customize the interior to fit my gear perfectly. The flexibility in how I can arrange everything makes it versatile, which is a big win for anyone who needs a setup that can handle different configurations.

Right now, I’ve managed to fit my Digitech DC1068 UHF CB (which doubles as a UHF receiver), a Digitech 0.5W UHF handheld, chargers, a couple of aerials, my aerial-building kit, and a handful of other accessories. This case has become my go-to for packing everything I need for portable monitoring sessions and experimenting with aerial builds. It keeps everything neat, secure, and ready for action whenever the mood strikes.

For the price, this case has exceeded my expectations. It’s lightweight, durable, and offers just enough space for everything I need, all while remaining compact enough to grab and go. Definitely a solid buy, especially for under $10! I have added a couple of Tassie Devil stickers, for our new Tasmania Devil AFL team, which will join the AFL in 2028.

Loggings - 04/10/2024

413.35000 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (LGH) - [DMR]

414.02500 - TASRAIL UHF LINK - Abels Hill - Tasrail UHF linking frequency.

414.42500 - TASRAIL UHF LINK - Abels Hill - Tasrail UHF linking frequency.

438.05000 - VK7RBH-BENLOMOND - 70CM Repeater Ben Lomand.

438.41250 - NORTHERN TASMANIAN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB INC  - [DMR]

438.55000 - VK7RJG-MTARTHUR - 70CM Mt Arthur. Solar and wind powered.

439.77500 - VK7RDR 70CM - 70CM Dazzler Range.

450.27500 - JB HI-FI GROUP PTY LTD  - UHF Headset.

454.27500 - METRO INPUT - Repeater input.

462.05000 - BUNNINGS - UHF Headset.

462.07500 - TASMANIAN PORTS CORPORATION PTY. LTD. - Logged in CBD. Checking on time for tug to depart.

462.22500 - OFFICEWORKS - UHF Headset.

462.25000 - KMART AUSTRALIA LIMITED - UHF Headset.

462.37500 - TASMANIAN PORTS CORPORATION PTY. LTD. - Logged in CBD. Voice and data tones.

464.27500 - METRO ABELS HILL - METRO buses Launceston.

464.37500 - METRO FREELANDS LOOKOUT - METRO buses Launceston.

471.70000 - PFEIFFER CRANES PTY. LTD.  - Simplex channel. Used between trucks and base plus for onsite works.

473.50000 - TASRAIL UHF - TASRAIL UHF Simplex. Shunting Channel.

474.37500 - LAUNCESTON CITY COUNCIL Parking - [DMR]

474.77500 - UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA  - [DMR]

476.47500 - UHF CB 03 - Checking if gate was unlocked. Midlands?

476.72500 - UHF CB 13 - Truck driver - Question on loading at side gate. Mowbray area.

476.85000 - UHF CB 18 - Launceston Tip operations channel. Sign on main gate.

476.90000 - UHF CB 20 - Traffic Control - ATC Riverside.

485.25000 - TECS - Shared channel. Landscaping / Cement deliveries.

488.55000 - MARCOM WATSON - Shared channel.  Buses: Freight:

494.92500 - LCC SWIMMING CENTRE - Launceston Aquatic Centre. Simplex.

495.06250 - VIZPIX BROADCAST SERVICES PTY LTD  - Logged in use - Mowbray Race Course. Camera crews.