Scanner Alternatives

Speedbowl14

Speedbowl14

Ryan Preece and short tracks
Joined
May 18, 2014
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SLC, Utah
I go to one Cup race every couple of years, so it'd take a long time before I get a return on my investment for a 200$ scanner. Of course, renting for 40$ at the track isn't cheap either. Right now I'm thinking about listening to PRN radio from my phone when I go to the New Hampshire race this year. Anyone else do this? Other alternatives?

I'm not looking for in-car or race control. Just something to keep me updated during the race!
 
Speedbowl14 said:
I go to one Cup race every couple of years, so it'd take a long time before I get a return on my investment for a 200$ scanner. Of course, renting for 40$ at the track isn't cheap either. Right now I'm thinking about listening to PRN radio from my phone when I go to the New Hampshire race this year. Anyone else do this? Other alternatives?

I'm not looking for in-car or race control. Just something to keep me updated during the race!
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radio headphones, AM-FM, can watch and listen to radio broadcast, they usually sell them around the track for about 20.00, and then you have them to use like when cutting grass or whatever
 
by the way the ones they sell around the track are cheap, 20.00 probably gave that away, but you can get a good set at like a best buys or such
 
Speedbowl14 said:
I go to one Cup race every couple of years, so it'd take a long time before I get a return on my investment for a 200$ scanner. Of course, renting for 40$ at the track isn't cheap either. Right now I'm thinking about listening to PRN radio from my phone when I go to the New Hampshire race this year. Anyone else do this? Other alternatives?

I'm not looking for in-car or race control. Just something to keep me updated during the race!
Click to expand...
If you have a smartphone with unlimited data you'd probably be set getting the scanner on your phone via the NASCAR mobile app...it costs like $3/month (can cancel whenever). It'll be a bit time-delayed, but it's a lot cheaper than the alternative. There's also scoring information and some live camera views for certain races.
 
DSquad48 said:
If you have a smartphone with unlimited data you'd probably be set getting the scanner on your phone via the NASCAR mobile app...it costs like $3/month (can cancel whenever). It'll be a bit time-delayed, but it's a lot cheaper than the alternative. There's also scoring information and some live camera views for certain races.
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Gotta tell you, I was surprised in Fontana this year that the scanner was delayed a bit on FanVision. Usually spot on and reliable. Not so this year. Pretty cool, however, when I got to celebrate Kyle's win twice. Real time, then all over again on scanner time. :punkrocke
 
DSquad48 said:
If you have a smartphone with unlimited data you'd probably be set getting the scanner on your phone via the NASCAR mobile app...it costs like $3/month (can cancel whenever). It'll be a bit time-delayed, but it's a lot cheaper than the alternative. There's also scoring information and some live camera views for certain races.
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Free if you have Sprint
 
I'm not sure if your phone will spit out the volume you need at the track.. The race will be somewhere around 120-140 dBs... Regardless of what source you listen to you will need some noise canceling headphones, most regular headphones won't work. If you bring your old lady, trust me , make sure you have mics.. Nothing worse than removing your headset every 5 minutes to avoid the doghouse.

If you won't use your scanner for anything else, this deal may work for you..

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Uni...=&goog_pla=1&gclid=CPDStIza8L4CFUlqfgod6KoArA
 
Sidewayz said:
Nothing worse than removing your headset every 5 minutes to avoid the doghouse.
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shaking your head yes and then a no about every 3rd time helps. if she has any headset, asking her did she hear that about whoever her favorite driver is can help too.
 
Your phone will never be a good alternative at the track. Volume is not a big deal with headphones as they sell cheap inline amplifiers at the RE trailer that can rectify that issue. It's simply the delay. There is a delay in the feed that you get over the phone on both the MRN and PRN feeds. The same thing if you subscribe to the NASCAR app with the scanner option. If the delay doesn't bother you than its no big deal but it would drive me nuts.

IMO there are no alternatives but there are very cheap scanners out there. All around the track you'll find this very small unit that would fit in your front pocket. Is very cheap and sold at many of the off track vendors. They are only slightly bigger that an AA battery. Throw in some small ear buds and those cheap ear protection head set type things they sell at home depot and you are all set. You can probably do that whole setup for under $30.
 
Be on the look out for a deal on a scanner. Why rent when you can buy?
 
I bought a set of Racing Radio's headphones with the push to talk feature so that my wife and I can talk to each other during the race, scan all the drivers and nascar officials, plus listen to MRN or PRN depending on where the race is. I have had them for 15 years and like them a lot. I will not go to a race without this.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
I go to one Cup race every couple of years, so it'd take a long time before I get a return on my investment for a 200$ scanner. Of course, renting for 40$ at the track isn't cheap either. Right now I'm thinking about listening to PRN radio from my phone when I go to the New Hampshire race this year. Anyone else do this? Other alternatives?

I'm not looking for in-car or race control. Just something to keep me updated during the race!
Click to expand...
buy the scanner and be done with it. it will last a life time. still have mine from 1990.
 
Amazon has a radioshack one you can get for around $35 bucks
 
Bought 3of these oneBay some years ago. Put a scanner plug in all, and they work.perfect. Push to talk with Motorola Walkie Talkies, the Amplifiers DPK spoke of,and 4 Radio Shack Pro 99 (1000 channel) scanners.I use 2scanners myself, one set on race control, and the other to, well, scan with. At the time,the headsets were $30.00 each. Now,they go upwards of $200.00.
IMG_20140615_060104.jpg
 
Another factor to be aware of is which frequency bands the scanner can reach. Many scanners can't pick up the 800Mhz channels. While the majority of race frequencies fall in the 450-470 Mhz range there are some drivers up in the 855Mhz band. If your scanner doesn't support the 800Mhz band then you simply won't be able to listen to those drivers.
 
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