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World's Most Advanced Portable TV

Posted by timothy on from the likely-excuse dept.

Eric Schlaepfer writes "Here's another great toy for your wish list! ICOM manufactures the highly advanced IC-R3 portable scanner/television set. Besides picking up radio stations in the frequency range of 0.495-2450MHz, the IC-R3 also receives regular television signals, amateur television, and wireless security camera signals."

170 comments

  1. Mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    In case the site (or routes to the site) get slashdotted. Here is a mirror to link one, and link two.

    1. Re:Mirror by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 2, Interesting

      GOD that thing is gorgeous! I first saw this hyped a couple of years ago I think and thought how cool it would be. I just bought a nice new shortwave radio which has rejuvenated my waning interest in radio.

      That radio is a thing of beauty! I don't care if it's cellular blocked, I WANT IT!

      Fact: Cell frequencies do NOT have to be blocked here in Canada, but sadly, since 99% of our scanners come from the US, they're blocked. Not that it really matters. The imaging (when a frequency appears on a different frequency due to the inner working of the unit) you get on most scanners enables you to hear most cellphones anyway.

      Never ceases to amaze me that the communications industry has sold everyone on the fact that these things are PHONES, when in reality, they're just radios, and yet people speak like they're secure. I've heard everything from people admitting to embezzeling money, to a woman who was telling her friend about the several members of the Calgary Flames she'd had sex with the previous night.

      Oh yeah, and eavesdropping on people and getting their bank numbers and passcodes is dead easy. All you need is a piece of software to decode the DTMF tones.

      Chuck in a TV on a scanner and that'll open up a whole new world of fun!

    2. Re:Mirror by Cpt_Kirks · · Score: 2

      Having owned many cellular capable scanners I can say with authority, cellular listening sucks 99.9999999999% of the time.

      Most of it is soccer mom yakking, suits doing work and contractors ordering lumber.

      Every once in a while, you will hear something good. I once heard what I think was a murder being planned, I have heard a few drug deals going down and some screwing around on spouses.

      It's all moot. Almost all cellular is digital now. Scanners are only good for the very few analog calls. All analog will be going away very soon.

    3. Re:Mirror by inertia187 · · Score: 1

      All analog will be going away very soon.

      What with all the tripple band phones out there, it seems like analog will be more of a backup/roaming solution.

      I wonder if this scanner can be modified to unblock those bands.

      --
      A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
    4. Re:Mirror by josecanuc · · Score: 1

      Triple band doesn't mean the phone includes analog (though it doesn't preclude it). A band is a frequency range. If a phone will work with both digital and analog, it's touted as Dual Mode or Tri-Mode. Analog vs. Digital or Analog vs. CDMA vs. GSM are modes, not bands.

    5. Re:Mirror by jdray · · Score: 1
      I just looked on my phone (LG TP5250, CDMA/Analog), and it says "Dual-Band." Whatever the technical realities are, the phones are being marketed as "Dual-Band" and "Tri-Band."

      Furthermore, don't the different "modes" require different "bands" for communication? I.e. isn't CDMA at 1900 MHz and analog at 850 MHz?

      --
      The Spoon
      Updated 6/28/2011
    6. Re:Mirror by josecanuc · · Score: 1

      Yeah I guess market-ese is different than reality many times. Yes, the different modes operate on different bands (though it's only required by convention/law, not by technology).

      There are several bands in the US, Europe, and Asia for cellular service; few overlap. CDMA isn't always at 1900.

      I wonder if marketers and copy-writers just don't know the difference between band and mode or if they have devoted some "market research" to such things... Hmm.

    7. Re:Mirror by Detritus · · Score: 1

      CDMA can operate at 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. I believe Verizon has a lot of CDMA in the 850 MHz band. Sprint PCS runs CDMA in the 1900 MHz band. I read something that said Verizon would like to shutdown AMPS and totally switch over to CDMA.

      --
      Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
  2. wow a TV with a tuner! by Quasi+Qubit · · Score: 1, Informative

    but U.S. cellular telephone frequencies are blocked =(

    1. Re:wow a TV with a tuner! by Kenja · · Score: 4, Funny

      Bastards, respecting peoples privacy. Whats the world comming to?

      --

      "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    2. Re:wow a TV with a tuner! by MuParadigm · · Score: 1

      And it doesn't do two-way paging. I'll never be able to sell this to management unless they know they can get e-mail on it.

    3. Re:wow a TV with a tuner! by Detritus · · Score: 5, Informative
      I have an old VHF/UHF receiver that was built before they outlawed sales of cellular capable scanners.

      The problem is that it used to be legal to build and sell a general coverage receiver that covered DC to Daylight. There were laws that restricted what you could do with some of signals you received, such as prohibiting disclosure to third parties, but the general principle was that any American was free to listen to anything transmitted on the public airwaves.

      Enter cellular telephony (AMPS), which replaced the old mobile telephone service. Eventually, some bright bulb rediscovered that cellular telephone conversations were transmitted via UHF FM radio signals, without any encryption or signal security. Anyone with a UHF FM receiver, or an older VHF/UHF television set, could listen in on cellular phone calls. When the word got around to the general public that cellular calls were not private, the CTIA (cellular trade association) went nuts. This was a public relations problem that could hurt their sales and profits. Rather than fix the problem of broadcasting cellular calls in the clear, their "solution" was to lobby congress for a law that would prohibit sales of receivers that could listen to cellular telephone frequencies, and would criminalize the act of listening to a cellular telephone call. This was the first time that congress had made it illegal to listen to a radio signal. Of course, none of this made a damn bit of difference as to the security of a cellular telephone call. It just provided the illusion of security, which was all the CTIA was willing to pay for. It also gave a big stick to politicians who were embarrassed by the public disclosure of the contents of their cellular telephone calls. They could demand that the government prosecute the "criminals" who had the gall to embarrass them by publicizing their dirty laundry.

      --
      Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
    4. Re:wow a TV with a tuner! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Listening in on cellular phone calls is old hat.

      It is more fun to talk over people's cell phones!!

    5. Re:wow a TV with a tuner! by AgTiger · · Score: 1

      > but U.S. cellular telephone frequencies are blocked =(

      But not north of the border. Find a Canadian Dealer (example here) that sells the unblocked Canadian version. Take a vacation, make the most of it. ;)

    6. Re:wow a TV with a tuner! by SomeoneGotMyNick · · Score: 1

      Just run an ad on their favorite television station when you need to get a hold of them.

  3. "All-new"? by BJH · · Score: 2, Informative

    This is hardly new - the IC-R3 has been out in Japan since before I bought my ICOM scanner (I'm at work atm so I can't check, but it's an R5, I think) a couple of years ago.

    1. Re:"All-new"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thanks for the Overrated moderation, Mr. MOC (Moderator On Crack). What a loser.

    2. Re:"All-new"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh no, he attacked your e-penis!!

  4. Pfft by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ...the IC-R3 also receives regular television signals, amateur television, and wireless security camera signals."
    ...and pr0n?

    --
    I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    1. Re:Pfft by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

      It said amateur television didn't it? Whats the late night showing of Reform School Girls if not amateur television?

      --

      "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  5. A review from someone who owns one by InterruptDescriptorT · · Score: 5, Informative

    While the Icom R-3 truly is a cool little gadget, I wish to caution those who are buying one for video monitoring purposes. It has a lot of features, to be sure, but as I found out the hard way, for the hardcore video monitoring enthusiast or TV DXer, it has some serious limitations.

    Its sensitivity is lacking, so unless it encounters a very strong video signal (especially on 2.4GHz, where a lot of wireless cameras broadcast their signals), do not expect a very watchable or even decodeable picture.

    Secondly, the video screen eats the hell out of the battery life. You'll find yourself reaching for the AC adapter quite frequently. This device tends to use the LCD screen to display a lot of configuration/tuning information, even in non-video mode, so beware if you buy this to use as a general-purpose scanner.

    After 10 months of R3 ownership, my feelings are still mixed. It's pretty cool to walk around and stumble on 2.4GHz video, especially from wireless security cameras, but as a general-purpose scanning receiver or for attempting to receive TV DX in these skip-prone months, it falls sadly short.

    --
    Karma: Excellent Birds (mostly as a result of listening to Laurie Anderson)
    1. Re:A review from someone who owns one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    2. Re:A review from someone who owns one by Monkelectric · · Score: 1

      My question is, can I get the Icom in cornflower blue?

      --

      Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley

    3. Re:A review from someone who owns one by inertia187 · · Score: 1

      ...I wish to caution those who are buying one for video monitoring purposes

      Do you recommend a better portable alternative product, or is this the best we can hope for, for now?

      --
      A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
    4. Re:A review from someone who owns one by 56ker · · Score: 1, Troll

      Yes - it doesn't require batteries - and picks up colour in normal lighting and B&W in dim lighting. It also displays in 3D. They're called eyes. :P

      --


      Video Game cheats, hints a
    5. Re:A review from someone who owns one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Quit jerking off to videos of little girls, pervert.

    6. Re:A review from someone who owns one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Besides that. I'm trying to avoid things designed by God(TM).

    7. Re:A review from someone who owns one by jseale · · Score: 2, Insightful
      It's new technology for crying out loud!!

      I know it's a battery hog but as for the signal strength issue on broadcast TV reception you might want to give your R3 a better antenna. If you are particularly aiming for UHF stuff, get one of those 800 Mhz antennas.

      Universal Radio and Grove Enterprises are good places to go for stuff like that.

    8. Re:A review from someone who owns one by hatmouse · · Score: 4, Informative

      I would add that the Icom R-3 is difficult to program. I would have like to seen more single propose instead of a few multi-funtion buttons.

    9. Re:A review from someone who owns one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I dunno, those things called something like woman (c) can be pretty darn interesting to play with.

    10. Re:A review from someone who owns one by foldedspace · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I had one also. I sold it on the internet a long time ago. It does eat batteries and it does have weak reception. I could unplug the antenna from my TV and still get a better picture than the R-3 with the antenna plugged in, on the same channel. I expected MUCH better reception for the huge chunk of cash I paid. I think I paid over $600 for all of the gadgets and goodies.

      I also used to have a no gap (cell) wide band scanning receiver. Same deal. If it doesn't work, what's the point?

      How much do you have to pay to get a decent radio? The Icom R-8500 is about $1500 without any toys. I'd probably buy one if I knew there was something cool to listen to here. I don't really think there is though. :(

    11. Re:A review from someone who owns one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With this image, the girls would truly be little. Besides, you ought to know out of your own experience that it's hard to jerk off when the 2" video is larger than your penis...

  6. Sounds like that thing from Ocean's Eleven by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sounds like that thing from Ocean's Eleven the little guy used to test his "tap" of the security cameras with.

  7. Too bad ... by ProfMoriarty · · Score: 4, Informative
    Just a couple of days late for a $100(US) "rebate" ... R-3 link

    Still ... $450 for a ultra-wide band WITH a 2" TFT ...

    Only better (at 10x the price) would be the AR-one here, almost forgot ... have to be a non-US location to ship to ...

    --
    Karma? Karma? I don't need no stinkin' karma.
    1. Re:Too bad ... by Skuld-Chan · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Only better (at 10x the price) would be the AR-one here, almost forgot ... have to be a non-US location to ship to ...

      Its nice to have relatives in Canada :).

      Its sad though. I think we are one of the few industrialized nations on earth who have rescrictions on what frequencies can be listened to and when.

      Many states for instance have anti-scanner laws that prohibit you from having a R3 or another scanner in your car.

      And you know the cops don't want you listening in when they switch to encrypted digital repeaters.

    2. Re:Too bad ... by Teun · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Its sad though. I think we are one of the few industrialized nations on earth who have rescrictions on what frequencies can be listened to and when.

      Don't forget the strict limitations in Germany and France. In the case of Germany I'll allow you one guess to who came up with these legal restrictions of the (in my opinion) universal right to information...

      Another, not so surprising, example is that many years ago my Sony ICF 2000 was confiscated when entering Saudi Arabia.

      --
      "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
    3. Re:Too bad ... by 40000 · · Score: 1

      In the UK it's illegal to listen to anything other than brodcast, ham radio and CB (unless it's a frequency you're licenced to transmit on). So in theory you can't listen to air and marine frequencies with a scanner but as the RA (http://www.radio.gov.uk) admits, they aren't really wanting to take action. The police are only interested in whether a scanner user is listening to them and anybody who uses any sort of 'interesting' radio outdoors can expect to be asked questions about it at least once (all they usually do is check that what is coming out of your scanner is not the same as what they are hearing on their police radio). Within about 3 years the police forces in England and Wales will all be using digital encrypted radio systems (TETRA), basically a private cell phone network, some forces already use this.
      There was never any of this cell phone frequency blocking business here, it wouldn't be much use now, the analogue cellphones went off the air 3 years ago.

    4. Re:Too bad ... by Derling+Whirvish · · Score: 1

      The UK police don't want you to listen to them? The last time I was there (in 1986) I rented a car and found it curious that the police radio frequencies were right smack-dab in the center of the FM radio band. You could tune them on your car radio as you drove around. If it wasn't for that annoying beep they sent every few seconds it would have made fascinating listening. I assume they have moved these transmissions to a better location now?

    5. Re:Too bad ... by caferace · · Score: 1

      These folks have it for $339.95. Not that I have $339.95 to blow on something like this, but if I did...

    6. Re:Too bad ... by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 1

      Yep. They moved in the late 80's or early 90's. My Dad got a scanner around 1993 and it was a laugh trying to figure out who we were picking up.

      Was kinda funny being able to tune along the FM dial in those days. "Music, sports, music, robbery in progress, music..."

    7. Re:Too bad ... by Skuld-Chan · · Score: 1

      I suppose one difference is in the US its illegal to modify your radio to recieve blocked frequencies wheras in most countries you can get a scanner that recieves everything, but your just now allowed to.

      Its also technically illegal to go to canada and import radios capable of recieving cellular repeaters.

    8. Re:Too bad ... by frank_adrian314159 · · Score: 1
      ... many years ago my Sony ICF 2000 was confiscated when entering Saudi Arabia.

      Oh man! That really sucks. The ICF-2000 is a really great radio, even though (maybe because) its design is getting a bit long in the tooth. If anyone want to get into shortwave, this is an absolutely fabulous radio to get you started. Even though it's a bit pricier than some of its other portable cousins, it's worth every penny.

      --
      That is all.
  8. Re:How much and where can I buy one? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    C.Crane, $449.95

    http://www.ccrane.com/icom_icr3.asp

  9. TV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    This TV is neither advanced, nor portable.

    1. Re:TV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Worst..Post..Ever!

  10. Not quite sure... by PakProtector · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...I don't think I saw anything mentioned in the article, but the picture I saw of this device made it look like it had a built-in pen.

    Is this a standard feature? I remember many a time I've been watching pronography and have said to myself:

    "Damn. I need a pen! I should be taking notes on this!"

    If this TV has a built in pen, it's perfect for me!

    --

    Edward@Tomato - /home/Edward/ man woman
    man: no entry for woman in the manual.
    "Qua!?"

  11. Probably cheaper to buy separately by bobo333 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well . It's good to see Americans are making Tv's again.

    1. Re:Probably cheaper to buy separately by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      ICOM is a Japanese company, asshat.

  12. Most Frequency used channels??? by twoslice · · Score: 1, Funny

    The IC-R3 has 400 memory channels to store your most frequency used channels.>/i?

    What the hell is a frequency used channel? Is it the frequency one uses frequently?

    --

    From excellent karma to terible karma with a single +5 funny post...
    1. Re:Most Frequency used channels??? by skookum · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's one of those secret codewords known only to the secret sect of those who have deciphered the mysteries of the tag.

    2. Re:Most Frequency used channels??? by bobwoodard · · Score: 1
      What the hell is a frequency used channel? Is it the frequency one uses frequently?

      Do you find yourself trying to find someone named Kenneth to talk to?

  13. Use of scanner by bdigit · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I know someone who has one, had it for a couple of years now and built a helicopter that had a network cam attached to it so he could fly it around and checkout the video feed from it. Very cool hack. If you want to get one with cellular unblocked check out this site.. http://www.radioworld.ca/swscan/swsc.php All though not many people are still using analog cellphones.

    1. Re:Use of scanner by angryLNX · · Score: 1

      yes they are ;)

    2. Re:Use of scanner by suwain_2 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Just a note for those not aware... buying a scanner capable of receiving the cell band is illegal in the US, as is listening in. (ie, unlike many things, just owning a scanner capable of listening to the cell bands is illegal, although I think people who had them prior to the law were 'grandfathered')

      Not that I personally have any objections to this, just figured I'd point out that if you're a US resident not wishing to go to jail, you may wish to buy cell-blocked versions.

      --
      ________________________________________________
      suwain_2 :: quality slashdot p
    3. Re:Use of scanner by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure, even though almost everyone is using a digital phone nowadays, and the code has not been cracked to the best of my knowledge, there is still tons to listen to on the cellular bands.

      I was a little suprised by all of the analog traffic out there. Someone told me that they still use analog repeaters but I'm not sure about that one.

      Anyway, it is not illegal to listen to any signal in Canada so you can buy the unblocked IC-R3 there. Most stores won't ship to the US though.

  14. Cost for the non-american version. by BrookHarty · · Score: 3, Informative

    Frequency Range:
    USA version: 0.495-815.995 MHz, 902-2450.095 MHz
    Non-USA version: 0.495-2450.095 MHz

    Ok, so where can I buy a Non-USA version? And price.

    1. Re:Cost for the non-american version. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
      At the risk of being a Karma-Whore ...

      Here you can buy it ...

    2. Re:Cost for the non-american version. by phillymjs · · Score: 1

      $539.95, but:

      The R-3-27-GOVT model is the same as above, but without the 816-902 MHz gap and can be purchased via government or qualifying commercial purchase order or for export only. Not available for on-line ordering.

    3. Re:Cost for the non-american version. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Buy the USA version, the build a frequency converter to receive the "good" frequencies.

    4. Re:Cost for the non-american version. by Nkwe · · Score: 1

      Or just figure out what internal jumper to add or remove to turn the blocked range back on.

    5. Re:Cost for the non-american version. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Non-USA one won't let you receive NTSC signals.
      USA one will let you receive NTSC TV but you get that frequency block.
      I want one that lets me choose PAL and flavour, NTSC, Secam, whatever! I took mine on holiday to Spain and couldn't pick up a thing. Hell! I couldn't even pick up anything on the plane and the airline stewardess asked me to turn it off cos she didn't know what it was :-) Bah!

    6. Re:Cost for the non-american version. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Know of any place that acts as a mail order proxy?

      iow, ship to Canada or other non-US address, they redirect to the appropriate US location?

    7. Re:Cost for the non-american version. by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 1

      Generally the blocking CANNOT BE MODIFIED! I don't think any scanner made since the late 90's can be modded. I know my Pro-67 from RatShack can't be, and I got that early 2000. (In Canada, sadly. Fucking Radio Shack.)

      It USED to be a case of being able to mod it, but MOST, if not all scanners now, you're SOL.

  15. I actually said "ooh!" out loud by armaghetto · · Score: 1

    pretty sick

    1. Re:I actually said "ooh!" out loud by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      pretty sick

      You're right.. it's downright disgusting.

  16. price and unhobbled NTSC version by frovingslosh · · Score: 0
    Anyone know the price of this thing? (Why even bother to post about it without that basic information? Clearly this and more are available if price is no object.)

    And only the US version is hobbled with the cell frequency clock. Anyone know if there is a non-US NTSC version available anywhere?

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
  17. Amateur television? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Pinky?"

    1. Re:Amateur television? by Farley+Mullet · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah, but where are we going to get a plumber who speaks Norwegian, Brain?

    2. Re:Amateur television? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right here. He's the winner of the Norwegian Idol-competition. And he's a plumber. Yay.

  18. Been out for a couple of years now... by no_such_user · · Score: 4, Informative

    Take a look here for some specs. Unfortunately, this receiver has been out for a few years now, and has never had reviews that are all that stunning. Complaints are generally regarding poor sensitivity, which as a owner of a IC-Q7A (Icom's ham version of the IC-R2), doesn't surprise me one bit.

    What always surprised me was the crummy UI on this thing. You've got a full color dot matrix display on the thing -- why isn't there a sophisticated OS, slick icons, and on-screen help guide? Why isn't there a flashable ROM for OS upgrades? How about a smartmedia slot to store screenshots? It's almost as if they're afraid to sell too many of the things, so they cripple it my making it cryptic to use, with a lousy UI, and no features.

  19. Missing Feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's advanced? If it was really an advanced TV it would automatically block Jerry Springer.

  20. unblocked for cellular == waste of time by puzzled · · Score: 4, Funny

    I used to own an early model Icom PCR1000 - nice receiver, could hear cell bands, but WHO THE HELL CARES? You get to hear the cell site side of a two way conversation and its usually some yokel who can't afford a digital phone trying to rig a meeting with his girlfriend while his wife is at the grocery store.

    Don't violate the FCC's rules to listen to crap like that - just use the thing to tune in to Jerry Springer and you'll see the results of what happens when people make calls on analog cellular.

    --
    I am very easy to get along with, but I don't have time to waste being nice to people who are being stupid. -Theo
    1. Re:unblocked for cellular == waste of time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I totally agree. it's just not worth it. There's nothing worth listening to. And heck, almost everyone has a digital phone now too! I can't remember the last time I even saw an analog cell phone??

      There's really not much to listen to on a scanner these days anyway. Everyone is going digital. All the local police around here are.

      I just use my scanner to listen to the weather and some of the local 2m and 70cm repeaters.

    2. Re:unblocked for cellular == waste of time by Nogami_Saeko · · Score: 2, Informative

      I used to have a uniden bearcat scanner back in the early 90s that could receive all of the normal frequencies (except for the military ones).

      Great fun, could listen to all of the emergency services, all cell phones (they were all analog at the time), cordless phones, with a little serial port interface, you could decode pager text messages, etc.

      I sold it off on EBay just before they clamped down on "frequency-unlocked" scanners.

      Now 95% of cell phones are digital and encrypted/compressed, and most of the emergency services have scrambled. Cordless phones have gone spread-spectrum with some of them having basic or digital scrambling as well. Pagers have all but vanished in place of cheap digital cell phones and text messages.

      Kind of like the demise of the BUD (big ugly dish) that was used for pulling down raw analog feeds once everyone starting going digitally compressed/encrypted.

      But it was fun while it lasted.

      N.

      --
      "Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence." - Charles de Gaulle
    3. Re:unblocked for cellular == waste of time by GigsVT · · Score: 1

      People still use baby monitors though. At 49Mhz even. I wonder how many of them realize that signal can carry for many, many miles?

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    4. Re:unblocked for cellular == waste of time by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 1

      Indeed. The people opposite my house have their monitor on a lot. Hear all kinds of interesting things as the mikes on those things are very sensitive.

      And I don't know why people are saying 95% of cellular is digital now. God knows the amount I hear on my scanner is the same as it always has been.

    5. Re:unblocked for cellular == waste of time by Reece400 · · Score: 1

      I can have lots of fun at my house :).. we'll leave it at where i live,, digital service is weak to non existant,, and i live right beside a major highway :D,

      Reece,

    6. Re:unblocked for cellular == waste of time by Goldberg's+Pants · · Score: 1

      Wish my town was that interesting!:) Was a lot more fun when I lived in the city. Small towns just aren't as interesting.

  21. One word. by cybermace5 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Christmas.

    --
    ...
  22. -1 Redundant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Material goods = trivial

    Simplify, indeed.

  23. Also by ICOM by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I forgot to mention this in the submission, but ICOM also makes scanners that you can hook up to a regular PC. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there is any Linux software...

    A number of you have noted that the American version blocks the cell phone frequencies, but rumor has it that snipping out a resistor removes the block.

    --Eric

    1. Re:Also by ICOM by BJH · · Score: 1

      Well, you obviously didn't look too hard for Linux software ;)

    2. Re:Also by ICOM by caluml · · Score: 1
      Are there any precautions that I should know about? There are a couple of them. First, BACK UP YOUR PCR-1000 EEPROM! There are many programs to do this with, mostly under Windows and DOS.

      So it's gamble, or install Windows to use it?

      --
      Get your own free personal location tracker
    3. Re:Also by ICOM by BJH · · Score: 1

      Well, he does say "most", and there's always dosemu or FreeDOS...

  24. oh great... by useosx · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    The 1+ to -1 post ratio is going to go to hell on this story.

  25. Re:GET A JOB YOU FUCKING HIPPIE!! by cybermace5 · · Score: 0

    Ok.

    --
    ...
  26. X10 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Oh great!

    Now I don't have to pay for a wireless X10 to be a vouyer, I can just "borrow" the singnals from around the neighborhood!!

    Just like my free wireless internet access!

  27. The Road To Happiness by jkeegan · · Score: 5, Funny

    ICON IC-R3 $449.95
    Extra Battery & car adaptor $119.95
    Series1 Standalone TiVo(eBay) $182.50
    Car->110volt-adapter $ 35.99
    Hacking TiVo Book $ 20.99
    AirNET adapter $ 69.25

    Watching extracted TiVo video synced from your
    house to your car: Pricele..... **CRASH**

    New Fender $210.00
    Insurance Deductable $300.00
    Emergency Room Co-pay $ 50.00

    --

    ..Jeff Keegan
    seven syllables explain TiVo: kee gan dot org slash ti vo
    1. Re:The Road To Happiness by Isao · · Score: 1
      Uh, sock away $500 or $1000 in your checking account, and raise your deductable to $500 or $1000 NOW. You'll save greatly in premiums (ask your agent for a quote).

      If you're really daring, use the money you save to buy an umbrella policy.

  28. Free WiFi Represent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who would have thought suburbia could be a treasure chest of open APs

  29. Cellular Frequencies Blocked...... by unclefungus · · Score: 1, Interesting

    at least thats what is says on the page, how hard would a firmware hack be to fix that, and listen to all sorts of people on cellphones? maybe w/ an addon decoded for the digital signal.

    1. Re:Cellular Frequencies Blocked...... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      at least thats what is says on the page, how hard would a firmware hack be to fix that, and listen to all sorts of people on cellphones? maybe w/ an addon decoded for the digital signal.

      If you want to listen to analog cellular.. it's not very expensive to pick up an unblocked scanner from EBay. Then you can hear exciting conversations from people who own analog cell phones.. like your grandma.

      "Yes, it was lovely. You should have seen the bingo parlor layout. The tables, yes, faux wood everywhere. Truly beautiful!"

    2. Re:Cellular Frequencies Blocked...... by bhtooefr · · Score: 1

      Your grandma has one too? That makes two analog cells in use today!

  30. two 1/8" pluges by kcim · · Score: 1

    Ok checkin out the spec., one 1/8" stereo plug for data to clone units etc.. The other 1/8" stereo plug is for audio /video. Questions, what is spec. on audio/video plug, I wonder if you can get pager and trunking data off the video or audio.also what is the resiloution of the video output anyway? Or do I find the detector out from inside anyway? Has anybody plugin to the wrong 1/8" jack ? damage?

    1. Re:two 1/8" pluges by n9hmg · · Score: 1

      Questions, what is spec. on audio/video plug
      Duh! Line-level audio, NTSC BBV. Data jack is probably TTL, but it doesn't matter, as the only function enabled is cloning. No CAT system.

  31. MOD DOWN PARENT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "goatse link in parent" troll. Do not be fooled!

  32. When... by inertia187 · · Score: 1

    So when will the HDTV version hit the market?

    --
    A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
  33. Re:The HP49G+ is Coming!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It would seem to me that a calculator based on ARM would suck a major dick. Doesn't ARM have no built-in floating point math?

  34. Canada importing by slothman32 · · Score: 1

    As many know the US one has certain frequencies blocked while the non-US one doesn't. Is it legal to mail it to a P.O. box, or equivalent, in Canada and carry it over the border to the U.S.? I would assume so since older ones without the blocking are legal.

    --
    Why don't you guys have friends or journals?
    1. Re:Canada importing by plover · · Score: 0, Informative
      I AM NOT A LAWYER but...

      I'm pretty sure it's illegal. I think it might be legal if you never ever listen to the cellular frequencies, but then why bother?

      That reminds me, some guy named John Ashcroft called. He wants a word with you.

      --
      John
    2. Re:Canada importing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No shit its illegal.

      However, I find that reminiscent of Nazi Germany to be told what you can and cannot listen to on the radio.

      Michael Powell (of the FCC), I am throwing my middle finger at you. Fuck you.

    3. Re:Canada importing by anubi · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I would sure like to know whats supposed to be so damned picky about the cellular frequencies anyway.. If you are going to transmit on a wide open carrier, you might as well be talking in public anyway. I have seen in no case where passing some damned law stopped this kind of eavesdropping, it merely made stuff harder to build, more prone to failures, and did nothing to enhance the usability of it.

      I think every analog ( that is, tuned with a variable capacitor ) radio out there that can tune these frequencies will do so. So whats the big deal?

      If privacy is a big concern, go scrambled digital. Go ahead and listen if you wanna.. it'll sound like white noise to you unless you have its decryption codes. Many of us that have a desire to tune through the cellular bands have no urge whatsoever to eavesdrop on calls - we are trying to find spectral areas where EMI is causing a problem.. say somebody keys some cellphone in an area and something else goes haywire - this kinda thing is often traced to something as simple as a piece of wire that just happened to be cut to resonance.. ( this works in the RF arena just like a loose piece of metal on your car rattles at a certain speed in the mechanical arena.)

      Being this thing is such a wide-range receiver, and apparently also functions as a spectrum analyzer, it sure seems like a moot enforcement of what I consider stupid law to cripple it in such a manner as to render it useless for determining RF "pollution" in such a common area as cellphone spectrum. Especially being there are so many other ways of eavesdropping cell calls if thats what you really wanted to do. This thing would probably be one of the most expensive cell phone monitors you could buy if thats what you wanted it for.

      This is such a neat piece of engineering. I just hate to see pesky law poke holes in it. For no good reason at all as I see it.

      And you cellphone users: if you want privacy, encrypt your damm calls.

      --
      "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]

    4. Re:Canada importing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I typically just encrypt my cell phone calls with ROT-13.

    5. Re:Canada importing by n9hmg · · Score: 2, Insightful

      That sounds like something my 6-year-old daughter would think. Not the part about the middle finger, but about the agency required to enforce a law being the entity that made the law. The FCC does have some leeway in the way they right specific regulations, but they work under laws passed enacted by the legislature.
      Analog cellular is blocked in US receivers because of the "Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986". First, some drug dealers were caught because they made plans over the radio, somehow imagining that these radio sets were in fact secure wired phones. They argued in court the patently absurd idea that they had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Of course, they lost (except in the 9th court of appeals, of course). The rest of the stupid people thought that they should have privacy while speaking out loud in public, and rather than being mindful of what they say in public, they wanted, and got, a law making it illegal to hear what a person is saying, unless specifically addressed.
      Mind, I don't care what people are talking about. I just think it's absurd that we are legally required to pretend that they aren't talking. What's next, a law barring turning your gaze at right angles to the street, so as to avoid noticing what people are doing in front of their picture windows?
      Anyway, we're in agreement as to the absurdity of the law. Just don't go blaming the cops for the laws.

    6. Re:Canada importing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The FCC regulations are namely proposed by the FCC themselves. They are the agency. Rarely does Congress not listen--notable examples are the recent media consolidation and the low-power FM stations in the (mid?)90s.

      In this case, the "cops" are the ones proposing the damn laws. They are not less culpable because Congress passes them.

      Next, you'll be arguing it's not the RIAA's fault that they go after 'illegal' mp3s.

    7. Re:Canada importing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      "Is it legal to mail it to a P.O. box, or equivalent, in Canada"

      Yes.

      "and carry it over the border to the U.S.?"

      Not legal.

      btw, IANAL

      But from a summary of telecommunications stuff I read, they get you on 2 fronts:

      First, section 302(d) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. Section 302(d) says the FCC may not authorize such scanning equipment that allows the receiving of (domestic) cell transmissions. FCC. 47CFR 2.803 says that the sale or lease of such scanning equipment not authorized by the FCC is prohibited.

      Second, 47 CFR 15.121 made it illegal for the manufacture or *import* of such receivers after April 26, 1994. Again, IANAL, but the second may be interesting if someone can find such a scanner and prove it was in the country prior to that date.

      Not that I condone illegal action, but I find the US law absurd, if you want to get around this, remail it from a false Canadian address to your US address and use an accurate but vague custom's form description. Explaining it on person to border guards or customs would be problematic; receipt may be shrugged away by keeping your mouth shut.

      (The US law also says that you can receive radio transmissions, but certain ones, if you use them for your benefit, then it becomes illegal. wtf?)

  35. picking up 2.4G wireless video from afar by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Attach a pringle's can antenna or a Cantenna to your wireless TV reciever. I havnen't tried it myself, but it should work. You may get ghosting of the video, though..

    1. Re:picking up 2.4G wireless video from afar by josecanuc · · Score: 3, Informative

      While it may help a little bit to put on an antenna tuned more closely to 2.4 GHz, the effect would be marginal. The problem isn't necessarily that the antenna isn't getting the signal good enough, it's that the receiver circuitry is less sensitive in the 2.4 GHz range.

      It's very difficult to create a tuning circuit (which all receivers have) that is very sensitive across a wide range of frequencies. I would guess that this receiver is most sensitive in the VHF/UHF or even 800 MHz bands. From the specs, it looks like the upper end of the range for the R-3 is 2540 MHz (2.54 GHz), which isn't necessarily the clear-cut end of receiving capability for the product, it's just where the engineers (or marketers) decided to print the cutoff because the sensitivity drops off quickly somewhere around there.

      The solution might be a 'transverter' device which essentially acts as another IF stage in the receiver, mixing all input signals with a fixed frequency. The result is several sidebands, at least one of which is offset from the input signal by the value of the fixed frequency.

      Example: You want to see a video transmission on 2.450 GHz, but the receiver is not sensitive there. You build a little circuit that uses a diode to mix the incoming frequency with a 1000 MHz signal generated by a crystal (good luck finding a 1GHz crystal ;-) ). Then you can tune your receiver to either 1.450 GHz (2.45 GHz - 1.00 GHz) and find a slightly weaker copy of the 2.45 GHz signal there. If the increased sensitivity of your receiver in the 1.45 GHz area is larger than the decrease in the signal strength by mixing (which is probably some calculable amount, but I don't want to take the time to figure it out...), then you will end up with a clearer picture of the 2.45 GHz video signal.

      This technique is sometimes used by folks who really want to break US law and listen to cell-phone conversations. Nevermind that nowadays analog calls are nearly extinct. By law all receivers sold in the US must block tuning in of the cell-phone frequencies, which are around 850-900 MHz. (That's different these days with digital, but we're talking about analog.). Since nearly all receivers of FM audo use an IF (Intermediate Frequency, like the 1000 MHz signal we used above) of 10.7 MHz, users found they could tune to some multiple of 10.7 MHz below or above the cell phone frequencies and hear the 'images' of the calls. Nowadays scanner manufacturers extend those blocked frequencies to the image frequencies as well, so most folks are out-of-luck unless they build their own receiver for 850 MHz.

  36. Amateur Television by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Gimme a P!
    P!!!
    Gimme an R!
    R!!!
    Gimme a zero!
    Zero!!!
    Gimme an N!
    N!!!

    What does that spell???

  37. Icom stuff is just plain cool by Akardam · · Score: 1

    Somewhat OT, but I use one of their PCR 1000 wide-band computer controlled receivers in my Jeep not only to monitor ham and NOAA channels, but also in place of the am/fm stereo. Good stuff.

  38. Re:The HP49G+ is Coming!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Neither does the Motorola chips used in the TI calcs, or the Saturn in the HP calcs.

  39. old & short battery life by Nullsmack · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm going to agree with others, this isn't new.. I've been drooling over this radio for something like 2 years now.

    One downside that I've found in my reading is that when you're using the bigger lcd (for tv and better scanner control) it drains your batteries much faster. You can control the scanner with the smaller lcd, but I think more complex options need the color lcd to set. If you're running it at home on an AC adapter, then you're okay, but mobile is kinda limited with the effect video reception/display has on battery life.

    Then again, if you're the kind of person that drives around with their laptop searching for wifi networks, you might be used to that kind of battery life already.

    1. Re:old & short battery life by bhtooefr · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Then again, if you're the kind of person that drives around with their laptop searching for wifi networks, you might be used to that kind of battery life already.

      Why use your laptop when you can use this?

  40. Re:FIRST POST! by Cyberllama · · Score: 1

    Why does it say "lunix" instead of "linux". Surely theres some clever joke there that I just don't get. . .

  41. iCOM Receiver by tkarr · · Score: 1

    Why use this device? I have one built into my head. Oh wait, weren't you all assimilated too? In that case... In reality, I think this is an *interesting* concept, however unless you're watching the teletubbies you're not going to fit much on the screen. I bet with current technology though if they made the screen bigger the picture would have crappy quality.

  42. Re:FIRST POST! by LBArrettAnderson · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    lunix is a calculator OS.. i forget which one, however.... one of the TI's.

  43. NASCAR by Spodie! · · Score: 0

    This is perfect for all of those NASCAR fanatics. Watch as some guy destroys his car into a wall and listen to his pit crew cry at the same time!

  44. Re:FIRST POST! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    < LUNIX! >
    \
    \
    .--.
    |o_o |
    |:_/ |
    // \ \
    (| | )
    /'\_ _/`\
    \___)=(___/

  45. So what by AndyAMPohl · · Score: 1

    What I really need is a 1080i capable 2 inch HDTV.

  46. Digital TV ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    I mean here in the UK we are switching off analog tv in 2010 (i believe you yanks are doing the same) what good will this kind of TV be then ?

    1. Re:Digital TV ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What good are morse code transceivers nowadays?

  47. $360 here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Found it for $360 at the following site, along with a bunch of accessories:

    http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/widerxvr/ 33 33.html

    There's also a "gov" version that does not block U.S. cell phone freqs.

  48. Radioworld -- Toronto CDN$599 by mks113 · · Score: 1

    http://www.radioworld.ca/swscan/swsc.php

  49. and that's not all by The+Tyro · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It's also illegal to listen in on cordless phones.

    I'm a long-time HAM, and I also have one of the old scanners that gets cellular (old Radio Shack model), and many can be modified to receive cellular signals (though this is illegal... do a google for scanner mods and you'll see how easy it is).

    The Cordless phone prohibition came later... I can't recall the year, but a hue-and-cry came about from people scanning the old 49.x mHz cordless phones. Naturally, the newer 900 mhz and 2.4ghz models with spread-spectrum require a bit more technical expertise than the old turn-on-the-scanner-and-listen routine. Even the Donald-Duck-sounding "scrambled" ones used a simple frequency inversion routine that you could easily decode (probably a DMCA violation these days).

    The trunking radio systems put a brief dent in the scanning scene, but you can even get scanners to track those now.

    Years ago, a buddy of mine lived in an apartment, and had an enormous dipole tacked up in the attic of his building, tuned specifically to the 49.x band... got every cordless phone for blocks. It was a rough neighborhood, so he sometimes got to hear the drug dealers doing business, and the ex-cons talking to their parole officers. I suppose that's the lazy man's way to get to know who your neighbors are BEFORE you invite them over for a neighborhood BBQ. However, before you run out and set up a similar rig, I can tell you that most people's conversations are relentlessly boring. Nosy, boring, and illegal... hardly worth it.

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
  50. Keep in mind by stangbat · · Score: 2, Informative

    Keep in mind that if you live in a large metropolitan area most public service broadcasts (fire, police) use trunked systems. A scanner like this won't help you much when trying to follow any activity on a trunked system. Many even use digital trunking, which you can't monitor at all unless you get a scanner such as the Bearcat BC250D and the optional BCi 25D digital card.

    Blocked analog cellular is nothing new here in the US. It really isn't a big deal as fewer people use analog cellular anymore. Most scanners can be opened up to receive the cellular bands, but it usually takes some skill with a soldering iron (I'm not sure if this receiver can be easily modified in this way).

  51. the most useless radio I ever bought by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Some buttons have 3 functions, depending on how long you hold them down. And, their labels give you no clue.

  52. first rate ham gear by lophophore · · Score: 1

    Icom is a top-tier manufacturer of ham radio gear. Their newest creation, the D-STAR system supports 128 kb/s data and phone (voice) over 1.2 GHz links and 10 GHz backbone links. The user radios have a mike, speaker, control head, as well as USB and 10 base T ethernet. Very interesting stuff.

    --
    there are 3 kinds of people:
    * those who can count
    * those who can't
  53. Gaps in coverage... by psychofox · · Score: 1
    From the Article:

    Hours of Fun The IC-R3 also has an extremely wide receive range of .5-2450 MHz, except for the cellular ranges. Speaking of hours of fun! The IC-R3 comes with a Li-Ion battery offering up to 27 hours of continual operation!

    How strange... People still use analogue cellular phones???

    1. Re:Gaps in coverage... by AndyChrist · · Score: 2, Informative

      Those old Motorola phones (with the trapezoidal batteries on back) are still fairly popular in Alaska due to the fact that they have decent talk time in the cold. Most phones with smaller batteries cool off too fast, and thus can give you as little as 10 minutes of air time in cold weather.

      I had this AWESOME little CDMA phone when I was in Japan...a list of features that would be found only in the $300+ range in the US today (and it was the CHEAPEST PHONE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME....THREE YEARS AGO), a battery I'd charge AT MOST once a week...but if I tried using it outside at anything below about 10F, it'd die in 15 minutes.

      Sometimes you lose something when you upgrade.

  54. Amateur Television eh? by MacGod · · Score: 1

    I think I got some spam about a website featuring some "amateur television"....

    --
    "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one " -Albert Einstein
  55. One obvious shortcoming by Logopop · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Being a ham radio operator (although slightly dormant at the moment) I fall for gadgets like these. I've owned a bunch of Icom's in my career. One reason to buy this product would be to bring it with me when I travel. However, it can only do either PAL or NTSC, you have to choose when you order the radio. That's just silly. There's silicone available today that could have made this a TV DX'ers dream (while jetting from one continent to the next). However, with this limitation it just doesn't make any sense to me. I guess I'll have to wait for the -R4 version...?

    73,
    -Kris

  56. W00t! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've got one... and a Cy-visor :-)
    Walk-about-TV-o-rama!

  57. No FM video demod by pestie · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Another complaint I've heard about the IC-R3 is that it doesn't demodulate FM video across its entire receive range (or maybe not at all). A lot of "interesting" video is FM modulated, not AM (like broadcast TV, amateur TV, etc.) That alone would keep me from buying it, but throw in the poor sensitivity and I just don't see the point. Besides, I'm lucky enough to have an AOR AR-5000+3, so I can just add one of these and a cheap video monitor or video capture card to it and get the same functionality, albeit with less portability.

  58. The old Icom R-7000 had a video adapter as well by hax4bux · · Score: 2, Informative

    I bought mine in 1987, w/the video adapter. Interesting for a few months... //de KQ6J

    1. Re:The old Icom R-7000 had a video adapter as well by doppleganger871 · · Score: 1

      Ya know, sometimes /. posts old news as new news... well, maybe not sometimes... most of the time, nah, all the time, close to never? shrug.

      --
      -- Liberalism is a mental disorder.
  59. Re:FIRST POST! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    _.oooooo..o___.oooooo._____.oooooo.
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    888______888___`888.___.8888.___.8'____8_`88b.____ 8__Y88bo.
    888______888____`888__.8'`888._.8'_____8___`88b.__ 8___`"Y8888o.
    888______888_____`888.8'__`888.8'______8_____`88b. 8_______`"Y88b
    `88b____d88'______`888'____`888'_______8_______`88 8__oo_____.d8P
    _`Y8bood8P'________`8'______`8'_______o8o________` 8__8""88888P'

    ooooo________ooooo_____ooo_ooooo______ooo_ooooo_oo ooooo__ooooo
    `888'________`888'_____`8'_`888b._____`8'_`888'__` 8888____d8'
    _888__________888_______8___8_`88b.____8___888____ _Y888..8P
    _888__________888_______8___8___`88b.__8___888____ __`8888'
    _888__________888_______8___8_____`88b.8___888____ _.8PY888.
    _888_______o__`88.____.8'___8_______`888___888____ d8'__`888b
    o888ooooood8____`YbodP'____o8o________`8__o888o_o8 88o__o88888o

  60. World's Most Advanced Portable Toilet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm gonna need one. So I can take all the shit comming out of the World's Most Advanced Portable TV and put it directly into it.

  61. Re:How much and where can I buy one? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Actually, the cheapest price I have seen for the ic-r3 is at Ham Radio Outlet (hamradio.com). You can get it for $349.95 there.

  62. Another gripe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Something to note: The top end of the 2.4 GHz amateur band in the US is 2450 MHz, and this is there the coverage of the R3 Ends. There is a wealth of non-amateur video between 2450 and 2500 MHz. Some popular part 15 wireless video devices have channels in that range (as well as 2400 to 2450), and all sorts of part 90 (more interesting) devices work up there.

    It may not be legal to receive everything you can find in the 2.4 GHz band, and IANAL. But if you know what you're doing, the transverter mentioned a few posts back might be useful to you.

  63. All that's missing is... by spike+it · · Score: 1

    All this thing needs is wireless internet and it will be the ultimate machine.

  64. Re:most logs ARE boring hence the grep by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Doesn't the NSA have a project that logs all this traffic to text? I can't remember what its called, but its very devious and monitors radio, voice, cellular, tcpip etc...into a single framework.