An Offline Radio Monitoring Logger Built by a Radio Tragic, for Radio Tragics
Download Link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1atydTFMAHxz5yJspzxtkDHhdlmSj3rGy/view?usp=drive_link
Welcome to VK7AAL, a personal radio blog exploring radio scanning, monitoring and amateur radio from Launceston Tasmania. This site documents what I hear, test, and learn across the VHF and UHF bands, with a focus on receivers, antennas, low-cost experiments and the home of RadioFreakDB. All content reflects my personal interests and monitoring. This is shared for hobby, learning, and technical curiosity purposes only.
An Offline Radio Monitoring Logger Built by a Radio Tragic, for Radio Tragics
Download Link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1atydTFMAHxz5yJspzxtkDHhdlmSj3rGy/view?usp=drive_link
I recently picked up this understated little sling bag on clearance for $19 (down from $30), and it’s quickly become one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” upgrades to my portable radio setup.
The big driver here is mobility. My knees haven’t been great, and having both hands free while walking, whether it’s for balance, climbing, or just managing uneven ground, is genuinely important. A sling bag keeps everything close, accessible, and out of the way.
That said, this part didn’t go smoothly…
So… out came the hacksaw.
I cut the container down and reassembled it to about two-thirds of its original thickness. A few screws anchor it to the middle timber divider, and some tape holds the structure together. It’s not pretty, but it’s solid, nobody will see it once it is in the bag and most importantly, it works.
This little DIY hack turned what could have been a failed idea into a really functional setup.
And that last point is probably the biggest one. Because it’s so easy to carry, I’m taking my radios out more often, which naturally leads to discovering new signals and monitoring opportunities.
Sometimes the best solutions aren’t off-the-shelf, they’re the ones you tweak to fit your own way of doing things.
In this video, I demonstrate the Uniden BCD160DN band scope feature and how it can be useful for or hunting down new and interesting frequencies.
There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a gear storage solution that’s both functional and minimal, not bulky, not overbuilt, just exactly what you need. Enter the Sistema To Go Radio Case, a humble but clever low-profile solution for radio operators, field techs, and anyone who likes to keep their communications tools tidy and ready.
When you’re loading up for a field day, a commute, or even just shelf storage, bulk is the enemy. Traditional radio bags and padded gear cases are great, until you realize half the space is wasted. I wanted something that:
The answer? A plastic Sistema To Go lunchbox style container.
Looking at the top view, the layout is simple but thoughtful:
No bulky tool bags or unnecessary pockets, everything has its place. The clear lid lets you visually confirm contents before opening.
Foam padding under the main radio section and the dividers stop items from clanging together. Whether it’s a portable handheld or spare batteries, it all stays protected.
If this case gets bumped around or left out in the field, it’s no big loss. You can replace it for under $10, compared to $100+ rugged cases.
The Sistema To Go Radio Case isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have foam-cut inserts straight from a factory. But that’s the point. It’s low-profile, practical, customizable, and most importantly functional.
Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones.
These work by pressing and holding the listed keys, while you turn on the Uniden BCD160DN.
Modern radio scanners are incredibly capable devices, but getting them set up properly can be frustrating. Many scanners support hundreds or even thousands of channels, multiple operating modes, and complex memory systems. Without the right software, cables, or experience, programming them can take a lot of time and trial and error.
To help make things easier, I offer a radio scanner programming service for hobbyists and new users who want their scanner ready to go.
I can program most scanners and receivers from major manufacturers, including:
If you're unsure whether your radio is supported, feel free to ask.
Your scanner will be programmed with the most common and active radio users in the Launceston area, making it immediately useful for local monitoring.
Typical channels may include services such as:
The programming can also be customised to suit your interests, so if you mainly want to listen to aviation, railways, or marine traffic, the channel layout can be tailored accordingly.
Programming is $50 per radio, which includes:
You will also receive a printed list of all programmed channels, so you can easily see:
This makes it much easier to understand what you're hearing and make changes later if needed.
A properly programmed scanner means:
If you’ve just purchased a scanner or want to get more out of the one you already own, professional programming can make a huge difference.
Radio scanning is a fantastic hobby that lets you hear the unseen world of radio communications around you. With the right programming, your scanner becomes far more enjoyable and useful.
If you're in the Launceston area and need help getting your scanner set up, this service is a simple way to get your radio working the way it should.
In short: radio scanning requires common sense.
Recently, I received a message through the contact form on my blog here, from someone who described a situation involving a radio scanner in a hospital.
The person had their scanner with them while their partner was waiting for surgery. While sitting there listening with earphones, they heard radio traffic suggesting that several other patients would be going into surgery before their partner.
Later, when a nurse told their partner they were next, the person challenged the nurse and claimed the information was incorrect based on what they had heard over the radio.
This led to conflict with hospital staff and the person reported that they were eventually banned from the hospital.
Situations like this highlight an important point: just because you hear something on a radio does not mean it is complete, current, or appropriate to act on.
Radio traffic is often fragmented, context-dependent, and sometimes simply wrong. Operational plans change. Staff may have updated information. What you hear may only be part of a much larger process happening behind the scenes.
Using scanner traffic to challenge staff in sensitive environments like hospitals is unlikely to end well.
In Australia, owning and using a radio scanner is generally legal, provided the device itself is compliant with Australian regulations.
However, the use of information obtained from a scanner is where things become more complicated.
Under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, it is an offence to use or disclose information obtained from certain radiocommunications if that information was not intended for you.
In practical terms, this means:
The law exists for good reason. Emergency services rely on radio systems to coordinate responses quickly and safely. Interference, whether intentional or accidental can create serious risks.
Beyond the legalities, there is the issue of respect and judgement.
Radio scanning enthusiasts are observers. We are not part of the operational chain of command. Acting as if we are can cause confusion or conflict.
Consider a few questions before acting on something you hear:
Often, the best course of action is simply to listen and learn.
That said, there are situations where scanner information can be useful in a practical, everyday sense. Some examples are:
Traffic incidents
If you hear about a serious car accident on your usual route home, it makes perfect sense to take a different way. This is similar to listening to a traffic report on the radio.
Fires or major incidents
If emergency services are responding to a large fire in an area you were planning to travel through, avoiding that area is simply sensible.
Situational awareness
Some people use scanners during severe weather events or bushfire seasons to maintain awareness of nearby incidents affecting their community.
In these cases, you are adjusting your own behaviour, not interfering with the situation or confronting people involved.
That is an important distinction.
The radio scanning hobby has been around for decades, and it continues to evolve as technology changes. While many systems are now encrypted, there is still plenty to listen to and learn from.
But the long-term future of the hobby depends partly on how scanner listeners behave.
If enthusiasts are seen as respectful observers who use good judgement, the hobby maintains a positive reputation. If listeners start confronting officials, spreading rumours, or interfering with operations, it reflects poorly on the entire community.
So enjoy the hobby. Learn from what you hear. Stay curious.
Just remember the most important tool in radio scanning isn't the radio, It's common sense.
The Uniden BCD160DN is a compact, feature-rich digital scanner designed for hobbyists and casual monitoring alike. Released in 2024, it strikes a solid balance of capability, portability, and value, ideal for daily carry and on-the-go listening.
🔹 1000 Channels / 10 Banks
The unit supports 10 banks with up to 100 channels each, giving you a total of 1,000 programmable slots. It makes organising different services and bands intuitive. As an example, all the 80 UHF CB channels fit neatly in one bank.
🔹 DMR and NXDN Built-In
DMR and NXDN decoding comes preloaded, so you can monitor these digital modes out of the box. This is a big plus for anyone listening to non-P25 digital traffic.
🔹 Band Scope
A standout feature is the built-in band scope, incredibly useful for visually spotting active frequencies and quickly finding signals without manually scanning each channel. I find myself using this feature a lot and it really brings another element to monitoring the bands.
🔹 PC Programmable
You can program the scanner using Uniden’s own software or use 3rd-party tools. Programming via PC makes handling large lists far easier than keypad entry. Both ProScan and the Butel software work well.
🔹 Small, Portable Size
This handheld is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry on patrols, hikes, or trips. Fit it in a pocket with ease.
🔹 Uses 2 x AA Batteries
The scanner runs on standard AA batteries, easy to swap, cheap to source, and convenient to recharge or replace in the field.
🔹 Excellent RF Performance
In daily use it offers great reception and sensitivity across its covered frequency ranges. It performs as well as, or better than, similarly priced scanners I’ve used for searching and general scanning duties.
⚠️ Lack of CloseCall
Unlike higher-end Uniden models, this unit does not include the CloseCall™ RF capture feature that can automatically detect and lock onto nearby signals.
⚠️ Battery Life Can Be Short
Running off AA cells means convenience, but battery life can be limited, particularly with frequent use of the band scope or searches.
⚠️ No Auto Store Function
The scanner does not have an auto-store mode. If you like automatic population of active frequencies, you’ll miss having this functionality.
⚠️ Some VHF High-Band Overload
In areas with strong signals, the front-end can show signs of overload on VHF high band, common in many handheld scanners at this price. This is something I have had to manage by locking out a bunch of frequencies in my search ranges.
Overall, the Uniden BCD160DN is a very good handheld scanner for its price point, especially if you want digital decoding (DMR/NXDN) but don't need P25 trunking (such as for the TASGRN), lots of channels, and the convenience of a band scope in a small package. It won’t replace a high-end trunking or P25-capable scanner, but for everyday monitoring across conventional analog and digital systems, it’s solid and reliable. It’s now my daily carry scanner.
Highly recommended for hobbyists and general users.
Since the original build, I’ve made a few practical enhancements to make this clipboard organiser even more capable as a multi-radio portable carry case:
I’ve installed additional dividers so the case now comfortably carries two handheld radios plus my mini UHF CB. This helps keep everything separated, prevents radios from rubbing together, and makes gear retrieval much quicker in the field.
All the small bits and pieces, antennas, cables, spare batteries, programming leads and earphones are now stored in Snapseal bags. This protects them from moisture and dust, and keeps everything neatly grouped rather than rolling around loose inside the case.
To improve protection during transport, I’ve added extra padding under each radio compartment. This cushion helps prevent damage to screens and controls when the case is carried or set down on harder surfaces.
Sometimes the best radio adventures happen when you mix a change of scenery, a quiet RF environment, and a bit of flexibility. This weekend in Tasmania’s north-east ticked all those boxes, a short getaway where my wife and I both got to enjoy our own hobbies, while I managed some truly memorable radio listening.
Saturday was spent at the Ringarooma River, with my wife happily fossicking along the riverbed. While she searched for gems, I set myself up on the river bank with a portable radio setup.
This location turned out to be gold from an RF perspective. The lack of man-made noise, combined with open terrain and distance from major infrastructure, created ideal listening conditions. What followed was one of those rare sessions where the dial just keeps delivering.
The absolute highlight was my first ever logged DX on the 27 MHz CB band from the USA. Hearing American stations roll in on CB, from a quiet Tasmanian riverbank, was something I’d hoped for but never really expected.
| Frequency (MHz) | Callsign / Description |
|---|---|
| 27.005 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.025 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.085 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.205 | 27 MHz CB |
| 28.265 | 10 m Beacon (VK5WI) |
| 118.7 | TOWER-LTON |
| 125.55 | ATC Hobart |
| 126.5 | ATC-North |
| 126.7 | CTAF |
| 130.35 | Velocity |
| 130.3 | ATC Mt Tassie (VIC) |
| 165.45 | TASGRN Mt Horror (Data) |
| 165.725 | TASGRN Welbough Pass (Data) |
| 414.075 | TFS UHF Alarm (Data) |
| 476.575 | UHF CB Ch 7 |
For a casual setup while sitting by the river, this was an exceptional haul, and the USA CB reception alone made the day a personal milestone.
Sunday morning my wife headed off on a gem hunting tour, which gave me a perfect window to head up to Mount Poimena, the highest point on the Blue Tier at 816m ASL.
The drive and walk up are part of the experience, weaving between massive boulders and bushland before a short (about 20 minute) walk to the summit. Along the way I encountered a baby Eastern Brown Snake (often referred to politely as a “danger noodle”). It was given plenty of space and right of way, no radio contact is worth arguing with a Eastern brown snake.
At the top, the reward was full panoramic views across the Blue Tier and out toward the east coast. From a radio perspective, it was outstanding. Elevated, open, and quiet, just about perfect.
Once again, 27 MHz CB DX from the USA was flowing in strongly, and this time across a wide spread of channels. (There’s a video below showing just how strong the signals were.)
| Frequency (MHz) | Callsign / Description |
|---|---|
| 26.965 | 27 MHz CB |
| 26.985 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.005 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.025 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.085 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.135 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.165 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.205 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.215 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.225 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.265 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.285 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.305 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.335 | 27 MHz CB |
| 27.385 | 27 MHz CB |
| 29.6 | 10 m Ham Simplex |
| 123.8 | ATC-LTON Approach |
| 126.5 | ATC-North |
| 127.8 | ATC Flinders Island |
| 146.7 | 2m Ham Hobart (VK7RHT) |
| 147 | VK7RAA 2 m Repeater |
| 150.425 | Forestry Tasmania (Data) |
| 156.8 | Marine VHF 16 |
| 163.875 | TASGRN South Sister (Data) |
| 165.5875 | TASGRN Den Hill (Data) |
| 165.775 | TASGRN Flagstaff Hill (Data) |
| 167.375 | TASGRN Companion Hill (Data) |
| 414.075 | TFS UHF Alarm (Data) |
| 438.05 | VK7RBH 70 cm Repeater |
| 461.575 | TASWater South Sister (Data) |
| 461.625 | TASWater Anson Bay (Data) |
This was one of those sessions where you lose track of time — just scanning, logging, and soaking in the view.
It was a great weekend away. We both got to do things we genuinely enjoy, without pressure or compromise. From a radio perspective, the standout moment was logging my first USA DX on the 27 MHz CB band, something I’ve chased for a long time.
The combination of quiet RF locations, elevation, and good conditions made the north-east of Tasmania shine yet again. I’m already looking forward to a return trip, with hopes of even more DX, more memories, and maybe a little less snake-dodging next time.