| 17;ve been scanning at the race tracks for almost 25 | | | | where do I find the frequencies? |
| years. Long before programmable, hand-held scanners, | | | | While you can find some information for free on the |
| my first scanning set up consisted of a big old Bearcat | | | | Internet, most of it is outdated, incomplete, or just plain |
| 250 mobile scanner duct-taped to a huge 12 volt | | | | wrong. I highly recommend purchasing up to date |
| lantern battery. The whole setup must have weighed | | | | information from one of the above vendors. It is well |
| 10 pounds and I had to lug it around in a big camera | | | | worth the few dollars it costs. They have information |
| bag! I guarantee I was the only guy in the stands at | | | | on the national series such as NASCAR, IRL, and |
| The Milwaukee Mile listening to those USAC stock | | | | Champ Car. Most of the newer scanners are |
| cars go round and round in 1980! Things have changed | | | | computer programmable. You can even bring those to |
| a bit since then. | | | | the vendor trailer at the track and get the latest |
| Estimates are that there may be more than 10% of | | | | frequencies loaded right into your radio while you wait. |
| fans at a typical NASCAR event are "scanner | | | | The new Uniden SC230 scanner comes with the |
| equipped". Race track scanning has become so | | | | frequencies for Nextel Cup, Busch Grand National, |
| popular, it’s expanded well beyond the | | | | Craftsman Trucks, Champ Car, and IRL already |
| NASCAR super speedways to the dirt tracks, drag | | | | programmed into it! For regional series, your options |
| strips, and even Saturday night at the local short | | | | are more limited. For Midwest fans, we have put |
| tracks. I’ve compiled a collection of tips and | | | | together the Midwest Speedway Scanning Digest. It |
| hints to help you gain the maximum enjoyment from | | | | contains information for local tracks as well as regional |
| you race scanning experience. If you have any others | | | | touring series such as USAR- Hooters Pro Cup, CRA |
| to add, please send them along to me so we can | | | | Super Series, and NASCAR Elite - Midwest. |
| share them with others. Enjoy! | | | | Information on the Midwest Speedway Scanning |
| Why bring a scanner to the races? What can I hear? | | | | Digest can be found at; |
| Once you’ve experienced a race with a | | | | At The Track Tips |
| scanner, you’ll be hooked forever. Scanning at | | | | 1 - Do as much as you can before you leave the |
| the races adds that extra "dimension" or layer to the | | | | house. If you can get a hold of frequency information |
| experience. You’ll be able to listen to | | | | before the race, you’ll save a ton of time by |
| conversations between the driver, his crew, and the | | | | pre-programming your scanner before you get to the |
| spotters. You’ll hear the race officials and | | | | track. Don’t forget extra batteries, paper and |
| safety crews. You’ll even be able to monitor | | | | pencil to take notes, and sunscreen. Packing a plastic |
| the "behind-the-scenes" action of the TV and radio | | | | bag to put your scanner into in case of a sudden rain |
| broadcast crews. IMPORTANT! One thing you may | | | | shower is a good addition, too. |
| want to be aware of regarding listening in to race | | | | 2 - Programming tip. One popular trick is to program |
| communications, it’s not necessarily for children! | | | | the frequencies so the channel number is the same as |
| Emotions can run high during racing action and quite | | | | the car number. For example, you would program |
| frequently, the language can get a bit "colorful" to put it | | | | Mark Martin, Car #6 into channel 6 on your scanner. |
| mildly. You may wish to consider this if you are easily | | | | That way during the race, if you want to quickly switch |
| offended by harsh language. What kind of equipment | | | | to a particular car, you can just manually switch to that |
| do I need at the races? The two major elements of a | | | | channel. With the newer scanners with alpha displays, |
| race scanning setup are the scanner itself as well as a | | | | it’s much easier to keep track of who’s |
| noise- reducing headset. | | | | who. |
| First- The scanner. What kind of scanner will you | | | | 3 - Don’t try to listen to everything! At a big |
| need? It really depends on your needs or your budget. | | | | race, there’s just way too much stuff going on. |
| Almost any hand-held scanner made will work at the | | | | Pick the leaders or your favorites and lock everything |
| races. They are available with as few as 10 or as | | | | else out. It helps to have race control in your scan list |
| many as 5000 channels! Price wise, expect to spend | | | | too. At the big races, you can also listen to the TV and |
| anywhere from as little as $75 to over $400. The | | | | radio broadcast feed (MRN broadcasts on 454.000 |
| most popular frequency ranges are 150 - 174 | | | | Mhz). Some tracks will rebroadcast the track PA on |
| Megahertz and 450 - 470 Megahertz. There is some, | | | | either a scanner frequency or a low power FM radio |
| but not much racing activity in the 800 Megahertz | | | | station. These broadcasts will “lock up” |
| band. Popular "racing" scanners are the Uniden | | | | your scanner though, since they broadcast |
| Sportcat 200 and 230, Racing Electronics RE-2000, | | | | continuously. You will have to lock them out and switch |
| and the Radio Shack Pro 99. A couple of features | | | | to them manually if you want to listen in. |
| that are really nice to have are alpha-displays, which | | | | 4 - Get to the track early. If there is a vendor selling |
| allow you to program the driver name instead of just | | | | race frequencies there, this will give you a good |
| the frequency, and CTCSS or tone function, which | | | | chance to check it out or get your scanner |
| allows you to program a certain tone code on a | | | | programmed for you. Buy a souvenir program. They |
| channel to help cut down on interference. | | | | will have the line ups so you’ll know who to |
| The second thing you’ll need is a good quality, | | | | listen for. |
| noise reducing headset. Racing is LOUD! Not only will a | | | | 5 - Practice and qualifying are a great time to verify |
| headset help protect your hearing, but it will help you | | | | frequencies. Taking notes now will help you during the |
| be able to hear your scanner more clearly. They are | | | | race. Listen for the spotters and crew chiefs talking to |
| available in several styles to suit your personal | | | | the drivers. You may be able to tell "who’s |
| preference. You can also get the small, foam, in-ear | | | | who" when passing or coming in to the pits. |
| type devices similar to what the drivers wear. Some | | | | 6 - When the drivers are getting into their cars before |
| other accessories you might consider are a "racing" or | | | | the race is a good time to listen in for radio checks. |
| stub antenna, which will help reduce local interference, | | | | Pace laps and caution periods are also the time when |
| a leg strap to help keep your scanner secure while | | | | radio traffic increases. |
| watching the race, and a headset splitter or a | | | | 7 - If you’re using the search mode on your |
| "Boostaroo" unit so you can bring a second headset | | | | scanner to try and find new frequencies, narrow your |
| for your friend to listen in too. Don’t forget | | | | search to smaller ranges at a time. The range of 450 |
| extra batteries! Nothing worse than running out of | | | | to 470 Mhz will cover just about all race |
| "juice" halfway through the race. Where can I buy a | | | | communications. Some racing officials will use |
| race scanning setup? You can buy a complete setup | | | | frequencies in the 150 - 174 Mhz range. Even if you |
| as close as your local Radio Shack store. Some | | | | have an accurate list already, you can usually find |
| specialized vendors who sell race scanning equipment | | | | some new stuff by using the search feature. |
| are; | | | | 8 - Take good notes! |
| Racing Electronics | | | | Using your scanner really adds a new dimension to the |
| Racing Radios | | | | 'racing experience" and besides that, it’s just |
| Race Scan | | | | plain FUN! As you can tell, race scanning might seem |
| Frequency Fan Club | | | | like a bit of a challenge at first. The more you do it, the |
| If you’re not sure if you’re ready to buy | | | | better you’ll get at it. I have gone to a race with |
| a setup yet, most of these vendors offer rentals too. | | | | almost no information and, by using these techniques, |
| These vendors have trailers offering equipment at | | | | have found more than 90% of the field by the time the |
| most of the larger races. | | | | race was over. |
| OK, I’ve got my scanner and headset, now | | | | Happy scanning and see you at the races! |