Edit-  Don't need scanner functionality...  Just a step tuned synthesized receiver.


Wondering if there's a current inexpensive scanner like the Uniden BC355N that can be operated on AM in the 144 MHz band.

Or other recent scanners that won't break the bank. Something in the $100 range...

I'd like to experiment with AM on 2M


Open to the idea of manually  'bypassing' the u-controller AM/FM filter selection/demodulator circuitry  but can't find a schematic for the BC355N

I believe that the VX-6R will receive AM and do a VFO or memory scan there.  That is the only "cheap" current production radio that I'm aware of after looking around for 10 minutes.  I use my VX-7R to receive AM on 2M to DF RFI with my Arrow Yagi, but I've never tried to scan in AM.

The only other thing that comes to mind are the old Icom IC-R7000 and IC-R7100 receivers.  I have two each of those too.  

I was surprised to look over the current and discontinued scanners and see that they only do AM in the CB or aircraft bands.  Hopefully someone can find some something that does what you want and prove me wrong.

ETA:  Looks like the Icom IC-R6 will do what you want.  Maybe some of the AOR and Alinco models here too.

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

Thank you Kwai...


I don't need scanning functionality, just the ability to tune to a frequency and leave it.

Prefer not to use the hand-held's as the front end filter is usually a wide BPF [and I hate all the menuing]  and would prefer a desk top model with better pre-selection [usually varactor tuned in sync with the synthesizer].


Would like something that's in production or not so long ago out of production, preferably with a tuning knob. Didn't Radio Shack make one, I think when I was researching this they did, a long time ago...

 [Very familiar with the R7000's, too much radio for the application, as I'd like to get a couple]


[I know I'm asking for a lot]  

Uniden BC 895 and BC898T have a VFO knob. Also, the Reailstic/Rat Shak Pro 2053 has AM capability but it's really just a handheld in a box.
IIRC the old Pro-2006 RS unit is mode selectable but no VFO knob.

They made several models of the Patrolman series, but I think they all started at 148 or higher and went up from there.  Looks like cheap ones on Ebay if you want to try to modify one.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-RADIO-SHACK-Realistic-HIGH-BAND-MONITOR-RECEIVER-/152198558007?hash=item236fbdb137:g:FYAAAOSw3ydVlY0m  Maybe some of the portable ones with the big wide dial did it too but they would be crap.

Seems like all of the consumer stuff only covers AM on CB and AIR bands.  Old AM VHF stuff only covers 148 and up or air band.  You have to go to a real wide-band multimode receiver, unless you want to get some tubes glowing with a Heathkit twoer HW-30.    http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEATHKIT-TRANSCEIVER-HW-30-TWOER-2M-/272345153659?hash=item3f6909407b:g:uH4AAOSwPhdVJJvM

ETA:  It looks like KB7DX is correct about the Pro-2053.  Just no tuning knob.  I think the Pro-2006 is AM only on CB and AIR bands.



Two of them on Ebay right now for $50 and $70.

How about an RTL-SDR? it will do AM or any demod at 144MHz, plus it give you the ability to record the baseband and playback so that you can demodulate later with any demodulator.

$20 and a PC. Add a PI and you are still under $60.

Thanks for all the info so far!!!


Does the Uniden BC890 have a manual selection of AM or NFM?

Here's the link to Repeater Builder that has the manual...

The manual discusses 'emission display' on page 15 ---but is that an automatic emission detection function for selection of correct demodulation during a scan?


http://www.repeater-builder.com/uniden/uniden-index.html

That's way to complicated for me!  

It looks to me like AM is locked to the AIR and MIL AIR bands, no manual selection.  Those two bands can't do FM either.  See page 35.

ETA:  I'm having way too much fun with this.  Looks like the Pro-2035 or Pro-2042 might be perfect.  AM on 2M and a tuning knob.  Just older, but you can get spares cheap if you can find them.

That's what it looks like to me too...

Same for the BC895, altho they don't specify the type of modulation in the specs.  Searched the PDF file for AM and nothing useful...


I'll look at the R-S radios...

I'll look for service manuals for the PRO-2053...



What I found...  Quote...


http://marksscanners.com/95/95.shtml#change_receive_modes


Easier to Read  

Pro-93/2053/95 Scanner Manual

Last Updated December 25, 2015




Changing Receive Modes  

The scanner is preset to the most common AM or FM receive mode for each frequency range. The preset mode is correct in most cases. However, some amateur radio transmissions and trunked systems do not operate in the preset mode. If you try to listen to a transmission when the scanner is not set to the correct receive mode, the transmission might sound weak or distorted.

 

To change the Receive Mode of a channel, select the channel in manual mode by entering the bank number and channel number (Ex: 001) then press MANUAL to advance to the channel. Press MODE until the desired mode is found.  

 Note: You cannot change the receive mode of a non-trunked channel to MO or ED.  

Or, if the scanner is scanning and stops on an active channel, quickly press MODE to change the mode.

To change the Receive Mode of a limit search, press MODE while searching. FM or AM will blink and the scanner will stay in the selected mode even if the search moves into a different band. For example, if you search from 53.000 to 110.000 and change the receive mode to AM, the scanner will stay in AM mode while searching 53-54 also. To set the scanner to use the default mode in the band, press FUNC then MODE. The receive mode will stop blinking and the scanner will switch to the proper mode when searching the band.

 Note: You cannot change the receive mode of search banks SR0-SR4.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!  Will pick up one of the Realistic receivers as the project moves on.



Made an AM receiver today using a Uniden $44 CB radio I had laying around as a tunable AM IF.

Used a  modified dual cavity filter from a GRR series FAA tower receiver, a Mini Circuits mixer, a 120 MHz clock oscillator and the 146 mHz FET preamp from that other topic discussing how to build one.

The CB radio makes a good IF because the demodulator and the squelch have been refined over the years and the selectivity is excellent because of the close spaced CB channels.


Depending where the FET preamp is located -before or after the cavity filter [filter loss is ~4 dB, makes good lightning protection], noise figure is excellent, sensitivity with a decent Sinad, is less than 0.3 dBm.

Works real good as a test receiver...