How Many Scanners Can One Effectively Monitor at the Same Time? Re: [MilCom] Milcom/Milair Maxium Channels for Effectiveness?

[Ken]

Thanks to all who have responded...

Based upon what most of you stated it appears that the best method is to:
*Use multiple scanners to scan various milcom/milair frequencies
*Normall Frequency monitored usage (e.g. channel loading) determines how 
many frequencies will be placed in the scan group for a scanner.  E.g.  The 
higher the usage, the less channels to scan.

So it also appears that it might be better to buy older (technology) 
scanners, that are on sale than to buy one of the new higher priced but much 
larger capacity scanners.

Now comes the next question  --- For milcom/milair monitoring, how many 
scanners can one effectively monitor at one time?

While mobile, in my vehicle I use 1 mobile & 2 portables scanners.  2 
scanners are hooked up (via Grove's antenna splitter SPL02) to an external 
semi stealth antenna (Pro Comm CD144MBN, magnetic mount).  I find it 
difficult to determine what scannner the audio is coming from.  Of course 
one has to also pay attention to driving!!!!

Home Base wise, I generally run 2 to 3 scanners.  Since I can observe each 
scanner, it's much easier to determine which scanner the audio is from.  My 
guess would be 5 scanners at the max (that are in the scanning mode, not 
fixed to one frequency)????

What's interesting is that you look at some other hobbyists information 
showing multiple scanners:
http://hometown.aol.com/scanaddict/index.html  (34 base radio scanners!!!)
http://www.milaircomms.com/shack.html (looks like 9 base radio scanners)

Would be interesting to get comments from hobbyists who use multiple 
scanners mobile & fixed base wise, and what techniques they employ to 
determine where the audio is coming from (and also to see what frequency is 
active)....

Ken