Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - stuff

hi all
I have a ? I would like to clean our vcrs .How do I do that?
?2
I know that some of you are ham radio guys, I was wondering if there is an indoor Antenna for my scanner. I want to pick up more radio police, fire, etc,etc. The problem is that I live on a slight hill about 400 to 500 feet from sea level in fact I live on the highest place north from Seattle to Canada besides the mt. to the west an east so I am limited because the signals may bounce right over me. I have a radio shack pro-74 UHF-VHF HI-LO-AIR 800 mhz RACER scanner quick-track memory, 100 memory, its all fine and dandy for now but I hope to get a trunk tracking scanner maybe a base unit. I do have a Center-Loaded Telescoping Whip Antenna by Radio Shack, I thought about getting a Magnet-Mount Mobile Scanner Antenna and putting that on a shelf high on the wall. Will that work? Or if not, can I make an Antenna that can go on the wall or celling? I live in an apt. so I can't put things out side. Help me if you can. Thanks Matt :D p.s. I hope to get a Super Amplifier ( Handheld ) Boosts Weak signals (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog% 5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F001%5F002%5F007%5F000&product%5Fid=940%2D0859) for christmas Thank you all for your help :D Thanks Matt

it has been updated for the last time its safe now (I think) thank you all for taking a wack at my ? sorry for the edits it is done finished please help me :D :D :D :D :p :confused:

Look in the forum archives for the VCR cleaning. I have posted a couple of times as to how to clean them. It is a lengthy explination. If you can't find it I will post it again. As far as the antenna thing, I know of no other way to recieve those signals without getting an antenna up in the air. You have one of RS's better antennas, it will even load up on the 2meter ham band. I have been to Seattle many times so know what you mean. Worse area in the country to be a ham radio operator! Anyway try to get the antenna outside and up in the air.

ok
Thanks I found the fourm (vcr cleaning) I think I will wait and I will swich to wet tape cleaner. As for my scaner I do have a big deck, Can I get an Antenna like the Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna ( http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F001%5F002%5F007%5F000&product%5Fid=20%2D043 ) wich would be great when I get my fcc licence, or the Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna ( http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F001%5F002%5F007%5F000&product%5Fid=20%2D176 ) and mount it on a trypod on the deck? And do you recommend a Super Amplifier ( Handheld ) Boosts Weak signals ( http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F001%5F002%5F007%5F000&product%5Fid=940%2D0859 ) if i cant use any of the Antennas, It seems like it would be real cool any way. :confused: Thanks Matt

Well I wouldn't use any tape cleaner but Black Watch, get on the net and do a search from Alta Vista and find a good price. Most around $20 US. And as for the antenna yes get the discone, that one will for sure load up on 2 meters so when you get your ticket you wont have to put up another antenna. As far as it being on the tripod, if the apartment will let you go for it. Now the booster, personaly I have never seen one of those work for crap, even though your area is an RF death trap, once you get that antenna outside it should help a great deal plus that antenna has 3 or 4 Db of gain so it will be much better. Preamps usualy work on TV and 11 meters (The childrens band:)) Height will be your best friend, move to a top floor apartment:) Believe me I have seen hams do some really strange things to get an antenna in the air, I moved out of a restricted hood just to get mine in the air. If your ever in town or on HF (working on my General now) give a yell, KBØOYD or Old Yeller Dog:) And you know what happens to old yeller...

thank you bigmike
I think that I can just get buy with puting the Antenna on my deck, the managers are so stupid you cant even have a dish on the railing, it has to be hiden or put on the floor. wich is so stupid!!! :mad: I am almost through the book the first time. I am at T6A ( circuit components ) I am going for technician no code. this part is :confused: but I am going to go through the book a 2 time to make shure I know evry thing :D. I will save up for that antenna and see if it works. :D man I want a Dual-Trunking DeskTop Scanner in a I want the RadioShack Pro-2052 1000-Channel Dual-Trunking DeskTop Scanner that would be so ccccooooooooollll :D ok thank you for your help I will let you know when I pass the test. :) Matt