Frequently Asked Questions - Scanners
This FAQ should help answer your questions about scanner radios and how they might be of use to you. Please read over it before posting scanner questions to the forum.
Thanks to robcollins5 for his contributions to this FAQ!
1. What is a scanner?
2. Why do I need a scanner?
3. What kind of scanner do I need?
4. Do I need a digital scanner?
5. Do I need an antenna on my car for a scanner?
6. What is the best scanner antenna?
7. How do I program my scanner?
8. How do I use my scanner to avoid tickets?
9. Is a scanner legal?
10. Is there any way to monitor the police without a scanner?
1. What is a scanner?
A scanner is a radio receiver, just like the AM/FM radio in your car. It is not a transmitter. You cannot talk on it. The difference is that it can be tuned (programmed) to monitor communications channels (frequencies) instead of broadcast channels. Communications frequencies are used by public safety, business, aviation, utility services, and government to talk back and forth. It is mainly police communications that we concern ourselves with in the traffic countermeasure community. However, many people are also interested in monitoring the emergency services, such as paramedics and firemen.
The scanner works by rapidly scanning (thus the name) through the frequencies you have programmed into it to find any active conversations. When there is activity on a frequency the scanner stops there and allows you to hear what is being said. When they stop talking, the scanner again resumes scanning through the channels. Of course, you may also have your scanner set to monitor only one channel, in which case it is no longer “scanning” per se, but it’s still a scanner.
Scanners are readily available at many outlets on the Internet, or locally at Radio Shack or Fry’s. Some Radio Shack stores also have knowledgeable people who can help you to program your scanner, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. But be aware that most of them do not. And the product selection is much greater on the Internet.
2. Why do I need a scanner?
You probably don’t. With rare exception, scanners are absolutely the least useful countermeasure in the speeder’s arsenal. The belief that you can simply listen to a police channel and be informed about speed traps is simply a myth. They don’t announce speed traps. They drive around, find a spot, and just do it without any radio discussion. You’ll hear a lot of boring chatter about barking dogs and domestic disputes, but the chances of you hearing anything that will warn you of a speed trap are slim to none. However, scanners sure are fun! If you want to listen to Police, Fire, EMS, or other agencies out of curiosity or a hobbyist interest, then you DO need a scanner. It’s a fascinating hobby that may be for you. It’s pretty cool knowing what is happening in your community without having to wait for the ten o’clock news, and knowing what the news isn’t telling you! But again, if that doesn’t sound like an interesting hobby for you, you probably shouldn’t waste any money on a scanner, unless you live in a very small town. Before you buy one, it is strongly recommended that you spend a few days listening to scanners online so you can hear exactly what you will be listening to. Then you can see for yourself how unlikely it is that they will be of any use to you as a countermeasure. See question #10 below for links to online scanners.
3. What kind of scanner do I need?
There are three basic types of scanners:• Conventional Scanner – Monitors individually programmed frequencies, but will not monitor trunking systems or digital systems.
• Trunk Tracking Scanner – Monitors conventional frequencies as well as channels within a trunking system. For an explanation of trunking, see
http://www.uniden.com/products/ButIj...othePolice.pdf
• Digital Scanner – Monitors conventional channels and trunking systems, including those that are transmitted digitally.
You will see some radios referred to as “Dual Trunk Tracking” or even “Triple Trunk Tracking”. There are four main types of trunking used in the U.S. Only three of them are currently decoded by scanners. They are:• Motorola (Type I, Type II, Hybrid, etc…)
• EDACS
• LTR
A plain Trunk Tracker covers only Motorola systems, which are the most common of all trunking systems. A Dual Trunk Tracker covers Motorola and EDACS systems. A Triple Trunk Tracker covers all three. There is a forth system called LTR Passport. It is currently not decoded by any scanner. You can hear the transmissions with any scanner. However, the scanner cannot follow the frequency hopping to keep up with the entire conversation. The LTR Passport is very rarely used in public safety communications, so it is not really a loss to you unless you’re a hardcore scanning hobbyist.
Scanners can cost anywhere from around $50 dollars for a basic, analog conventional model, to $600 dollars for the top of the line digital scanners. Trunk Tracking scanners – which most people will need – start at around $130 dollars and go up from there.
4. Do I need a digital scanner?
Probably not. But to find out for sure takes a bit of research. First, visit the definitive source for all things scanner, http://www.RadioReference.com. There, you will find a database listing all of the known frequencies for public safety in the United States. Click on the “Database” tab. Click on the state you want to monitor. Then you can either choose the county or the state agency you want to monitor from the drop-down lists. If anywhere in the description of that agency’s system you see the terms “digital”, “APCO 25”, or “P-25”, then you will need a digital scanner.
Digital radio systems operate on the very same theory as the new digital television transmissions. The end result is the same, the only difference being that you need a specialised receiver to hear it. Digital systems are not widespread yet, but some state police agencies have already gone totally digital, including Texas and Florida. This is a trend that will be growing in the near future. Digital scanners start in the $500 dollar range, so this is not a hobby for the meek. And again, a scanner is not likely to every offer you any advantage as a countermeasure, so it’s probably just not worth it.
Some digital systems cannot be monitored, even with a digital scanner. That includes Florida Highway Patrol. If a system is listed with the terms “Pro-Voice”, “Open Sky” or “ESK”, forget it. You cannot monitor them with any scanner.
5. Do I need an antenna on my car for a scanner?
Not necessarily. Since you are merely listening and not talking the effectiveness of your scanner depends entirely on the strength of the signals that you are listening to. Unless you are in another city or county than that you are listening to, the rubber duck antenna on a handheld scanner will usually be enough to bring in a good signal. Of course, with a mobile mounted scanner, you will need some kind of external antenna. There are some suction cup mounted antennae that you can utilise for this application if you don’t want an antenna on the outside of your car. But their performance is less than ideal. And instead of an antenna on your car, you end up with a cluttered interior with a cable stretching across the cabin. If you are monitoring a widespread area, an area with many hills or trees, or trying to listen to weak signals, then you will need an external antenna on your car. Luckily, unlike with CB antennas, there are many choices that are small and inconspicuous that will work just fine.
6. What is the best scanner antenna?
There is no "best" antenna, only the antenna that works best for you. Start with a visit to http://wiki.radioreference.com/index...anner_Antennas, where you will get an in depth education on what is available and where to get it. An antenna is only as good as it's mount. Therefore, an antenna mounted in a hole drilled into the center of your roof is going to be the best performer. But generally speaking, the two antennae offered at Radio Shack are good enough for most applications, and are recommended for the casual scannist. They have a three-foot magnetic whip that you can stick on your roof or trunk lid. And they have a two-foot whip that attaches to your rear window glass. It is black and pretty low-profile, not detracting much from a car’s appearance.
If you plan to dive hardcore into the scanning hobby, and want “the best” antenna, then there are a lot of factors to be considered. Antennae are manufactured for a specific bandwidth. That’s why a CB antenna doesn’t work for a scanner, and vice versa. It’s why your AM/FM stereo antenna doesn’t work for a CB. It’s why a television antenna doesn’t work for a CB. That’s why some antennae – like the CB antenna – simply must be large to operate properly. With a scanner antenna, a smaller antenna can cover a very broad range of frequencies well. The “best” scanner antenna is going to be the one that is manufactured specifically for the frequency range you are listening to. The broader the range, the less effective the antenna is going to be. Consequently, the serious scanning hobbyist will have separate antennae for each band they listen to instead of one “best” antenna. In other words, it’s simply too complicated a question to ponder here. Bottom line is, unless you are 100 percent devoted to becoming a hardcore scannist, just get one of the Radio Shack antennae. It will work fine.
7. How do I program my scanner?
Your first step should be to search the database at http://www.RadioReference.com to find the frequencies for the systems you want to listen to. You’ll want to refer constantly to that page while you program your scanner. They also have a Wiki that covers programming for most popular scanners. There are also product-specific forums there (much like our RD brand forums here) where you can also talk with users of the scanner you own, who can help talk you through the process.
There are three ways to program a scanner: Manually, with software, or not at all.
All scanners are capable of being manually programmed, but it is nearly impossible to do so on the newer, high-end scanners that feature alpha-tagging and digital decoding. They require computer software guided programming. In manual programming, there will be a set of keystrokes used to set a scannable frequency to a channel. It’s not terribly complicated with a conventional scanner, and is quickly mastered. But when attempting manual programming with a Trunk Tracking scanner, you will soon wish that you could do it with computer software.
Software is the most convenient tech-head method of programming. The scanner is linked to a computer via serial or USB cable and freeware that can be downloaded specific to your scanner is used for programming. There is a serious learning curve with programming software, and you’ll spend a couple of days yelling at your computer as you figure it out. However, once you do, you’ll love the time and effort that it saves you over manual programming. Nobody manually programs the high-end scanners anymore. It’s just too difficult and time consuming. The forums and Wiki at RadiReference.com both discuss the various software in depth.
Some scanners come pre-programmed with common frequencies so that you don't have to do any programming at all. Convenient, yet ineffective. Frequencies change. Agencies move from conventional to trunking systems. Trunking systems reprogram themselves. While there are many areas where frequencies remain constant, eventually they will change, leaving the pre-programmed scannist with nothing to listen to. There are, however, programmable scanners available that come pre-programmed with common frequencies just to get you started with. And you can change or add to that programming yourself as you learn more about the systems you are monitoring. But generally speaking, you won’t get much interesting from a pre-programmed scanner.
If you purchase your scanner from Radio Shack, try to find a store that has a salesman who is knowledgeable about scanners. Unfortunately, this is actually rare to find these days, when Radio Shack salesmen don’t seem to know anything about anything except iPods and cellphones. But if you can find one, it will be a great help to you in getting started with the programming. You will also find help in the Wiki and the forum at http://www.RadioReference.com. They have all been through it before and can talk you through it.
8. How do I use my scanner to avoid tickets?
Unfortunately, the chances of this happening are slim to none. The scanner is not a plug-and-play device, like a radar detector, where you simply turn it on and hear announcements of speed trap locations. It doesn’t work that way, and it never has. Police are not dispatched out to run a speed trap, so you will not hear them being sent to do so. And police also do not set up a speed trap and then broadcast it on the radio. Not because it’s some big secret. Simply because there is no need to. The dispatcher doesn’t care. The only time a police unit will transmit their location is when it is requested of them by another unit or, for safety reasons, when they are checking out at a location for specific business, whether it be a traffic stop, a disturbance, or just lunch. In all of these cases, the officer is busy anyway, and their location is therefore no longer relevant to you, as they are no longer a threat.
In the past, there were a couple of scanners that were specifically developed as a countermeasure. They were pre-programmed to the common highway patrol frequencies, and had only a very small antenna, limiting their range to less than five miles. The working theory was that, if you heard something on that radio, it meant that a cop was close, so you should slow down. These are no longer sold, as the theory simply didn’t pan out as planned. As already mentioned, if a cop is talking on the radio, he’s probably busy, and therefore not a threat to you. So if you jam on the brakes every time you hear a cop talk on the radio, that's like slowing down every time an automatic door opener sets off your radar detector with a false alert. It's counterproductive. You’re defeating the purpose of saving time by speeding!
Similarly, some people – especially in California – will program the frequencies of highway patrol “mobile repeaters” or “extenders” into their scanner. These are channels that are heard only if an officer is talking on his walkie-talkie, and not his car radio. Again, the theory is faulty in that, if an officer is talking on his walkie-talkie, then he is most likely not even in his car, and therefore probably not a threat to you. What you are going to hear by listening to this is a lot of cops checking a lot of licence plates and driver licences with the dispatcher, but nothing that will help you avoid a ticket.
In order to successfully utilise a scanner as a countermeasure requires a lot of practice, a lot of skill, and a lot of luck. It is most successfully done in very small towns, where you know how many cops are on the street. In those cases, if you know there are three cops in the entire town, and you hear all three of them dispatched to a domestic dispute a couple of minutes ago, then you might be able to speed through town without worrying about them catching you because they are already tied up. In a large city, or an area covered by multiple agencies (police, sheriff, highway patrol, etc…), this simply does not work.
Another way you might be able to get a heads-up about a speed trap is if you hear officers checking out on traffic in the same general area repeatedly over a period of time. This takes monitoring them continuously over that extended period of time. You’re going to have already passed the location before you’ve listened long enough to determine that. It also takes you being familiar enough with their terminology that you can figure out what they are even saying. That takes a good bit of experience to do. Few countermeasure users will ever attain that experience level.
Stationary, multi-car speed traps can be heard on the scanner, and with a lot of patience and experience, you can locate where they are operating. Typically, this is one officer with a laser gun sitting somewhere (often on an overpass) and lasering traffic as it passes. When he finds a violator, he will call out a description of the violator vehicle, and the speed and distance of the vehicle on the radio. One of several chase cars, waiting for the call, will then enter the roadway from an on-ramp or side street, and pursue the vehicle that was called out to write him a ticket. What you will hear on the radio is something like, “Red Corvette, lane 1, 86 and 563.” You won’t hear a location given, so you won’t know where the trap is. But they usually call out a violator every half minute to three minutes, so you will know that there is a speed trap going on somewhere in the city. Not particularly useful information really. But if you are familiar with where these traps are regularly run in your city, then at least you’ll have a minimal heads-up that one of those spots is currently hot.
Some larger cities use an enforcement technique called a “rolling speed trap”. This is where an unmarked car with a police officer in it drives through traffic, looking for aggressive drivers who are speeding, tailgating, changing lanes without signalling, cutting other drivers off, etc… When he finds one, he will call out the description and location of that car on the radio, and marked patrol cars waiting on on-ramps will come on to intercept the car. If you hear this on your scanner, then you know for sure to watch that area. However, as usual, finding this information requires you to know what channels to listen to and how to interpret the things that police officers are saying, which simply is not as easy as it sounds.
Probably the most likely way you will find a scanner useful as a countermeasure is if you program the frequency of CB channel 19 into it and use it to monitor the truckers. Of course, you'd be a lot better off simply getting an actual CB radio for that purpose.
Bottom line is, the likelihood of you successfully utilising your scanner as a countermeasure to avoid a speeding ticket are slim and none. But if you’re looking for a new and expensive hobby, then scanning is a lot of fun, and may be worth your time and money.
9. Is a scanner legal?
This is is regulated locally, and varies from state to state. No matter the state, it is always illegal to use a scanner "In furtherance of a Crime." However, most states allow you to carry and utilise a scanner anywhere, anytime. The following states prohibit the use of a scanner in a vehicle:Florida
Indiana
Kentucky
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
New York
Some of those states allow you to carry a scanner with you if you are an FCC licensed Amateur Radio (Ham) operator. Others make exceptions for the news media or volunteer emergency personnel. Florida allows them only if they are not "installed" in the vehicle. But some, like New York, make exceptions only for those who obtain written permission from local public safety authorities.
Be aware that, in those prohibited states, it may be a criminal offence that you can be arrested for, not just a ticket, like a radar detector. Consequently, you will want to be very clear of what the laws are in your state before putting a scanner in your car. You should also be aware that, even if legal, police will be automatically suspicious of you if they see or hear a scanner in your car, because they associate them with criminals. This may cost you some time on the side of the road, as the police grill you about your intentions, and probably try to search your car. Anyone is permitted to own and operate a scanner in the privacy of their residence.
10. Is there any way to monitor the police without a scanner?
Yes. Anyone with a PC, including Windows enabled cellphones, an iPhone, or a Blackberry can listen to police and fire scanners that are being live streamed online. In fact, I recommend that you spend some time listening online before you spend any money on a scanner so you can see what it is really like. There is also a police scanner application available for the iPhone. The limitation to this method is that you are limited to only those agencies that some scanner geek is streaming for you. Although most major metropolitan areas have such a stream, many do not. To see if your local police agencies are being streamed for online listening, check out these websites:You may also want to Google "police scanner feed" along with your community's name to see if there might be a feed that is not listed on the major sites shown above.
There is a free Blackberry application for scanner feed monitoring here.
Re: Frequently Asked Questions - Scanners
Excellent. I came here to ask those exact questions. Thanks fellas.
Got one more. My locals currently use analog but are going digital later this year. Can I get a digital now that will also pick up analog and be good to go for both? Or are they one or the other?
Re: Frequently Asked Questions - Scanners
All digital capable scanners also do analog.
Re: Frequently Asked Questions - Scanners
Would having a hand held scanner in your car in Florida be illegal? They are not installed...
Source:
FLORIDA STATUTES (1995) -
Title 46, CRIMES; Ch. 843, OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE; § 843.16
843.16 Unlawful to install radio equipment using assigned frequency of
state or law enforcement officers; definitions; exceptions;
penalties
(1) No person, firm, or corporation shall install in any motor vehicle or
business establishment, except an emergency vehicle or crime watch
vehicle as herein defined or a place established by munincipal,
county, state, or federal authority for governmental purposes, any
frequency modulation radio receiving equipment so adjusted or tuned
as to receive messages or signals on frequencies assigned by the
Federal Communications Commission to police or law enforcement
officers of any city or county of the state or to the state or any of
its agencies.
http://www.gars.net/scnlawfl.htm
Re: Frequently Asked Questions - Scanners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Zapple
Would having a hand held scanner in your car in Florida be illegal? They are not installed...
This is widely discussed in Floridia radio circles. And apparently, the Floridia Attorney Genral has opined that "install" is indeed a key term, and that a handheld is okay. But it is further opined that, if you hook the handheld up to the vehicle for power or antenna, it is "installed".
Re: Frequently Asked Questions - Scanners
I would like to also add that there are more and more agencies going to encryption, Mototrbo, and a few others. These will not allow scanners to pick them up due to their digital code. So check the database at RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference to make sure before you buy a scanner and waste your money.
