Police Scanner Radio Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where can I find the frequencies for my area?
There are several means to finding frequencies for your area. Your local
amateur radio store or radio dealer (including local independent RadioShack stores
that still may be remaining in your area) sometimes carry photocopied local frequency lists. There
no longer are any printed scanner directories published as all frequency
information has moved to the web.
You also can visit the National Communications web page
where you will find links to other frequency pages on the internet.
How do I program this scanner?
The owner's manual that came with your scanner has step-by-step instructions on
how to program your receiver. Simply follow these steps along with frequencies
for your area and you are set to go. If you are still having problems, call
Whistler at 866.923.8719 or
www.WhistlerGroup.com; Uniden at 800.297.1023 or www.uniden.com;
or RadioShack
at 800.THE.SHACK or www.RadioShack.com.
What can I hear on my scanner?
Originally called police scanners, today's scanner radios receive much more
than just police and emergency calls. You can listen to taxicab companies,
utility companies, aircraft, military, amateur radio, Family Radio Service,
and sometimes even the space shuttle. Basically if a two-way radio is being
used, then a scanner can pick up the signal.
What is a frequency?
A frequency is the number you program into your scanner to pick up who ever
it is you want to listen to. It is their spot on the radio dial, just like
100.5 is the FM radio position of your favorite music station.
How far away will my scanner pick up?
Scanners can pick up signals from as short as a few feet to thousands of miles.
Many of the scanner frequencies are "line of sight" so you would not expect
the signals to cover beyond the horizon. Some signals actually bounce of the
earth's atmosphere and can travel thousands of miles. Generally, expect the
scanner to receive signals from a 25- to 50-mile radius from your location.
Do frequencies change often?
Frequencies do not change often, but they do change. A wise decision would
be to regularly search on the web to keep up on any changes
in your area.
What is a bank?
A bank is a grouping of channels. Generally, you will program one frequency
on a channel. A bank may contain 10 channels, for example. In this way you
can have a bank or two set aside for police, another for fire and yet another
for railroads. Banks can be turned off and on (so you are turning on and off
10 channels at a time). In our example, you could listen to police, fire and
railroads together or could turn off the fire and railroad banks so you would
only scan the police frequencies.
Where can I get accessories?
Your local electronics store, amateur radio shop or favorite online radio vendor
is the best location to find accessories for your scanner. Anything from
antennas to external speakers can be found there.
What does the squelch do?
The squelch quiets the background radio noise when there is no signal present.
Simply turn the squelch until the noise goes away. The background noise must
be eliminated so the scanner will scan through the channels you have programmed
in. Otherwise it will hang up on a channel and you will only hear the
background noise.
What does it mean when they say "Go to channel 2"?
This should be your first clue that whoever you are listening to uses more than
one channel (frequency) in their operations. Online frequency listings
will show additional frequencies for police, fire and other agencies. Program
in all frequencies contained in the frequency lists and you should come up
with channel 2 and other channels pretty quickly.
NOTICE
The installation, possession, or use of scanning radios in a motor vehicle may be
prohibited, regulated, or require a permit in certain states, cities,
and/or local jurisdictions. Your local law enforcement officials should be able to
provide you with information regarding the laws in your community.
Read our FAQ List for CB Related Questions