Scanners

[ar15junkie]

Hi all,

Quick question about scanners. What is needed these days in a decent scanner? I read all sorts of things about trunking and I don't even know what.

I'm not sure what the deal is but my the frequencies listed for my town police is mostly dead. I don't know if the freq.(155.31000) is wrong or my old scanner(Rat Shack Pro-49)isn't up to the job.

Thanks

[Crystalship1]

As bad as Radio Shack has become (I'm an OLD Shackie), I'd start at your local R/S store. They SHOULD know which (if any) of your local departments are using a trunked system. If they are you'll need a "trunk-tracker" type scanner. The prices for these have gone down drastically since the Indy/Marion County area departments went to the "MECA" system.

[AFA1CY]

There are three communication systems in operation now.

1. Analog - What all police departments were on at one time. Any scanner can receive analog signals. Many small town/county departments still use analog. Two bands are utilized for analog, VHF and UHF

2. Trunking - Also an analog signal (and able to be picked up by an analog scanner). A trunked system uses several channels (frequencies) and the transmissions are not confined to one dedicated one. Each time a transmission is made the transmitting and receiving station "move" to an unoccupied channel. Trunking scanners will also change the receive frequency so you can hear the complete transmission exchange. A regular analog scanner while receiving the transmission may not hear the response if it is on another channel. Many larger cities and even some commercial applications use trunked systems. All trunked systems are in the 800 to 900 MHz bands.

3. Digital - This is the latest where all signals are transmitted in digital. Analog receivers will not receive digital transmissions. Indianapolis has just gone to digital as well in Indiana state Police.

I hope this helps.

edited to add:

Highland Police is on 158.805 per FCC database.

[ar15junkie]

Originally Posted by AFA1CY

There are three communication systems in operation now.

1. Analog - What all police departments were on at one time. Any scanner can receive analog signals. Many small town/county departments still use analog. Two bands are utilized for analog, VHF and UHF

2. Trunking - Also an analog signal (and able to be picked up by an analog scanner). A trunked system uses several channels (frequencies) and the transmissions are not confined to one dedicated one. Each time a transmission is made the transmitting and receiving station "move" to an unoccupied channel. Trunking scanners will also change the receive frequency so you can hear the complete transmission exchange. A regular analog scanner while receiving the transmission may not hear the response if it is on another channel. Many larger cities and even some commercial applications use trunked systems. All trunked systems are in the 800 to 900 MHz bands.

3. Digital - This is the latest where all signals are transmitted in digital. Analog receivers will not receive digital transmissions. Indianapolis has just gone to digital as well in Indiana state Police.

I hope this helps.

edited to add:

Highland Police is on 158.805 per FCC database.

Thanks a bunch AFA. I think my old scanner is #1. So basically we'll need to get a digital scanner in order to pick up the newer signals?

[AFA1CY]

Originally Posted by ar15junkie

Thanks a bunch AFA. I think my old scanner is #1. So basically we'll need to get a digital scanner in order to pick up the newer signals?

If all you want to listen to is Highland PD then no. (not sure about fire and sheriff) If you want to listen to State Police you need digital.

(BTW you can listen to the Ham Radio operators on 144 to 148 MHz and 420 to 450 MHz.)

[Justus]

Originally Posted by AFA1CY

If you want to listen to State Police you need digital.

Is the changeover complete?
Indiana State Police Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference


EDIT:
Looks like much of the ISP network is digital.
Still some districts using analog.

[AFA1CY]

Originally Posted by Justus

Is the changeover complete?
Indiana State Police Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference


EDIT:
Looks like much of the ISP network is digital.
Still some districts using analog.

You are looking at tow different systems. ISP is totally digital. SAFE-T is a state wide system for local PDs to use for interoperability. It is not totally functional and not all PDs use it.

[JcJ]

For anyone lives in the Boone and Hendricks county area, this guy plugged his scanners into his computer.. Also hosts the stormnet.. Pretty cool and free

N9WP Shack

[bwframe]

Are the digital signals gonna cover all the areas where analog worked? Like out in the hills and sticks?

[Bubbajms]

Crystalship, Radioshack (IMO) is just like any retailer - there will be some employees that know what they're talking about, and some that are morons. My local Radioshack has one of each, and a part-time guy that just comes to fill space and pick up a check. Guess who I like talking to??

If you're going to shop Radioshack, pick one that's not in a mall. The guys in the mall are cell-phone driven and know all kinds of stuff about Sprint or AT&T, but not near as much about scanners/batteries/parts/etc, ya know, the stuff Radioshack has been known for. Outside stores will generally have a better knowledge base.

As far as technology goes, AFA1CY is right on. I will add that "officially" there are plans for every public safety organization to go digital. Your local Sheriff, Fire Department, you name it. At that point, the analog scanner will be good for next to nothing. Now, when that's going to happen is a pretty hot button issue, especially amongst the folks that sell these. Most people truly in the know on the issue tell me that the holdup is cost of the equipment, and until that's resolved they'll be analog.

Radioreference.com is a great site for basic information..