police scanner
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
police scanner
Ok guys I've searched and can't find it I'm looking into putting a scanner in the truck I've got two big quistions, is it necessary to have an external antenna also, what kind should I go with I want something on the cheaper end
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, Colorado
Just go to radioshack and get a decent portable scanner. I work on an ambulance and we have them in every rig. Also that way you can always take the scanner with you everywhere you go. But first find out what frequencies your local police/ems/fire use. Make sure what whatevery scanner you purchase can pick up those channels.
ahhhh finally, a scanner question! the answer to you questions depends on alot of things.
first of all, you need to know about the system you want to monitor to figure out what you need. is it conventional? is it digital? you also have different protocols like P25, EDACS, and OPENSKY. all require a specific type of scanner.
next, you need to know what freqs your going to monitor (vhf, uhf, 700, 800 etc.) that will depend on what kind of antenna you need. multi-band antennas like radioshack's scanner antennas are awesome if you listen to all bands like stated above. but if your only interested in listening to 800, get an antenna that is tuned for that band. it will make a world of difference.
if you have a mobile scanner (one that you mount under the dash on in the console) i highly recommend an external antenna. if its a portable its not necessary, but i still recommend an external antenna.
if you tell me what area your in and what you want to monitor, i can help you narrow down your selection.
first of all, you need to know about the system you want to monitor to figure out what you need. is it conventional? is it digital? you also have different protocols like P25, EDACS, and OPENSKY. all require a specific type of scanner.
next, you need to know what freqs your going to monitor (vhf, uhf, 700, 800 etc.) that will depend on what kind of antenna you need. multi-band antennas like radioshack's scanner antennas are awesome if you listen to all bands like stated above. but if your only interested in listening to 800, get an antenna that is tuned for that band. it will make a world of difference.
if you have a mobile scanner (one that you mount under the dash on in the console) i highly recommend an external antenna. if its a portable its not necessary, but i still recommend an external antenna.
if you tell me what area your in and what you want to monitor, i can help you narrow down your selection.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 6
Check out this site http://www.radioreference.com/
Look under the database section for your state and county to find out what systems are in your area. If there are no digital systems in your area than you probably can get by with a trunking analog scanner. A mobile system would be nice but you can certainly go with a portable handheld and hook into your radio with a cable. Reception with a portable is good inside the truck. A mobile install will require an external antenna.
Look under the database section for your state and county to find out what systems are in your area. If there are no digital systems in your area than you probably can get by with a trunking analog scanner. A mobile system would be nice but you can certainly go with a portable handheld and hook into your radio with a cable. Reception with a portable is good inside the truck. A mobile install will require an external antenna.