I remember getting all the crystals from Radio Shack for a handheld we got one year for Christmas. Simpler times, but it seemed really hi tech at the time.
In Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), PA, almost every public safety system is good old non trunked UHF FM. You could get by with a Baofeng UV-5R as a (slow, but usable) scanner here. Also, the UV-5R is a pretty good "railfan" scanner.
Hi, a PSAP is a Public Safety Answering Point, and used for emergency and non-emergency calls. I was in a profession for a long time in which we fielded calls from all over the country. When we received 911 calls they were automatically connected to a PSAP who then connected to the police/fire/EMS for the particular city/county/state. Thanks for another great and informative video. You’re making it easier for me to determine which scanner to purchase.
I have been listening to a local county police scanner in my area for years on my iPhone, but the increased amount the messages that have been cutting out lately makes it almost worthless most time. Now the apps are wanting $3.00 a month or more. The county has 740 square miles and is flat farm land. I'm new to all of this as far as getting a dedicated radio. I know back about 20 years ago, the $50 Motorola radios we would use for deer hunting were pathetic at best. I know this is a loaded question, but what radios would you suggest I try for a dedicated police scanner? Plz & thx u.
The problem is that different locations use different systems with different trunking protocols and some use various degrees of encryption. Give the folks over at Zip Scanners a call and they will tell you what is best for your area 👍
All of my local PD and FD haven’t went to trunked systems. I have a Baofeng UV-5R I use to listen to local amateur and Gmrs repeaters and a couple marine channels. I’m only licensed in Gmrs so obviously I don’t transmit on ham. My question is, unless I want to spend a pile of money on a digital scanner, is there really any benefit to buying a scanner, or am I getting the same use out of the Baofeng? I’ve programmed in about all I can find through RepeaterBook and radio reference, although I really don’t want to pay extra for the RR premium membership. I hope this makes sense.
Great video, you answered my question, with the frequency I want to listen is encrypted. In that case I just need a regular scanner nothing fancy to listen to other frequencies around my area that’s not encrypted. Thank you
If you dont have a scanner anymore, there's a number of scanner apps you can use. A lot of cities are on it. Indianapolis has 3 districts feeding into one feed...crazy police action there! Listener count is like 1500! Wild! I wish we could hear police in BC, Canada...miss my scanner entertainment at night! Sob.....sniffle sniffle....
Not my local PD in my town. I have my local sheriff's dispatch and tactical lines on my old analog boofwang radio, but RR has my local PD freq it says it's a DMR system, which is the one dispatch I'd prefer to listen to. On my analog it's all encrypted cuz I can pick up when they're talking but can't hear what they're saying
@TheSmokinApe yes and theoretically many would be on them the one I want to listen in on. I'm hopeful this guy can help me out. I don't intend to transmit on them, I would just be a listener. No app I've seen yet has my local PD on it
Excellent presentation -- thanks for that. It's been a couple decades since I was scanning and trunking has evolved quite a bit. I use a portable scanner for road trip (winter) travel since road works and police/fire are often useful along with NOAA wxr and ski resort operations
Video was very helpful. If a frequency has a 400 level frequency followed by "Repeater (DMR)" what type of scanner would I need to listen to that. Could the same scanner pick up a 100 level frequency that has a mode of "P25e" (not sure what this stands for) or "FMN"?
Any recommendations on what scanner to buy that is truncated and not truncated what would bethe best one to buy that someone will program for me at purchase?
Hey you were taking on the Mode column I have T listed. I have my old Home Patrol 2 and am getting a SDS 100 Can both pickup the T mode or only one of these can. Thanks
It depends, T is for TDMA or Time Divisible Multiple Access. P25 and DMR are TDMA, at least I believe P25 is... you can get DMR with the SDS100 with the additional license purchase. If you want to know specifics for your area you might want to call the folks at Zip Scanners.
Virginia Beach went encrypted last year. I’m in a private scanner group of just under 1,000 people. (Which is not a lot considering how many people live here!) but we can only follow Fire/EMS/Virginia State Police now.
Most services worth listening to in my area ARE encrypted, this has stopped me from wanting to listen with my uniden 436HP for over a year now It is good to see you keeping after it. Nice video Ape
So if I am trying to listen to law enforcement in Conecuh and Monroe Count AL and they all show FMN, would I need a digital trunked or just regular analog scanner? No one has been able to answer me on this.
Good video. I have an old analog from 20 years ago, not much to hear anymore. Is there any beginner digital you'd recommend that's not too hard to program?
Hi there from the U.K. ... just a quick question about scanners ... in the old days I bought a AoR 1000 and listened to a wide range of things ... but I found just looking at digits on a screen didn’t help identify what I was listening to ... so recently I found a Grecom PSR-295 it has text info ... which I find is great for info ... there is a pc/if output socket ... so I was wondering if you know of any software that I could use to get the Freq info out ... I’m happy to manually input Freq info and text ... all the best from John
Thanks for that presentation, very informative. I live in Hillsborough County and there’s tons of activity I hear on an analog Communications Receiver. I may venture into digital some day.
@@TheSmokinApe so I downloaded the scanner app from the Apple app Store. I got all my surrounding towns but not mine. I am really sorry for all the questions I’m just trying to get this local police channel
I am interested in getting a scanner that can trunk the state patrol, so the 700 frequencies, in phase 2. The local police all use analog frequencies. Any suggestions?
I have the Uniden 536 and 436 and they work great. I’ve been hesitant to upgrade to the SDS100 and SDS200 because of the possibility of encryption in the future. Radio Reference is an excellent resource for the scanning hobby. Great video Ape, love your content.
What type of scanner would I need to listen to sheriff EMS fire in orange county Louisa county VA is it still possible to hear sheriff office if so what would I need thank you much
Hey Chris, you best bet would be to contact Zip Scanners, they maintain a database of all US locations and can help you find a scanner that would meet your needs.
yea check your local area for frequency's because none of our local stuff is encrypted 95% of it is VHF?UHF in the clear. so check first b4 deciding what kind of scanner you want to buy. now if you have a nice outdoor antenna your range will be much longer so you may come across encrypted but mostly larger citys have them my small town is all in the open. you can buy scnner that will pick up any signal you want but go ahead and chop off your arm or left nut..
wife got her ny emt but sadly her job at hosp pays more. I can only hear so many unhappy calls like '22 female OD delta response'. my RS pro2051 does analog trunking but lots of small towns havent gone p25 yet.
Hey there, question if you could help, please. Wanting to list to fire/ EMS and or sheriff for Lake County Florida. I’ve heard that it’s not available for residents to listen to it. Could you find out if this is true? If it is available would you share with me what type of scanner I would need to listen. Thanks in advance 😊
I really want to listen to Atlantis casino security in Reno NV. Washoe county on a digital scanner. Can I use a Uniden BCD325p2?Or do I have to spend alot for a sds100?😢
You would have to save that frequency and the tone setting to a channel and the scan that channel. Typically folks will create channels for known frequencies and save them to a channel bank.
RR is certainly worth the donation. But if you’re not reading The Spectrum Monitor, you are missing out on the best expertise on receiving that there is!
I just want to listen to the dispatcher and the local police and fire in my town more nosy than anything else. It doesn’t seem like that needs to be encrypted? I just don’t know where I can add me. It’s not like I can call the police and ask them as your radio encrypted. They’ll think I’m crazy or a bad actor. 😂
Good informative video Mr Ape. I'll need to look up that for my local area. No ocean near me but have our airport 25min drive away. I hope they are only trunked but not encrypted. :)
I miis the old days , now it's to complicated and reqires alot of cash ,for the cat and mouse game , ill just use a app for the phone , great explanation informative video
I remember getting all the crystals from Radio Shack for a handheld we got one year for Christmas. Simpler times, but it seemed really hi tech at the time.
Yeah, it's funny how that used to be the case. Thanks for watching 👍
Patrolman 7-Realistic-Lawrence Massachusetts-1970’s w crystals-still miss it!
This video was informative and so helpful in getting me started. Thank you!
Thanks Tom, glad it was helpful 👍
In Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), PA, almost every public safety system is good old non trunked UHF FM. You could get by with a Baofeng UV-5R as a (slow, but usable) scanner here. Also, the UV-5R is a pretty good "railfan" scanner.
Yeah, they would be fine for rail fans. Thanks for watching 👍
I live in the upstate NY, near Albany, and surprisingly there are MANY analog scanner freqs that still remain.
Awesome, that’s good to hear 👍
In North Carolina the sheriff's office and the Town Police department and the EMS is on viper system
Hi, a PSAP is a Public Safety Answering Point, and used for emergency and non-emergency calls. I was in a profession for a long time in which we fielded calls from all over the country. When we received 911 calls they were automatically connected to a PSAP who then connected to the police/fire/EMS for the particular city/county/state.
Thanks for another great and informative video. You’re making it easier for me to determine which scanner to purchase.
Thanks for the info Maureen, glad you liked the video 👍
I have been listening to a local county police scanner in my area for years on my iPhone, but the increased amount the messages that have been cutting out lately makes it almost worthless most time. Now the apps are wanting $3.00 a month or more. The county has 740 square miles and is flat farm land. I'm new to all of this as far as getting a dedicated radio. I know back about 20 years ago, the $50 Motorola radios we would use for deer hunting were pathetic at best. I know this is a loaded question, but what radios would you suggest I try for a dedicated police scanner? Plz & thx u.
The problem is that different locations use different systems with different trunking protocols and some use various degrees of encryption. Give the folks over at Zip Scanners a call and they will tell you what is best for your area 👍
All of my local PD and FD haven’t went to trunked systems. I have a Baofeng UV-5R I use to listen to local amateur and Gmrs repeaters and a couple marine channels. I’m only licensed in Gmrs so obviously I don’t transmit on ham. My question is, unless I want to spend a pile of money on a digital scanner, is there really any benefit to buying a scanner, or am I getting the same use out of the Baofeng? I’ve programmed in about all I can find through RepeaterBook and radio reference, although I really don’t want to pay extra for the RR premium membership. I hope this makes sense.
If you only have a few channels to monitor and they are within the Baofeng's frequency coverage and they are not digital I'd say use the Baofeng
@@TheSmokinApe that’s what I was thinking too. What digitally scanner do you recommend that’s reasonably priced?
@@hcfirefighter82 none of the digital ones are reasonable, I do really like the SDS-100
@@TheSmokinApe my wife would kill me.
Great video, you answered my question, with the frequency I want to listen is encrypted. In that case I just need a regular scanner nothing fancy to listen to other frequencies around my area that’s not encrypted. Thank you
Glad it was helpful 👍
If you dont have a scanner anymore, there's a number of scanner apps you can use. A lot of cities are on it. Indianapolis has 3 districts feeding into one feed...crazy police action there! Listener count is like 1500! Wild! I wish we could hear police in BC, Canada...miss my scanner entertainment at night! Sob.....sniffle sniffle....
Yeah, that apps can be fun and useful for when you travel 👍
Not my local PD in my town. I have my local sheriff's dispatch and tactical lines on my old analog boofwang radio, but RR has my local PD freq it says it's a DMR system, which is the one dispatch I'd prefer to listen to. On my analog it's all encrypted cuz I can pick up when they're talking but can't hear what they're saying
@TheSmokinApe yes and theoretically many would be on them the one I want to listen in on. I'm hopeful this guy can help me out. I don't intend to transmit on them, I would just be a listener. No app I've seen yet has my local PD on it
Excellent presentation -- thanks for that. It's been a couple decades since I was scanning and trunking has evolved quite a bit. I use a portable scanner for road trip (winter) travel since road works and police/fire are often useful along with NOAA wxr and ski resort operations
Thanks for checking it out Big Wave 👍
Video was very helpful. If a frequency has a 400 level frequency followed by "Repeater (DMR)" what type of scanner would I need to listen to that. Could the same scanner pick up a 100 level frequency that has a mode of "P25e" (not sure what this stands for) or "FMN"?
What type of walkie-talkie would I need to listen to San Francisco Police Department?
Can a digital scanner also receive analog signals? I guess what I'm asking is will it convert the analog frequencies to digital?
It doesn’t convert them but will process them just fine 👍
@@TheSmokinApe ok so basically it is capable of handling either or, digital and analog channels? Thanks
@@user-zx1ir7jt4c yep
Any recommendations on what scanner to buy that is truncated and not truncated what would bethe best one to buy that someone will program for me at purchase?
I’d call the folks over at Zip Scanners, they will be able to check the database and tell you what would be the best option for your area 👍
@@TheSmokinApe perfect, thanks so much!!!
Hey you were taking on the Mode column I have T listed. I have my old Home Patrol 2 and am getting a SDS 100 Can both pickup the T mode or only one of these can. Thanks
It depends, T is for TDMA or Time Divisible Multiple Access. P25 and DMR are TDMA, at least I believe P25 is... you can get DMR with the SDS100 with the additional license purchase. If you want to know specifics for your area you might want to call the folks at Zip Scanners.
Virginia Beach went encrypted last year. I’m in a private scanner group of just under 1,000 people. (Which is not a lot considering how many people live here!) but we can only follow Fire/EMS/Virginia State Police now.
Ugh, I hate when that happens. Sorry man…
Most services worth listening to in my area ARE encrypted, this has stopped me from wanting to listen with my uniden 436HP for over a year now It is good to see you keeping after it. Nice video Ape
Howdy Kevin, I really enjoy scanning but the encryption is cramping my lifestyle 😡
Why don't we start a class-action suit to make clear that WE THE PEOPLE are in charge and NOT the elites!
So if I am trying to listen to law enforcement in Conecuh and Monroe Count AL and they all show FMN, would I need a digital trunked or just regular analog scanner? No one has been able to answer me on this.
You can listen to FMN with an analog scanner
Good video. I have an old analog from 20 years ago, not much to hear anymore. Is there any beginner digital you'd recommend that's not too hard to program?
They not cheap but the SDS scanners from Uniden are very easy 👍
Hi there from the U.K. ... just a quick question about scanners ... in the old days I bought a AoR 1000 and listened to a wide range of things ... but I found just looking at digits on a screen didn’t help identify what I was listening to ... so recently I found a Grecom PSR-295 it has text info ... which I find is great for info ... there is a pc/if output socket ... so I was wondering if you know of any software that I could use to get the Freq info out ... I’m happy to manually input Freq info and text ... all the best from John
Hey John, I looked all over and can’t find anything, sorry bro 👍
Question so I have a Baofeng UV5R8W am I able to listen to Public transit on there like for Buses and stuff if I add in the Frequencies for it
It’s going to depend, the Baofeng will only RX FM analog 👍
@@TheSmokinApe ok thank you
Thanks for that presentation, very informative. I live in Hillsborough County and there’s tons of activity I hear on an analog Communications Receiver. I may venture into digital some day.
Glad you liked it. That’s awesome you have plenty to listen to on analog 👍
Do I need a digital scanner to listen to an FM frequency? Thank you.
You do not need one for FM Analog 👍
@@TheSmokinApe thank you.
I found my local MODE: says FM and FMN. WILL THE UNIden BC125AT work here? Frequency. Is 471 and 482
Yeah
@@TheSmokinApe so I downloaded the scanner app from the Apple app Store. I got all my surrounding towns but not mine. I am really sorry for all the questions I’m just trying to get this local police channel
Hi I have a question, did you manage to get the uniden 125at and if you did could you make a video? Please and thank you
I do have one, I can add doing a video to the list 👍
Awesome thank you and if you can help with what I can listen to in the state of Michigan that’s if can
I am interested in getting a scanner that can trunk the state patrol, so the 700 frequencies, in phase 2. The local police all use analog frequencies. Any suggestions?
I am pretty happy with my Uniden SDS100
I have the Uniden 536 and 436 and they work great. I’ve been hesitant to upgrade to the SDS100 and SDS200 because of the possibility of encryption in the future. Radio Reference is an excellent resource for the scanning hobby. Great video Ape, love your content.
Hey Teh, glad you like the videos. I’m with you, I fear the encryption 👀
@@TheSmokinApe You didn't mention anything about some parts that have license on it?
What type of scanner would I need to listen to sheriff EMS fire in orange county Louisa county VA is it still possible to hear sheriff office if so what would I need thank you much
Hey Chris, you best bet would be to contact Zip Scanners, they maintain a database of all US locations and can help you find a scanner that would meet your needs.
Best antenna for Bearcat 125AC, to listen to FIRE/EMS Orange County? My rubber duck antenna picks up nothing. Please advise on an alternative antenna🙏
I have been really happy with Comet and Diamond antennas, just make sure you get them from a reputable dealer.
Any scanners on the market that will scan poc radio's?
Internet radio's?
I do not know
yea check your local area for frequency's because none of our local stuff is encrypted 95% of it is VHF?UHF in the clear. so check first b4 deciding what kind of scanner you want to buy. now if you have a nice outdoor antenna your range will be much longer so you may come across encrypted but mostly larger citys have them my small town is all in the open. you can buy scnner that will pick up any signal you want but go ahead and chop off your arm or left nut..
Great point BB 👍
wife got her ny emt but sadly her job at hosp pays more. I can only hear so many unhappy calls like '22 female OD delta response'. my RS pro2051 does analog trunking but lots of small towns havent gone p25 yet.
Yeah, some of those calls can be a downer.
Hey there, question if you could help, please. Wanting to list to fire/ EMS and or sheriff for Lake County Florida. I’ve heard that it’s not available for residents to listen to it. Could you find out if this is true? If it is available would you share with me what type of scanner I would need to listen. Thanks in advance 😊
Hey Tricia, the good folks over at Zip Scanners would better be able to help you out. Give them a call, thay have fantastic customer service.
I really want to listen to Atlantis casino security in Reno NV. Washoe county on a digital scanner. Can I use a Uniden BCD325p2?Or do I have to spend alot for a sds100?😢
It's going to depend on the type of system they use, and I bet they are encrypted.
I'm confused about which one to get. I live in Ohio. I would like it for home. Listen to police , fire and etc. Which one would you recommend?
Give the folks at Zip Scanners a call and they would be able to look that the database for you’re area and make the best recommendation 👍
@@TheSmokinApe Thank you
Apopka is a city north of Orlando
Gotcha, thanks!
Sadly all my fang does is scan the vhf/uhf and calling freqs and what’s left of the repeater network. Sadly it mainly scans and picks up nothing 😵💫🙁
Yeah, we had more traffic when there was traffic 🤔
Can project 25 phase 2 be picked up by any high end scanners?
Yes, here are some examples bearcatwarehouse.com/collections/uniden-phase-ii-capable-police-scanners?
Where do I find frequencies in my area?
On the website I show on the video.
Living in 26537 what scanner handheld would you recommend
I’d check with the folks at zip scanners, they have a database of what is available to listen to in your area and can tell you the best options 👍
How can i hear san antonio the 200 raido????
I am confused. I am scanning a frequency but it has a Tone. How do I listen to that specific tone?
You would have to save that frequency and the tone setting to a channel and the scan that channel. Typically folks will create channels for known frequencies and save them to a channel bank.
Is there any difference between a app and scanner?
Yeah, with a scanner I can choose what I want to listen to. WIth that app you can listen to what some chooses to rebroadcast.
I have very little showing in my area.
That might be the case
Great Video What Scanners Do You Have Ape?
I mostly use my SDS100 but have been playing with the bc125at. I have a home patrol 2 as well.
@@TheSmokinApe oh ok I see those are nice scanners thanks for answering my question
@@Ross13ful thanks for watching 👍
This was a really informative video. Thank you
Thanks Tony, glad you liked it 👍
RR is certainly worth the donation. But if you’re not reading The Spectrum Monitor, you are missing out on the best expertise on receiving that there is!
That does look like a good one, thanks for the heads up Frank 👍
So this is just a database, which is comprehensive. But then we need a scanner. What scanner is best for an iPhone
I believe "Scanner App" is the one people like.
Great video, thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching 👍
Perfect I just subscribed. Thank you.
@@MrJames2222 👍
Thanks
Welcome
Ape…this is just what I needed…you nailed it…thx
Awesome! Glad it was helpful Doug 👍
Thank you for helping me understand the encryption.
Hey Joshua, glad to hear it was helpful.
Great informative video Ape.
Thanks for watching Thump 👍
I just want to listen to the dispatcher and the local police and fire in my town more nosy than anything else. It doesn’t seem like that needs to be encrypted? I just don’t know where I can add me. It’s not like I can call the police and ask them as your radio encrypted. They’ll think I’m crazy or a bad actor. 😂
Thank you
Thanks for watching James 👍
my nassau county ny is encrypted.
Thank you Mr Ape
Thanks for watching LC 👍
can i use it in Pakistan?
I’m not sure of the frequency plan there, sorry
Great video, thanks. Apopka is a small town in Orange County, near Orlando. Pronounced A-pop-kah
Thanks for the info and for watching 👍
Thanks, as always good information.
Thanks for watching Charles 👍
I'm having no luck with it
Your area isn’t listed?
Good job!
Thanks!
Quick answer, not much if the police system has moved from trucked to encrypted.
Better answer, watch the video.
and the geo-locating intensifies!
😳
Good video 👍
Thanks Andy 👍
4:47 ... A-pop-ka
👍
PSAP is the 911 operator answer position
ah, had no idea
Good informative video Mr Ape. I'll need to look up that for my local area. No ocean near me but have our airport 25min drive away. I hope they are only trunked but not encrypted. :)
Good luck with it Don 👍
PSAP is Public Service Answering Point - your 911 call center
Thanks Feeto 👍
Public SAFETY Answering Point
@@jkg2202 Thanks my dude. I done forgot
Not much on a scanner these days. I don't hear any marine or military. All I get is aircraft if your lucky some satellites and the ISS .
I think it can depend on you me area too, I get public service stuff all day.
I miis the old days , now it's to complicated and reqires alot of cash ,for the cat and mouse game , ill just use a app for the phone , great explanation informative video
Yeah, it certainly has become complicated. Thanks for watching 👍
I have a Bearcat BC XL 144 scanner...and I can't pick up 💩 anymore, not even airport TWO MILES from my house!!😡
From encryption?
@@TheSmokinApe Probably, all I can get is weather, what is the best cheapest digital scanner that WILL pick up Pd, fire, and rescue? 🤔
@@Blackdog57 the SDS100 but it ain’t cheap
@@Blackdog57 call ZipS ambers and ask what they recommend for your area
everythings backward. WE should all be encrypted, and our govt OPEN AND NOTORIOUS.
email sent
Got it 👍