POLICE SCANNER FAQ's
WHAT CAN I ACTUALLY "HEAR" ON A RADIO SCANNER?
A - Some of the Interesting transmissions that can be monitored with scanners include: Police, Fire, Ambulance, Civilian and Military Aircraft, Coast Guard and Boats, FBI & DEA, Ham Radio Operators, various state, local and federal agencies, News Media Vans and 'Copters, "Commercial interests" such as Plumbers, landscapers, electric companies, Security officers and others using two-way radios; Also Officials and others at various Sporting events, including Race drivers and pit crews. Some scanners will also receive CB channels, FM and AM radio, TV sound, shortwave and more!! Each radio model is different, and of course not Every scanner model is capable of receiving all of those mentioned above.
WHAT DOES "CELL BLOCKED" MEAN?
A - "Cell Blocked" means that the USA Cellular phone Frequencies are "blocked" from being entered into the Radio Scanner. As of April, 1994, an FCC rule requires ALL Scanners Sold in the USA must be Cellular frequency Deleted (Blocked) by the Mfgr, and all the Scanners we offer therefore are cell blocked. There is No Scanner, new, old, modified or "export", that can hear the current "Digital" Cellphones being sold today.
Most Areas use "GSM" , "CDMA" or "TDMA" Digital cellular systems that are not part of current scanner technology. Some Scanners may also block additional "non cellular image" frequencies to be FCC compliant, because in some radio designs, a "quirk" of the circuit allows 800Mhz cell freqs to be received in "other" bands too. These additional blocked freqs are usually not in any Public service or "Action" band. See next Question for additional information.
CAN SCANNERS BE "MODIFIED" TO PICKUP CELLULAR PHONE OR OTHER FREQUENCIES?
A - No. Only some Older scanner models, built before 1994, were able to be frequency "modified, or Restored". All the Current New scanner models sold in the USA, by law, have the cellular Frequencies Permenently Deleted from their Internal chips, They aren't "hidden" in there, so they can't be "restored or modified". ( Older Scanners that could be "modified", were actually being "UN-modified", as they were built with these frequencies and then "blocked"). Also, Remember, since most newer cellphones are TDMA, CDMA or GSM "Digital", even these older, or export model cellular frequency-capable scanners simply can't "hear" any of the new Digital cellphones, even if tuned to their frequencies.
WHAT ABOUT "DIGITAL SCANNERS"?
A - The New Digital Scanners released by Uniden (The BC-785D, BC-796D, BC-296D and BC-250D) pick up Only Police, Public Service and other 2-way radio Transmissions using the Standard non-encrypted "APCO P-25" type Digital signal ONLY ( The Optional BCi-25D "card" is required to be Installed in the BC-785D and BC-250D models, included in the BC-296D & BC-796D). APCO-25 is a standard used by Many, (but not all), 2-way radio systems that transmit using a newer "Digital", rathar than "normal" Analog method.
These scanners Will NOT be able to get any "Encrypted" or scrambled Digital Transmissions, nor Any Type of Digital Cellphone Transmissions, Digital or Spread Spectrum Cordless, or any other other Digital Transmission formats (none of these are "APCO-25"), and the Radio/card can't be "modified" to do so. If the Digital system to be monitored is an APCO p-25 "9600" baud or "CPQSK" Digital Trunking System, You would need the BC0-296D or BC-796D models. Digital reception mode will Not be needed on "normal" non-digital transmissions used by most 2-way radios today.
WHAT IS THE "ctcss (PL) & dcs (DPL)" FEATURE, & HOW DOES IT WORK?
A - PL & DPL (ctcss & dcs tone squelch)Enable your scanner (if it has this feature), to select who you want to hear or not hear on a frequency that is shared by more than 1 user or department. Many Police and other Radio users have a "PL Tone", and if you know this tone number, you can enter it into the scanner channel, along with the frequency, and you will only hear THAT department when tuned to that channel, even if other users are on the same Frequency!
WHAT IS ALPHA or ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY?
A - AlphaNumeric Display allows you to enter a "name" for each channel. For example, you could enter "NY POLICE" or "FDNY-1", and when your scanner stops on that channel, you will actually "see" what you are tuned to. Scanners with this feature will, of course have a limits on the amount of characters you can have in the display, depending on exact model.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FREQUENCY, A BAND & A CHANNEL?
A - An example of a "Frequency" would be "154.740 Mhz". This may be a local Police Frequency. You can store this frequency in one of your radios "Channels" for monitoring and scanning (similar to the presets on your car stereo). A "Band" is a range of frequencies, for example, the "VHF-Hi" Band ranges from 136 to 174 Mhz. The more "channels" & "Bands" your scanner has, the more interesting frequencies you can store, scan, search & monitor!
IS IT LEGAL FOR ME TO HAVE & USE A SCANNER?
A - "Generally Speaking" it is legal to sell, buy and use FCC-approved Radio Scanners in the USA. HOWEVER, Mobile (automotive) use of scanners may possibly be regulated or restricted by certian State or local laws. For example, last time we checked, in New Jersey it is Legal to have a Scanner in your car, EXCEPT during the commission of a Felony or crime. Scanner Use during a crime brings an additional penalty. Other States laws vary, check with your State and local Authorities before attempting mobile use of a Scanner. Also, use of a Scanner, or any item to "break an existing law" is also usually illegal. Many jurisdictions have laws against tapping into private phone conversations without the persons knowledge, and use of a scanner, or any other item to do this may violate that law. NONE of this information should be considered legal advise, check with your local authorities or a lawyer if you need more information on this subject.
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WILL A "MORE EXPENSIVE SCANNER" HAVE BETTER RECEPTION OR LESS INTERFERENCE THAN MY CURRENT "$129" DOLLAR MODEL?
A - If you want to upgrade your current scanner, Plan on puchasing a "more expensive" scanner primarily for the additional features/channels/frequencies you will get, not nessessarily to get "better reception". It is quite possible that
at a certian specific frequencie(s), even a "cheaper" scanner could actually receive as good, or even better than one costing much more or vice/versa. The higher end model will give you a Wider frequency coverage, AlphaNumerics, PL & DPL, Trunking or other features you may want, however. If you do get any reception improvement with a new scanner, consider it an "unexpected" bonus!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SEARCH & THE SCAN FEATURE?
A - "Scan" allows your Radio to run through your preset memory channels, stopping on any channel that is active. "Search" allows you to search a range, or band of frequencies, without entering "specific" channels or individual frequencies. Some scanners allow you to program an upper and lower frequency "limit",("limit search") and will then Search all frequencies between them. Other Scanner Radios may allow only searches within Factory Preset Bands,("Band, or Service Search") or both. Some units do Not have any Search features.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "SCANNER" & A WIDE-FREQ "COMMUNICATIONS SCANNER-RECEIVER"?
A - Although often lumped "in" with and called "Scanners", the Wide Frequency range Communications Receivers, from makers such as Yaesu, Alinco & Icom, are actually a bit different. They tend to have a wider continuous frequency range than most Uniden "scanners", but None of these receivers offer the very specific "Police/Public service" monitoring features, such as TrunkTracking technology or Digital APCO reception, found on many Bearcat models.
They also generally tend to scan a bit slower than a BearCat scanner, and tend to also be much more complex in their programming, features and use. The Uniden Bearcat models are Optimized for Scanning frequencies above 25Mhz, and below 1300Mhz(The Police, Air, Fire & Marine "Action" Bands), and tend to be more user-freindly, since many of the modes, steps and functions are preset automatically simply when you enter a frequency. Those Scanning Communications Receivers, however, tend to offer reception below 25Mhz and sometimes above 1300Mhz, with some scanning functions, and may have other advanced modes and other features.
HOW CAN I GET BETTER RECEPTION ON MY SCANNER?
A - Generally Speaking, the best way to get better reception across a wide range of frequencies is to get a Longer/larger antenna than what you are currently using, and mounted up higher. Trading your 5 inch "rubber duck" for a different brand 5 inch "rubber duck" probably won't make much difference. Go with a 15" rubber duck ( such as an ANLI RD-88H ), or better yet mount a scanner antenna on the roof ( such as a Discone in our OnLine Catalog), of your house or car for a more noticeable improvement. Most signals that you will listen to on a Scanner have "Line of Sight" reception qualities.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE WITH A "RACE or SPORT SCANNER" ?
A - There really is no differece from "regular" scanners and those labeled "Sport" or Racing" on the package. It has become very popular for Racing fans to bring Radio Scanners to the Racetrack & Sporting events, to listen to the drivers and Pit crew, so some of the Scanner makers have been using these "Sport" and "Race" type terms on the Packaging to appeal to
Race fans or Coloring the scanner Red or Yellow. You generally want features such as Frequency coverage to 956 Mhz, at least 100 channels and AlphaNumerics for the Best "race" use...
WHAT IF THE SCANNER WON'T ACCEPT MY FREQUENCY?
A - There are 2 possibilities. Some scanners were designed for "6 digit" freqs only, so trying to enter "462.7125" might cause it to default to a nearby freq like "462.710. In cases like this it is Usually OK to allow the scanner to default to the nearest freq, it should be close enough to receive, in most cases. This is known as the "step Rate" of the scanner. Remember, most scanners will only accept the standard step rates, If you try to enter, say, 452.176, the radio will default to the correct 452. 175, since the FCC does not allocate radio users in a 1kz step, and that would not be a vaild user frequency.
Some scanners, such as the Alinco Models, have selectable step rates, allowing for great flexibility to enter most frequencies. - The other possibility is that you are trying to enter a frequency the scanner doesn't have the capability to accept at all, such as a cellular phone frequency, or other frequency band that gives an error.
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IS THERE A SCANNER MADE WITH A BUILT-IN CB RADIO
or FRS TRANCEIVER?
A - No. Some Scanners, such as the Uniden BC-796D, BC-296D, BCT-8, Alinco DJ-X2000T & DJ-X3T or Yaesu VR-120D will receive the 40 CB channels and FRS, but none will transmit.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE CORRECT FREQUENCIES TO ENTER INTO MY SCANNER?
A - Some frequencies can be found by doing an internet search, although it is still a good idea to have a copy of a frequency directory on hand if you plan on owning a scanner. You wouldn't want to have to search the internet instead of using a "TV Guide" each time you needed to find out what's currently on TV.
CAN I USE THE NEW HiCAPACITY NICKLE HYDRIDE BATTERIES IN MY SCANNER?
A - Yes! If Your Scanner takes 'AA' sized cells, (such as the Bearcat BC-80XLT), You can safely charge NiMi batteries, and benefit from longer run-time between charges. If Your Scanner takes the bearcat BP-180, BP-250 or 120 "plug-in" battery, You can substitute our HiCapacity NiMi compatible pack for an almost 3 to 4X Upgrade in capacity!!
WHAT IS TRUNKTRACKING, & DO I NEED IT IN MY SCANNER?
A - The Trunking, or TrunkTracking feature is only used to monitor a special computerized "trunked" radio system. Agencies using a Trunked system have a central computer that "handles" multiple frequencies (channels) and Transmitters, putting various and multiple different system users on a vacant frequency(s) as needed. A user could theoretically be on a different "channel" every time he keys his mike. This multiple frequency "jumping" makes it hard or impossible to "follow" conversations when using a non-trunktracking scanner. If the signals you monitor are not part of a "Trunked" Radio system, this extra trunking feature would not and cannot be used for them, and gives no additional benifit when monitoring your "regular" channels. Contrary to rumors, "TrunkTracking" has nothing to do with "radios mounted in cop car's "trunks", nor scrambled or encrypted signals.
