Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby

332 - Ask Scanner School v68

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask This month, we are pulling questions that were asked via our Facebook Group. Questions answered on this week's podcast 1. Is this an issue with simulcast? 2. Can You Scan Brandmeister or TGIF Talk Groups? 3. Finding information about Lehigh PA's New TRS 4. What does AI mean for the Scanner Hobby? =============...

331 - SRU109: FDMA and TDMA for beginners

Digital modes, like P25, NXDN, DMR and others will use FDMA, TDMA, or both allow multiple transmissions to share a single frequency at the same time. FDMA or Frequency Division Multiple Access divides a current carrier frequency into multiple parts, allowing for multiple users to operate on the same time on the same frequency. TDMA or Time Division Multiple Access divides a current transmission over time, allowing for 2 or more users to share a the same frequency at the same time, depending on t...

330 - SRU108: FM and NFM - Bandwidth is King

Do you program your scanner with FM or FM Narrowband? 🤔 Find out why the right choice matters in our latest Scanner Radio University episode. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School. Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School. 🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/ ================...

329 - SRU107: Simulcast - How to Stop the Pain

Imagine knowing that your scanner radio has a full signal, but you can't hear anything. Maybe you're listening to a p25 trunk system, but you can't listen to any of the activity. You can see your scanner is trying to go to a voice channel. It's trying to work. But you hear nothing. How frustrating does this sound? For many, this is a common occurrence when they try to listen to a P25 Simulcast site on their scanner radios. Let’s figure out why this is happening and some simple solutions you can ...

328 - Ask Scanner School v67

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask This month, we are pulling questions that were asked via Facebook Messenger. ▶︎ How do I log P25 Radio IDs? ▶︎ Where can I find a manual for a Uniden BC950XLT? ▶︎ How can I fix a battery door on a SDS100 that will not close? ▶︎ Where can I find a list of Radio IDs for a Trunk system? ==========================...

327 - SRU106: Rebanding - How Nextel complicated the scanner hobby

The Nextel Conundrum: Originally established as a convenient communication solution for small businesses, Nextel swiftly expanded its services to include cellular telephony. However, the positioning of Nextel within the RF spectrum, sandwiched besides public safety frequencies, combined with its network built for capacity, led to unprecedented challenges. The dense clustering of Nextel sites interfered with public safety radios, prompting the necessity for rebanding. Rebanding entailed a complex...

326 - Analog and Digital Trunked Systems

Once upon a time, we only had analog trunked radio systems. These systems all had analog voice talk groups. These systems included Motorola Type I, Motorola Type IIi, Motorola Type II, EDACS, and LTR systems. Today, we are living in a digital trunked environment, where there are no analog voice channels. All voice is done using a form of digital modulation. These systems include P25, DMR, and NXDN. But, we had an in between. This is where we had digital talk groups on an analog trunked system. O...

325 - SRU104 - LCN vs CC Only Trunked Systems

There are two distinct flavors of trunked radio systems that we need to be aware of when programming our scanners. There are systems that require that every frequency for each site be programmed into their pre-determined channel number, and those that do not. Systems that require every frequency be programmed into our scanners in their designated sequence are Logical Channel Numbered systems and include EDACS, LTR, and all flavors of DMR. Control channel only systems only require the control cha...

324 - Ask Scanner School v66

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask Don't forget to join us on YouTube on the first Tuesday of every month for our live Q&A session. Click here to Subscribe! Questions answered on this week's podcast 1. Jenny has a question about a strange signal she is hearing on her scanner 2. Garrett would like to know about picking up Low Band VHF with h...

323 - SRU103 - Trunked Radio Basics

Did you know that trunked radio systems are just like an orchestra? There are several parts in each that work in harmony. In our latest podcast, we compare the two to make it easier for you to understand exactly how a trunked system works. We also dive into why trunked systems are an excellent way of utilizing the limited radio frequency resources. YOUTUBE LINK TBD ========= =========================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store...

322 - SRU102 - Conventional Scanning

Conventional is the "OG" when it comes to scanning. Every scanner radio that has ever been sold can receive conventional (analog) signals. This week's session of Scanner Radio University will break down several modes of conventional transmissions you can receive with your scanner radio. 🎬 Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling ...

SRU101 - Intro to Scanner Radios

Welcome to the first in a series of classes that we are calling "Scanner Radio University". Over the next several weeks and months, we will be covering topics that will not only be geared towards those just entering the hobby, but topics that maybe you needed to overlook because a lot of today scanners just work out of the box or with computer assisted programming. This week, we will cover the basics of what scanner radio is, who uses them, where to buy one, and where to get help. 🎬 Watch this ...

319 - I'm never selling this radio

Discover the incredible story behind my love for scanner radios. Join me as I reminisce about my first scanner radio and how it sparked my lifelong passion to helping others with the scanner radio hobby. 🎬 Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CeW3APzXvGM ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School. Pi...

318 - Yaesu FT-60R Review

The Yaesu FT-60R has to be one of the longest radios available for purchase. First released in 2004, the FT-60R is still for sale, 20 years later! Yes, this is a Ham Radio, but this rugged two way radio has a wide enough receiver that it could be used as a conventional only scanner radio. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles that most scanner radios have, this radio has enough going for it that the losses can be overlooked. Today’s review is broken down into 3 parts. A general summary r...

317 - 13 Frequencies you need in your scanner right now

316 - Recent Updates from Uniden

315 - Ask Scanner School v64

314 - 2023 Year in Review

We’ve made it through another year. Here is a quick rundown of what we did in 2023 and what is planned for Scanner School in 2024. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School. Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School. 🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/ ============================...

313 - Very Last Minute Gift Ideas

Are you looking for a last minute Scanner Radio gift this holiday season? Do you need something for yourself or someone else? Here is a list of Scanner Radio accessories that you can have as a gift in just a few days. ==================================== 🔗 Gifts recommended in this week's podcast (Links Below May Be Affiliate links, which means we could earn a small commission if you use these links to make a purchase) ==================================== Software Defined Radio NooElec SDR http...

312 - Understanding the Radio Reference Database

How does the Radio Reference obtain the data that it publishes? Is it from Federal Licensed Databases or other online frequency repositories? Nope! It comes from Scannerds like you and I. In other words, the data that is inside the Radio Reference database is user contributed data that has been confirmed. We’ll cover how you can find and submit data in this podcast episode, and cover the differences between paid and premium accounts. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merc...

311 - Ask Scanner School Vol 63

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask Don't forget to join us on YouTube on the first Tuesday of every month for our live Q&A session. Questions answered on this week's podcast Ralph is looking for help using DSD Plus and his Scanner Danny has a few questions about setting up a Software Defined Radio Terry would like to know what the best Apps...

310 - Riding and Scanning Amtrak's Zephyr with Garrett Farwell

Garrett Farwell returns to the podcast this week to talk about his recent trip from California to Colorado aboard Amtrak’s California Zephyr. How does a “Scannerd” occupy their time while on a multi-day and multi-state land cruise? With their portable scanner of course! Garrett shares how he prepared for his trip using online resources to find frequencies he might be interested in monitoring on his journey and how one last minute surprise really helped him get his trip off on the right “track”. ...

309 - 2023 Holiday Buyer's Guide

308 - Ham Radio HTs for Scanning w/ David Vine

David Vine returns to the podcast this week to share alternative uses to Ham Radios. Not only can you use VHF and UHF Ham Radios to talk and monitor amateur radio frequencies, but you can use most of them to monitor outside the amateur radio band. This means many ham radios can also be used as basic scanner radios. Frequencies that can be monitored will vary by make and model, but for the most part, expect to be able to monitor the VHF and UHF public safety bands with a VHF or UHF ham radio. Set...

307 - Ask Scanner School Vol 62

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting scannerschool.com/ask Questions answered on this week's podcast Scott would like to know how to make his scanner scan faster Derek is looking for a scanner that has a display that is easy to see and will work well in his area. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy...

306 - Should You Buy a "Receiver" ?

Scanners and Receivers are more cousins than brothers and sisters. Both receive frequencies, both can scan frequencies, and both do not transmit. However, each has their own strong points and weaknesses when it comes to tuning, range, and features. Found out if you should buy a receiver for your radio arsenal in this podcast episode. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandi...

305 - Building a Bond by Scanning Schools

Are you looking for a creative way to build a radio bond with your child? Have you tried to scan something they can relate to, such as their own school? When your child hears a teacher, faculty, or staff that they know and can recognize talking on the radio, it could spark an interest for scanning within them. Scanning your child’s school can also be of interest during times where the school has engaged their own safety protocols and have locked down. Or, it could be interesting to hear about la...

304 - Remembering Larry Van Horn

For many, you can’t talk about scanning without mentioning Larry Van Horn. Larry has influenced many in the hobby when it comes to Military Monitoring. He wrote for Monitoring Time Magazine for many years and continued to write for “The Spectrum Monitor” once MT ceased publication. Not only was Larry a wealth of information when it came to Military Monitoring, but his yearly airshow columns were second to none. Larry, N5FPW, spent many years monitoring and sharing information. Larry was special,...

303 - 3D Print your own repairs or accessories

If you’ve ever wanted to create or build your own scanner accessories, 3D printing may be an exciting avenue to start exploring. Matt Neely has been bitten by the 3D Printing bug, and has already printed many scanner radio accessories for a fraction of what ‘store bought’ products would cost. Imagine printing your own replacement parts. This includes belt clips, channel, squelch, and volume control knobs. Maybe even SDS100 battery door retainer clips or desk stands. Free plans for many parts and...

302 - Ask Scanner School Vol 61

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting https://www.scannerschool.com/ask Don't forget to join us on YouTube on the first Tuesday of every month for our live Q&A session. https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube Questions answered on this week's podcast Joe would like help understanding how trunked systems work and how they are programmed into a scanner Gary is traveling an...