Yes - Episode 122 is being released before episode 121... We are all starting to feel a little bit cooped up in our homes. Social distancing is the new normal and keeping inside may be driving you nuts. Today we go over 12 different radio ways you can keep yourself sane during an insane time. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session122 You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschoo...
Apr 14, 2020•38 min•Ep. 122
In this episode, Phil plays the live Ask Scanner School session he held on Facebook and YouTube. This month we answer: Has there been anything about new scanners on the horizon from Uniden or Whistler? Where should you look for tips if you’re brand new to scanning? How to troubleshoot scanning on a Windows 10 Sentinel machine? What to do about a hum sound on an SDS-200? What impact will the passing of Paul Opitz at Uniden have on future scanner quality? Will Phil ever do an IceCast setup tutoria...
Apr 07, 2020•36 min•Ep. 120
Today we're talking about a classic, the Uniden BC780XLT. This radio came out in 2000 and it shook up the scanner radio market. Learn why the power that was behind it made it a go-to scanner for many people at the time and what was available for this model on the aftermarket. What You Learn in this Week’s Podcast: Learn what the BC780XLT could do right out of the box. The BC780XLT was strictly analog. You can put a Motorola trunk system in the same bank as conventional frequencies. You can't mix...
Mar 31, 2020•26 min•Ep. 119
Have you ever wondered what it takes to set up a dispatch center? In this episode, Phil talks to his old friend Rob Bambino to discuss his company RF Designs. Rob's company specializes in consulting with fire departments and local law enforcement to build and maintain their dispatch centers and equipment. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session118 You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www...
Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 118
Where can you find frequencies that might have Coronavirus-related traffic? In this episode, Phil shares with you what he’s listening to and makes suggestions for you to find what you might want to listen for in your area. What You Need To Know Some local radio frequencies will be encrypted, but don't expect everything to have encryption. You may be able to find local ambulance companies or EMS. Many of these dispatches give a rundown of symptoms before responders go in. Find frequencies for you...
Mar 17, 2020•36 min•Ep. 117
How can you join the Scanner School community in a live Zello chat? In this episode, Phil walks you through how to create your Zello account and join the Scanner School group, and explains the purpose of the weekly Zello net chat and what sets it apart! For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session116 You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www....
Mar 10, 2020•24 min•Ep. 116
Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them. This month I answer: Difficultly with monitoring in Sacramento California How do I program or add talk groups or frequencies to the GRE-PSR800 handheld scanner? What is the best scanner available? Who is the best source to purchase from? I have an SDS100. Can you tell me the flight watch move for the statewide system in Indiana? If you have a question about scanning, please visit www.scannerschool.com/as...
Mar 03, 2020•40 min•Ep. 115
Did you know you can use a free app to set up a live scanner feed? How can you get started? In this episode, I will walk you through how to set up a live feed of your scanner radio using the free app Zello, including equipment you’ll need and how it compares to setting up a broadcast hosted on your own computer. PS - Join our NEW Zello channel! For info, visit https://zello.scannerschool.com What You Need To Know Zello is a free app for your smartphone or other smart device that wasn’t originall...
Feb 25, 2020•27 min•Ep. 114
Do you want to set up your own scanner live feed? How can you get started? In this episode, I'll walk you through how to set up a live feed of your scanner radio to be hosted on your home computer, from what hardware you need to specific software settings that need to be changed. All of this in less time than it takes to get a pizza delivered All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session113 You can help support Scanner Scho...
Feb 18, 2020•33 min•Ep. 113
Does your area have a lot of rail traffic that you want to scan? How can you get started? In this episode, we have guest Joe Curtis. He shares about his background, his setup, how he monitors train location while trackside, and more. What You Need To Know Guest Joe Curtis shares his background and how he got into scanning rail networks. The equipment Joe uses and what’s actually necessary to listen to rail traffic. What can you hear on a rail scanner? The first steps you should take if you want ...
Feb 11, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 112
Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them. This month I answer: What is the best broadband bay station antenna on the market, and the top-performing mobile scanner? What SDR dongle do I use? How to find out if the radio in your area is encrypted. Is it possible to get around control channel delays? How can you fix it if you are getting no signal from something you know is an active channel? Is it possible to set up your own private scanner broadc...
Feb 04, 2020•41 min•Ep. 111
The Uniden SR30C is the newest release by Uniden. Hitting the market in late 2019, this scanner replaces the BC75XLT as a their entry level scanner. With 500 memory channels, 10 banks, and limited features, is this a good scanner for the money? How does it compare to the BC75XLT, BC125AT, or UBC126AT? We break it all down in this week's podcast
Jan 28, 2020•30 min•Ep. 110
Have you ever wondered how to record your scanner audio? What software tools and equipment would you need? In this podcast, we have guest Garrett Farwell. He shares about his background, his setup, how he records his scanner audio to PC, and why. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session109 You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support...
Jan 21, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 109
Today we remember Rodney Paul "Upman" Opitz. Paul was the Director of Marketing and Product Development for Uniden. It is his work that gave us scanners such as the HomePatrol 1 & 2, The BCD436HP and BCD536HP, and the SDS100 and SDS200. Paul passed away at the age of 59 after losing his battle with cancer on Dec 28, 2019. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session108...
Jan 14, 2020•12 min•Ep. 108
Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them. This month I answer: What GPS should be used on the SDS100 & SDS200 Why is my USB hub transmitting? Why can't I unlock banks on my PRO-2055? Should I trade in my BCD436HP for an SDS100? Does it look like a SDS100 or SDS200 will be required to monitor the Alameda County Trunk System in California? If you have a question about scanning, please visit www.scannerschool.com/ask and leave us a message via ...
Jan 07, 2020•49 min•Ep. 107
The Scanning hobby is ever-changing. Who would have though that at the start of the 2010's we would see touch screen scanners, be able to receive DMR and NXDN, and also use SDR's to pickup almost any signal out there? What will the next one hold? In this podcast, we discuss what has happened over the last decade in scanning and what might be coming in the future. What do you predict we will see in the hobby in the next 10 years? All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be fo...
Dec 31, 2019•24 min•Ep. 106
I've been in the scanning hobby for about 30 years now. Here are some of the observations that I've made about the hobby since I started. I hope you enjoy this list! What are some observations you made about the hobby? All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session105
Dec 24, 2019•34 min•Ep. 105
In this podcast, we discuss where you can find high-quality reviews for the equipment you are looking for. Are you searching for new or used equipment? What do people think about the products you're looking for? Sometimes "good" review for can be hard to find. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session104
Dec 17, 2019•30 min•Ep. 104
Are you not able to afford completely new equipment? How do you go about finding the best "used" equipment? What do you look for when buying "used" gear? In this podcast, we talk about what's changed in finding new gear, how to go about looking for used scanners and the best and safe ways for finding good used equipment. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session103...
Dec 10, 2019•36 min•Ep. 103
Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them. This month I answer: Should you be scanning NIFOG Frequencies and why they should be programmed into your scanner Scanning the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network and where to find the frequencies and talk groups What type of computer should you buy for radio programming What antennas would I recommend for basement dwellers? What do the filters do on the SDS100 and SDS200? Where do I see the hobby goin...
Dec 03, 2019•49 min•Ep. 102
The holidays are just around the corner! Here is my scanner radio and accessory buyer's guide for the 2019 Holiday Season. Links to purchase all of these recommendations can be round at the link below. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session101
Nov 26, 2019•42 min•Ep. 101
We made it to session 100 of the podcast - and I have something new for you. A new community for all of you Scanner School members, called scannerschool.club This will not replace the existing Facebook Group, but will be a place for anyone to join. So if you don't like Facebook here is a way to network with your fellow Scanner School classmates.
Nov 19, 2019•25 min•Ep. 100
Harrison Wilson returns to the podcast to discuss some tips and tricks on how to install your scanning in your vehicle. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session99
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 99
Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them. This month I answer: Why can't I update my SDS 200e? Is there a setting to allow me to listen to just My fire station or equipment that I need to do so? What external antennas do you recommend? How do you input frequencies when not using the Radio Reference Database? If you have a question about scanning, please visit www.scannerschool.com/ask and leave us a message via SpeakPipe or the local number on o...
Nov 05, 2019•27 min•Ep. 98
We spoke about the dangers of using commercial radios on Session 81 of the podcast In this podcast, we talk about an actual incident of stolen radios that occurred in the Ohio MARCS P25 System. Several people were arrested for “stealing” and “pirating” stolen radios IDS that belong on the OHIO MARC Trunk Radio System. Those arrested were charged with the following: Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity Aggravated theft Unauthorized use of computer, cable or telecommunications property Crimin...
Oct 29, 2019•15 min•Ep. 97
While Whistler might have thrown in the towel on new radios, they have been busy upgrading the current TRX-1 and TRX-2 platforms, and released new accessories this month In this podcast, we talk about the latest upgrades and updates to Whistler’s TRX-1 and TRX-2 Scanners. We also look at Whislter’s new antenna lineup, which is quite interesting. What You Need To Know Features of the TRX-1e and TRX-2e updates What happens when you convert? How to upgrade to the new software. What happens to your ...
Oct 22, 2019•17 min•Ep. 96
In this podcast, I talk with our guest Nathan McMullin, who is the first repeat guest on the podcast and is an aviation major at Eastern Kentucky University. He shares today about combating the issues of simulcast, but in his own way. If you remember from Nathan’s first interview (link in the notes below) we talked about how to scan on a budget. This includes monitoring a P25 simulcast system. Nathan is here to talk about how he is building upon that setup to be able to do more with it, and what...
Oct 15, 2019•42 min•Ep. 95
Are you curious about a wide gamut of hobby radio topics? Have you wondered where you could find the most up-to-date info on hobby radios? In this podcast, our guest Chuck Gysi, who is the editor of National Communications Magazine shares about National Communications Magazine and its role in the industry. He talks about the ins and outs of producing a quality publication that brings the best information from the hobby radio world. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be...
Oct 08, 2019•43 min•Ep. 94
Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them. If you have a question about scanning, please visit www.scannerschool.com/ask and leave us a message via SpeakPipe or the local number on our website. We'll play your message on next month's #AskScannerSchool If you are a little shy, you can always use the contact form on www.scannerschool.com/ask or use #askscannerschool on Twitter All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/s...
Oct 01, 2019•57 min•Ep. 93
What do preppers need to know about scanners? Do you know what to do before the emergency? What kind of scanners? How to set it up? In this podcast, we walk through all you need to know in detail! All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session92
Sep 24, 2019•28 min•Ep. 92
