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 I answer this month: DSM Central Iowa from Twitter Asks how to setup weather on his BCD436HP Joseph has questions about sharing his antenna with a CB radio and how to get back...
Jan 04, 2022•35 min•Ep. 211
Kenneth Fowler, a past guest several times over, is today’s guest on the podcast. Kenneth and I discuss how encryption has changed his scanning habits. His local police and fire have encrypted, but this has not stopped Kenneth from enjoying the scanner radio hobby. Today, Kenneth shares how he is scanning other agencies to gather the same information he would have received if he was listening to police or fire. Our conversation fall back to what I like to say: We don’t thow out our TV’s because ...
Dec 28, 2021•55 min•Ep. 210
Looking at things from multiple angles may help you think about whether it is time for you to consider upgrading a scanner. Do you want a new scanner because it’s time to buy something new, or is it needed to keep up with changes to your local systems? What You Need To Know There are things outside of our control dictating whether or not we need to upgrade our scanners. For example, when rebanding happened here in the US, many of us needed new scanners that would support rebanding. Paying for a ...
Dec 21, 2021•39 min•Ep. 209
Scanning goes beyond hearing what comes across the radio. Sometimes we need to take clue on what to listen to by what is happening around us. Having a personal weather station can help us tune into emergency communications that might be happening right outside our doors. Today, we will cover what to look for when selecting a weather station, what your options are, and what mistakes I have made with prior weather stations I have owned in the past. What You Need To Know There are many options when...
Dec 14, 2021•35 min•Ep. 208
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 Questions I answer this month: Alan would like to know about SDR software that will run on an Android Device Less has a question about frequency allocations above 774Mhz, setting up DMR in a SDS100/200, and would like to know about the Kraken SDR. Mason wants to know if programming all the sites for his local ...
Dec 07, 2021•50 min•Ep. 207
Gregg Johnson and I discuss Plectrons and early fire alerting methods before portable radios and pagers were commonplace. We discuss the history of Plectron receivers and how volunteer firefighters were alerted to calls before they had in-home radio alerting or portable receivers. What You Need To Know Plectrons are one of the earliest types of home receivers ever used for volunteer firefighters. The plectron had a different name back in the beginning, and in 1955 it was called FYRCALL. It was t...
Nov 30, 2021•57 min•Ep. 206
It is time for our annual radio buyer’s guide. In the past few years, I have offered a list of scanners that I would recommend. However, since there haven’t been any new releases in the scanner radio world in the last few years, I do not want to repeat the same information that I gave you last year. Instead, I’m going to give you my recommendation for Software Defined Radios. This list will include what to stay away from, and what radios I recommend from beginners to advanced SDR users. Why cove...
Nov 23, 2021•41 min•Ep. 205
Let’s talk about some Baofeng Options. Our objective is to find a radio that has the same price point that many Baofeng models come in at, but are better value for the money. We will be looking at some handheld radios that are less than $100 that might be worth investing in. Links for today’s Podcast: (Some of these links are affiliate links and Scanner School will earn a small commission if you make a purchase using these links) Amazon Baofeng UV-5R Baofeng UV-82 Whistler WS-1010 Amazon Scanner...
Nov 16, 2021•33 min•Ep. 204
If you listen to the podcast, it’s no big secret that I give Baofeng and similar radios a bad rap. Not surprisingly, I have a list of things I dislike about these radios. But as shocking as it sounds, I have a larger list of things that are great about these affordable two way radios that many use as scanner radios. What You Need To Know With Baofeng radio, you can mistakenly transmit anywhere in the band you are not supposed to transmit. One of the problems with the Baofeng radio is its prolong...
Nov 09, 2021•39 min•Ep. 203
I enjoy answering your scanner radio questions. You can ask a question by leaving a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by using the links on our ASK page at https://www.scannerschool.com/ask What You Need To Know John has questions about scanning in the San Diego area. Garret noticed that he’s hearing Rail Road Transmission on a known VHF Marine Channel. Why is this? Greg wants to know what factors influence reception on the 800-megahertz band Pete wonders if his telescoping antenna needs to be adjust...
Nov 02, 2021•40 min•Ep. 202
Our brand-new discord server is the ultimate scanner radio community portal. With the ability to host live audio, scanner feeds, video events, photos, and chat, this is the future of communicating and sharing information with your fellow scanner radio users. You can find a step by step setup and log-in by going to https://www.scannerschool.com/discord What You Need To Know Discord will be replacing our Zello channels. The Facebook group will always remain a resource for anybody who prefers Faceb...
Oct 26, 2021•27 min•Ep. 201
Welcome to podcast number 200! I can't believe we've recorded, published, and shared this many episodes. It seems like last we just start this a few weeks ago and here we are at episode 200. In these past few years, I've made many friendships and connections due to the podcast. This includes all of those who I've gotten to know as a part of our Patreon Extra Credit Round Table that we hold every month. This podcast episode is a peek into our Extra Credit Club and what it would sound like on our ...
Oct 19, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 200
Today, we will talk about the pros and cons of differences between a handheld scanner versus a base or a mobile scanner. What You Need To Know Handheld scanners are kind of like to Swiss army knife You can leave them on the desk or take them with you. They can go mobile and can go into a backpack. Portable radios run off of internal batteries, but they can also run off of commercial power. Not every portable scanner can run off of commercial power and charge batteries at the same time. Speakers ...
Oct 12, 2021•31 min•Ep. 199
We have got four voicemails, and today I am going to answer some questions. You can submit your questions at www.scannerschool.com/ask. What You Need To Know Jim asks what can he do with that ethernet port connection on the front of the SDS200 Scanner? Garrett has been a longtime scanner listener of the CHP, California Highway Patrol, and would like to know if his scanner is setup correctly Les has two questions for this month: Are there any scanners that work like the SDS Scanners? How do you d...
Oct 05, 2021•41 min•Ep. 198
Do you need an outdoor antenna? This used to be an obvious question and answer. But now things have changed in the hobby that may have you choosing to skip the antenna installation. A crucial part of getting into the hobby was putting out an antenna on your chimney. It was a rite of passage running coax cable and poking holes in your wall, having your parents or wife scream at you for doing damage to the house. What You Need To Know Depending on your situation, you may or may not need an outdoor...
Sep 28, 2021•30 min•Ep. 197
Nathan McMullen joins the podcast today to explain how he setup his Unication G-Series pager. Nathan has taken several multi-state road trips with his pager and was able to listen to public safety during his trip. Nathan explains how he setup his pager, what needs to be done before the trip, and some things he wished he did differently while taking a multi-mile trip with his pager. Note – while I am a Unication Dealer, I am coming into this conversation with Nathan as a scanner radio user. I am ...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 196
What changed in the radio landscape in 20 years post 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina here in the US? Have you ever wondered why we have so many new P25 systems showing up in the 700 MHz band? These are the questions we are asking in today's podcast. What You Need To Know 9/11 really brought to light some of the changes that had to happen with interoperability. Hurricane Katrina, which happened just four years later in 2005, also revealed that changes needed to happen. Responding agencies on 9/11 had ...
Sep 14, 2021•30 min•Ep. 195
I love answering your scanner radio questions, and today I answer some questions that have been submitted via our ask page, email, and social media platforms, including YouTube. You can submit your questions at www.scannerschool.com/ask. What You Need To Know Rick asks, “Can I listen to cell phones? James has a question about Close Call. Jim wants to know what he should do about the extra coax in his shack. Joe is wondering about control channel encryption on P25 systems. Garret has a question a...
Sep 07, 2021•36 min•Ep. 194
In today’s podcast, I am going to talk about P25 digital technologies on the UHF T-band and how this decision has caused many problems for P25 Trunked Systems. 👉 What You Need To Know In the early 1970s, the FCC permitted eleven major cities of the US to use 470 to 512 MHz as additional public safety frequencies, and these were part of the UHF T band. The original UHF band was just 450 to 470 MHz UHF-T band was reserved for two-way radio around a 50 mile radius from each city. Issues arise when...
Aug 31, 2021•23 min•Ep. 193
What are frequency bands and why are they important when it comes to global frequency management? What You Need To Know To keep geographical RF uses standard, there are well organized frequency bands. Globally, there is a radio spectrum plan by ITU (International Telecommunications Union), and there are three sections worldwide. The ITU or radio regulations divide the world into three regions to manage the global radio spectrum. Each region has its own set of frequency allocations. ITU is import...
Aug 24, 2021•24 min•Ep. 192
What are TDMA Control Channels on P25 trunk systems, and what does this mean for the scanner radio hobby? What You Need To Know P25 TDMA control channels are different from P25 phase two voice channels. Every single P25 system out there up until this point has used an FDMA control channel. A new addition to the P25 suite of standards defines a TDMA control channel for P25 trunking operations similar to the FDMA control channel. The TDMA control channel supports the same functionality as the FDMA...
Aug 17, 2021•35 min•Ep. 191
Today’s guest, Bill Sawyer, recently wrote a column for National Communications magazine about vacation scanning. Bill joins us today to discuss his successes and failures when it comes to taking his scanner on family vacations. What You Need To Know Bill and I talk about the big difference between shortwave listening to the world and listening local with the scanner radio. He shares which one was more challenging to him and which ones were challenging in general. If you are willing to do a litt...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 190
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- I love answering your scanner radio questions and today I answer some questions that have been submitted via our ask page, email, and social media ...
Aug 03, 2021•42 min•Ep. 189
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Is it a seller's market when it comes to used scanner radios? Are older, "vintage" scanners prices out of control? What You Need To Know There is a...
Jul 27, 2021•29 min•Ep. 187
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- In today’s episode, I will discuss shortages of scanner radios, which models of scanners may be out of stock, and why this could be. What You Need ...
Jul 20, 2021•29 min•Ep. 187
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- In today’s episode, I will talk about how a community came together to help uncover a brand-new federal trunk system. What You Need To Know A user ...
Jul 13, 2021•29 min•Ep. 186
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. You may submit questions at www.scannerschool.com/ask Questions asked this month: Besides watch...
Jul 06, 2021•42 min•Ep. 185
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- In today’s episode, I will talk about budget-friendly P25 scanners. We will also cover some limitations when trying to stick within our make believ...
Jun 29, 2021•37 min•Ep. 184
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- Traveling with your scanner may have consequences. It is important that you understand the laws where you are traveling and even the rules where yo...
Jun 22, 2021•35 min•Ep. 183
Free SDR Course! Our new free course will introduce you to Software Defined Radios. "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radio: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon" is now open for enrollment. Register now at https://courses.scannerschool.com --------------------------------------------------------------- In today’s episode I am going to talk about Skip, Ducting and Propagation How does this happen, why does this happens, and when you can expect it h...
Jun 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 182
