Mike Henson is relatively new to the scanner radio hobby, but has quickly found Military Aviation and Photography to be a very interesting and rewarding hobby. Mike shares his setup, which started out as a single radio, and has now grown into several dedicated scanners and a recording interface to log all the local Military Aviation traffic. What is interesting about Mike's setup, is his keep is simple approach to his setup, which means he is using mostly handheld radios feeding into a portable ...
Feb 28, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 271
Did you know that you can monitor many of the military aviation transmissions and traffic that happens in the skies above us? What if I told you that with the right equipment, you can easily monitor hundreds of miles away? I’ll tell you where to find milair frequencies, what scanner and equipment you’ll need, what you can expect to hear, and at the end, I'll give you 5 tips so you can feel like you're in the cockpit. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==============...
Feb 21, 2023•18 min•Ep. 270
David Vine joins the podcast this week to talk about radio. I am looking forward to having him back as a regular. David is all about this hobby. From Scanning, GMRS, and Ham, he has immersed himself with the radio hobby. So much so that he has involved himself with many local clubs and organizations. His love of the hobby does not end there. David has created many presentations about the radio hobby, specifically ham, that can also be carried over to the scanner radio hobby. Today's conversation...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 269
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 Peter would like more info about Fire Tone Out mode on his BCD326P2 Kevin is interested in knowing more about Unication Pagers and how it could...
Feb 07, 2023•29 min•Ep. 268
Les Stephenson, from the Toronto area of Canada, has a long, rich history when it comes to the scanning hobby. Les was introduced to scanning as a teen in 1959 and has been hooked ever since. His near lifelong interest with scanning has seen just about every change in technology. From tunable dials, crystals, and synthesized tuners, to trunking and digital interfaces. Les is also very opinionated when it comes to encryption because most of his scanning has been unfiltered. It is my pleasure to i...
Jan 31, 2023•50 min•Ep. 267
I believe we are overdue for a new HomePatrol from Uniden. The HomePatrol was originally released in late 2010. The BCD436HP & BCD536HP was released in January 2014. Later that year, we saw the HomePatrol-2. Since then, we've only seen one more release on the HomePatrol platform, and that was the SDS100 and SDS200 in 2019. These scanners allowed us to monitor Simulcast P25 systems and I believe that this is a great starting point for a new HomePatrol-3. This podcast includes more wishlist it...
Jan 24, 2023•32 min•Ep. 266
Let's debunk 7 Scanner Radio Myths about the scanner radio hobby! Myth 1: Encryption is killing the hobby Myth 2: There is nothing left to listen to Myth 3: Simulcast is making scanning difficult Myth 4: It is too complicated to get started Listen to this podcast to hear the remaining myths. We also have a shorter video on our YouTube Channel 🎥 ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner Scho...
Jan 17, 2023•41 min•Ep. 265
If you are looking to get started in the scanner radio hobby, I have 5 tips to help you get started today. I also walk through common mistakes and this podcast will help you avoid making common beginner mistakes. This podcast is also available in a shorter format on our YouTube Channel 🎥 https://youtu.be/l8RHrJ8z1Qg Step 1 - Make a list of what it is you want to listen toBe as detailed as possible and write down specifics to help you understand who it is you want to monitor Step 2 - Set reasona...
Jan 10, 2023•35 min•Ep. 264
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 Dylan would like to know if he should buy a BCD536HP or if he should save for a SDS200 due to simulcast John is looking to mount his antenna in...
Jan 03, 2023•51 min•Ep. 263
Why is one of my favorite nights to listen to the scanner radio New Years Eve? That is because my scanner allows me to get behind the scenes to the biggest New Years Eve party in the United States. Every year in Times Square, the ball drops at midnight and the entire event is televised on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years with Ryan Seacrest. Using my scanner, I'm able to hear the link between the director and the remote cameras and hosts. I'm able to listen to them queue in the next shot and also h...
Dec 27, 2022•26 min•Ep. 262
I enjoy having conversations with others in the scanner radio hobby, and those of you who listen to the podcast. Many of us have the same backstory on how we found our way into the hobby, and others have their own unique journey. Today, Blake Hagerty is here to share his story and how he found his way into the radio hobby. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! Show yo...
Dec 20, 2022•43 min•Ep. 261
Joey Absi talks about how he built his own scanner radio using a Raspberry Pi and Free Software. Joey's home built scanner went through several revisions before it became what it is today. And while most of what Joey built can be duplicated at home, he did design some of his own circuits to build a better version. All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session260 If you need help building your own version of this rad...
Dec 13, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 260
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 Drew has a question about receiving CB on his scanner Jeff is looking to extend his speakers to another room Craig wants to know why his SDS100...
Dec 06, 2022•41 min•Ep. 259
Garrett joins the podcast again this week to talk about how multiple different agencies and jurisdictions communicate in the San Francisco Bay Area. Garrett spent quite a bit of time listening to the interop channels in his area to determine how and when they would be used. One note that Garrett does want to stress, is that how things work in his area may not be the same as how the work in yours. As we always say here, "The Secrets are in the Searches", and Garrett did an amazing job searching o...
Nov 29, 2022•56 min•Ep. 258
Are you looking for a new Uniden Scanner or Whistler Scanner Radio? Are you unsure of what to buy and what is the right scanner for you? Our 2022 Holiday Buyer’s Guide will help you navigate the current Scanner Radio Landscape from both Uniden and Whistler, and also give you some tips, tricks, and free resources along the way. This podcast episode is available on YouTube as a video with slides and images, so we invite you to watch the video here: https://youtu.be/pnc1dxPEUfI Below are links from...
Nov 22, 2022•44 min•Ep. 257
Brian Rackham is our guest this week on the podcast. Brian is finishing his Doctoral Dissertation at Arizona State University on the Scanner Radio hobby. In the first half of the conversation, I'll ask Brian about his research and in the second half, Brian asks me questions to help with his thesis. What You Need To Know Brian worked has worked many years in the media industry Brian currently teaches Journalism at Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff. He has spent the last 7 years doing resea...
Nov 15, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 256
Bringing a Scanner to Washington DC can be very exciting and also very confusing. There are a lot of “Alphabet” agencies to try to listen to, but many are encrypted. Even Police activity is secure. But, if you know what other agencies are around, you’ll quickly see there are ways to connect the dots and still know what is happening around our Nation’s Capital. Joseph Durnal, who spends a lot of time in DC, joins the podcast today to share what he’s learned about monitoring the activity in the DC...
Nov 08, 2022•55 min•Ep. 255
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 Bob has a questions about creating favorites lists in Sentinel Chris is trying to find DMR activity on his Whistler Scanner Jim would like to k...
Nov 01, 2022•41 min•Ep. 254
Nobody wants to get burned when buying and selling online. The internet can be a very unsafe place to exchange cash for goods, especially when you let your guard down. I’ve been buying and selling radios online for several decades now, and I’ve learned a few hard mistakes, and I’ve also learned how to be cautious as well. Here are some tips to staying safe online when you buy and sell radio equipment. What You Need To Know When Selling Online, create a detailed title to grab a buyer’s attention ...
Oct 25, 2022•34 min•Ep. 253
Clayton runs “Moorpark Scanner”, a popular Facebook Page which is a citizen journalist style account. At only 20 years old, Clayton has an edge that many of us do not have when it comes to social media. His pages have a professional appearance and he understands how to bring attention to his photos and updates online. To help him monitor local activity, he has been able to trade his way up from entry-level handheld scanners to more advanced P25 radios. Pretty impressive! What You Need To Know Cl...
Oct 18, 2022•50 min•Ep. 252
Do you know how to find Pirates, Anomalies, and odd transmissions? Our guest today, “Radio McRadioface” hunts out these transmissions from his location just outside of Washington DC. He is always tuning around looking for interesting transmission and keeping logs on what he is finding. McRadioface’s setup is a bit extreme, but today he will share how anyone can have fun logging these oddball transmissions with equipment you already own at home. What You Need To Know Radio McRadioface became inte...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 251
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 Greg has a question about using his SDR with SDR Trunk Jeff is interested in backup power for his shack Les has a few questions about SDR and W...
Oct 04, 2022•42 min•Ep. 250
Can’t put up an antenna due to restrictions? Do you rent, hate heights, or have Homeowner’s Associations that have rules you need to follow? Today's podcast is dedicated to all of those who have antenna restrictions. For those of us who have free access to what we put on our homes, we can forget at how difficult this hobby can be for those who can’t have outdoor antennas. Here are some creative antenna solutions for those who can’t attach antennas to their homes, rentals, or live in apartments. ...
Sep 27, 2022•34 min•Ep. 249
Today we welcome Jim Heinrich. Jim is here to share how he built his radio room. We will cover how his old gaming room slowly became a listening post. We’ll also cover some of the equipment you can find on his desk as well as some other resources Jim uses beyond radio hardware. What You Need to Know Jim started off as a teenager, almost 40 years ago, listening just to his local police department on VHF. His listening habits have changed over the years, covering Public Safety to Aviation. It does...
Sep 20, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 248
Today, we welcome Andrew Murphy. Andrew loves to build and work on his own antennas. Whether it's improving or rebuilding a commercial design, something that he has seen in a magazine, or one he has designed himself, Andrew has an antenna for every situation and band. What makes today’s conversation with Andrew truly amazing is that Andrew doesn’t have acres of property to play with. Most of his antennas are inside his apartment and they work great! What You Need to Know Andrew became interested...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 247
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 Bill has a question about using a negative delay Dylan plans to move to Sullivan County, Tennessee. He has a question about what scanner to use...
Sep 06, 2022•53 min•Ep. 246
Ricky Radio, Ricky Rescue, or Scanner Stan. These are the stooges we want to not emulate when we are out in public with our scanners. We don’t want to draw extra attention to ourselves and become the guy who goes overboard. Don’t be the guy with the scanner radio up to his ear at full volume. We don’t need to be the guy at the fire with the radio up telling everyone around what is going on. And we don’t need to be the guy at the accident scene giving out information when we hear the ambulance ta...
Aug 30, 2022•32 min•Ep. 245
This is a warning about trunk systems. There are issues that can arise when trying to setup your scanner to monitor trunked radio traffic. Today’s podcast contains some hints to help you keep your sanity when programming your scanner for large trunk systems with multiple sites. What You Need To Know Trunk system has a couple of different components that make it work. We need a transmitter or tower to receive or tune to. We need a control channel that tells the scanner what talk groups are active...
Aug 23, 2022•33 min•Ep. 244
Do you need an aftermarket antenna for your scanner? Will changing your antenna help or impair your scanner’s performance? What You Need To Know Stock antennas included with your scanner can cover large frequencies. Antennas with wide coverage will sacrifice performance. Antennas with too narrow coverage can also impair your reception. You don't want to have an 800 MHz antenna on your scanner when you're trying to also listen to VHF. However, if you have an 800MHz antenna and need to monitor 800...
Aug 16, 2022•29 min•Ep. 243
How should you ask your questions online? What do you need to do to get the most helpful responses? What can you do to help others answer your question? Knowing how to phrase your question can yield better responses from those willing to help you with the hobby. What You Need To Know Knowing what type of information to put into your question can help you get an answer quicker than a poorly written request for help. The more information you can give up front, the more likely it is that responses ...
Aug 09, 2022•35 min•Ep. 242
