I am thinking about getting a Scanner. I can get the local police on my phone via an app. I was listening to a suspect in a house call and SWAT was deployed. Once everyone was in position they went to channel three and I could not find them on any phone app. The channels they use are these. The channel for Channel 3 is .155.130 and 155.490 for channel 4

What scanner should I consider buying and how does one program the channels into them? Maybe one that could also be portable use in a vehicle. One that is not too expensive.

I would like to monitor all the local Police channels, Fire, Sherriff, and California Highway Patrol, possible Coast Guard channels
also.

I know I am asking a lot in a package that is priced affordable.

Amazon has a few offerings for less than $75, this a walkie talkie size scanner for public service bands which will work for the frequencies you listed plus the marine ( coast guard) channels.

Nowadays most police are going with 800mhz which requires a different scanner than vhf/uhf, at a cost of about $150 for just a hand held scanner.

That channel 3 is likely encrypted and you won’t get it no matter what you do.
Pretty much all of our channels are encrypted. We have a few radio to radio channels that are unencrypted.
But all of our main dispatch channels are not available to the public via scanner any longer.

Uniden Bearcat BC55XLT. Little high price wise, but worth it. The Close Call RF Capture Technology is really nice.

https://www.uniden.com/shop/co...el-handheld-scanner/

A Bearcat scanner should be good. They have portable radio type or ones designed to be on a desk or installed in a vehicle. A lot has changed in the last 20 years with frequencies and scanners. Most systems are now using digital trucked systems with many jurisdictions sharing the same system. Setting a scanner up today is a little harder than in the past, but it can be done with some research. When Radio Shack was around, they would program a scanner for you.

Once you get your scanner http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/ is a good resource for frequencies. You can search several different ways.

Uniden Home Patrol. Plug it in. Turn it on. Type in your zip and you're good to go.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=230

Should show you the range of freq you need and if anything is trunked that you might want to listen to.

You may want to check your local laws regarding police frequencies. In KY it’s illegal to have police frequencies programmed in a scanner in your vehicle.

And I agree with Black. The channel they switched to was probably encrypted so bad guys can’t listen in on their operation.

Thanks Everyone

They are encrypted and you can not hear them. Especially a channel used for house entries... wouldn't want bad guys hearing the radio traffic.

Honestly, the apps often work better than a scanner. Reception on a scanner depends on a lot of factors and for the expense and the fiddling required, for most people internet streaming is a more logical proposition. The other thing is that digital systems are becoming the norm and encryption is gaining popularity. Once they start encrypting, your scanner is worthless.

The frequencies you listed are for the county sheriff. According to what I can see on the FCC database, they have other frequencies other than what is listed on the RadioReference site.

It is entirely likely that encrypted, short distance, frequencies are used by entry teams.

quote:

Originally posted by cooger:
You may want to check your local laws regarding police frequencies. In KY it’s illegal to have police frequencies programmed in a scanner in your vehicle.

And I agree with Black. The channel they switched to was probably encrypted so bad guys can’t listen in on their operation.

Having police channels on a scanner in a vehicle is illegal in Minnesota too.
In fact, I believe you need a permit or a Ham licence just to have a scanner in your vehicle in MN.
There are several states that have similar laws.

Our radios are encrypted and frequency-hopping. I don't think any scanner can handle the data, but would be interested to learn of one.

I agree with the others who suggest that the tactical channels are likely encrypted.
When I moved to my present town years ago, I took my old Bearcat 250 and loaded it up with all the local frequencies. It was nice to be able to keep tabs on what was happening in town, especially during storms and such.
A few years ago, the town upgraded to a digital radio system that uses P25 protocols. They encrypted everything from animal control to senior citizens transportation, including the stuff I was interested in - fire, police, public works and rescue. The only things they broadcast in the clear anymore is page out for fire and rescue.