SIGforum
What's up in the world of PD/Fire Scanners?
November 02, 2020, 02:19 PM
KevmoWhat's up in the world of PD/Fire Scanners?
My 92 old Dad has an old Bearcat 890 scanner that he thought was broken because he never hears anything any more. He asked me abiout getting it fixed and after some quick research i see the landscape of that industry has changed drastically since he bought it.
He is 92, pretty much stuck at home and used to enjoy keeping up with the goings on around town. I am not sure which direction to even point him or if he is just better off with an app?
I figured this might be the best place to ask
November 02, 2020, 02:28 PM
PerceptionIt's possible they've changed frequencies from what he used to listen to.
It's also possible they've gone digital and everything is encrypted so he can't hear it.
"The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."
"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."
"I did," said Ford, "it is."
"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"
"It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want."
"You mean they actually vote for the lizards."
"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."
"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"
"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in." November 02, 2020, 02:29 PM
95flhrPolice and fire radio systems today are way different. For starters they are now all digital vs analog, and some are encrypted.
Something like this will let him listen to unencrypted communications these days.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U...4283aba846e5da446c20
“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”
― Ronald Reagan
Retired old fart
November 02, 2020, 02:29 PM
RogueJSKquote:
Originally posted by Perception:
It's also possible they've gone digital
That's extremely likely.
Depending on where he lives and the agencies there, he may be able to access unencrypted digital traffic using a free scanner app on a smartphone, or a free scanner website on a computer, rather than having to invest in buying additional scanner hardware.
(Basically "streaming" digital radio traffic, like you do with music nowadays.)
November 02, 2020, 02:37 PM
Yanert98Check out
https://www.broadcastify.combefore investing in any hardware.
It's very possible he can listen online for free.
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"If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.." - Thomas Sowell
November 02, 2020, 02:37 PM
Kevmoquote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
quote:
Originally posted by Perception:
It's also possible they've gone digital
That's extremely likely.
Depending on where he lives and the agencies there, he may be able to access unencrypted digital traffic using a free scanner app on a smartphone, or a free scanner website on a computer, rather than having to invest in buying additional scanner hardware.
(Basically "streaming" digital radio traffic, like you do with music nowadays.)
I am actually trying to steer him towards and app as I think that between the encryption issue and the fact I have to put out fired once a week with him and his iPad the idea of him trying to learn aa new device terrifies me
November 02, 2020, 02:45 PM
cgodeHave him use an app....there’s plenty of them available for free that work just fine.
At work at the firehouse all our frequencies went digital a couple years ago but are not encrypted.....when I’m with the SWAT team filling my role as one of their medics, those frequencies are all encrypted for obvious reasons
________________________
Those who trade liberty for security have neither
November 02, 2020, 02:50 PM
GWbikerLook for "Police Scanner" app for IOS. It's free.
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"Some people are alive today because it's against the law to kill them".
November 02, 2020, 06:41 PM
KrazeehorseI have a Uniden Home Patrol. It's a nice unit. Plug and play. If you decide to buy a stand alone radio check it out on YouTube.
_____________________
Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you.
November 02, 2020, 06:57 PM
DaBigBRStreaming is the way to go. Many, many agencies are now encrypted and if he's just looking for something to listen to, being able to listen around the country is probably going to yield better results.
November 03, 2020, 10:52 AM
molachi5 or 6 yrs. ago our sheriffs department and city police department changer to a higher frequency. Their transmissions are now truncated and encrypted. City is not encrypted but is truncated. I had been listening since the mid '70's.