Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby

258 - San Francisco Interoperability with Garret Farwell Nov 29, 2022

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 out how his local agencies work together so that he could enjoy the scanner radio hobby a little be more!

==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch!====================================

Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!

Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.

🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/

==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

==================================== 🎓 Check out our online courses====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

==================================== ⚠️ I want to answer your questions====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

==================================== 🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

==================================== 🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

==================================== ➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session258

#podcast

257 - Holiday Buyer's Guide Nov 22, 2022

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 this week’s video, and some of these are affiliate links, which means we will earn a small commission if you use these links to make a purchase.

▶️ Free Resources

5 Things you need to know before buying your first or next scanner radio:https://www.scannerschool.com/5things

Free SDR Course to get you started in an afternoonhttps://courses.scannerschool.com

Navigating the new Radio Reference Database version 2.x

https://youtu.be/fhFNHYoBcEQ

▶️ Scanner Radios

Uniden SR30CScannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-502016&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3GzoN9W

Uniden BC125ATScannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501770&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2R4ot6s

Uniden BN355NScannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501825&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3XkeoFa

Uniden BC365CRSScannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501921&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3tKsH8y

Uniden BCD325P2Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501892&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2Fv5AZl

Uniden BCD996P2Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501891&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2QXMLz0

Uniden HP2Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501885&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2KknXPx

Uniden BCD436HPScannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501853&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3tM7fQr

Uniden BCD536HPScannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501854&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2DyksDt

Uniden SDS100Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-501979&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2S0KYJR

Uniden SDS200Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=10-502019&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3Xn597i

Whistler WS1010Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=55-501873&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3hQsduIWhistler Direct: https://bit.ly/3OmwSRq

Whistler WS1025Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=55-501873&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3hQsduIWhistler Direct: https://bit.ly/3Ot8UDZ

Whistler WS1040Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=55-501875&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3GB9qhyWhistler Direct: https://bit.ly/3EsjjuZ

Whistler WS1065Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=55-501876&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3tPdZ04Whistler Direct: https://bit.ly/3Az2D40

Whistler TRX-1Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=55-501926&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2TrN1bjWhistler Direct: https://bit.ly/3VigqEa

Whistler TRX-2Scannermaster Link: http://www.scannermaster.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=55-501927&Click=6262 Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2DAtDncWhistler Direct: https://bit.ly/3OoGjzD

==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch!====================================

Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!

Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.

🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/

==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

==================================== 🎓 Check out our online courses====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

==================================== ⚠️ I want to answer your questions====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

==================================== 🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

==================================== 🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

==================================== ➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session257

#podcast

256 - A Scanner Radio Thesis w/ Brian Rackham Nov 15, 2022

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 research for his dissertation and is now coming to the end of his research.

==================================== 🛒 Buy our new Merch!====================================

Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!

Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.

🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/

==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

==================================== 🎓 Check out our online courses====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

==================================== ⚠️ I want to answer your questions====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

==================================== 🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

==================================== 🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

==================================== ➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session256

#podcast

255 - Washington DC Scanning w/ Joseph Durnal Nov 08, 2022

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 metro area.

What You Need To Know

DC might be a small city, but there are agencies outside of the metro area that would come into DC as mutual aid.
Do not forget to scan border counties in Maryland and Virginia
Many business rely on FRS and Business Band frequencies to operate
Listening to news frequencies will help you understand when something big is happening around the city.
Joe likes to use his TRX-1 in the DC area since it handles Analog, P25, and DMR.
Planning out your stay or trip in DC will help you get the most out of your scanner.
If you rely on GPS scanning, you’re scanner will have a lot of systems in the scan list and much of it may be encrypted.

==================================== 🛒 Buy our new Merch!====================================

Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!

Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.

🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/

==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

==================================== 🎓 Check out our online courses====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

==================================== ⚠️ I want to answer your questions====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

==================================== 🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

==================================== 🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

==================================== ➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session255

#podcast

254 - Ask Scanner School v50 Nov 01, 2022

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 know if there are any scanner features that I find strange
Mike would like to know if you can listen to HD Radio on SDR and if there is software that supports JAWS.

==================================== 🛒 Buy our new Merch!====================================

Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!

Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.

🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/

==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

==================================== 🎓 Check out our online courses====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

==================================== ⚠️ I want to answer your questions====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

==================================== 🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

==================================== 🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

==================================== ➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session254

#podcast

253 - How to Safely Buy and Sell Scanners Online Oct 25, 2022

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
Don’t skimp on the details. Include the bad with the good. This will help prevent returns and claims of fraudulent listings
Include plenty of pictures
If you want to include video, that can help show that the radio works and receives as intended.
When buying online, be sure to vette the seller on whatever platform you are using
Don’t get caught up on having to win the auction and driving the price up too far
I recommend always using Paypal and stay away from “Friends and Family” transactions
Be sure to calculate your shipping costs in the total transaction

====================================

🔗 Links from this week's podcast (Some of these links may be affiliate links)

====================================

Moorpark Scanner on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoorparkScanner/

Moorpark Scanner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorparkscanner/

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session253

#podcast

252 - Citizen Journalism with Clayton from Moorpark Scanner Oct 18, 2022

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

Clayton first started out with the BC350A scanner and was hooked from the start.
Where Clayton lives in Ventura, most transmissions are still analog
Moorpark Scanner’s Facebook page is targeted to an “older” audience while his Instagram looks to draw the attention of a younger crowd.
When Clayton hears something on his scanner that might be newsworthy, he will often times head out and take photos.
He has sold some photos and stories to stringer services
Clayton has some tips to upgrading your current scanner into a higher cost radio.
He was able to buy and sell his way from an entry level scanner into a BCD996.
Clayton connected with someone on Radio Reference who was looking to trade his BCD536HP for a BCD996 series scanner because he found the screen was too difficult to see.
Both Clayton and the other gentlemen were happy with the trade. Clayton received an upgrade to his 996, and the other party traded out of a scanner he wasn’t happy with and into a scanner he wanted.

====================================

🔗 Links from this week's podcast (Some of these links may be affiliate links)

====================================

Moorpark Scanner on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoorparkScanner/

Moorpark Scanner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moorparkscanner/

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session252

#podcast

251 - Searching, Seeking, and Finding Anomalies with Radio McRadioface Oct 11, 2022

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 interested in radio when he was a kid.
The love for all things radio and his setup has become what would rival a professional-level shop.
His goal is to log everything he can hear and pickup with his radio setup.
One of his favorite things to hunt on the radio are Pirate Radio Stations.
These stations typically operate unlicensed in the SWL band.
Another recent hit of his has been listening to Russian forces testing out Radar Arrays.
In the recent past, McRadioface has logged very interesting communications around the Washington DC area in the VHF and UHF spectrum.
Many of these transmissions are received via SDR, which makes it easy to replay at a later date to review what might have been received overnight.
Learning what users might be on a particular frequency and figuring out who they are and what they are doing is part of the fun.

====================================

🔗 Links from this week's podcast (Some of these links may be affiliate links)

====================================

Radio McRadioFace on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcradioface

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session251

#podcast

250 - Ask Scanner School v49 Oct 04, 2022

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 Windows 11
Tom needs help with his Uniden BCD536HP

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session249

#podcast

249 - HOA, Apartment, and Rental Antenna Solutions Sep 27, 2022

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.

What You Need to Know

Before thinking about adding antennas, we need to ask ourselves a few questions.
Do we have adequate reception now with our stock antennas?
If you go outside your home or apartment, does reception noticeably improve?
Are we satisfied listening to what we can hear now, or do we need to pull in more range that only a better antenna can accomplish?
Conventional scanning can have more challenges than monitoring trunk systems.
Conventional frequencies are typically repeated and can be in the VHF UHF range.
These frequencies typically work well with penetrating buildings and getting indoors.
Simplex may be nearly impossible to receive well without an antenna with gain.
Here are some ideas to improve your reception without adding antennas:If your radio is located in an interior corner of the house or apartment moving it closer to a window Another option is to relocate the radio from an interior wall to an exterior wall
One of the easiest ways to stealth an antenna is to use attic or dead space, if you have access to them.
You can try hiding antennas behind curtains or other interior designs.
Mag Mount antennas can be attached to A/C units, the top of refrigerators, or anything else that has a metallic base.
Bringing coax from outdoors to indoors without drilling can be a challenge. There are simple solutions for that as well.

====================================

🔗 Links from this week's podcast (Some of these links may be affiliate links)

====================================

DPD Productions: https://dpdproductions.com

Whistler Antennas: https://whistlergroup.com/collections/scanner-accessories?aff=6

Comet CTC 50M: https://amzn.to/3Bp1go4

Fiberglass Telescoping Antenna Masts: https://amzn.to/3xxV3Fp

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session249

#podcast

248 - How to Set Up Your Scanner Listening Room with Jim Heinrich Sep 20, 2022

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 doesn't take a lot of money to get started building your listening post.
Jim says almost half of his shack are scanners that are older and would be considered obsolete.
Anybody could start building their command posts, or their radio room, or their radio shack. It takes one radio and a desk to get started.
When you decide what the theme is in the direction you want to take your shack in, Jim have found that having a small laptop and a monitor really enhances the experience.
To listen public safety with the digital series scanners you really don't have to have an outdoor antenna because they are high-powered repeated systems and reach out everywhere, says Jim.
Recently Jim has purchased it DPD production aviation antenna that specifically tuned for VHF and UHF military.
Some of Jim’s equipment includes three BC780XLT’s, an old RadioShack PRO-2030, and he has a BCT15 and a BCT15X.
Having multiple radios allows you to dedicate radios to certain listening tasks.
Jim's old PRO-2030 is setup to listen to the local railroads.
His HP1 and the 396 are setup to scan small lists like the crash rescue talk group at the Dayton International Airport with an alert built in.
Jim has plans to program BCT15 series radios to do all the aviation monitoring because he had heard that they do well.
Jim also uses Flightradar24 on an oversized monitor in the middle of my desk
Also in use are Software Defined Radios and Unication Pagers.
Jim wants to stress that his setup wasn’t purchased or completed overnight. This is years of buying and collecting radios that eventually allowed him to have this setup.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session248

#podcast

247 - Building Antennas with Andrew Murphy Sep 13, 2022

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 in scanning by listening to storm chasers.
He was originally from Alabama and every spring he would love to hear storm chasers on the radio.
90% Andrew’s antennas are built from 14-gauge wire.
Many designs are done for little money or investment.
Andrew has antennas that work well for Shortwave, HF, VHF, and UHF.
To help him model antennas, Andrew has a few applications and websites that he uses. Those are noted in the session links.
If you were to start or build one antenna, Andrew recommends a J-Pole antenna.

==================================== 🔗 Links from this week's podcast (Some of these links may be affiliate links) ==================================== · EZ-Nec: https://www.eznec.com · MMANA-GAL Hamsoft: http://gal-ana.de/basicmm/en/ · M0UKD’s Website https://m0ukd.com · ARRL Small Antenna Handbook: https://amzn.to/3qua5b6

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session247

#podcast

246 - Ask Scanner School v48 Sep 06, 2022

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 after he moves.
Greg would like to know how to use an Airspy or RSP SDR with DSDPlus.
Someone from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, he wants to know about the best scanner for his county.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session246

#podcast

245 - Don't Be Like Scanner Stan and Ricky Radio Aug 30, 2022

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 talking to medical personnel.

What You Need To Know

Scanning is a hobby that many can find strange.
In today’s age of “See Something, Say Something”, you don’t want to be the “Something” that people feel the need to report when you are out enjoying scanning.
You don't need to be Ricky radio. You don't need to be on the news. You don't need to be on somebody social media wall as unhinged.
Think about how loud your scanner might be if you are using it around others
Don’t draw attention to yourself by holding your radios out for everyone to see.
There are still plenty of ways to enjoy scanning and be out in public and keep the equipment hidden in plain sight.
Backpacks are coming common places these days for anyone out in public. Use one to conceal your scanner and antenna.
You can blend in if you have a wired headset in your ear because there are a ton of people out there that are listening to portable devices.
Wireless headphones do bring in a challenge. You need to find a Bluetooth transmitter that will plug into the speaker port or headset port on your scanner so that you can listen to it.
There are plenty of options too if you do not want or cannot bring a scanner physically with you.
There are plenty of apps that will allow us to listen on our phones.
Setting up our own private audio feeds can be another option, so we have more control over what we are listening to.
With cameras on every phone and people looking to post their side of their story, play it safe when out scanning.
The last thing you want to do is be seen as a nut on someone’s social media account. There are many who post for “internet points” and do not take other people’s feelings into consideration when oversharing their own personal points of view.
Remember that you are an ambassador to the hobby when out in public. Be polite, professional, and courteous. Don’t give anyone a reason to make you and your actions an example and give scanning a bad name.
If someone asks you to move, stop monitoring, or lower your volume, please respect their ask.
It’s easier to relocate yourself somewhere else and let them think they’ve won then to argue with them. Simply apologize (even if you did nothing wrong), relocate yourself, and then go back and enjoy monitoring without being bothered.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session245

#podcast

244 - A Warning About Trunk Systems Aug 23, 2022

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
Our scanner will move to voice channels when talk groups are active.
Talk groups are segments of users or departments on a trunked system.
Trunk systems can have multiple sites. Trunk systems can be large, they can be small. They can be multi-level, multi county, multi state, single state. They can be small systems ranging inside of a building to ranging across thousands of miles, but they all start with a single site.
A “site” in Radio Reference and a “site” on paper are not the same as a transmitter site. It can be, but it shouldn't be thought of that way.
We can also have sites and layers set up based on who uses them.
To program our scanners correctly, we need to know if talk groups are segmented on specific layers (aka sites) or if they are shared across multiple sites
Talk groups only appear on sites if there are users affiliated on those sites. This helps manage spectrum and only required talk groups are using valuable RF resources.
Don't expect a user that's 100 miles away from you to be on the site you are listening to if the selected layer doesn't cover where they are.
It's very important to understand where the talk groups are showing up on these systems.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session244

#podcast

243 - Do You Really Need a New Antenna? Aug 16, 2022

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 800MHz, then you may find a big improvement in reception.
When we look at aftermarket antennas, we need to check what type of connector do we have on top of our scanner.
Today’s scanners use BNC or some style of SMA. You need an antenna to match or buy adapters to make your new antenna match your scanner’s antenna jack.
After market antennas can have gain, which can certainly help us pull in weaker signals.
There may be times where you want to cause an intentional degradation of reception
If you have issues with P25 simulcast, maybe you want to knock out distant transmitters and detuning your antenna might actually help you receive better.
If you are receiving well enough using the stock antenna, will swapping the antenna out actually improve anything? You can’t receive 120% of a signal.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session243

#podcast

242 - How to Post a Question for the Most Helpful Replies Aug 09, 2022

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 to your post will contain more useful information.
Giving details about what equipment you are using, where you are located, or what you are trying to listen to should be included with the question.
Have you tried troubleshooting? If so, include that information as well.
There is difference in questions like "I need help as my scanner doesn't work" versus, " am trying to listen to my town fire on an SDS 200 that used to work great and suddenly now no longer receives my town fire and I need help".
When it comes to an online website like Radio Reference, make sure that you post your question in the right section.
People are taking time out of their day to read your question and answer your question right. So, be kind, be courteous and give feedback.
Post your question in the website, forum, or group’s native language. If someone needs to Google translate your question, they may not take the time to do that or help you.
Post question in one specific forum that you think is the best fit and you can always say moderators please move this thread if you think it belong someplace else.
Don't insult anybody for their responses.
Don't hijack an existing thread with your own problem because people will change focus to your problem from original problem. If your question has nothing to do with the original question, create your own thread.
You will be surprised at how many people in the scanner radio hobby will be more than happy to help.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session242

#podcast

241 - Ask Scanner School v47 Aug 02, 2022

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

Dan asks about listening to aviation from his apartment.
Alan is using an SDS200 and is having trouble setting limits on search ranges.
Raymond is using several scanners and is struggling to receive aviation frequencies.
Gregory is having reception problems with his BCD325P2.

====================================

🔗 Links from this week's podcast

====================================

Providence County Airports (RI): https://www.radioreference.com/db/aid/7982

Boston ARTCC (ZBW): https://www.radioreference.com/db/aid/2248

MFJ Coax Passthrough: https://amzn.to/3zk0zv9

DPD Productions Indoor Aviation Antenna: https://dpdproductions.com/collections/aviation-base-mobile-antennas/products/vhf-air-blade-indoor-antenna

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session241

#podcast

240 - War Driving Jul 26, 2022

Today we will be talking about War driving with your scanner radio to find frequencies that are in use during your day-to-day travels.

War driving is a term that comes from the Wi-Fi cracking or hacking hobby which basically means searching for open Wi-Fi wireless networks usually from a moving vehicle using a laptop or a smartphone.

“War Driving” can be one of the more interesting ways to find new frequencies.

What You Need To Know

War driving is kind of a hit and miss type of deal, but it's very rewarding when things happen.
You can find local repeaters that we did not know existed
You may hear local businesses using frequencies or security agencies.
Is it possible to security companies to use their own frequency? Yes, it is possible that they might be using the school's frequency.
War Driving a fun way of finding out information or finding out what else is out there.
Anytime you go out is an opportunity for you to put the scanner into a search mode and see if you can hear anything local.
I recommend having a scanner that covers all the modes you're interested in like P25, NXDN, DMR, analog and digital scanners that should be able to record if you are mobile.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session240

#podcast

239 - Airspy SDRs Jul 19, 2022

When I bought my first Airspy, I realized that I was really starting to get serious into the SDR side of the hobby.

Before my Airspy’s, I was buying the cheap SDR’s that did not have a TCXO and would seriously drift. It was a joy to start using the Airspy receivers.

Since then, cheap RTL style SDR’s with TCXO’s have come out on the market that reduce the drifting issue.

If you are looking for a reliable Software Defined Radio that works right out of the box, then you want an Airpsy SDR.

What You Need to Know

Airspy devices do not require special firmware applications, like Zadig to install.
Most SDR software supports Airspy products.
If you used SDR#, then you already have experience with their products
There are a plenty of community plugins for SDR#, including audio processors and recorders, CTCSS and DCS squelch options, DSD plus interfaces, frequency managers, screen readers, DVR or time shifts, etc.
SpyServer is another piece of software that is offered by the SDR Airspy community.
Airspy receivers support firmware upgrades
I purchased my first Airspy years ago and have added more Airspy products to my SDR collection.
I’m using my AirSpy mini with SDR trunk on my MacBook.
There are Airspy receivers for HF and VHF. Others to VHF and UHF.
A Spyverter will allow you to monitor HF from your VHF/UHF SDR

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session239

#podcast

238 - Marine Monitoring Jul 12, 2022

Being here on Long Island, we are obviously surrounded by water on all sides.

One of my favorite things to scan during the summertime are the VHF Marine Channels, as well as the USCG “CG”, “LANT” or “NET” frequencies (whatever they are called these days).

I’d like to thank Greg Weamer for suggesting this week’s podcast topic. If you have a topic you’d like me to cover, please let me know.

What You Need To Know

VHF Marine Frequencies are globally carved out of the VHF Spectrum
USCG is the international distress frequency, and all mariners should monitor that channel.
Even if you don’t want to scan the full channel list, Ch 16 should be a bare minimum.
VHF Marine frequencies range from 156 to 174 MHz
Most scanner radios have a built-in search band for VHF marine with channels already defined.
Frequencies can be found using a simple web search, using the Radio Reference Database, or even on Wikipedia.
You can expect to find a wide range of transmissions and traffic on these frequencies depending on who is using each channel.
You may hear fishing reports, asking for a bridge to open, or boats announcing their navigational intentions.
The layout of the VHF marine channels are broken down by certain uses for frequencies.
You have sections that are set aside for port operations, for commercial use, for non-commercial use, for inter ship safety, calling coast guard, digital selective calling or DSC, and automatic identification system.
VHF Marine channels are Simplex, meaning they are point to point (boat to boat). Typically, there are no repeaters involved on these frequencies.
Because of this, the USCG uses high power stations on tall towers usually on waterway coast.
There are plenty of times to when the coast guard needs help hearing somebody, and vice versa.
There are a few occasions where you will find a USCG repeater.
These repeaters will crossband the VHF channel to a USCG Frequency.
You may even be lucky enough to have a VHF channel patched into your local trunk system.
This could be used by other users on the trunk system to monitor USCG activity during exercises or rescue attempts.
How do large vessels, tankers, ferries, and cruise ships navigate tight waterways and ports?
Harbor Masters are like the air traffic controllers of the waterways. They will give you clearance to enter in or they will tell you who to follow in.
We can also track marine traffic similar to how we track planes with ADS-B.
Marine uses AIS and we can find out all of these vessels that are reporting on sites like shipfinder.com and shipfinder.co.
DSC or digital selective calling is kind of panic button on your radio. It sends out a digital SOS, and that alerts the coast guard with your vessel ID and a GPS coordinate.
In the US Coast Guard uses several prefixes at the beginning of their messages.
PAN PAN is an emergency that indicates somebody is declaring an urgent situation, but maybe not an immediate threat to life or the vessel or people on board.
A Sécurité call is an informational broadcast
Mayday is used when there is immediate threat to life
There are also general “Attention all Mariners” messages for informational broadcasts
The coast guard has its own frequencies they use for their only use. A lot of these are P25 and many are encrypted.
There are also UHF channels, and they are basically from 406 to 420 right in the middle of the federal band.
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is a civilian branch of the Coast Guard.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session238

#podcast

237 - Ask Scanner School v46 Jul 05, 2022

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

Mike has a question about his Home Patrol scanner and the "Extreme Upgrade" features
Dylan is having issues with his Uniden BCT-8
Lloyd has a question about 3rd part programming software for Whistler TRX-1 and TRX-2 scanners
Bill wants to know if he can control his scanner from his iPad

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session237

#podcast

236 - Severe Weather and Disaster Preps and Checklists Jun 28, 2022

Today we will talk about severe weather monitoring and prepping. This doesn't just stop at severe weather, but this could be any type of natural disaster.

Today's podcast episode is all about how to set up your scanner. What scanner should you have on hand? What kind of radio should you have on hand and what to know before the event happens, so that you can prepare?

What You Need To Know

In the U.S., severe weather alerts will be broadcasted over NOAA weather radio
Any VHF radio is going to be able to monitor NOAA weather.
NOAA Weather frequencies are between 162.400 to 162.550.
Most scanner radios on the market have weather features built in
Dedicated Weather Alert Radios will monitor NOAA weather radio in the background and have a loud alert when there is a reason to be aware.
Another option is to take an old scanner radio and set up that as a weather alert standby radio.
An optimal place for an alert radio is in a central location in your home that you’ll be able to hear and that can wake you.
It doesn’t hurt to have multiple weather alert receivers in your home
NOAA sends out a weekly broadcast test every Wednesday and it is a great way to know that your radio will alert in an emergency.
Scanning after a disaster can help keep you and your family safe.
You can use the forums or database on Radio Reference to find the correct scanner for your area.
It is important to understand that frequencies may change, and it is important to keep your scanner up to date.
Practice using the scanner, so you know how to use it during or after an emergency.

====================================

🔗 Links from today's podcast

====================================

NOAA Station List https://www.weather.gov/nwr/station_listing

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session236

#podcast

235 - Radio Reference Database 2.0 Jun 21, 2022

Radio Reference released version 2.0 of their Database. This is the first complete overhaul and rewrite of the database in about 10 years.

There are many changes when it comes to navigating the new database and once you learn where things are, the new database is much quicker and easier to navigate.

If you are looking for a video version of this podcast, you can view one at https://www.scannerschool.com/session235v

What You Need To Know

When we open the database for the first time, we will see a quick guide that will walk us through everything that we need to adjust to with the new database.
If you need a refresher on where to find things, you can always put your website browser into Incognito mode, which will reestablish a brand-new connection between you and the radio reference.
The main page of the new database has shortcuts to browse, search, and submit data.
Many of us will press the browse button, and this takes us to the country page.
Country, State, and County Pages now have “Hamburger Menus” that have additional links.
On the left side of each database page, we have shortcuts to popular links and reports.
RRDB 2.0 took what the RRDB was and made it better!

====================================

🔗 Links from today's podcast

====================================

RRDB 2.0 https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db

Video Tour of RRDB 2.0 https://www.scannerschool.com/session235v

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session235

#podcast

234 - Anytone 878 UV-II Plus Jun 14, 2022

The Anytone TT-878UVII Plus is a very popular Amateur Radio used for DMR.

Since it also covers outside the VHF and UHF Ham Band and covers DMR, it could be used to scan some conventional traffic. Or can it?

Let’s discuss using this popular radio for scanning and decide if this radio is worth adding to our scanner radio collection.

What You Need To Know

Since DMR is included out of the box, this could be a cheaper alternative to buying a Digital Radio with the optional DMR upgrade
Out of the box, t transmits and receives 136-174 MHz and 400-480 MHz on US models.
However, expanding the range to 520 MHz is a simple modification you can do via software.
DMR support is limited to Tier I and Tier II, which means it will work fine for simplex and repeater DMR transmissions.
It supports both TS1 and TS2
Promiscuous can be set so the radio will monitor any Talk Group that is transmitting.
Some of the Anytone radios will transmit APRS, but this radio UVII plus will receive APRS packets, and you don't need to be an amateur radio operator to receive APRS.
The UVII Plus includes Bluetooth and mine included a BT PTT Button in the box.
It has got plenty of room in there for conventional memories supporting 4000 memory locations.
Memories are broken down into a maximum of 250 zones with 250 memories per zone.
You can store 500,000 DMR Radio IDs in Memory.
DMR programming supports 10,000 Talk Group IDs
While not type accepted to do so, if one was inclined, you could program this radio for FRS and GMRS use.
The Anytone 878 supports Dual Receive, which is something we are long overdue for on a scanner radio.
This means you can put two frequencies or two memories on display and hear them both simultaneously.
In addition to VHF and UHF frequencies, you can also monitor FM Broadcast.
PL, DPL, and CC are all supported.
2-Tone and 5/6 Tone Paging are supported as well. Think of using this as a fire pager or to mute the radio until tones are transmitted.
One of my biggest complaints about scanning with this radio is that it is a pain in the neck to go and change through the scan list.
Scanning is very slow when compared to a traditional scanner
You can only put 50 memories into a single scan list

==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session234

#podcast

233 - Ask Scanner School v45 Jun 07, 2022

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

Dan has a Bearcat BCD 536HP and has an issue receiving marine and rail traffic.
Joe has a SDS100 and is looking for some best practices for using filters.
Michael wanted to know whether there is a way to put NASCAR frequencies into his scanner.
An Anonymous caller has an SDS 100, and he asks how he can make the duplicate backup of his SD card.

====================================

🔗 Links for this week

====================================

AAR Frequencies: https://www.radioreference.com/db/aid/7747

2022 NASCAR Frequencies https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/2022-nascar-drivers-frequencies.438087/

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session233

#podcast

232 - Scanning San Francisco, San Mateo, and Alameda Counties May 31, 2022

Garrett Farwell returns to the podcast today to talk about scanning in California, where he lives.

He will break down the systems that he monitors, including a couple of counties like San Francisco, San Mateo, and Alameda counties in California and what he has learned about each County's trunk system using a scanner.

What You Need To Know

Garrett will talk about three simulcast systems in the San Francisco Bay Area that he has been scannin.
The San Francisco city and county system went through a sizable transition last year.
This system recently changed from an analog simulcast system but has changed to a P25 system in recent years.
On this sytem, the 800 megahertz simulcast site is where all of the voice traffic is available, like police, fire, emergency services.
The 700 megahertz simulcast site for the San Francisco TRS seems to be mostly for data packets and information.
This does not align with the notes for this trunk system in the Radio Reference Database that states that all TDMA talk groups (P-II) are on the 800-megahertz system, and then all the FDMA talk groups (P-I) are on the 700
Garrett explained how did he conclude that there is not much on the 700 layers by listening to this system and keeping a close ear and eye on the traffic he is monitoring.
Another interesting tidbit about the San Francisco TRS is there is a difference between the mobiles and the portables from an encryption perspective.
Garrett optimizes his scan lists by avoiding all the full encryption stuff because there is no point in monitoring that.
Garrett tends to listen to law enforcement primarily in San Mateo County as well as some of the local law enforcement in the County.
The way Mateo County works geographically is we have a mountain range that splits it almost in half, and on the east side of the County, there are a lot of little valleys and areas where I'm sure transmission and reception are difficult.
Garrett has concluded that didn't need to scan all the different simulcast systems to hear what he needed. This has helped him to further optimize his scan lists.
In Mateo County, the fire response and fire resources are not on the simulcast system.
The East Bay regional communication system is primarily located within the East Bay and the San Francisco Bay region. It covers Contra Costa County, Alameda County, and some small parts of Solano County.
Garret has been trying to understand how the fire dispatch talk groups are geographically dispatched.
So far, Garret has only been primarily using a scanner to monitor and outline each trunk system he monitors.
Eventually, Garret would like to start logging the systems with computer software to see more information about how each system is used.

==================================== 🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session232

#podcast

231 - What Happens When Trunk Systems Fail? May 24, 2022

What happens when a trunk system fails?

Where do the radio users go?

How do they communicate?

In this session, we’ll go over how trunk systems are supposed to work, what happens when they fail, and what can happen if an administrator plans for failure.

What You Need To Know

I was able to watch our new P25 system fail several months after it was populated with radios and users
These users were part of the county police system and they needed to fall back to cell phone communications while the system was offline
Trunk systems are a pool of frequencies with group of users called Talk Groups
All radios on the system listen to the control channel, which acts as a director, and tells all users what frequencies to go to and when to go.
What happens when that controller fails?
If the radio fails, we would have the alternative control channels kick in and resume control of the system.
The entire site could go offline or become an island site
Or we can have full loss of all trunking, and this is called Failsoft in a Motorola systems
When we are in fail soft mode, a system acts as a conventional repeater system
Radios are assigned a home frequency based on the talk group they are currently using.
The trunk system will send out a beacon to alert the radios they are supposed to fall into Failsoft mode, and all radios will beep to notify the end user they are in Failsoft.
As a scanner radio user, we would need to program the trunk system’s voice channels in our radios as conventioal frequencies in order to continue to hear the system once it is in Failsoft.
A good System Administrator would have thought of a backup plan and would have programmed a backup zone into all the radios on the system.
You might be able to find your local county’s radio guides by doing some google searching for the trunk system.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session231

#podcast

230 - Business Band Hidden Treasures May 17, 2022

Business band frequencies.... what can we find when we search these ranges?

These frequencies are used in places like department stores, home centers, nurseries or garden centers, schools, etc.

Building a scan list of these frequencies will strange results that may surprise you.

What You Need To Know

“Business Band” is an unofficial name to common frequencies used by businesses
In the past, businesses and other organizations could obtain a GMRS license, and some radios were sold with color-coded GMRS channels for business use.
In 2017, the FCC rules were changed, and FRS frequencies were combined with GMRS. As a result, the businesses can operate in lower power and lower bandwidth FRS radios on these same frequencies shared with GMRS.
MURS is a multi-use radio service, and these are VHF narrowband frequencies with a power limit of two watts.
The FCC formerly defines MURS as a private two-way short-distance voice or data communication service for personal or business activities of the public.
While FRS was primarily set up for use by personal use, it got grabbed up and became a part of business use.
Family Radio Service frequencies should be in your business band scan lists.
CB can be used for businesses
There is no need to get a license for CB, which makes it attractive again for businesses, and there is CB all over the world, which is another crazy thing.
We can find forestry services on “low band” vhf frequencies in the neighborhood of 27MHz.
We have already heard that some companies like Walmart are now switching over to their own IP-based radio systems.
Some business have begun using Spread Spectrum Radios which are not scannable.
For the most part, most businesses are going to buy the bubble pack radios or the radios they get from their local radio dealers, and they're going to be put on some of the business band channels that are free to use.
Simply scanning these business band frequencies will find plenty of results you only need to program in your scanners.
We can find national radio services offering business solutions
Many business might be using local "community" trunk systems if they need a larger footprint to communicate. (Tow Trucks, Oil companies, Security)

====================================

🔗 Links from Today's Podcast

Radio Reference Wiki Page for Itinerant Frequencies: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Common_Itinerant_and_Business

Radio Rental Companies: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Common_Itinerant_and_Business#Radio_Rental_Companies

==================================== Frequency bands used (US) (In MHz)

27
29
30
33
35
37
42
47
151
154
158
462
464
467
469

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session230

#podcast

229 - GMRS - General Mobile Radio Service May 10, 2022

GMRS is a personal radio service that you and your family can use or you. It’s a great time to get your license if you haven’t gotten one already because the FCC last month has dropped the price to $35 for a 10-year license.

What You Need To Know

GMRS is a family Radio service
The license covers you and your family, and you can use a single license to talk to each other.
General Mobile Radio service sits in the UHF spectrum in the United States
These frequencies are intertwined or even the same as FRS.
On most frequencies, you can use higher power than FRS users if you are licensed to use GMRS
You can use your GMRS license to communicate with anyone on FRS.
GMRS allows you to use Repeaters to extend your range
Some repeaters are open to all users, others are closed to an organization, while others may be for private use.
In 2017, the FCC expanded GMRS to allow short data messaging applications, including text messaging and GPS location information, to be sent over GMRS frequencies.
GMRS is analog and never encrypted give you something you can monitor with any scanner radio on the market
There are versions of GMRS in many countries so GMRS is not limited to just the US.

====================================

🔗 Links from Today's Podcast

MyGPRS https://mygmrs.com

Repeaterbook: https://www.repeaterbook.com

RadioReference: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/General_Mobile_Radio_Service

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service

==================================== FRS/GMRS Channel Table 01 - 462.5625 02 - 462.5875 03 - 462.6125 04 - 462.6375 05 - 462.6625 06 - 462.6875 07 - 462.7125 08 - 467.5625 09 - 467.5875 10 - 467.6125 11 - 467.6375 12 - 467.6625 13 - 467.6875 14 - 467.7125 15 - 462.5500 16 - 462.5750 17 - 462.6000 18 - 462.6250 19 - 462.6500 20 - 462.6750 21 - 462.7000 22 - 462.7250

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session229

#podcast

228 - Ask Scanner School v44 May 03, 2022

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

Wayne has a few questions about CTCSS and PL Tones
Dennis is looking for tips about setting up a scanner at a remote location
Gary would like to know when to use the "Force Write Database to Scanner" option when programming his scanner in Sentinel
Roger is looking for information about filters in the SDS series scanners

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session228

#podcast

227 - Is this the end of the scanner radio hobby? Apr 26, 2022

Have we reached the end of the scanner radio hobby?

I know many feel this way due to encryption and a lack of new scanner radio models being released.

However, this hobby has been around for decades and there is no reason why we can’t enjoy this hobby in some form or another for decades to come.

Some Feel / Think:

Live feeds are killing the hobby
Many agencies will be going encrypted to keep people from listening
Scanners are becoming too much money due to simulcast
Other agencies are going off radio and onto IP solutions
Manufacturers won’t invest in scanners due to widespread encryption
UK laws and going fully encrypted is the future in the US
Current chip shortages hurt hobby
Lack of interest from whistler

How is might be wrong

There will always be skeptics
Some aren’t happy unless they are making noise and being negative
There will always be something to listen to
Secrets are in the searches – what else is out there to hear?

What can we listen to now that should always be there?

Aviation
Rails
Ham
CB
GMRS
Businesses
DMR / NXDN Systems
Utilities
Security Firms

My Thoughts

Resurrection of the hobby due to new hardware and interest
Software Defined Radios are introducing more people to the hobby
They get into it because it’s something to do with a computer
Learn about NOAA weather satellite reception
Opens them to more projects and learning opportunities
Manufacturers will continue to make low end analog only scanners as they have for years
Top of the line scanners today will become mainstream designs and hardware, dropping the overall costs as time goes on.
Pandemic had people dusting off old hobbies and picking up new ones

Conclusion:

Scanning is following the same course as other hobbies
As technology changes, we see changes in scanning.

No More crystals
Evolution of Motorola Trunking
Inclusion of EDACS and LTR
Eventual support of P25 phase 1
Support for phase 2
NXDN and DMR
Simulcast
Will Tetra come to the next evolution of scanners?

Scanning will continue to be here for years and decades to come, as long as there is something out there to listen to.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session227

#podcast

226 - Social Media and Scanning Apr 19, 2022

In today’s podcast, we are going to talk with our special guest Esteban Reyes. Esteban is a Tik Tok creator who helps people with scanner radio hobby, and he is here today to talk about how social media and scanning go together.

You can find Eteban on TikTok under the username 626HawkEye

What You Need To Know

Social media is an important tool when it comes to bringing people together online.
It gives people access to others who share the same interests, beliefs, and thoughts.
Tik Tok was used to be for kids, but now you can find a ton of short educational form content over on Tik Tok.
Many radio operators on social media share their thoughts and ideas about scanner radio hobby and what they love to do with their radios.
Esteban has been creating TikTok videos for some time to teach others about the scanner radio hobby.
Esteban came to scanner radio hobby back in 2005 or 2006 as an interest in security in Los Angeles.
Tik Tok is more personal social platform because you get to see the person talking or doing something.
You can easilty interact between audience and creater
Tik Tok is very personal because it’s very raw. When you go over to YouTube, you expect a steady camera, a little bit of editing, and a good microphone, but when you are on Tik Tok, simple expectation is handheld phone in your face, which makes it easy to get into.
Esteban sees scanner programming questions more on social platforms, and there are people that will walk you through the comments or private messages until you get it.
There are people in the social media groups already that are familiar with scanners, and these groups can help you, either get into the hobby or help you with your scanner if you have problems.
There are a lot of different layers in the scanners, and it’s not as simple as turning switches off and on anymore, and we can see how a lot of people get very frustrated with it.
One of the things Esteban enjoy is seeing other people’s radio shacks and even antenna ideas. There are several ways you can set up your radios, from having a custom-built rack to getting scanner master cell racks for radios.

====================================

🔗 Links from today's podcast:

Esteban's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@626hawkeye

Scanner School's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scannerschool

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session226

#podcast

225 - Did live scanner feeds hurt the hobby? Apr 12, 2022

Do live scanner feeds have hurt the hobby? There are many different ways to get scanner radios onto the internet, and it’s just a matter of the way of developing or delivering the content.

What You Need To Know

Many stream to:

Their own websites
Broadcastify
Twitch
Zello
Private in house systems and applications

Live streams are used by:

News media
Other public safety agencies
Hobby

How can you listen to live feeds?

Host’s website on your computer
Smart phone apps like “Scanner Radio” or “5 0 Radio”
Broadcastify
Zello
Discord Servers

Pros:

Allow you to listen to events outside your coverage area
Can tap into major events
Hear breaking news as it happens

Cons:

Can be used to coordinate civil disobedience
Used as a reason by agencies to push for encryption
Can be used in a negative way if media wants to scrutinize how emergency services responded

Final Thoughts:

Hobby has more attention to it thanks to live feeds and use of live feeds in news reports
It has allowed more to experience a scanner radio over an app, and those may never have understood what a scanner was or can do.
Allowed agencies to realize they can co-exist with scanner radio users

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session225

#podcast

224 - Ask Scanner School v43 Apr 05, 2022

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

Ed needs help with accessing GMRS repeaters in his area.
Jake would like help understanding quick keys on his Uniden BCD996P2
Scott is looking for help with setting up his new SDS200 scanner.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session224

#podcast

223 - The Legacy of Bill Cheek Mar 29, 2022

This week we are talking about Bill Cheek, a huge pioneer in the scanner radio world

If he was still alive today and saw what is available in the scanner radio market, he would probably lose his mind

Maybe he would have realized his life goal and would have built a scanner that would completely turn the market on its head.

What You Need To Know

If you were active in the scanner radio hobby in the 90’s, there is a good chance that you have heard the name Bill Cheek.
He authored several books like the Scanner Modification Handbook Volume One and Two, The Ultimate Scanner, and Scanners and Secret Frequencies.
He loved to modify radios, and he loved to write about what he was doing so that he could teach other people how to do what he was doing.
Bill used to run a bulletin board system to share information with users.
He published Full disclosure magazine
He also published “World Scanner Report”
The World Scanner Report can be found on the Internet Archive
Bill also COMMtronics Engineering.
Bill also wrote for Popular Communications Magazine and Monitoring Times
Bill was known for documenting discriminator taps in multiple different radios.
COMMtronics used to sells kits that would take the discriminated baseband audio from a scanner and feed it to a computer, allowing you to pass bits and bytes from your scanner radio receiving over the air and send them out to your computer.
Bill has the information for how to tap your scanner on his website, but he also had the plans on his website on how to build an interface that would take the audio from your scanner and interface it with your computer.
Bill’s hardware and the supplied software allowed users to see over the air unencrypted data traffic, such as MDT traffic.
Bill found himself in a lot of hot water because sold the devices that allowed people to monitor MDT.
The device was not made specifically to monitor MDT data and was up to the end users to use it responsibly and legally.
According to the complaint, a couple of New York City police officers ordered five kits off the internet from Bill.
They claim that the kits unscramble the encrypted messages passed between the mainframe computers at police and fire departments to those onboard computers or mobile data terminals in the cars.
Nassau County police had 93 pages of MDT data traffic posted on a public website by scanner radio user in Nassau County, New York.
At the age of 53, Bill found out he had lung cancer.
Fortunately for Cindy Cheek, all the charges against her were eventually dropped
In 2000, Bill passed away.

====================================

🔗 Links for this week:

====================================

Bill’s Publications on the Internet Archive

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session223

#podcast

222 - Optimizing Multiple Site Trunk Systems Mar 22, 2022

Today, we discuss optimizing your scanner for multiple sites in a trunk system.

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about setting up your scanner and optimizing it for a typical scan list, but today we will dive into this topic a little bit deeper.

What You Need To Know

When discussing Trunked systems, a site may not be one specific location or one particular transmitter.
Instead, it may be one tower, one transmitter location, or a collection of transmitter locations networked together.
Simulcast are networked transmitters that key up at the same as a single large “site”.
When programming your Uniden DMA scanners, quick keys are assigned to sites and not systems.
In a Uniden DMA platform, we can assign each site their own key, or multiple sites to a single key.
This allows us to optimized our scanner’s resources on the fly and toggle only what we need to scan.
Uniden home patrol is slightly different because we have different ways of setting up and configuring our scanner.
We use favorites lists in the home patrol. We also use system quick keys, and then we can also use site and department quick keys.
need to create multiple trunk systems and then multiple sets of talk groups.
When programming your Wistler Object Oriented Scanners, Talk groups are assigned to keys, not systems or sites.
This means if we want to toggle sites, we need to program talk groups in multiple times.
We will also need to setup multiple systems with smaller site lists and assign talk groups to these systems if we want to toggle site scan lists
Whistler gives us another option that we can toggle in our system settings:
- Stationary – Scans all sites and all CC’s programmed into a system
- Roam – Scans all CC’s and stays on the best site until threasholds are met.
- Off – Stops on the first CC and will not move until signal is lost.
Thesholdhi and ThresholdLo are two settings that we can adjust on the Whistler models that I wish were options on all scanners.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session222

#podcast

221 - Scanning at the Super Football Game Mar 15, 2022

Chris Parris returns to the podcast to talk about the biggest football game of the year. Chris was last on the podcast to talk about Federal Scanning.

Chris writes a monthly column for the spectrum monitor, an online digital magazine dedicated to the radio monitoring hobby, including scanning and shortwave listening.

Chris’s column, “The Fed Files”, has been a favorite of mine since he was writing for Monitor Times magazine, and his website is full of great information when it comes to federal monitoring.

What You Need To Know

Chris’s daily job has him in some very interesting locations, including monitoring the big super football game that happens at the end of every NFL season.
The company Chris worked for provides technical support for the television broadcasts that come out of the Super Bowl, and he has done probably 17 Super Bowls in total.
We talk about how Chris prepares his scanners before each trip.
His scanning equipment varies from trip to trip.
Chris tried different types of radios, brought more base stations than handheld, or sometimes brought more handhelds than base stations.
Chris’s routine usually is to leave TRX-1 TRX-2 run for a day, and when he comes in first thing in the morning before the next day of work, he will sit down and listen to or redownload the recordings see what he picked up.
The LA area is very heavily active with radio channels. The stadium was in Englewood, California, so the Englewood Police Department had their radio system set up and ran for this event. In addition, the California highway patrol was there.
The actual stadium itself has a trunk DMR system for its operations, and it was completely encrypted.
All the NFL radios for the game operations and so forth were encrypted.
There was a lot of radio traffic going on during and before the game.
Chris was impressed by the military air monitors in Southern California because literally within less than a minute, multiple people posted online details on what he heard.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session221

#podcast

220 - Optimizing Scan Lists Mar 08, 2022

Here is a question that I get asked from time to time:

“How do I optimize the scanning lists in my scanner?”

This is an important question, because when our scanners are scanning, we can miss transmissions elsewhere. So it is important to be as efficient as possible when setting up your scan lists.

Now, the answer may not be as straight forward as you might think, so here is my thought process on setting up a scan list on a radio:

What You Need To Know

We break down several different scenairos on the podcast and what might work best for each one
Conventional memory planning is the easiest and most straight forward
Dynamic Memory Allocation makes setting up scan lists a little easier than hard coded frequencies per bank units do
Each time a scanner enters a trunk site, it has to sit an monitor that site
This can slow down our scanners if we have multiple trunk sites on a system
This can also slow down our scanners if we have many trunk systems in our scan lists
The trick is to balance out what we are trying to accomplish with our scan lists
It doesn’t hurt to setup different scan list configurations and see what works best for you
Sometimes splitting the load between multiple radios can be the most efficient way of scanning

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session220

#podcast

219 - Ask Scanner School v42 Mar 01, 2022

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 from this month

Joe has a question about receiving the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network (CLMRN) and the Bristol P25 system.
Garrett from the San Francisco Bay area has a question about the East Bay Regional Communications System (EBRCS) in Alameda County, CA.
Jack from Idaho has a problem with his Windows computer and communicating to his “XT” scanner. The problem is specific to Windows 11 and fixes itself when he downgrades to Windows 10.
David would like to know why he does not hear any car to car traffic on his scanner.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session219

#podcast

218 - The Advantages of Multiple Scanners Feb 22, 2022

Joe Curtis returns to the podcast this week to share how he uses multiple scanner radios.

We also discuss a recent national event that happened outside his door.

What You Need To Know

Joe uses a Unication G4 to listen to public safety
He also uses a SDS 100 as his go-to scanner
The SDS100 makes a great do-all scanner since it covers 25Mhz to 1.3Ghz
The SDS also supports analog, P25, and multiple trunking modes.
One of the benefits of having multiple radios is the ability to be flexible and to beable to keep an ear on events unfolding in real-time and not missing that transmissions.
There is nothing wrong with only owning one scanner, but once you put that radio in the scan, the chances of missing a conversation or transmission or something urgent that goes out over another frequency increases, especially when that scanner stops on another transmission.
Scanner Radio is a hobby, and that’s what we all should treat it as. If you have fun listening to different things, go with the flow. I do a lot of searching for new frequencies because you can find interesting stuff out there if you search for frequencies.
Many people have old scanners that are just sitting collecting dust but take it out because some of those older scanners will still serve a purpose even in this day and age where a lot of stuff is digital.
The ability to have one radio is excellent, but once you start adding or multiplying your enjoyment of the hobbies, it becomes much more enjoyable.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session218

#podcast

217 - K.I.S.S. - When Good Enough is Perfect Feb 15, 2022

Today’s podcast episode is all about the KISS Principle.

Everybody has a different way or thought process on how things should be done.

If you are just getting started with the hobby, or you have been in a hobby for a very long time and trying to learn about something new or trying to clean up something you have done, you can get lost in the woods.

Today’s podcast gives you permission to take a step back and come at your setup from a different perspective.

What You Need To Know

Radio scanning is a hobby we need to permit ourselves to do to our best abilities or on time restrictions. We have to deal with fitting it in after work or a quick weekend project before taking the kids or the family out somewhere.
You should not put off a project just because you can’t do it perfectly right now. Do what you can and build upon it at a later date.
This is a radio hobby. Enjoy it, and learn from what you’ve done and feel free to accept any mistakes as a way of learning about the hobby.
If you are going to put up an antenna:
- You should ground it, but the world won’t end if you don’t do it right away.
- At a bare minimum, I recommend sinking a ground rod running from the ground rod to the antenna’s mast and seeing what the instructions say for your antenna.
- You can always go back and ground things after putting the antenna up.
Splitting atennas:
- The best way to split antenna and get into multiple scanners is to use a multi-coupler.
- TV splitter is not so great because you take a loss on every port, but they still get the job done if you are willing to take the loss.
- Y splitters are not so great because you can change the impedance, but if it works for you right now, then do what works for you right now.
Coax:
- LMR 400 is a low loss 50-ohm coax cable. It works well on high frequencies and in high frequencies that don’t have 50 Ohms of impedance loss.
- RG6 will get you up and running at a fraction of the price of LMR 400, but it’s got 75 Ohm of impedance.
- If using RG-6 gets your antenna to your radio right now, go for it. You can always upgrade the coax at a later date or when you can afford to do so.
External Antennas:
- The way we are using our scanners is changing with technology because many of these trunk radio systems are built for 97% or better or equivalent portable used by public safety.
- If you are already receiving what you want to hear with great reception, you may not need an external antenna at this time.
Building scan lists on a new radio:
- Whenever you are setting up a new scanner for the first time, and you want to test out something, just put in a system, a site, and a wild card to see if we can hear anything on the trunk system. This way, at least we know that the setup is fine.
- Once you have got the trunk system receiving and following a system, you can start adding talk groups.
Additionally:
- It never hurts to buy a radio and sell it. Find out what you like and upgrade if you want. If you need to sell a radio to afford the new radio, then go for it!
- If one radio is good enough for you, stick with the one radio.
- You can have multiple radio as you grow into the hobby.
- You will learn what you need as you invest more time into scanning.
- Maybe you’re not going to buy the best thing out of the box because it’s too much money for you, but you can find something else that will fit the bill.
- You can buy software-defined radios that lets you do HF, sideband, AM, and FM

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session217

#podcast

216 - Civil Air Patrol Feb 08, 2022

T

Today we have got a great guest on the podcast. I am happy to introduce you guys all to Dave Kalahar. Dave is not only a full-time RV, but he is also a retired commander in the Civil Air Patrol or CAP in the United States. Dave spent about 45 years in broadcasting and you are all in for a great podcast episode.

What You Need To Know

Like many people, Dave’s interest in radio started with a small handheld crystal control. It was a RadioShack or realistic scanner. But today, he could not even count the number of scanners he has had over the years or two-way radios that do scanning
CAP or Civil Air Patrol is a civilian auxiliary of the United States Airforce. It came to action 80 years ago during World War II.
Following WWII, congress decided to enact a separate service branch called the Air Force
The Air Force Auxillary is CAP.
The money that is provided to Civil Air Patrol comes from the United States Air Force budget.
The CAP as a volunteer is a terrific option to utilize the talents you have come across with CB radio, amateur radio, scanning, and GMRS.
If you are a hobbyist interested in those areas, Civil Air Patrol will allow you to take that interest in that knowledge.
The emergency response part of CAP is where the communications part comes in. There are 728 VHF FM repeaters that are P25 type dual-mode analog repeaters are available all across the country. In addition, we have more than 2000 HF stations operating at CAP.
There is an awful lot of assets available for use in the missions that we do, and CAP also has the largest fleet of Cessna aircraft in the world, and the last count is 560 single-engine aircraft.
Every CAP member is an airman, just like a member that serves in the actual Air Force. We are the public face to the Air Force, and we do localized activities, says Dave.
We have an extensive system that has been in place to do work remotely, and a digital system will be in place for all those repeaters so that you can listen to any of our repeaters from a centralized location at any time you want, says Dave.
CAP has an airborne camera and many different systems attached to our aircraft that do specialized photography to FEMA. That photography can help FEMA figure out how big the disaster is.
CAP also flies his cadets and calls them orientation flights. So every one of our cadets is entitled to five one-hour flights in our aircraft. They don’t take off or land, but they fly the aircraft for five hours at their airport, and there are different profiles.
Learning to become a better leader is something we all could use, and CAP has developed a fantastic program based on Air Force training. It is all run from Air University, and they modified the program here a couple of years ago. So it has become a world-class training program for all CAP members.
The entire flying fleet and planes used by volunteers for the missions are provided by CAP. Way back, the Air Force started buying the Cessnas, providing those to squadrons, and now it’s all provided by CAP.
All the aircraft now worked with an ATSP. Those aircraft have the G1000 glass panels and have all the advanced equipment, but the FAA calls the sign for camp aircraft is CAP.
The VHF system is just for CAP, but our base stations and aircraft have AM. So we can hear our aircraft when they’re talking to air traffic control, and there are times that we will talk to them on AM radio if we need to.
CAP has simplex frequencies, so air to the ground will often be simplex. CAP also has a set of tactical frequencies called secret squirrel frequencies because our airplane will always have one radio set to that frequency at all times.
CAP will begin to use some digital communications to send messages in the future.
The HF system used to be a primary military system. Our communications and the Air Force had an extensive HF network at one point, especially with all of the missions and tactical operations. But they let that network kind of fall apart over the end of the world War, and over some time, they concentrated on satellite communications.
There are more than 2000 HF stations across North America, and 5 to 600 of those are probably doing ALE all the time, and that is a pretty good beacon that helps us to know when and how a message is going to get through.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session216

#podcast

215 - Ask Scanner School v41 Feb 01, 2022

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 from this month:

Lloyd asks where he can find the show notes for the podcast sessions
Tom asks, how do you connect multiple scanners to a single antenna? And are you planning to make a video step by step on how to broadcast your scanner using Zello?
Garvin has a question about grounding his new antenna.
Paul would like to know how to enter his WiFi password on a BCD536HP
Dominic inquires about adding an antenna to his SDR, and if it is better to have a longer USB cable run or a longer coax cable run.
John would like help setting up his SDR so that he can monitor the local P25 police talk groups.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session215

#podcast

214 - RadioShack’s Comeback? Jan 25, 2022

The RadioShack brand is making a comeback.

They are getting into the crypto game and are enterin the market with their own coin, $RADIO.

What You Need To Know

RadioShack was started in 1921 by two brothers who wanted to provide the ham radio market equipment.
They started with one physical store and a mail order store in downtown Boston.
In 1962, Tandy was looking for a hobby-related business, so they took over RadioShack, restructured it, and gave RadioShack a brand new foundation.
RadioShack was known for carrying its name brands like Tandy and realistic.
Tandy Corp was not only manufacturing their stuff for RadioShack, but there is also an OEM for hardware like Digital Equipment, Corporation grid, Olivetti, AST Computer, and Panasonic.
RadioShack had several successes and ultimate failures.
RadioShack had some iconic scanners like the Realistic Pro 2006.
If you were getting into the electronic hobby, you were getting into radios. RadioShack is probably where you learned. That’s where you cut your teeth in his hobby.
We scanner radio users or amateur radio operators were their target audience, and we were their target market from the beginning. But unfortunately, selling radios, antennas, and components is no longer something out there that can support a brick and mortar store.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session214

#podcast

213 - Flagship Scanner Feature Wishlist Jan 18, 2022

What features would you like to see in the next Flagship Scanner Radio by Uniden, Whistler, or someone else?

I have my own wishlist and I think many of these features are overdue in today’s scanner radio market.

In fact, many of my requests are already available on other radios, including radios like Baofeng and TYT to name a few.

Some of what I’d like to see on a Flagship Radio:

Radio Reference Database should remain included in any future Flagship Scanner
Bluetooth connectivity is a must
Include a desktop charger or make it available as an optional accessory.
Bonus points if flagship scanners would include accessory connections for external antennas, speakers, and pc connections via the desktop charger.
No more custom battery packs, please!
Apps for Android and iOS would be nice.
Why can’t future handheld radios include GPS built in?
I can get dual VFO’s in my Icom receivers and my cheap $30 imports. Why can’t I have dual VFO’s on my $600+ scanner?
We need voice prompts in today’s scanners (or fallback to smart phone and tablets and apps with screen readers) for those who are blind or need assistance seeing?
All radios should be able to use aftermarket antennas without any special adapters or restrictions

Check out more of my wishlist and even some ways manufacturers could include these without driving prices up inside this podcast.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

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▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session213

212 - 2022 Scanner Crash Course Jan 11, 2022

On today’s episode, I will go through my slides on my presentation for Ham Radio University, which I normally do every year.

This is my practice run for the presentation that I gave at HRU on January 8, 2022.

If HRU publishes the presentation, we will follow up with a link.

This presentation is for those who are new to the scanner radio hobby, or need a quick reset and want to have a bit of a refresher on some scanner radio topics and terms.

If you need more help with your scanner, you can book me for a 1 hour tutoring session at www.scannerschool.com/tutoring

What You Need To Know

We use scanners instead of two way radios for scanning because:
- Scanners typically have a much faster scan rate
- Have better memory management
- Scanners have a larger frequency range than most two way radios
- Scanners can typically support multiple modes and technologies
There are three main types of transmitting and receiving:
- Simplex: Single Frequency - point to point
  - Mostly used on Fireground and tactical channels
- Duplex: Two Frequencies – point to poing
  - Radio 1 Tx’s on one freq where Radio 2 Rx’s
  - Radio 1 Rx’s where Radio 2 Tx’s
- Repeaters: Two Frequencies
  - All radios Tx on the repeater input frequency
  - All radio Rx on the repeater output frequency
  - Gives a large footprint on radio communication
  - Mostly used on dispatch frequencies
- Analog is the most common transmission type that we could use
  - Used by Aviation, Ham, Rails, Marine, etc
- Digital has better spectrum usage
- Typical Digital Modes in scanning are:
  - P25
  - DMR
  - NXDN
  - (TETRA is used Outside the US. No Scanner can Rx TETRA)
- Trunking Improves Spectrum Efficiency
- Common Trunk Systems are:
  - Motorola Type II
  - EDACS
  - LTR
  - P25
  - DMR
  - NXDN
- Many users can be on a trunk system and voice channels are distributed “on demand”
- If a group is not talking, they do not tie up a voice path
- All users listen for commands on a control channel and only move to a voice channel when told to by the control channel

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at

https://www.scannerschool.com/session212

211 - Ask Scanner School v40 Jan 04, 2022

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 into scanning on a budget.
Wayne has several questions for this month, including:
- What is the best way to learn about the SDS100’s features?
- Can the clock be set to AM/PM or is it only set for 24hr time?
Lee has a question about setting the squelch on his BCD996P2

Links from this session: Mark's Scanners Scannermaster

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session211

210 - Encryption? No Problem! Dec 28, 2021

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 our favorite show is now has been cancelled. We find other things to watch on the TV. The same should hold true of scanning. Just because our favorite agency has encrypted, it doesn’t mean there isn’t anything else left to listen to on our radios.

What You Need To Know

The fact that Kenneth’s local fire and police have encrypted has not stopped him one bit from enjoying the hobby itself.
Kenneth is still buying scanner radios to listen to more frequencies in his area.
If you want to know what’s happening in your neighborhood, sometimes you might have to expand the parameter, says Kenneth.
Sometimes your local town or city runs its utility department which could clue you into down power lines or displaced fire hydrants.
The other aspect of the hobby is immersing yourself in the RF spectrum. You learn all about propagation when you start doing the shortwave.
Secrets are in the searches. You never know what else is out there until you start seeking them out.
There are things out there to listen to that are not encrypted special in a busy metropolitan area.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session210

209 - Is it time to upgrade your scanner? Dec 21, 2021

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 DMR or NXDN upgrade might be a nice upgrade if you already have supporting hardware.
Size matters. Upgrading into a “pocket scanner” might interest you if you are always carrying a radio around.
Scanning is a hobby. Learning, growing, and investing in equipment is what a hobby is all about.
The secondary market can be a great place to purchase radios, that were too expensive when new, at a more affordable price today.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session209

208 - Home Weather Stations Dec 14, 2021

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 it comes to picking a personal weather station.
You should have an idea of what type of readings you will want to collect, such as temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, or rain fall.
Many home water stations also collect more advanced data such as soil moisture, UV, and solar radiation.
Not all home weather stations include a display. Some only work with smart apps or smart home devices.
There is a weather station for every budget and need.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session208

207 - Ask Scanner School v39 Dec 07, 2021

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 P25 Trunk system is the correct way to program his scanner.
Roberto asks about the differences or advantages of using DSD Plus versus using a full-fledged scanner like the SDS100 or SDS200.
Tim would like to know why some of the talk groups on his local P25 system are simulcasted on Analog Conventional Frequencies.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session207

206 - Plectrons and Early Fire Alerting Nov 30, 2021

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 the first model that they made.
Plectrons was the first widely used in-home unit that allowed firefighters to be activated and keep the radio-quiet.
Similar to today’s alerting receivers, the dispatcher would generate set tones that would set the receiver to activate.
Plectrons were analog devices and required reads in the receivers.
These reeds needed to be tuned by a radios shop and would resonate to the paging tone.
If the resonate frequency matched, the Plectron would alert.
Plectrons are a piece of radio history and many are still in use today.
Scanner Radios with “Fire Tone Out” can mimic what early Plectron receivers were.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session206

205 - SDR Holiday Buyer's Guide Nov 23, 2021

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 cover Software Defined Radios? Because I believe that the future of scanner radios will somehow be part of the software-defined radio hobby.

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)

Scanner School Podcast 101
Scanner School Podcast 152
Nooelec RTL-SDR
- SDR only
- SDR with Antennas
RTL-SDR Blog v3 SDR
Airspy
HackRF
SDRplay
HackRF Portapack – Possible Clones?

What You Need To Know

Avoid blister pack SDR that normally include an antenna and remote control.
These radios can be identified by their rounded edges
You want a SDR that includes a TCXO
A TXCO will help stabilize your SDR
Airspy Devices are a great upgrade to entry level SDRs
SDRPlay makes excellent high end Software Defined Radios
We have a great list of SDR accessories in today’s podcast

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session205

204 - Baofeng Alternatives Nov 16, 2021

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
- Scannermaster
Uniden SR30C
- Amazon
- Scannermaster
TYT TY-UV88
Radio Oddity GM-30
Yaesu FT-4XR
Yaesu FT-65R

What You Need to Know

UV-5R is a $35 radio all day every day basically on Amazon
We will compare the UV-5R with the Baofeng UV-82
Whistler’s Entry Level Scanner will be our Scanner Radio Baseline
Uniden’s SR30C is over our $100 Budget for Today’s Exercise
TYT’s TH-UV88 is a great alternative to the UV-5R
RADIODDITY’ GM-30 GMRS Radio is about the same price with more memory
We might be surprised at what we can find for less than $100 on the Amateur Radio Market.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session204

203 - Baofeng Pros and Cons Nov 09, 2021

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 prolonged scan rate.
Another issue I have with them is that there are only six characters on display.
With Baofeng units, minor firmware tweaks will prevent you from cloning radios.
There is no AM mode in these units, and if you want to put in a couple of aviation frequencies, they will be received in FM mode.
Baofengs can be programmed with free software.
Many times, you can purchase a radio with the cable at little to no extra cost
Voice Menus are the biggest perk of owning a Baofeng.

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community

====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session203

202 - Ask Scanner School v38 Nov 02, 2021

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 adjusted differently to receive VHF frequencies vs 800Mhz Frequencies.
Kevin is looking for advice on how to monitor Nassau County MTA police on his Radio Shack PRO-651 scanner radio

====================================

🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community ====================================

Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session202

201 - Scanner School's Discord Community Oct 26, 2021

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 Facebook.
This was not built to compete with any other group or forum, but to compliment them
Discord supports
- Apple
- Android
- Windows
- MacOS
- Linux
If you prefer not to use an app, you can always use the web interface
Be a part of a scanner radio community where you don’t need to scroll past political posts, opinions, or other content just to see some scanner radio posts.
Discord is like the old IRC or AOL chat rooms but amplified.

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session201

200 - An Extra Special Podcast Episode Oct 19, 2021

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 monthly calls.

To mark episode 200, those participating in the zoom call got to pick my brain and ask me any questions that were on their minds. You are listening to this conversation in today's podcast.

So - thank you to all of you who have listened, shared, and became part of the podcast. Thanks to all that are part of our community and for those who back the podcast on Patreon.

And for everyone who was there earlier this month to help record this podcast episode, whether you asked a question or not, thank you!

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session200

199 - Handheld vs Desktop / Mobile Scanners Oct 12, 2021

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 in handheld radios are small and are not as loud as a mobile radio.
Handheld radios can get knocked around; they can fall off a desk, they can fall off your belt, they can get knocked around in a backpack.
If you are not careful, you can put a lot of stress on the antenna port on your handheld radios.
Desktop scanners have a cleaner installation.
Mostly accessory ports are on the back of the unit.
You also get larger displays in desktop scanners.
Desktop scanners have been using the same plugs on their accessories for decades.
Mobile and desktop scanners both have a larger speaker, which also means it’s got a little more bass, and it’s definitely got some larger audio when it comes to how much volume is coming out of the unit.
Today’s new cars with their fancy dashboards, it’s really difficult to find a place to actually mount mobile radio scanners.

====================================

🎓 Check out our online courses

====================================

Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.

Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.

🔗 https://www.courses.scannerschool.com

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session199

198 - Ask Scanner School v37 Oct 05, 2021

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 disable “Search with Scan” on the BCD436HP?
Bill asks about a new radio system his county may or may not be moving to.

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session198

197 - Do you need an outdoor antenna? Sep 28, 2021

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 antenna.
The frequencies we listen to are “Line of Sight”
Factors determining if you need an outdoor antenna are:
- Do you listen to DX?
- Do you need to hear Simplex communications?
- What do you like to scan?
You may not need an antenna for several reasons
P25 Simulcast may work best with an indoor antenna
Skipping an antenna installation could save you time and money.

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session197

196 - Multi State Scanning with a Unication Pager Sep 21, 2021

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 asking questions specific to the scanner radio hobby.

If you are interested in Unication pagers, I sell all of their paging products at eastcoastpagers.com

What You Need To Know

Traveling with an Unication pager should be thought of the same way as traveling with a two-way radio that is only able to receive on certain bands.
We need to remember that we need to set up these radios before we even leave the house and hit the road or expect to make tweaks via a computer and software while traveling or stopping over at a hotel or a hotel campground the night.
Commercial-grade products are built for public safety or the professional user whose job is to safely rely on the radio in their hands or in their vehicle.
Nathan purchased a G4 because that’s pretty much all he needed with our local system right now.
One Trick Nathan Discovered is setting multiple site trunk systems up as a single site with wildcards.
Pre-planning everything and set up exactly as you want to listen to it.
Spending the night at hotels can be spent tweaking your pager for the next day on the road.

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session196

195 - How 9/11 and Katrina Changed Scanning Sep 14, 2021

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 communication problems on their own two way systems.
They also lacked a structured plan for communicating to other agencies in real time to alert them of urgent risks to life and health.
In order to open frequencies for public safety, Congress enacted Spectrum Act 2012
This directed the Commission to allocate the D block from 758 to 763 MHz and 788 to 793 MHz to public safety for use in a nationwide broadband network.
FirstNet is charged with responsibilities for deploying and operating a nationwide public safety broadband network.
In February of 2006 U.S. house of representatives voted 216 to 214 and approved a budget package that required analog television broadcasters to clear the 700-megahertz airwaves.
Channels 70 to 83 are now part of the mobile radio system’s public safety and trunk system.
The National Interoperability Field Guide is a technical reference for multi-communication planning and for radio technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response.
This is why we see so many new P25 systems showing up in the 700Mhz band

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session195

====================================

🧐 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

====================================

🎓 Would you like 1 on 1 help?

====================================

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out.

Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

====================================

😀 Help support Scanner School

====================================

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

We have links on this page where you can purchase scanners from our affiliate partners and software from BuTel.

So if you are in the market for a new scanner, accessories, or software, please use the above link to help Scanner School at no additional cost to you.

====================================

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

====================================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

====================================

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

====================================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

====================================

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

====================================

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

▶︎ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

▶︎ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

▶︎ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

▶︎ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

▶︎ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

====================================

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session195

194 - Ask Scanner School v36 Sep 07, 2021

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 about CHP and their talk group usage.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session194

🧐 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

🎓 Would you like 1 on 1 help?

============================

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out.

Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

😀 Help support Scanner School

============================

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

We have links on this page where you can purchase scanners from our affiliate partners and software from BuTel.

So if you are in the market for a new scanner, accessories, or software, please use the above link to help Scanner School at no additional cost to you.

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

============================

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

============================

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.

Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

====================================

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions. 2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

➡️ Follow Scanner School on Social Media

====================================

- Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter

- Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook

- Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...

- Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram

-TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

193 - DTV - The P25 Killer ? Aug 31, 2021

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 we have E-Skip and Tropo Ducting in the UHF spectrum.
Digital TV from out of the market is causing problems on the digital spectrum in the UHF T band.

✅ All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session193

--------------------------------------------------------------

🧐 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

---------------------------------------------------------------

🎓 Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

--------------------------------------------------------------

😀 Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

We have links on this page where you can purchase scanners from our affiliate partners and software from BuTel.

So if you are in the market for a new scanner, accessories, or software, please use the above link to help Scanner School at no additional cost to you.

--------------------------------------------------------------

⚠️ I want to answer your questions

I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.

If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:

📞 516-308-2885 📨 SpeakPipe

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/ask

--------------------------------------------------------------

🏆 Thank you Patreon Supporters

Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.

Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month. Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.

Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.

🔗 Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon

--------------------------------------------------------------

💻 Follow Scanner School on Social Media

- Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter - Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook - Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebookgroup - Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram -TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok

--------------------------------------------------------------

🎥 Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel

We are live once a month on YouTube to answer your questions.

2022 will be the year of Video for Scanner School

Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube

192 - Frequency Bands Aug 24, 2021

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 important because we want to keep neighboring countries and governments on the same block to frequencies.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session192

--------------------------------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

191 - P25 TDMA Control Channels Aug 17, 2021

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 control channel. However, with the use of that TDMA control channel, a single 12.5 K Hz channel supports two virtual channels and can be configured to utilize one or both virtual channels for inbound outbound signaling.
Before current P25 systems can migrate over to TDMA, they need to only have Phase 2 Talk Groups

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session191

--------------------------------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

--------------------------------------------------------------Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

190 - Lessons Learned - Vacationing with a Scanner Aug 10, 2021

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 little research online, you can find your frequencies on Radio Reference as well as other sites.
Bill suggests, “Try to visualize who you want to listen to and when you want to listen to them” when planning your scanner's setup for vacation.
Before going on a vacation, go through the manual and use your scanner to refresh your memory on how to use the basic functions.
Traveling with a scanner will be more enjoyable when you don't have to keep referring to the manual.
Make sure you do your homework about where you will be traveling and your scanning will be a lot more enjoyable.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session190

--------------------------------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

189 - Ask Scanner School v35 Aug 03, 2021

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 platforms, including YouTube.

Submit your questions for future podcast episodes here.

Don't forget to check out our monthly Q&A Session on YouTube by subscribing to our YouTube Channel.

Questions answered this month:

Jeff asks about simulcast interference.
- How do we know that the interference that we are getting is simulcast interference?
- “How do I diagnose the spectrum on the radio, analyzing from where the signals are coming from?”
Nick seeks help for a handheld or mobile ham radio that can also do the scanning.
Danny asks a question via Twitter
- Is there any software for Uniden in Mac, or is this something that will never happen?
Joe asks for antenna advice for his Uniden BC355N

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session189

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit https://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at https://www.scannerschool.com/support

188 - Are Vintage Scanners Becoming Too Expensive? Jul 27, 2021

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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 shortage in the new market for P25 type scanner radios, especially SDS100 and 200, but prices are the same as for new ones in the used markets.
The used market will dictate a solid price for that kind of radio because of less supply and high demand.
eBay is the largest second-hand market for used scanner radios.
The Facebook marketplace is another option for scanner radio purchases, but it is advised not to use the Facebook payment program as there is no protection.
One can also find scanner radio-like stuff at Craigslist, and it’s better to find some cash-only deals from Craigslist.
Don't be fooled by a scanner listing if someone simply puts the word "vintage" in the title.
If a radio has been well maintained or in collective items or still in the box with manual and never been used, those radios collect a premium.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session188

--------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

--------------------------------------------------------------Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

187 - Scanner Radio Shortages Jul 20, 2021

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 To Know

Brand new P25 style scanners have become hard to find in the last year and a half.
This is especially true for the SDS100 and 200, as well as the TRX-1, and TRX-2.
They seem to be out of stock from everywhere in the market.
A partial and obvious reason for the shortage of P25 scanners is COVID.
In this Pandemic situation majority of people were staying home or working remotely. Many of them come back into scanner radio hobby after being not involved for some time.
During the pandemic, numerous people were introduced to scanner radio hobby or something they want to do, and now they are just picking on that hobby.
It’s not only the scanner radio market with shortage issue; it’s also beyond the radio and communication market.
In the shipping industry, we have a shortage of dock workers due to COVID, and they are not working in total capacity, which causes ships not to load and unload fast, and ships are queued for longer than their routine trip.
Containers from the ship are unloaded on trains or trucks, but as the truck drivers are sick due to COVID, the movement, loading, and unloading of containers are significantly less, causing a shortage of containers to difficulty in moving inventory.
Silicone issue or the microchip problem has been a global issue, and everyone is looking for these microchips.
Demand for microchips is exceptionally high due to a surge in people wanting electronics equipment as they are stuck at home.
It takes almost a year to get the chip designed and ready to be manufactured from start to finish, and these are built on wafers.
Everything is based on microchips and all these come from the part of the world where there is a shortage of workers due to another wave of coronavirus.
If you are in the market for new scanner radio, put your name on any email list that you find by major scanner sellers like scanner master.
Because of the shortage of new scanners, the used market for some of these hard to find scanners is very strong.
eBay, Facebook, and the Radio Reference Classifieds are a great place to find scanners radios on the secondary market.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session187

--------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

--------------------------------------------------------------Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

186 - Discovering a New Federal Trunk System Jul 13, 2021

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"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 from Radio Reference posted that they discovered a Federal System and wanted to know if anyone recognized the WACN and NAC
This was discovered when this user entered the search mode in his scanner
It was quickly uncovered that this was a new Trunk System in the NY / NJ / CT area
People from the area were contributing to the new trunk system in forums.
They looked at systems and sites and reported what they saw, heard, and observed in the system.
Within two weeks of the initial post on radio reference, we got updates on frequencies, control channels, neighbors, talk groups, radio ids, and changes in sites and cold nation to identify from where signals are coming out.
Can we expect a nationwide system with over a hundred sites?
This is exciting because the local scanner radio community came together to uncover this new system.
The secrets are in the searches!

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session186

--------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

--------------------------------------------------------------Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

185 - Ask Scanner School v34 Jul 06, 2021

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 watching online websites, can we spot skip or ducting on our own? What do we look for?
How do you keep your home patrol style favorites lists updated when you update the master database?
What are the filters on the SDS100/200 for and how do they work?
How do you change the Unit ID's (UIDs) on the Home Patrol style scanner?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session185

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit https://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at https://www.scannerschool.com/support

184 - Budget Friendly P25 Scanners Jun 29, 2021

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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 believe budget.

What You Need To Know

When it comes to buying scanners, everybody has different budgets
For this exercise, I’ve set a budget of $300
At this price point, we will only be able to afford a Phase 1 Scanner
There are some scanners in our make believe budget that are current and can be bought new today
We will be reviewing Radio Shack, GRE, Whistler, and Uniden Scanners
Simulcast and updated features will not be supported in this budget
Even with these limitations, we will have a nice list of great scanners that we can afford

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session184

--------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

183 - Scanner Laws and Restrictions to Know Before Traveling and Vacationing Jun 22, 2021

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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 you are staying.

What You Need To Know

Different forms of travel have different rules when carrying a scanner
Check your airlines for any prohibited carry on items
If cruising, be sure your scanner is allowed on board
Scanners may or may not be allowed in sporting venues. Be prepared to be stopped by security if attempting to bring a radio into an event.
For Sporting events such as NASCAR, you can bring your scanner to the event.
Scanner radios in countries you are visiting can be shockingly strict, or very relaxed.
If you are traveling across the United States, be aware that each State, County, or City could have their own scanner radio laws

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session183

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

182 - Skip, Ducting, and Propagation Jun 15, 2021

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"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 happen?

Find out why you want to keep you ears open for this phenomenon on today's podcast.

What You Need To Know

Most VHF and UHF reception is done via line of sight.
Another form of radio propagation is ground wave, which follows the earth's contours.
Radio waves that use the earth's ionosphere to further propagate are cause for excitement in the VHF and UHF Spectrum.
The ionosphere is made up of several distinct layers.
E-skip or Sporadic E happens when the radio waves are reflected back to earth by the unusually ionized the atmospheric gases in lower E levels.
Weather can also affect propagation and this is called tropospheric ducting

Find out more about Skip, Ducting, and Propagation on today's podcast.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session182

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

181 - 10 Ways to Repurpose Your Analog Scanner Jun 08, 2021

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"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

---------------------------------------------------------------

Let's talk about 10 ways that you can use your old analog radio in today's digital scanning environment

What You Need To Know

Marine monitoring is a built in search range on many analog scanners
Aircraft monitoring can be done worldwide
Railroad is moving to NXDN here in the US, but most of RR is still analog only.
Weather Alert Standby is a feature in many newer analog scanners
SKYWARN traffic is typically on amateur radio analog repeaters.
Fire Tone Out is another feature found in many analog scanners.
News and media frequencies are very busy and you can hear interesting transmission on those frequency ranges.
Shopping malls and departmental store use FRS radios that are analog.
Put your old analog scanner in search mode, put it into close call mode, and see what is close to you or what is around you.
You can tap into discriminated baseband audio or raw audio or unprocessed or unfiltered audio of the board of your scanner.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session181

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

180 - Ask Scanner School v33 Jun 01, 2021

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 we are answering your submitted questions!

What You Need To Know

We revisit Chris' question from last month regarding Close Call and AM reception for Aviation.
Jeff asks a question about using his software defined radio and frequency assignments
Jack inquiries about Bill Cheek and if his material is still available online
Ray asks while going through the courses is there any special consideration on location we should use while backing up our folders.
Jim asks a question about antennas, resonate frequencies, and how to figure out what antenna length is needed to receive a specific frequency

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session180

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit https://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at https://www.scannerschool.com/support

179 - The Uniden BR330T May 25, 2021

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

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The Uniden BR330T is one of those scanners that has a special place in my collection. For many years it was my "go to" scanner.

What You Need To Know

I purchased my BR330T back in 2007, right when they were discontinued.
At that time, they were $250USD for this radio making it about $322 radio in 2021 dollars.
This radio was ahead of it’s time and a unicorn in the scanner radio hobby
I have not seen another scanner since that can do what the BR330T was capable of achieving
The BR330T handheld scanner operates on 3 AA batteries or a 6v aux. power.
This radio has a built in battery charger
Besides Analog Conventional, the scanner also supported Motorola, EDACS, and LTR Trunking

The memory system uses an early version of Uniden’s Dynamic Memory Allocation
It supports basic features such as PL / DPL Decoding, Fire Tone out, and Priority Scaning
What makes this scanner so unique is it’s ability to pickup AM Broadcast, FM Broadcast, and even Analog TV
This scanner included an internal BAR antenna for AM Broadcast reception

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session179

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit http://www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at http://www.scannerschool.com/support

178 - Scan All The Bands with Larry Van Horn May 18, 2021

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

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Larry Van Horn is one of the legends in the Scanner Radio Hobby. We are fortunate enough to have him on this week's podcast!

What You Need To Know

Larry has published multiple columns and guides over the years.
Today, Larry shares the key to success when it comes to Scanner Radio Hobby.
During this conversation, Larry and Phil cover topics ranging from short-waves to gigahertz.
Larry's digital publications are available on Amazon
Phil reiterates how the guides written by Larry have helped him.
Larry spent 15 years documenting activity in the military radio spectrum in his monthly Milcom columns.
The MT Milcom columns documented the U.S. military conversion to narrowband LMR systems, the move from conventional to trunk radio systems, the 225-400 MHz band plan shift, including the new 380-400 MHz sub-band, and HF military frequencies, both foreign and US.
Larry has spent the last 65 years enjoying the radio hobby

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session178

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

177 - AM/FM DXing with Loyd Van Horn May 11, 2021

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

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In today's podcast, we welcome Loyd Van Horn. He is the founder of dxcentralonline.com, and a former radio guy. He was a columnist with Monitoring Times magazine, writing the weekly GlobalNet column, which dealt with online streaming of radio/TV.

What You Need To Know

DX is the short form for distance
The goal is to hear as many stations as you can.
For Loyd AM/FM DXing is all about finding those stations which one has never heard before.
What is the grey line and how does that help you?
During sunset and sunrise, one gets weird propagation of radio frequencies. One might get a little bit of the ground wave as well as a little bit of the skywave.
Loyd talks about how he searches for different frequencies from the Atlantic, Europe, Africa, England etc.
Loyd keeps a logbook that really helps him keep a track on the frequencies he had already tuned into.
Find out what equipment Loyd Recommends to get started
How is Loyd using Software Defined Radios to help him catch DX stations?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session177

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

176 - Ask Scanner School v32 May 04, 2021

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

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Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. You may submit questions at www.scannerschool.com/ask

This month I answer:

Can you use priority with your trunk radio scanning?
What is up in the 1700Mhz - 6000Mhz Range?
Do I need more than 1 SDR Dongle to receive?
What can I do to improve my scanner radio enjoyment while flying?
Can you setup Close Call on a BCD436HP to use AM?
What are the filter settings in the SDS100 and SDS200?
What type of antenna would I recommend for VHF, UHF, and 800?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session176

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

175 - Decimal, Binary, Octal, and Hex Apr 27, 2021

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

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Today we talk about several different numbering schemes. Two of which we find in the scanner radio environment.

What You Need To Know

Decimal system can be thought of as human-readable digits.
These are easy to use to read and compute.
They are also easy to convert from one form to another.
While decimal works well with humans, it is not the case with computers.
Binary language is used for them. It has two bits 0 and 1.
Octal is a 8 bit system. This is how we save a little bit of room in a system.
0-7 make up 8 bits.
Hexadecimal (Hex) is a 16 base system with values from 0 – F.
There are no numerical symbols that represent values greater than nine, so letters taken from the English alphabet are used, Hexadecimal A = decimal 10, and F = decimal 15.
I stick to decimal format when I program talk groups into my scanners.
When you look at Radio Reference, Trunk SysIDs and WACN are in Hex.
RFSS and Site ID’s are shown in Decimal with Hex in parenthesis.
Talk groups on Radio Reference have a column for Dec and a column for Hex.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session175

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

174 - Scanners vs Receivers Apr 20, 2021

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

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Today we break down the similarities and differences when it comes to Scanners and Receivers

What You Need To Know

Scanners and Receivers are more like cousins than brothers and sisters in the radio world.
Both receive and scan frequencies
They don’t transmit.
Receivers have a larger receive foot-print than a typical scanner.
Typically 100 KHz is the bottom of a receiver, but you can go up to a couple of gigahertz.
A typical scanners start as low as 25 MHz and go up to 1300 MHz
Scanners will typically not support monitoring AM Broadcast Bands, but Receivers will.
Scanners do not support SWL monitoring, but Receivers will.
Scanners have more modes that are not found in receivers; NXDN, DMR, P25, are common modes of reception present in a scanner.
Receivers have modes that are not in present in a scanner, such as upper and lower sidebands, AM and CW
Some high end receivers will do D-STAR, P-25, dPMR, and NXDN.
Receivers can be very affordable starting less than $200 and going over $10,000 for a high end model.
Scanners can start at $100 and cost over $600 for a high end model.
With close call and signal stalking, scanners can help you find a more relative frequency faster than a receiver.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session174

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

173 - What Can You Do When They Encrypt? Apr 13, 2021

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

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On today’s episode, we talk about the encryption of police and fire department frequencies, and how to get around them and discover new frequencies in the process.

What You Need To Know

My local police scanners are encrypted and have been for years.
My local police department is encrypted, but I'm currently able to listen to the next county over.
You can set your scanners to only pick up certain types of tones that indicate specific emergencies that the fire department might respond to.
You can also listen to security radios at a concert venue to be in tune with things that might be happening at that place, like an overdose or chaotic behavior from concertgoers.
School bus companies can also be entertaining during school arrival/dismissal.
Aviation and railroads are also typically not encrypted, which can provide insight to the local police or fire departments being dispatched.
I am able to tune into a new frequencies with DSD+ and find other related frequencies.
I leave new frequencies on in the background just to see what he can hear.
The most fun way to find new frequencies is to see them in front of you on your computer.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session173

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

172 - Ask Scanner School v31 Apr 06, 2021

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

This month I answer:

What do you feel are the minimum hardware requirements for an SDR to work properly?
Do you deal with setting up OP25 on a computer and SDR?
I’m in St. John’s County, Florida. My current scanner is a BC125AT and will not receive fire or police. What kind of scanner do I need? Do you have any suggestions for one that isn’t too expensive?
I have an SDS200 with screen flicker, and the unit’s only two months old. Is this something I need to live with, or will this get worse over time?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session172

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

171 - The Ultimate SDR Training Courses are Here! Mar 30, 2021

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

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Today, we introduce our two new SDR courses.

This past week, we released a free intro course, and a paid advanced course.

These courses will teach you how to set up your computer’s operating system to work with SDR equipment, the best software for your needs, and more.

What You Need To Know

Phil decided to launch on the Teachable platform rather than Youtube.
It is easier to follow a course on Teachable because it keeps track of where you left off.
Unlike YouTube, Teachable isn’t trying to bump you to the next unrelated video.
The free course is broken down into seven modules with steps inside them to help you complete each module.
The first step in every module is an intro video that explains what the module is going to be about.
The Free course will have you running a SDR, tuning in local frequencies and building a DMR Trunk Radio.
The Advanced Course picks up where the Free Course end.
In the Advanced course, you will learn:
- How to install DSD Plus Fast Lane
- How to use UniTrunker 1x and 2x
- How to bridge software into DSDPlus
- What high end options are available, such as Airspy, HackRF, and SDRplay devices
- Software such as HDSDR, SDR Console, and SDRUno
- Building ADS-B/UAT Receivers on a Raspberry Pi
- Setup OP25 on a Raspberry Pi and Linux
- How to build a server to send talk groups to Broadcastify
- How to download weather maps from GOES and METEOR Satellites
- and more
When you pay for the advanced course, the free course is also bundled with it.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session171

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

170 - SDRplay with Jon Hudson Mar 23, 2021

On today’s episode, host Phil Lichtenberger interviews Jon Hudson, the co-creator of the SDRplay devices. They talk about the evolution of radio scanning software, the advantages of SDRplay and SDRuno, where they think the scanner hobby is headed, and more.

What You Need To Know

Jon Hudson is a co-creator of the SDRplay device.
SDRplay manufactures both hardware and software.
Before about 20 years ago, processing the radio chain was done exclusively on the hardware. Now computers are powerful enough to support doing most of this work with software.
SDRplay was founded in 2014.
The RSPDX has multiple antennae, which allows users to switch from one antenna to another quickly and easily.
Because SDRplay makes their own software for Windows, they take a lot of time to make sure it works seamlessly out of the box.
SDRplay acquired a company called Studio One that manufactured software about five years ago.
SDRplay is releasing a scheduler, which will function as an audio recorder for a specific channel at a specific time.
An advantage of the scheduler is that it allows users to tune in to certain frequencies at a specified time and then turn it off or move on to something else.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session170

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

169 - SDR++ with Alex Rouma Mar 16, 2021

Free SDR webinar!

Our new webinar will introduce you to Software Defined Radios.

"Why Every Scanner User Needs an SDR: The #1 Underrated Tool that should be in your setup" will be March 23, 2021.

Register now at www.scannerschool.com/webinar

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A cross platform, open source, free SDR software!

In this episode, Phil talks to Alex Rouma, author and creator of SDR++. They discuss how Alex got into SDRs, where SDR++ is now and where he hopes it can go, and how you can contribute to this open source software’s development, whether you’re a programmer or not.

What You Need To Know

SDR++ is free, open-source, cross-platform software for your SDR.
Alex got into SDRs after watching a video of someone receiving weather satellites, piquing his interest in radio in general.
Alex is currently building SDR++ as general purpose SDR receiver software with more modern functionality like multi-VFO and multi-platform support.
SDR++ supports anything Alex has or that companies have sent him, including SDR Play, HackRF, RTLTCP, and more.
Alex considers the software still in beta, but thinks he’ll have stable code with the features he wants within 3-4 months.
He wants to add audio filtering features and more options for the file source.
SDR++ is fully modular so you can add plugins as you need them.
Alex aims to make the software as automatic as possible.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session169

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

168 - Using a SDR as Your Scanner Mar 09, 2021

Free SDR webinar!

Our new webinar will introduce you to Software Defined Radios.

"Why Every Scanner User Needs an SDR: The #1 Underrated Tool that should be in your setup" will be March 23, 2021.

Register now at www.scannerschool.com/webinar

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Do you want to dive deep on Software Defined Radios?

In this episode, Phil talks to listener Greg Weamer about his SDR setup. They get into the history of SDR development, what you can do with an SDR that you can’t do with a hardware-based scanner, and where they think the future of SDRs is heading.

What You Need To Know

Today, Greg does not have a hardware scanner at all, but only a SDR.
His area has simulcast problems that the SDR solves.
Greg currently uses about 8 RTL-SDR dongles, including 3 on a Raspberry Pi, some on another Raspberry Pi, an old laptop, and more.
Greg also uses Trunk Recorder, which is one of the most difficult things he’s ever configured, but he loves that it monitors every voice channel at the same time.
RDIO Scanner is a web interface that takes the feeds from the virtual recorders Greg has going and cues up calls on every voice channel so you don’t miss anything.
Because it’s a web interface, he can bring it up on his phone or tablet from anywhere.
Greg thinks the next major SDR development will eliminate the need for any fully hardware based radios entirely.
An SDR can do things that not a single hardware-based scanner out there is capable of.
Greg has used his SDR to tune into his utilities smart meters for his water and gas to track his usage.
One of Greg’s favorite things about SDR is that you can see the signals and whether they’re strong or not, whether they’re digital or analog, etc.
The ability to visualize the signal lets you find a lot more new stuff to listen to.
The flexibility of an SDR and ability to do so many things at once with it means you get the equivalent of several premium subscriptions to other services.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session168

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

167 - Ask Scanner School v30 Mar 02, 2021

Free SDR webinar!

Our new webinar will introduce you to Software Defined Radios.

"Why Every Scanner User Needs an SDR: The #1 Underrated Tool that should be in your setup" will be March 23, 2021.

Register now at www.scannerschool.com/webinar

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Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. You may submit questions at www.scannerschool.com/ask

This month I answer:

If police and fire stations move to TDMA, does that mean they’re likely to become encrypted soon?
Are there any best practices for scanning a partially encrypted digital system? Why would a department or system choose partial encryption?
An SDS100 scanner is missing the first seconds of some transmissions. Is there a setting he should check or is this a decoding speed issue?
How should you set up a scanner to broadcast the audio over the internet without using the Proscan software?
Is it possible to sub a BCD536HP from Sentinel software?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session167

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

166 - The New Face of Uniden Feb 23, 2021

Free SDR webinar!

Our new webinar will introduce you to Software Defined Radios.

"Why Every Scanner User Needs an SDR: The #1 Underrated Tool that should be in your setup" will be March 23, 2021.

Register now at www.scannerschool.com/webinar

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In this episode, we learn about Joe Bearcat, the new Product Service Representative at Uniden America.

What you will take away from this week's podcast:

Uniden has a new public-facing representative, Joe Bearcat.
Joe announced his new position as the official Uniden representative and Uniden scanner Product Manager.
This fills in the gap left by Paul "Upman" Opitz' sudden passing in 2019
The announcement relieved a lot of people who worried about Uniden remaining a strong player in the hobby with Paul’s passing.
Joe’s background is in scanning and he’s had a career in two-way radio and in the RF field.
To learn more about "Upman", his legacy, and passing, please listen to Session 106
Joe will be fulfilling some of Paul’s forum duties on Radio Reference.
In an interesting turn, Joe posted on Radio Reference asking for input on a potential future product.
What other surprises will Joe Bearcat have for us?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session166

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

165 - This is Why You Need an SDR Feb 16, 2021

Free SDR webinar!

Our new webinar will introduce you to Software Defined Radios.

"Why Every Scanner User Needs an SDR: The #1 Underrated Tool that should be in your setup" will be February 23, 2021.

Register now at www.scannerschool.com/webinar

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In this episode, Phil walks through the basics of what an SDR is, its history, and how you can get set up with one. The perfect introduction to his upcoming SDR webinar and course.

What you will take away from this week's podcast:

An SDR means that anything normally handled by the hardware of the radio is now handled by the computer, and the physical hardware serves as an interface.
The only limitation on the SDR hardware you buy is the frequency range and the amount of RF it can digest.
SDR receivers have come a long way since they were first hacked into existence.
SDRs used to be difficult to set up, but that’s no longer true.
You don’t need advanced computer skills to run SDR software.
SDR software can run on PC, Linux, Mac, Raspberry PI, and even Android.
An SDR is more flexible and less expensive than a traditional radio.
You can turn a $30 USB stick into something as powerful as an SDS200 in an afternoon.
All you need to get started is an SDR USB stick, a computer, and the free starter software SDR Sharp.
Once you get set up with FM broadcast stations, aviation, and other analog systems, Phil’s SDR course will go into how to set up digital reception.
If you download DSD+ Fast Lane or Unitrunker you can monitor trunking systems.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session165

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

164 - Raspberry PI and SDR w/ Fuzz the Pi Guy Feb 09, 2021

Free SDR webinar!

Our new webinar will introduce you to Software Defined Radios.

"Why Every Scanner User Needs an SDR: The #1 Underrated Tool that should be in your setup" will be January 26, 2021.

Register now at www.scannerschool.com/webinar

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In this episode, Phil talks to "Fuzz the Pi Guy".

Fuzz has a large YouTube channel and has a ton of SDR and Raspberry Pi Videos.

Fuzz and I discuss how he uses his Software Defined Radios and how he keeps costs down by using a Raspberry Pi as as his computer for many of these projects.

What you will take away from this week's podcast:

SDR stands for Software Defined Radio, where you plug your hardware into power on one end and your computer on the other end so the computer software can interpret the signal.
The Raspberry Pi is essentially a low-cost computer to help teach computer science in schools, and is now used for things like hosting Minecraft servers, learning Linux, and running SDR programs.
Fuzz has a YouTube channel where he primarily demonstrates Raspberry Pi projects and tips, as well as a wide variety of small electronics content.
He’s using a new setup that involves a Raspberry Pi 3 with an RTL-SDR dongle, connected to a 2m 70cm homemade antenna to receive his local Phase 2 frequencies, uploaded to Broadcastify using the new free software OP25.
Using this setup, Fuzz essentially created a Phase 2 scanner for under $100.
The FlightAware website gives a good introduction to using the Raspberry Pi with an SDR that can get you set up in under 15 minutes.
The Raspberry Pi has the best support system out there for any Pi hardware, but Fuzz has been working with the Atomic Pi lately.
This setup provides an inexpensive alternative to buying a pricey scanner if you don’t mind troubleshooting and problem solving to get going.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session164

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

163 - Ask Scanner School v29 Feb 02, 2021

Free SDR Training!

Check out our new course, "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon."

You can enroll for free at https://courses.scannerschool.com

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Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

What makes the SDS200 so much heavier than the SDS100, and what more are you getting for the weight?
What equipment is compatible with a BCD3600XLT with NXDN for location-based scanning via GPS?
Bergen County PD is now operating on a new system. What is the best scanner to use to pick up and listen to their new system?
How can I update the firmware on a Uniden trunk tracker for BCD996T?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session163

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

---------------------------------------------------------------

Get started with Scanning in 2021

Our "2021 Scanner Radio Crash Course" Webinar rebroadcast is now online. www.scannerschool.com/crashcourse

This webinar will get you started or up to speed on Scanning for 2021.

162 - Crash Course 2021 Pt 3 - Hardware Jan 26, 2021

Free SDR Training!

Check out our new course, "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon."

You can enroll for free at https://courses.scannerschool.com

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Get started with Scanning in 2021

Our "2021 Scanner Radio Crash Course" Webinar will be January 26, 2021 at 8pm Eastern US time. Register for the live webinar or catch the replay at www.scannerschool.com/2021

This webinar will get you started or up to speed on Scanning for 2021.

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Do you want to get started with scanning or brush up on basics in the new year?

In this episode, Phil goes through a rapid-fire rundown of Scanner Radio Hardware

This is part 3 of this 2021 crash course.

What you will take away from this week's podcast:

Antennas need to be matched, or resonant on the frequency or frequencies you need to monitor.
The lower the frequency, the larger the wavelength, which requires a longer antenna. The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength, and thus the shorter the antenna.
Some antennas can cover a wide bandwidth or even multiple bandwidths.
A discone antenna works reasonably well across just about every frequency we might want to listen to, but there is no gain.
Discone antennas are omnidirectional and vertically polarized.
Yagi antennas are directional antennas with high gain over a small bandwidth, consisting of a boom, a reflector, and a driven element.
After your antenna, you need good quality coax cable to deliver the frequencies your antenna is picking up into your radio.
As your frequency increases, the amount of loss in coax cable also increases.
The best way to combine multiple scanner to a single antenna is with an active multicoupler because it uses isolated ports.
You can use filters if you have nearby interference that is preventing you from hearing what you want to listen to.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session162

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Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

161 - Crash Course 2021 Pt 2 - Trunking Jan 19, 2021

Free SDR Training!

Check out our new course, "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon."

You can enroll for free at https://courses.scannerschool.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

Get started with Scanning in 2021

Our "2021 Scanner Radio Crash Course" Webinar will be January 26, 2021 at 8pm Eastern US time. Register for the live webinar or catch the replay at www.scannerschool.com/2021

This webinar will get you started or up to speed on Scanning for 2021.

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Do you want to get started with scanning or brush up on basics in the new year?

In this episode, Phil goes through a rapid-fire rundown of Trunk Systems.

This is part 2 of this 2021 crash course.

What You Will Take Away from This Week's Podcast:

Trunking means that multiple users share pooled frequencies, allocated on an as-needed basis.
Each talk group is assigned a frequency to use, which is more efficient than conventional systems.
These systems can be linked together into networks.
The control channel can be considered air traffic control or the traffic cop at an intersection; when a user keys in they request a voice channel, and when it’s no longer in use, everyone moves back to the control channel.
Types of trunking include EDACS, Motorola Type II, P25, DMR, LTR, NXDN, and more.
Rebanding came about because NexTel purchased ESMR frequencies, which resulted in cell phone band frequencies moving up 15MHz and public safety bands moving down 15MHz.
Simulcast is when you have multiple transmitter locations keying up at the same time and broadcasting the same information over the same frequencies.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session161

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Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

160 - 2021 Crash Course Pt 1 - The Basics Jan 12, 2021

Free SDR Training!

Check out our new course, "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon."

You can enroll for free at https://courses.scannerschool.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

Get started with Scanning in 2021

Our "2021 Scanner Radio Crash Course" Webinar will be January 26, 2021 at 8pm Eastern US time. Register for the live webinar or catch the replay at www.scannerschool.com/2021

This webinar will get you started or up to speed on Scanning for 2021.

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Do you want to get started with scanning or brush up on basics in the new year?

In this episode, Phil goes through a rapid-fire rundown of basic terminology and types of scanning from analog to digital transmissions.

This is part 1 of this 2021 crash course.

What You Will Take Away from This Week's Podcast:

Scanning is the ability to cycle through many frequencies per second, or to monitor one or several frequencies, allowing you to monitor several agencies on one radio.
What is a frequency and how do we measure it
The difference between Hertz, Kilo-Hertz, and Mega-Hertz.
AM, FM, and USB
Simplex, Duplex, and Repeated Transmissions
The benefits of Analog and Digital Transmissions
The differences between FDMA and TDMA and what this means for Digital Transmissions
P25 is short for Project 25, a set of standards under telecommunications associations.
What DMR is and the differences between Tier 1, 2 and 3
NXDN and it's benefits

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session160

---------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

159 - Ask Scanner School v28 Jan 05, 2021

Check out our new course, "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon."

You can enroll for free at https://courses.scannerschool.com

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

The first question is more of a comment regarding the improvements made to the Unication G5 scanner. Will Phil update his review of this scanner to mention these upgrades?
How are DMR and simulcast on the Whistler TMR1?
Does the new firmware on the BCD 996P2 and 325P2 p25 improve their function for Phase 2 simulcast?
What antenna and equipment does Phil recommend for someone who wants to mount a Uniden SDS-200 in their truck without drilling holes and who thinks he needs a wideband antenna?
What scanner does Phil suggest for someone who used to scan but hasn’t been involved in the hobby for a few years and wants to get back involved in the community?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session159

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

158 - The Secrets are in the Searches Dec 29, 2020

Check out our new course, "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios: Everything you need to know to get started with SDR in an afternoon."

You can enroll for free at https://courses.scannerschool.com

Have you wondered how you can best use the search function on your scanner?

In this episode, Phil walks through some tips for how to use your scanner to search for new frequencies, from pre-programmed search ranges to scan and search mode, and more.

What You Need To Know

There is more out there than what you program into your scanner.
Not every frequency or use for a frequency has been documented.
Once when searching late at night, Phil found an active Federal frequency that he discovered was the USPS sorting mail onto trucks.
He also once found a military installation trunk system that he was able to monitor.
Searching is useful in case something you listen to becomes encrypted so you have alternatives.
Even if you don’t know what you want to search for, scanners have built-in search ranges right out of the box that you can use as a starting point.
Phil sets up search ranges for what he knows he likes to scan, for example, aviation.
Sometimes he sets up new search ranges for random things he feels like listening to that day.
Phil suggests setting your search range as a favorites key.
You can set your scanner to go through all of your programmed frequencies, and then go back into search mode.
You can connect your scanners to your computer with software like Butel or ProScan and have it log the frequencies it finds in search mode for you.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session158

Would you like 1 on 1 help?

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

Help support Scanner School

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

157 - Uniden Close Call vs Whistler Spectrum Sweeper Dec 22, 2020

Uniden Close Call vs Whistler Spectrum Sweeper

Which is better: Uniden Close Call or Whistler Spectrum Sweeper?

In this episode, Phil puts them to the test in a head-to-head comparison on speed, distance, and technology. Listen in to find out who wins!

What You Need To Know

Close Call and Spectrum Sweeper are used to seek out nearby frequencies that are stronger than a set value over the scanner’s noise floor.
You would use this function to listen to, for example, news helicopters flying overhead to report on traffic.
Close Call has three modes: standard Close Call, Close Call DND, and Close Call priority.
Spectrum Sweeper can be accessed through your settings menu, as a special feature or as automatic tuning.
Phil took the current flagship scanner model for both companies with a fresh charge on the battery, using the stock antenna straight out of the box.
He set the scanners to Channel 14 to simulate a worst-case scenario scanning situation on a low power FRS channel where the ERP is half a watt.
Then, for each radio, Phil tested how long it took for each scanner to lock onto the frequency at progressively farther distances.
There were three variables to the test: speed, distance, and technology (Analog, DMR, etc)
We choose a winner at the end of this podcast

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session157

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

156 - Whistler Signal Stalker & Spectrum Sweeper Dec 15, 2020

Whistler Signal Stalker & Spectrum Sweeper

Do you want to know how to use Whistler’s signal stalker or spectrum sweeper functions?

In this episode, Phil explains how to access and use these features, the options you have, use cases, and more.

What You Need To Know

The signal stalker and spectrum sweeper features are found on many RadioShack Pro series scanners, as well as GRE Whistler object-oriented scanning.
Signal Stalker and spectrum sweeper are the same.
The scanner will rapidly search for a strong signal that’s coming through at a set value over the noise floor.
Signal Stalker is not a solution for finding frequencies while traveling, similar to Uniden close call.
As a refresher, an example of how to use these types of features is tuning into a traffic or news helicopter overhead.
You can also use it to listen in to sporting events, construction sites, department store security, and more.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session156

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

155 - Uniden's Close Call Dec 08, 2020

Do you have questions about how to use Uniden’s close call function?

In this episode, Phil explains the purpose of close call, shares examples of times he has used it successfully, and what the different close call settings on your scanner mean in practice.

What You Need To Know

Close call is an option on just about every available Uniden radio.
It’s a way to find frequencies that are close to you with a very strong signal.
Close call does not work over long distances or with weak signals.
Close call won’t help you monitor local agencies while you’re traveling.
It generally picks up signals for communication within a few hundred feet.
I have used this feature in situations like when there’s a helicopter hovering overhead and he wants to know what’s going on.
There are 3 ways to set your Uniden scanner for close call: Close call only, close call priority, and close call do not disturb.
Changing things like your antenna, the height you’re trying to receive, and power levels can affect how well close call may work on your scanner.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session155

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Ask Scanner School v27 Dec 01, 2020

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

On the SDS100, what are the most useful items to have shown on the display screen to get the most information out of the scanner as possible?
What should someone do if their SDS200 isn’t locking on to the control channel right away?
Should the Service Types name be changed on an SDS100?
How can someone whose laptop uses the same plug for both the speaker and microphone set up their system for Zello?
How can someone set up their SDS200 with ProScan where you can listen in and control the scanner remotely from your phone?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session154

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

153 - Splitting and Sharing Antennas Nov 24, 2020

Splitting and Sharing Antennas

Do you need to split or share the signal from a single antenna to multiple scanners?

In this episode, Phil explains the hardware you need to achieve this setup, how the technology works, and what to look for when purchasing the accessories you need. He also walks through his personal setup.

What You Need To Know

You can use diplexers, duplexers, Triplexers ,and the like to share or split antennas based on frequency
A simpler setup would be to split an antenna equally between radios using a multicoupler.
A multicoupler can be thought of as a splitter, but the ports are separated so the scanners aren’t able to "talk" to each other.
Passive multicouplers are less expensive and have no gain, but introduce loss between the ports.
Active multicouplers have to be plugged in and powered, and it mimics connecting directly to an antenna.
Active multicouplers are Phil’s recommendation, especially if you plan to do a lot of splitting or daisy-chaining your multicouplers.
Don’t use T-connectors because it may cause cross-talk and interference between scanners.
When you’re buying a multicoupler, make sure that it passes the frequencies you want to monitor.
Also, pay attention to the types of connectors on your multicoupler, and whether it’s a passive or active multicoupler.
Phil uses a Stridsberg multicoupler, model MCA208M.
Phil also recommends looking at the website Digital Loggers for their 16-port multicoupler.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session153

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

152 - 2020 Holiday Buyer's Guide Nov 17, 2020

2020 Holiday Buyer's Guide

Are you wondering what should be on your holiday shopping list this year?

In this episode, Phil shares his 2020 holiday buyer’s guide, helping you compare radios, scanner software, and accessories.

What You Need To Know

This year’s buyer guide is the same as the 2019 buyer guide because no new equipment has been released.
East Coast Pagers will have great Black Friday deals.
Uniden SR30C: A radio at the lowest price point with minimal features.
Phil recommends instead upgrading to the Uniden BC125AT.
Recommended analog trunking scanner: Uniden BCT15X
For digital radios, Phil compares and contrasts the Uniden BCD325P2, BCD996P2, and the UBCD325P2, which all support P25 Phase 2.
If you don’t need Phase 2 P25, Phil recommends the Whistler WS1040 and the WS1065.
The next step up is the Whistler TRX1 and TRX2, which come with NXDN and DMR right out of the box.
The Uniden BCD436HP and BCD536HP radios are Phil’s current go-tos.
Internationally, Phil recommends the UBCD3600XLT, which is the overseas version of the BCD436HP scanners.
Phil’s current “holy grail” scanners are the Uniden SDS100 and SDS200, despite some of the issues they have had.
The Unication G2 through G5 are pagers work well in P25 Phase 2 Simulcast environments.
We also have a top 10 accessories in the second half of this podcast

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session152

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

151 - How to Combine Antennas Nov 10, 2020

Have you wanted to learn about how to combine multiple antennas?

In this episode, Phil discusses some best practices for using multiple antennas, including how to set them up to avoid interference, how to bring the signal into your house to connect to your radios, and more.

What You Need To Know

LMR 400 Coax costs around $1 per foot, so running multiple coax lines for many antennas can get very expensive.
Diplexers have a low port, high port, and a common port.
Triplexers have a low port, mid port, high port, and a common port.
You should not use a T connector to combine multiple antennas.
It’s possible to run multiple antennas into the same coax line and then split them again at the bottom to feed them into specific radios.
Diplexers have a wide separation between Frequency A and Frequency B, and are fairly inexpensive compared to duplexers.
Duplexers are tunable and used for frequencies that are very, very close together, like same band combiners.
Duplexers are larger and are typically ground-mounted, but diplexers/triplexers/quadplexers can be mounted indoors or outdoors.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session151

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

150 - Ask Scanner School v26 Nov 03, 2020

Ask Scanner School v26

This month I answer:

What are some troubleshooting tips to improve audio quality and overall reception on a Uniden scanner?
Can Unication G-series pagers support Motorola type 2 systems?
What can someone do or what antenna can they buy if the scanner app on their cell phone is picking up more than their actual scanner radio?
Is it worth putting a scanner in your car if most of what you scan is digital?
What SDR antenna would I recommend?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session150

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

149 - T-Band Giveback Oct 27, 2020

Have you wondered about the impact a potential T-band giveback would have?

In this episode, Phil walks you through the FCC’s plan, the opposition it faces, and what it would mean for public safety and scanner radio hobbyists alike.

What You Need To Know

The FCC T-band giveback is reallocating the 470-512 MHz spectrum.
The T-band spectrum was part of the TV band that ran from Channel 14-20.
This spectrum was allocated to certain major urban areas for public safety, broadcast television, transportation, and private land mobile services to reduce congestion.
The FCC is aware that the giveback is a bad idea and will harm public safety as licenses in these bands are crucial for first responders, but it is currently the law to move forward with it.
Congress has bipartisan support to get rid of the T-band giveback.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session149

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

148 - Discovering and Logging Radio IDs with Kenneth Fowler Oct 20, 2020

Do you want to discover the radio IDs broadcasting in your area?

In this episode, Phil welcomes back guest Kenneth Fowler. They discuss how Kenneth logs and verifies the radio IDs he finds, issues you may run into, and developments in the hobby coming soon.

What You Need To Know

Everything that transmits on a trunk system documents itself with a radio ID.
Kenneth started in the scanner radio hobby because of friends who volunteered with the fire department.
Every digital radio and radio on a trunk system are programmed with an ID and alias so others know who you are when you broadcast.
When Kenneth uses Uniden scanners, he runs ProScan and has radio IDs display on the screen so he can determine what he wants to pay attention to based on who is broadcasting.
Radio IDs assignments can change, and the person using a particular radio with a particular ID can change, especially if they’re portables.
Kenneth started by logging IDs in a notebook, and he still keeps a hard copy but transfers the information into a spreadsheet.
Phil got interested in this when he wanted to map out an encrypted trunk system.
Many radio IDs are defined by department, location, or some other way of organizing the information, and it can help you figure out what each ID is on an encrypted system.
Sometimes Radio Reference will have collected radio IDs published on their wiki pages.
Different scanners and software have different ways of programming radio IDs.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session148

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

147-Ham Radio Prep Oct 13, 2020

Do you want to learn more about getting your Ham radio license?

In this episode, Phil welcomes back guest Chuck Gysi from Ham Radio Prep. They discuss the Ham radio licensing exams, the new extra course launching soon, and more.

Sign up for Ham Radio Prep using our affiliate link: www.scannerschool.com/hamradioprep

What You Need To Know

Chuck runs National Communications Magazine, and it has existed since 1988.
Chuck got interested in radios because his father was a volunteer fireman and got calls through a radio.
Ham Radio Prep was started in 2017 by people who got licensed as a way to communicate during hurricanes when national systems are down.
They are developing a new course to teach new licensees on how to program a radio by hand so that it serves them in an emergency situation.
The course has some interactivity, including games and flashcards to prepare you for the licensing exam.
Because of COVID, the number of registrations for the ham radio prep course rose 700%.
Also due to COVID, if may not be possible to take the licensing exam virtually.
Many have reported that they are receiving their license from the FCC within 24 hours.
The length of time it will take to complete the course depends on how fast you can pickup the content.
There’s a Facebook support group for students to ask questions and answer each other.
Go to ARRL.org to find a testing location.
No matter what your other hobbies are, there is probably a tie-in you can make to amateur radio.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session147

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

146 - Ask Scanner School v25 Oct 06, 2020

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

How can he improve my current antenna setup?
What scanner should I buy if I wanted to listen to my local area and also stream it to my phone?
Is there a scanner that can do P25 phase 1 and 2, and NXDN at the same time?
Would Phil recommend spending additional money to get a desktop Whistler scanner over a handheld?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session146

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

145 - Uniden MR8100 Sep 29, 2020

The Uniden MR8100

In this episode, Phil talks about the Uniden MR8100 and its unique features, from its design to rumors about its functionality.

What You Need To Know

This radio was marketed as a scanner developed for public safety.
Rumors say it was created for the LAPD.
This radio was analog-only, with 100 memory channels in 10 banks, with no trunking and no P-25.
The radio was designed to be mounted on a wall or on the dashboard of a car, so the display is on what would be the top of a desktop scanner.
It doesn’t have an internal speaker but would come with an external speaker and a connector.
On this radio, you could adjust the contrast and the dimmer of the display using dials.
Software for this scanner is still available online.
You could enter passwords to unlock certain features of the scanner.
Each memory bank can be alpha tagged.
Supposedly, with additional software and some manual entry, you could access a massive range of frequencies with this scanner.
These radios are hard to find, but they occasionally pop up on eBay.
The radio has areas of birdies, so you need to be aware of them to get around them.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session145

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

144 - Monitoring the International Space Station Sep 22, 2020

Are you interested in listening to the International Space Station?

In this episode, Phil shares what you need to know to tune into the ISS and other satellites passing overhead. Learn what equipment and software can help you, where to find the frequencies you’ll need, and how to know when the ISS will be passing over your location.

What You Need To Know

The ISS just launched a new amateur radio cross-band repeater.
You’ll need a HAM radio license for your country in order to transmit on the repeater.
No license is required to monitor the repeater
The repeater is installed on the Columbus Module of the ISS
The repeater is part of the IORS (Inter-Operable Radio System).
In order to receive the ISS, you'll need to be aware of the doppler effect.
In the doppler effect, you'll need to tune to a higher frequency as the ISS approaches you and a lower frequency as it moves away from you.
Any scanner on the market can receive the ISS' new repeater.
A directional antenna will be best but you can use a fixed antenna too.
My favorite mode from the ISS is SSTV.
SSTV is Slow Scan TV, where an image is transmitted over about 30 seconds to your computer.
Sometimes the ISS has short communications with local schools, which you can hear if it’s happening near you.
You can find the frequencies at ARISS.org.
To see when the ISS will pass over you, go to Heavens Above or N2YO and enter your location.
If you’re on a PC, download the Orbitron satellite tracker software to your computer.
Orbitron will also tell you the drift frequency of the satellite.
If you connect your radio to your computer, you can set Orbitron to automatically adjust the drift on your radio.
If you use Mac or Linux, download gpredict.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session144

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

143 - Federal Scanning with Chris Parris Sep 15, 2020

Are you interested in scanning Federal agency frequencies?

In this episode, Phil welcomes Chris Parris, an expert on Federal scanning and writer of the blog The Fed Files. They discuss how Chris found his way into Federal scanning, tips and tricks for people interested in trying it, and so much more!

What You Need To Know

Guest Chris Parris is known in the community for his work scanning Federal signals.
Chris started trying Federal scanning when he was touring a radio tower in the 1970s and was told that there was an FBI repeater on site, so he began to research how to listen to those frequencies.
When Chris moved to southern Texas near the border, he became particularly interested in listening to border patrol and other very active Federal agencies operating there.
When you start listening to Federal frequencies, you need to have patience because they often don’t broadcast that often.
You should look between 162.0-174.0 MHz and 406.0-420.0 MHz to find the majority of Federal agency communications.
There are some smaller bands with some Federal or military operations, including 138-144 MHz and 148-150 MHz.
Though most communications are digital, you can still find quite a bit of analog particularly among smaller agencies.
Most law enforcement need to maintain interoperability in their communications with each other, like local police with the FBI, but other agencies don’t need that.
Even Federal agencies have call signs and are licensed frequencies.
Chris’s biggest tip is to be patient, because it’s unlikely that you’re going to find a big list of great things to listen to right away.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session143

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

142 - How to improve your scanner's audio Sep 08, 2020

Do you want to know how to improve your scanner’s audio?

In this episode, Phil welcomes back Harrison Wilson to discuss sound quality with scanner radio setups. They discuss external speakers, how sound vibrations work, audio mixers, and more.

What You Need To Know

Guest Harrison Wilson returns for his third guest appearance to talk about improving your scanner’s audio quality.
A lot of scanner radios produce a tinny sound.
To deliver all the features that customers want and keep manufacturing costs low, speaker and audio quality is what ends up suffering.
As a firefighter, Harrison takes a tip for diagnosing water problems and applies it to audio: start at the source and work your way forward.
Once you have good signal on your radio, the next step is adjusting the volume on your speaker.
Understand how speaker resistance plays into your audio quality because sometimes it increases quality, and other times it can worsen it.
Sound is a vibration, so what’s around your speaker can dramatically impact the sound.
For people who want to listen to multiple scanner feeds at the same time, you can feed your signal into a mixer
If your scanner has a line out jack, that’s typically better to use than a headphone jack.
A sound mixer will allow you to fine-tune your audio, like adjusting treble and bass levels.
Feeds may start to do something called clipping when the audio exceeds the bandwidth and the sound gets very distorted.
It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole reading reviews and trying to find the ideal equipment but you’ll have more success searching for general tips for how to improve audio quality on what you already have.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session142

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

141 - Ask Scanner School v24 Sep 01, 2020

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

What does the setting for “Set Hold Time” on a P25 scanner mean?
What do you do if every few days, you suddenly can’t pick up signal on your scanner?
What is the super dumbed-down version of how to program an SDS-100 scanner?
What products would I recommend for an antenna upgrade to reach an area about 20 miles away?
Can you monitor P25 trunking by only scanning frequencies?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session141

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

140 - Whistler V-Scanner Aug 25, 2020

In this episode, Phil explains the virtual scanner feature that exists in many Whistler and Radio Shack scanner models. He talks about what they’re best used for, how to set them up and make changes, and more.

What You Need To Know:

This virtual scanner option is available on most, but not all, Whistler, GRE, and Radio Shack scanners that support object-oriented scanning.
V-scanner stands for “virtual scanner”, and they are built into your existing scanner, with different models having between 21-200 v-scanners built-in.
V-scanners are a set of configurations inside your scanner that save your object lists.
These allow you to create backup copies of your scanner configurations.
You can also create v-scanners for different locations and swap them out as you travel.
V-Scanner comes in two flavors
Doing a reset will only apply to the v-scanner you currently have loaded.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session140

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

139 - Scanning the George Floyd Protests Aug 18, 2020

What’s it like to scan during moments of major unrest?

In this episode, Phil is joined by listener Brad, from Minnesota, to talk about scanning during the George Floyd protests. They discuss what Brad found to listen to during the first week of protests in Minneapolis, what surprised him, and how things are now.

What You Need To Know

Brad did what Phil suggests and thinks outside the box, programming his scanner with more than he ever thought he would need to listen to.
Brad has been involved with this hobby for over 50 years, having bought his first scanner when he was 12 years old.
Brad always tries to remember that while this is a hobby to him, what he’s hearing is a tragedy to somebody else.
Minneapolis has had a lot of peaceful protests, so at first listening to this wasn’t unusual or concerning.
During the second night of the protests, Brad was surprised not to hear any fire department response to the fires being set around the 3rd Precinct, and he knew exactly which stations should be answering.
Brad started also following this on Facebook live streams and other broadcasts.
On the third night, the protests and police activity spread to the 5th Precinct, even closer to Brad’s home.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session139

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

138 - The Scanner Guys Aug 11, 2020

Are you craving more scanner radio content?

In this episode, Phil is joined by Jonathan Higgins and Rich Carlson, hosts of The Scanner Guys, a weekly YouTube show. They discuss some of the common questions and topics that come up, how they’ve grown their audience, and more.

What You Need To Know

The Scanner Guys met at Scanner Master and started doing Facebook Live in 2018, and it grew into their YouTube show.
They always made a point to interact with their audience members.
The show has grown over the past couple of years and they now have regular viewers.
They broadcast live every week on Wednesday at 8pmET/5pmPT and Rich posts the topic on Radio Reference on Mondays.
Some recent topics have included GPS, vintage scanners, and NASCAR scanning.
Many people are currently frustrated by police scanners becoming encrypted, but there are still things to listen to.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session138

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

137 - Ask Scanner School v23 Aug 04, 2020

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

When will my SDR series come out?
What would I recommend for an SDR dongle to use Unitrunker on a laptop?
What outdoor antenna should I use?
How do you monitor a P-25 conventional system?
Why can’t fire departments use mobile bands?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session137

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

136 - Whistler Object Oriented Scanning Programming Jul 28, 2020

Do you want to better understand object-oriented programming?

In this episode, Phil explains how object-oriented programming differs from just using a scanner with hard coded memory and also Uniden’s DMA memory.

What You Need To Know

Object-oriented scanning allows you to create scan lists as small or as large as you need without wasting memory on your scanner.
Memory space on a scanner is based on blocks, and trunking, talk spaces, etc., each take up varying numbers of blocks.
Scan lists are thought of in object-oriented scanners as banks.
These scanners have dynamic memory, where instead of programming a frequency twice in two separate scan lists, you are able to program it once in two locations.
Trunking in object-oriented scanning requires separate lists for sites.
When talk groups are assigned to a scan list that means the scanner recognizes them as an object and knows it needs to monitor it.
Scan lists in object-oriented scanners can handle both conventional and trunk systems in the same list.
You can mix and match analog and digital as well.
Object-oriented scanners allow you to have v-scanners, which we will talk about on a future podcast.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session136

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

135 - No Fancy Tools Required - Analyzing Trunk Systems Jul 21, 2020

Do you believe analyzing trunk systems requires a fancy hardware setup?

Jackson from Kentucky joins us on the podcast this week to talk about how he is mapping out trunk systems with a scanner, a pager, pen and paper, and a spreadsheet.

You don't need to configure complicated computer programs to understand what is happening on your local trunk systems.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session135

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

134 - Social Unrest Scanning Tips Jul 14, 2020

Do you want tips for how to use your scanner to its fullest potential during times of social unrest?

In this episode, Phil shares ways to get started at scanning right now if you’re new to the hobby in response to current events, gives suggestions of what to listen for beyond fire and police transmissions, and more.

What You Need To Know

Due to current events, scanner radio sales are up, whether it’s first-time buyers who are new to the hobby or people returning to the hobby after some time away.
You are responsible for looking into the laws in your country/state/province/etc. to find out whether scanning is legal and any parameters around it.
Use Radio Reference to find out what you can listen to in your area.
Whether you need an expensive scanner depends on the modulation on the frequencies you intend to listen and the types of trunk systems in your area.
Some scanners can automatically program based on your zip code if you don’t care about programming with more specificity.
Other than fire and police, you can find and listen to tactical channels or the Office of Emergency Management.
The Federal DOJ has the 25 Cities Project, which allows for interoperability between local, state, and federal agencies during emergency responses.
Don't forget to program in the NIFOG channels
Try listening to media frequencies to hear field reports and traffic/news helicopters before news breaks.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session134

If you need help with your scanner and are looking for some one on one tutoring, I'd love to help you out. Visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting to book your one hour appointment today!

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

133 - Ask Scanner School v22 Jul 07, 2020

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

What is Intermediate Frequency Exchange and when would I need to use it?
On an SDS-200 Uniden scanner, do you need to set up a quick key for every favorites list?
How do you know if you need upgrades to your SDS-200 scanner?
What portable scanner would you recommend for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money or have a lot of complicated features?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session13

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

132 - Trunking Optimization Tips for Whistler's Object Oriented Scanning Jun 30, 2020

Do you want to understand how trunking systems work in your Object Oriented Scanner?

In this episode, Phil continues his miniseries about trunking systems. He walks through optimizing your Whistler, GRE, and Radio Shack scanners for trunking using their object-oriented scanning.

What You Need To Know

Think of a site as a repeater that transmits radio and control channel traffic for its coverage area.
Whistler allows you to have more control over your trunk scanning thresholds than Uniden.
To optimize your sites, you need to know what talk groups are most likely to be broadcast on what sites.
When you’re programming your Motorola or P25 trunk sites on a Whistler, you only have to input a list of every single control channel on every site you want to monitor, rather than having to break it out by site like on Uniden.
Whistler has multi-site settings including Off, Roam, and Stationary.
- Off means, the scanner will find the first usable control channel and use it to track the systems without bothering to scan the others.
- Roam is used if you’re driving or otherwise moving around and will lock onto the best site it can find based on your Threshold High and Threshold Low settings.
- Stationary allows you to scan through all decent quality control channels while you remain in one place.
Butel software makes duplicating these scan lists much easier than using the keypad.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session132

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

131 - Trunking Optimization Tips for Uniden DMA Scanners Jun 23, 2020

Do you want to understand how trunking systems work?

In this episode, Phil continues his miniseries about trunking systems, explaining how to most efficiently set up your Uniden DMA scanner for trunking, including sites, groups, quick keys, and more.

What You Need To Know

Episodes 129 and 130 are prerequisites for this episode.
Trunking systems can have multiple sites that can run on their own or as one large networked site running as simulcast.
Hypothetically, you could have sites for different regions of your state
- Ex north, south, east, west, and central
- each with their own control channel that would broadcast all the talk groups for all the radios affiliated on that site.
Every time your scanner has to go to a new site, it first has to find the control channel, then check the system for active talk groups on your list.
You should only program your scanner with sites that you expect to have the traffic you want to hear.
- you don’t want to program every site in your state because many of them will be out of range.
Each site you want to scan should be set up as its own quick key in the scanner so you can toggle them on and off as needed.
Toggling some of the sites off as needed allows your scanner to only be scanning 1-2 sites at a time rather than 5 or more, making the trunking more efficient.
For trunking, Phil recommends large systems that you can break down into groups.
Groups make scanning more efficient because the scanner doesn’t have to go in and out of sites repeatedly to check different scan lists.
You want to make sure that each site you want is set up to its own scan bank, and within the system, you want to make sure that each group is set up as its own group key.
You can assign more than one site per quick key.
You can define up to 20 groups per system, and up to 10 quick keys per group; only assign quick keys to groups you want to toggle off and on.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session131

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

130 - Trunking Systems and Trunking Sites Jun 16, 2020

Do you want to understand how trunking systems work?

In this episode, Phil explains how trunking system networks, sites, channels, and layers all work together and gives some examples both from his local area and more hypothetical use cases.

What You Need To Know

This episode ties into last week’s episode about programming groups.
A Motorola type 2 trunking system is capable of having 28 channels per site.
A Smart Zone system is a collection of Smart Net systems
Smart Zone networks have dynamic site assignments, meaning that if a radio or talk group is not affiliated with a site, then it does not need to be broadcast on that site.
Although he uses a Motorola system as an example, these explanations also apply to DMR and P25 radio systems.
In Phil’s county, they have simulcast sites on different frequency bands.
These sites on this system may or may not broadcast the same talk groups.
Trunking systems have multiple sites in order to efficiently use the resources available, freeing up channels for local users.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session130

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

129 - Uniden System and Groups Jun 09, 2020

Do you understand the difference between a Group and a System your Uniden programming?

In this episode, Phil explains use cases for groups and how to set them up, and how to create quick keys for them.

What You Need To Know

Groups are important to optimize your scanners for trunking.
Systems are the container for your trunking and conventional systems in your DMA Scanner.
Groups are where you store your frequencies or Trunk Group and Unit IDs.
You can have up to 20 groups within the system.
Each type of group and system can have their own quick keys defined.
Using groups allows you to organize different precincts and battalions by location, for example, grouping all Manhattan NYPD frequencies separate from citywide NYPD frequencies.
While you can add up to 20 groups per system, you can only map out 10 group quick keys.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session129

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

128 - Ask Scanner School v21 Jun 02, 2020

This month I answer:

Is there any place in the US where law enforcement uses analog, unencrypted signals to allow you to use certain equipment like a radio that’s inaccurately being marketed as a scanner?
Can you disable certain frequencies in a statewide radio system to make a scan cycle go faster or will you be missing out on something?
How do you know which radio and software upgrades will be most useful to you?
What suggestions do you have for an HP2 that won’t connect to the computer?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session128

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

127 - Yagi Antennas May 26, 2020

Do you want to understand how a Yagi antenna works?

In this episode, Phil explains the elements of a Yagi antenna, what they’re used for, and even how to build your own.

What You Need To Know

Shintaro Udo and Hidetsugu Yagi created the antenna.
A Yagi antenna is a directional antenna with at least two elements, usually three, mounted on a boom.
The main element is the boom, where everything else is mounted.
A Yagi usually includes a driven element, a reflector element, and a director element, all mounted on the same plane.
The driven element is the main element, and it is what your feed line is connected to.
Next, behind the driven element, you have the parasitic element called the reflector, and in front, you have the director element.
The different elements are positioned to interfere with each other in a way that enhances the radiation and increases the directivity of the antenna.
The longest element always sits behind the driven element, and that’s how you know which is the front and back.
A Yagi can be used to pick up signals far away from you
You can use a Yagi antenna to try to overcome simulcast issues.
Yagi antennas are typically built for a very small range of frequencies.
You can get a cross-pole Yagi antenna, which is very popular with amateur radio and using satellites.
It is possible to build your own Yagi antenna with some basic materials.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session127

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

126 - Antenna Polarization May 19, 2020

Do you struggle to understand why antenna designs differ?

In this episode, I explain antenna polarization and how the design impacts it.

What You Need To Know

Your antenna needs to be within the same polarity in order to receive what you’re trying to receive.
A vertically polarized antenna will pick up vertically polarized signals better than horizontal.
Radio waves are oscillating sine waves, and the frequency at which they oscillate is measured in a hertz.
Vertically polarized antennas are perpendicular to the earth’s horizon
Horizontally polarized antennas are parallel to the earth’s horizon.
Satellites are not in a fixed position, so we’ve needed to develop circular polarization to communicate with satellites when their polarization is constantly changing.
Vertically polarized antennas are the most common in general, and horizontally polarized antennas are common in the scanner radio hobby world.
A common example of vertical antennas is on cars.
Cell phones are the most common example of a need for cross-pole antennas.
Circular antennas are good for eliminating multi-path distortions.
A GPS and some drones use circular polarization.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session126

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

125 - Spring and Fall Outdoor Maintenance Checklist May 12, 2020

The Spring (or Fall) to take inventory and make a note of how your radio setup is doing. Phil covers, antenna, masts, mounting, coax, and grounding.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session125

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

124 - Ask Scanner School v20 May 05, 2020

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

Are there any scanners that are commercially available that are capable of Tetra decoding, and if not, what other options are there?
What jacks are on the SDS-200?
Is it possible to upgrade an HP2 to make it function more like an SDS-100 or SDS-200?
How do you cross-reference what’s available on Radio Reference with how it appears in Uniden’s software?
And more

All session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session124

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

123 - How to Find and Win Scanner Radio Auctions on eBay Like a Pro Apr 28, 2020

Do you want to find deals on used equipment on eBay?

In this episode, Phil shares his do’s and don’t’s of bidding on eBay auctions.

Alls session notes with links to the items we talked about an be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session123

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

121 - A Peek Inside a Zello Net Apr 21, 2020

Are you wondering what it’s like to participate in a Scanner School Zello net?

In this episode, Phil plays a recent Zello net chat for you to hear what it’s like.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session121

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

122 - A Dozen Radio Fun Ways to Pass the Time Apr 14, 2020

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.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

120 - Ask Scanner School v19 Apr 07, 2020

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 tutorial for Windows or Linux?
Would Phil recommend Butel software for a beginner?
What is the best antenna to use for your house without breaking the bank?
Is there a known issue with the Radio Shack Pro 197 resetting its memory?
How is the SDR class coming along?
Does DSD support trunking?
Can you fly with any of your scanning equipment?
How can using quick keys benefit you?
Is there a database to identify non-voice signals on scanners?
What to do if you get an “Unknown” error?
Are there certain settings to pay attention to, like filters, to improve your audio quality?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session120

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

119 - Looking back at the Uniden BC780XLT Mar 31, 2020

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 two trunk systems in the same bank but you can mix conventional and trunking together.
This model allows you to search out CTCSS and DCS tones.
You can program 500 channels in 10 banks.
It works well as a weather receiver
You can program scan delays that are built-in per channel, and you can have a limit hold on each frequency.
This scanner has channel alerts.
A very cool feature is this scanner’s versatile RS232 serial port.
You have a tape-out on the back of the radio
Program searches are built-in.
You can pre-program ten search ranges and have selectable step sizes.
The display was revolutionary for the time.
There were many aftermarket software options for this model.
People took this scanner with them and actually used it as a portable radio.
Aftermarket Accessories Include:
- Protective carrying cases for portable use
- There was a way to have internal battery packs powering the scanner.
- AM and shortwave broadcasts modification
- An automatic mute with an RF sensor mod.
- Remote head kit.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session119

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

118 - How Dispatch Centers Work Mar 24, 2020

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.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

117 - Coronavirus Scanning Mar 17, 2020

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 your local hospitals.
Don't forget about news frequencies.
Another suggestion is a university public safety office.
On a national level, Phil suggests trying TSA, FEMA, and CBP.
The NIFOG is a group with Homeland Security that responds in emergencies, and Phil has heard them in the past when they responded to Hurricane Sandy on Long Island.
In search mode, maybe you’ll hear something in aviation or rail, although rail is now being affected by the pandemic.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session117

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

116 - A new scanner radio net for everyone Mar 10, 2020

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.scannerschool.com/support

115 - Ask Scanner School v18 Mar 03, 2020

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/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

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session1115

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

114 - What is Zello and how to use it as a live scanner Feb 25, 2020

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 originally built for the scanner radio hobby.
Zello is a push-to-talk application that allows you to mimic the function of a two-way radio.
It can be set up with “private rooms” where only one user can talk, or a few trusted users can talk, which makes it perfect for scanner radio broadcasts.
There is almost no delay in the broadcast like there is with other online broadcasts.
You can keep multiple rooms open at once.
To broadcast your scanner, you need a Windows computer that’s always on, a wired Internet connection, a radio scanner with output through a patch cable, potentially an additional sound card depending on your setup, and a separate Zello account just for the live stream.
Know what your audio input is.
Turn on Vox and set the activation threshold and deactivation threshold.
To listen to your channel, open the app on your phone and search for the group you’ve created.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session114

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

113 - How To Setup a Private Live Feed in Under 30 Minutes Feb 18, 2020

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 School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

112 - Rail Scanning with Joe Curtis Feb 11, 2020

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 to listen to the rails.
What does Joe hear most often when listening to the rails?
You only need the basics to listen to the railroads because they haven’t switched to digital yet.
Listening to the railroad is a good alternative as police departments increasingly encrypt their radios.
How Joe uses his iPhone to monitor train location with PC-based software.
Joe and Phil discuss the benefits and limitations of different rail scanning setups.
Joe shares advice for those interested in monitoring the railroads.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session112

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

111 - Ask Scanner School v17 Feb 04, 2020

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 broadcast to listen to on your own home system or on your cell phone?

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

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session111

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

110 - Uniden SR30C Jan 28, 2020

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

109 - Recording your scanner's audio to a PC Jan 21, 2020

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

108 - Remembering Paul "Upman" Opitz Jan 14, 2020

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

107 - Ask Scanner School v.16 Jan 07, 2020

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 SpeakPipe or the local number on our website. We'll play your message on next month's #AskScannerSchool

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session107

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

106 - Predictions for the next decade in scanning Dec 31, 2019

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 found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session106

105 - 20 things I've learned in 30 years of scanning Dec 24, 2019

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

104 - Where to find quality radio reviews Dec 17, 2019

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

103 - How to safely buy used gear Dec 10, 2019

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

102 - Ask Scanner School v15 Dec 03, 2019

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 going in the next 10 years?
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 SpeakPipe or the local number on our website. We'll play your message on next month's #AskScannerSchool

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session102

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

101 - 2019 Holiday Buyer's Guide Nov 26, 2019

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

100 - Something new for you Nov 19, 2019

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.

099 - Vehicle Installation Tips Nov 12, 2019

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

098 - Ask Scanner School v14 Nov 05, 2019

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 our website. We'll play your message on next month's #AskScannerSchool

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session98

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

097 - Stolen Radio IDs Oct 29, 2019

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
Criminal simulation
Impersonating a peace office

What You Need To Know

The Incident that sparked arrests for stolen radio I.D.'s
The effect of the stolen pirated I.D.'s
The charges attributed to the perpetrators.
Can you actually steal a radio I.D.?
What you need to be aware of.
Why you need to scan with a scanner.

Remember - this is now on the radar. People have been charged with possessing, selling, and programming commercial radios.

If you want to monitor a trunk radio system, you are far safer to do so with a communications scanner and not a two way radio. If someone sees you using a two way radio, it can look suspicious.

And now that people have been charged with this, what is to say there won’t be more people in possession of personal two way radios that are monitoring a trunk system find themselves in trouble with the law as well.

It is better to be safe than sorry!

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session97

096 - Whistler Updates Oct 22, 2019

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 weather button?
Service searches unique to e-version: great for those outside U.S. and Canada.
New products from Whistler: 3 new antenna
Details and Specs for new antenna
- WMM-160
- WMM-460
- WMM-860

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session96

095 - Working Around Simulcast Issues Oct 15, 2019

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 he is doing to try to monitor a simulcast system with a Whistler 1040.

What You Need To Know

Updates on Nathan now and his current equipment setup.
Using Zello as a streaming tool.
What content is being streamed?
Time needed for setup for streaming.
Using Zello as a scanning tool.
Utilizing the Whistler WS1040 on the simulcast system.
Keys to working through the simulcast headaches.
Common issues with decoding.
Why laying the radio on the side helps.
More suggestions for combating simulcast issues.
Addressing issues from being between 2 sites.
Isolating talk groups with OpenMHz.

094 - National Communications Magazine Oct 08, 2019

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 found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session94

093 - Ask Scanner School v13 Oct 01, 2019

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/session93

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

092 - 10 Important Things Preppers Must Know About Scanning Sep 24, 2019

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

091 - How to Scan Amateur Radio DMR Sep 17, 2019

What do you need to know about Amateur Radio DMR?

Everything you need to know from getting your ID's to hardware to use. Our guest, Kenneth Fowler gives us some great insight into Amateur Radio DMR.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session91

090 - How to Properly Set Your Squelch Sep 10, 2019

Here is a question that I receive often

How do I properly set my squelch?

In fact, it isn't always asked often enough, because sometimes I see radios where the squelch is set as high as it will go.

In today's podcast, I explain how to properly set your squelch.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session90

Bonus 01: What it takes to produce Scanner School Sep 03, 2019

This is the "Health and Wellbeing" report of Scanner School.

Find out what it takes to put a podcast together, how it costs, and what I am changing to make the podcast easier to produce and better for you.

What are the additional future plans of Scanner School?

Listen to find out

089 - Ask Scanner School v12 Sep 03, 2019

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/session89

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

088 - Consulting Call with Lou Carollo Aug 27, 2019

Lou Carollo asked a question on last month's Ask Scanner School and by doing so, he won a free consulting call.

This is our conversation as I help him with his SDS100 and why he is having issues listening to certain talk groups on the amateur radio DMR network.

We also sort out some Sentinel issues.

If you would like to book a consulting session, please visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting

If you would like to ask a question for the podcast and enter to win a chance for your own free consulting call, please visit www.scannerschool.com/ask

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session88

087 - GNU Radio with Ben Hilburn Aug 20, 2019

Ben Hilburn is the project lead for GNU Radio.

What is GNU Radio?

GNU Radio is a free & open-source software development toolkit that provides signal processing blocks to implement software radios.

Ben and I discuss what you can do with GNU Radio, why you might want to use it, and who else is using it and what they are doing with this software suite.

Don't forget to check out GRCon this September and Ben's new podcast, Signals and Bits on www.gnuradio.org

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session87

086 - Overcoming the Challenges a Blind Operator Faces in the Scanner Radio Hobby w/ Pete De Vasto Aug 13, 2019

Pete De Vasto is a self taught scanner radio user. Pete is also blind since birth.

Pete and I discuss the ways that he sets up his scanners so he can keep track of what it is he is listening to, and how he uses text to speech software on his computer to program his radios.

Pete and I also talk about the limitations that today's software has in them and how some changes to the software could make his programming tasks a lot easier.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session86

085 - Ask Scanner School v11 Aug 06, 2019

Many of you have have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session85

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

084 - Consulting Call with Ty Stevens Jul 30, 2019

Ty Stevens asked a question on last month's Ask Scanner School and by doing so, he won a free consulting call.

This is our conversation as I help him with his SDS100 and why he is having issues receiving in his home state of Wyoming.

This is Ty's first scanner and he has several questions about Sentinel, using his favorites lists, the best antenna to use, and if he should be using a GPS.

If you would like to book a consulting session, please visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting

If you would like to ask a question for the podcast and enter to win a chance for your own free consulting call, please visit www.scannerschool.com/ask

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session84

083 - How to Find the Correct Scanner for Your Area Jul 23, 2019

This is a question I see often on websites like Radio Reference and on Facebook Groups.

How do I find the correct scanner for me?

Or - I just bought this radio, will it work?

Or - Why can't I hear my local police, what is wrong with my new radio?

Or - How come nobody told me this wouldn't work!?!?

Today we'll decode some of the information in the Radio Reference Database so you can pick the right scanner for your area.

I also have a nice script in the session notes that you can use if you want to ask others what scanners work for them in your area.

You can find more info on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session83

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

082 - Recording Your Scanner Radio's Audio Jul 16, 2019

I am asked this question often - how do you record your scanner so you can go back at later date and time to play back the audio

Why would you do this?

Maybe you are looking for activity on a range of frequencies

Maybe you are looking for new talk groups

Maybe you are looking to figure out who is using a frequency or talk group

Maybe you want to know why the local rescue services are on their block and they weren't’ around to hear the dispatch (by the way this is where pagers come in very handy)

Who uses recorded audio?

Milair communications and aviation are big into recording audio

Fire Photographers and videographers want audio for their productions or to be able to summarize details about the photo or video gallery

News agencies want to play back the audio

You can find more info on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session82

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

081 - The Hidden Dangers of Scanning with Commercial Radios Jul 09, 2019

Commercial Radios.

Setting them up for receive only is safe, right?

In today's session we talk with Harrison Wilson who explains why you need to be careful if you choose to use a commercial two way radio as a receive only device.

You can find more info on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session81

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

080 - Ask Scanner School v10 Jul 02, 2019

Many of you have have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session80

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

079 - Why Do We Use Multiple Scanners? Jun 25, 2019

Many of us have multiple scanner radios in our setup. But for those of you starting off, you may wonder why we do this.

I remember when I first entered the scanner radio hobby, I couldn't think of a single reason why I would want or need multiple scanners going at the same time.

Today we'll break down the benefits of scanning with multiple receivers.

You can find more info on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session79

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

078 - Passing on the Scanner Hobby Jun 18, 2019

We learn a lot from our fathers. We pass a lot to our children.

This past Sunday was Father's Day in the US.

Scanning is something that not only did my father pass along to me, but something that even my 5 year old has shown interest in.

I feel it is very important to pass on a piece of you to the next generation. My father was able to pass several important traits and hobbies onto me, including scanning.

Has scanning been passed onto you or did you pass the hobby onto your children? I hope so.

You can find more info on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session78

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

077 - Basic Electrical Terms Jun 11, 2019

Basic Electrical Terms

Volts, Current, Resistance, Power

What are they and what do they mean?

We go through them today on Scanner School.

You can find more info on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session77

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

076 - Ask Scanner School v09 Jun 04, 2019

Many of you have have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session76

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

075 - Troubleshooting Your Scanner May 28, 2019

It's no fun when your scanner radio won't work right.

Here are some steps that you can do to troubleshoot a setup that no longer works correctly.

You can find more info on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session75

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

074 - Uniden BC200XLT May 21, 2019

The BC200XLT is the one scanner that will always have a special place in my collection.

This was the scanner that introduced me to more of what was possible with scanning than any radio before it.

If you are interested in the BC200XLT, please see the show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session74

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

073 - Scanning on a Budget w/ Nathan McMullan May 14, 2019

Getting start with scanning or sticking with the hobby on a limited budget can be a bit tricky.

With today's high end scanners costing several hundreds of dollars, monitoring your local trunk systems can be a bit of a drain on your wallet.

Today's guest talks about how he is monitoring all his local activity, including a P25 Simulcast solution all on a budget.

We shared a few links in today’s interview, and I’ve placed those links in the show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session73

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

072 - Ask Scanner School v08 May 07, 2019

Many of you have have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session72

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

071 - DSDPlus Apr 30, 2019

What can receive DMR, NXDN, P25, and other digital modes...and is free? It's DSDPlus!

Today we talk about what DSDPlus is, how to use it, and what the differences are between the free and paid versions of this versatile software.

We shared a few links in today’s interview, and I’ve placed those links in the show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session71

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

070 - Signals Everywhere Apr 23, 2019

On today’s podcast we have Corrosive from the Signals Everywhere YouTube channel.

I’ve a huge fan of Corrosives work and what he has been doing for the SDR community. Corrosive and I discuss a lot of the more advanced things you can do with a software defined radio.

We shared a few links in today’s interview, and I’ve placed those links in the show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session70

If you are looking to get started with SDR, I invite you to check our our new training course. www.scannerschool.com/courses

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

069 - SDR Workshop Apr 16, 2019

Let's Build Something Together!!

I will be hosting a 4 week SDR Workshop.

Details can be found at www.scannerschool.com/courses

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session69

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

068 - Why did Whistler cancel the TRX-100 and TRX-200? Apr 09, 2019

On March 29, 2019, Whistler announced the end of development for the long awaited TRX-100 and TRX-200.

What happened to this product, why did it fail to launch, and what does this mean for Whistler?

I have a few ideas why this might have happened and I share my thoughts on today's podcast.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session68

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

067 - Ask Scanner School v07 Apr 02, 2019

Many of you have have been submitting their questions via e-mail, SpeakPipe, and Voicemail. 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/session67

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

066 - Survive the Storm with Chris Gilmour Mar 26, 2019

No matter when you are listening to this podcast, mother nature is always coming up with a way to change the weather.

Tornadoes in the spring if you live in the mid-west US. Hurricanes or cyclones in the summer and fall. Blizzards in the winter.

If you are along a fault line, you have to worry about earthquakes and the possibilities of tsunamis. No matter where you live, you always have to keep this in the back of your mind.

One day, you might have to survive the storm!

Today's guest, Chris Gilmour, is an expert when it comes to emergency preparedness, and today is a great time to talk about the safety of your family, being prepared. Not only is Chris an urban and wildlife survival skills expert, but he also work with and trains many government agencies as a professional emergency preparedness consultant.

Chris' new course, Survive the Storms, is a great way to make sure you and your family are prepared.

This is a 7 day course that will take you about 30 minutes each day to complete. And with a full print guide to go along with this course, you will come out an expert at the end.

Don't have time to take it now, that is fine! You can sign up and take the course when you are ready.

** SIGN UP HERE **

www.scannerschool.com/sts

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session66

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

065 - Understanding Uniden DMA Programming Mar 19, 2019

Programming a scanner using Uniden's DMA ( Dynamic Memory Architecture ) can be a very intimidating task.

But don't fear this memory configuration any longer. By the end of the podcast, you will understand how DMA works and how you can use DMA to program your scanner efficiently.

** BONUS DOWNLOAD BELOW **

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session65

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

064 - Unication G2 and G3 Pagers Mar 12, 2019

A lot of users in the scanner radio hobby have started using Unication G4 and G5 pagers.

Maybe you are one of them or maybe you have been tempted to purchase one yourself.

Unication has announced the G2 and G3 pagers. One is VHF or UHF while the other is dual band.

We'll talk about the new G2 and G3 as well as the new pricing schedule in today's podcast.

If you are in the market for a Unication pager, please contact me at phil@scannerschool.com

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session64

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

063 - Ask Scanner School V06 Mar 05, 2019

Many of you have have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session63

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. You can support us on Patreon by clicking here.

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

062 - Scanner Apps for your Smartphone or Tablet Feb 26, 2019

Enhance your scanning hobby with these apps for your smartphone and tablet.

Today be discuss 5 categories of apps that you can download to pair with scanning.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session62

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

061 - An Introduction to SDR Feb 19, 2019

SDR - or Software Defined Radio - is bringing new excitement into the scanner radio hobby.

If you wanted to learn about SDR - this session will get you off the ground

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session61

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

060 - I hear my wife - but I listen to my scanner Feb 12, 2019

This week is Valentine's Day - and I wanted to bring someone special on the podcast and get their point of view on the scanning hobby.

My wife and I discuss the parts of the hobby that annoy her, the parts that she likes, and how to live in harmony with the rest of your family.

We also learned that I can buy as many radios as I want.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session60

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

059 - Ask Scanner School V05 - A consulting call with Tyler Detmers Feb 05, 2019

Ask Scanner School - but with a twist.

Today you are a fly on the wall during a consulting session with Tyler Detmers.

If you would like to book a consulting session, please visit www.scannerschool.com/consulting

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session59

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

058 - Uniden SDS200 Preview Jan 29, 2019

The Uniden SDS200 is set to be released in just a few short weeks.

Inside this podcast, I'll tell you why I am excited for this new scanner, what features I am looking for, and what I'll be doing when it arrives.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session58

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

057 - An Introduction to Scanning Jan 22, 2019

Ham Radio University is an annual event on Long Island. While most of the topics at the event are centered around Amateur Radio, not all of the forums are strictly geared to the Ham hobby.

There are plenty of talks and activities that can be used in the scanner radio hobby as well.

Today's podcast is my presentation from HRU 2019. While some of the presentation is geared to those of us on Long Island, many of the topics are useful no matter where you live.

If you have been a long time listener of the Scanner School podcast, this session will be a great refresher on some of the content that we talked about over the past year.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session57

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

056 - DMR Trunking Jan 15, 2019

There are three types of trunking under DMR,

Connect Plus, Capacity Plus, and Capacity Max.

Of these three, only Capacity Max is DMR Tier III compliant.

What are the differences between these three forms of DMR Trunking? Check out this week's podcast to find out.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session56

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

055 - An Introduction to DMR Jan 08, 2019

DMR - Digital Mobile Radio

DMR is a pure digital system, meaning there is no analog.

DMR uses TDMA to double the amount of data that can be sent on a single frequency

Today we'll discuss the theory of DMR and how conventional DMR works

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session55

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

054 - #AskScannerSchool V.04 Jan 01, 2019

Many of you have have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session54

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

053 - Thanks for a Great First Year Dec 25, 2018

Scanner School has wrapped up our first year!

Thank you all for your support and kind words through the last 12 months.

Today, we discuss some of the accomplishments from our first year, and also lay out our plans for 2019

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session53

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

052 - Cheap Chinese Radios Dec 18, 2018

Cheap Chinese Radio Reviews

They go by many names

Baofeng, Pofeng, BTECH, Puxing, Retevis, Rugged Radios, TYT, and Wouxun.... to name a few

Cheap Chinese Two Way Radios that have become very popular with the scanner radio crowd.

What you need to know

These cheap chinese radios are a bargain. For under $30, you can pick up a two way radio from Amazon that will cover the VHF and UHF spectrum.

If you are a licensed amateur radio operator, this radio can save you a pretty penny if you are just starting out in the hobby.

But many people buy these as extra radios and may use them as scanners.

Today, I've reviewed the basics on these cheap radios and why many are buying them.

I also explain what to look out for and some warning when purchasing these.

We have some radios you may be interested in our show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session52

051 - Unication G5 Pager Review Dec 11, 2018

Should you buy the G4/G5 or a scanner?

Many have asked about the Unication G4 and G5 pagers, and how they compare to today's scanners.

If you are looking at the Unication G4 or G5 this episode of Scanner School has all the details you need to make an educated decision.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session51

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

050 - Ask Scanner School V.03 Dec 04, 2018

A lot of listeners have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session50

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

049 - 2018 Scanner Accessory Holiday Buyer's Guide Nov 27, 2018

The 2018 Holiday Shopping Season has begun!

Here are 10 scanners radio accessories that I would recommend as a gift for the scanner radio listener on your shopping list.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session49

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

048 - 2018 Scanner Radio Holiday Buyer's Guide Nov 20, 2018

This week starts the holiday shopping season.

Here are a the scanners that I would recommend as a gift for the scanner radio listener on your shopping list.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session48

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

047 - Scanning on a Cruise Ship Nov 13, 2018

I recently took a family cruise. It was a great trip and I even got some scanning in.

Today, I have 5 tips to help you enjoy scanning on your first (or next) cruise.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session47

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

046 - #AskScannerSchool V.02 Nov 06, 2018

A lot of listeners have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session46

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

045 - Encryption Oct 30, 2018

Encryption - it is the one word that will make any scanner radio listener cringe.

Today, we take a brief look at the history of encryption, and also what types of encryption are used today.

I also spend a few minutes talking about my thoughts on encryption. What do you think?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session45

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

044 - NXDN Trunking Oct 23, 2018

NXDN stands for Next Generation Digital Narrowband

For an introduction to NXDN, please see last week's podcast at www.scannerschool.com/session43

NXDN Trunking comes in two classes: NXDN-C and NXDN-D

NXDN-C is like most trunking systems. There is a control channel and a set of voice channels.

NXDN-D is similar to LTR Trunking, where you have no dedicated control channel. Your users are listening to a home channel and any channel can be used as a voice channel

Please be sure to view the session notes for all the sources on both last week's and this week's podcast

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session44

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

043 - An Introduction to NXDN Oct 16, 2018

NXDN stands for Next Generation Digital Narrowband

NXDN was created in 2003 with a joint venture of Kenwood and Icom. The protocol was announced at IWCE in 2005 and the first units arrived in 2006. It wasn't until 2017 that NXDN was published by the ITU-R as an international digital land mobile system.

NXDN was created to satisfy the 2005 FCC Narrowbanding mandate. Originally created for business users, NXDN is used by public safety and even the military.

Overseeing NXDN development and standards is the NXDN Forum. A 30 member community including JVC Kenwood, Icom, Anritsu, The Boeing Company, and Zetron.

NXDN Comes in 3 flavors

NXDN Standard (As defined by the CAI)
Kenwood's NEXEDGE
Icom's IDAS

NXDN operates using FDMA over 12.5kHz or 6.25kHz wide bandwidth.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session43

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

042 - Electrical and RF Station Grounding Oct 09, 2018

Electrical and RF Grounding - a simple solution for a common problem.

RF Grounding is more important in a transmitting environment than a receiving environment, but scanner listeners can still benefit from grounding their station.

By Grounding your receive station, you may find that you've increased your scanner's sensitivity and eliminated some RF noise.

In this session we discuss:

RF Ground Loops
Grounding best practices
Single Point Ground (SPG)
The differences between
- Copper Wire
- Flat copper braid
- Flat copper strapping
The Skin Effect

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session42

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

041 - #Ask Scanner School V.0I Oct 02, 2018

A lot of listeners have been submitting their questions via e-mail, 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/session41

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

040 - An Introduction to Batteries Sep 25, 2018

Batteries - something that are in practically every device we touch.

There are many types of batteries out there. I'm not talking about battery sized, but the chemical composition that makes up a battery. From one time use to rechargeable - there is a correct type for every application

In this session, we discuss:

Alkaline Batteries
NiCd Batteries
NiMH Batteries
Li-Ion Batteries
Battery Voltages
Rating in ampere-hours

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session40

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

039 - Easy Emergency Battery Power Sep 18, 2018

There are a few ways that you can bring emergency power into your scanner radio setup. But there aren't many ways that can be ready to go in the blink of an eye.

Generators are good, but you wouldn't want to operate one in the middle of a storm. Most generator users don't have them ready to go immediately.

Computer UPS devices could make a good battery standby unit, but you are effectively taking a 12VDC source (batteries), using an inverter to create a dirty AC power source, and then using your scanner's power transformer or your power supply to go back to 12VDC.

You could just wire in a battery with your power supply, but that can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.

Or you can pickup the device we talk about in this podcast. A safe, simple, and easy way to add a battery for emergency power in your station.

In this session, we discuss:

A few ways to add emergency power to your station
How to size a battery for your station
What Anderson Power Poles are and why I love them
How to safely connect a standby battery to your station

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session39

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

038 - Petition to Save WWV, WWVB, and WWVH Sep 11, 2018

Time is running out.....

The 2019 annual budget for NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) decreased by $49 Million USD from the 2018 budget.

Due to the decrease in budget, the NIST has decided to pull funding for WWV, WWVB, and WWVH. This move will save NIST $6.3 Million USD.

WWV is one of the oldest radio stations in continuous use. They went on the air in 1920 from Washington DC, broadcasting the time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

WWV, WWVH, and WWVB

Broadcast the official US Time
Broadcast Atlantic and Pacific Maritime Conditions
Broadcast GPS Status Updates
Broadcast geophysical alerts from NOAA

WWV, WWVH, and WWVB

Are used by many radio operators to check band conditions
Used by many to calibrate their receivers to make sure they are on frequency
Used by mariners for storm updates
Used by anyone who has a device that sets the time automatically from the "atomic clock"

Listening to WWV, WWVH, and WWVB:

Operate on 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz
Transmit 10kW on 5, 10, 15 MHz
Transmit 2.5kW on 2.5 and 20 MHz
WWV and WWVB operate from Ft Collins, CO
WWVH operates from Kauai, Hawaii
You may also dial in over the phone
WWV receives 1M Calls per year
WWVH receives 50k calls per year

How can we save WWV, WWVH, and WWVB

Sign this petition online (www.scannerschool.com/savewwv)
- 100,000 electronic signatures are need
- As of this podcast date, only 16k are signed
- We need 83k more for the White House to respond
Call your state congressperson
Call your local government
Call your state's governor's office

All session notes and additional links can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session38

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

037 - Power Supplies Sep 04, 2018

Every Scanner needs it's own power brick plugged into your wall. Every other 12 volt device requires it's own wall wart.

The worst part about these adapters is the amount of space they take up. Sometimes they are large enough to cover 2 spaces on your power strip.

How do we clean up this mess?

Power supplies are the perfect way to deliver power to all of those 12volt devices at your scanner radio station. Using a single 12v source for your scanner and 12v accessories, this is a great way to bring some order to the electrical wiring mess in your shack!

In this session, we discuss:

Voltage
Amperage
Current
What to look for when buying a power supply
Constant Voltage
Peak Voltage
Regulated and Unregulated Power Supplies

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session37

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

036 - RF Connectors Aug 28, 2018

There are many different types of RF connectors on the market. F, BNC, PL-259, N, DIN, SMA, MCX, etc ;)

Do you know why there are so many connectors on the market and what makes each one different?

In this session, we discuss:

Common connectors for small diameter coax cables
Common connectors for medium diameter coax cables
Why we have so many connectors on the market
What makes each type of connector so different

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session36

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

035 - Combining multiple antennas Aug 21, 2018

It is possible to combine antennas to improve your scanner's reception. The tricky part is doing it correctly

In this session, we discuss:

Diplexers
Duplexers
Triplexers
Quadplexers
The difference between the above and a combiner or splitter
How you can share your coax between antennas and save money

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session35

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

034 - Filters Aug 14, 2018

As the name implies, a filter will either allow or reject frequencies from passing through and onto your radio

In this session, we discuss:

High Pass & Low Pass Filters
Band Pass & Band Reject Filters
Common filter terms
Why we use filters
Where to install a filter
What to look for when buying a filter

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session34

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

033 - Multicouplers Aug 07, 2018

There are many different way to share a single antenna with multiple radios. Many will get the job done, but we today we talk about the best way and the preferred way to share one antenna with multiple scanners

In this session, we discuss:

What makes a multicoupler different than splitters
The benefits of using multicouplers
Why cable TV splitters are a bad idea
Why we don't use "T" connectors
The difference between active and passive multicouplers
Where to install a multicoupler
What to look for when buying a multicoupler

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session33

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

032 - Lightning Arrestors Jul 31, 2018

Lightning can destroy your scanner radio setup in a second.

Adding proper grounding and installing lightning arrestors only takes a few minutes and can potentially save your setup.

In this session, you will learn how lightning arrestors work, what they do, the different types of lightning arrestors, and some that I recommend.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session32

** CONTEST ALERT -- LAST CHANCE **

Win a $100 Scanner Master Gift Card.

Check out www.scannerschool.com/contest for details!

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

031 - Jonathan Higgins from Scanner Master Jul 24, 2018

Jonathan Higgins is the Digital Media Communications Manager for Scanner Master. He and I speak about his background in scanning, share some great stories, and talk about his "RailFan" experiences.

Jonathan and I also talk about the history of Scanner Master, which started 40 years ago. We talk about their current product lines and services, such as scanner radio programming, scanner sales, and radio packages.

As an affiliate for Scanner Master, I am happy to have Jonathan on the podcast so he can explain what makes Scanner Master a great company to buy from, why I've been a customer for the last 20 something years, and what I recommend their business.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session31

** CONTEST ALERT **

Win a $100 Scanner Master Gift Card.

Check out www.scannerschool.com/contest for details!

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

030 - Coaxial Cable Jul 17, 2018

What are you using for coax cable?

Not all coax cable is created equal and in today's podcast we will run through some numbers to show you why the bargain stuff is so inexpensive compared to quality coax.

We have a great chart to help you see all the numbers in this week's session notes.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session30

** CONTEST ALERT **

Win a $100 Scanner Master Gift Card.

Check out www.scannerschool.com/contest for details!

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

029 - PreAmplifiers Jul 10, 2018

Preamplifiers could help you or hurt you depending on several factors.

I have used preamps in the past and have seen mixed results. There are certain situations where a preamp could be extremely helpful.

I have ways you might be able to improve your station instead of investing in a preamp.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session29

** CONTEST ALERT **

Win a $100 Scanner Master Gift Card.

Check out www.scannerschool.com/contest for details!

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

028 - Basic Scanning Antennas Jul 03, 2018

There are many things to consider when purchasing your next (or first) scanner radio antenna.

Do you need an antenna that...

Covers many frequencies
Covers a particular frequency
Is directional
Is NOT directional
Will fit in an attic
Is affordable
Will be used for a portable radio

These are some of the items we talk about today and tell you what the next antenna that I will be installing on my house this summer and why.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session28

** CONTEST ALERT **

Win a $100 Scanner Master Gift Card.

Check out www.scannerschool.com/contest for details!

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

027 - MilAir Scanning with Michael Man Jun 26, 2018

MilAir Scanning is different depending on where it is you live.

Today's guest, Michael Man, is a big fan of Military Air monitoring. Since he lives close to a few training facilities, MilAir Scanning is one of this favorite past times.

Michael is lucky enough to live near several practice areas where he can listen to dog fights, refueling exercises, and other ground exercises.

Any scanner that can monitor the MilAir bands and a good outdoor antenna is all that is needed to enjoy MilAir Scanning.

MilAir VHF Frequencies: 118 MHz -136 MHz (AM and FM)

MilAir UHF Frequencies: 225 MHz - 380 MHz (AM)

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session27

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

026 - Amateur Radio Field Day Jun 19, 2018

Field Day - Amateur Radio's Open House!

If you've never been on the air or if you are interested in checking out what Amateur Radio is all about (and if you live in the US), check out Field Day.

Field Day is a contest. The more contacts you make, the more points you get... and it is by far the most popular and publicized event featuring Ham Radio.

But besides being a contest, Field Day is where Amateur Radio operators practice their skills. They operate using emergency power, on temporary antennas, in sometimes uncomfortable conditions.

Field Day is a day to practice getting on the air, making contacts, enjoying a good BBQ, and seeing some old friends that maybe only come out of the woodwork once a year.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session26

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

025 - First Look at the New Uniden SDS100 Jun 12, 2018

Its finally here - the new Uniden SDS100 Scanner.

This scanner is new from the inside out, top to bottom.

I'll let you know all about this new scanner and my first thoughts after using this radio for only a day.

You can keep up to date with my review by visiting www.sds100review.com

If you are looking to purchase this scanner, would you mind using our affiliate link? We would earn a small fee for the sale and this helps support the Scanner School podcast. The best part is, it doesn't cost you anything extra. You can find out more by clicking here.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session25

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

024 - ADS-B Receiving and Flight Tracking with Eric Carlson Jun 05, 2018

Eric Carlson from FlightAware.com joins us on the podcast to talk about ADS-B monitoring using a PiAware setup.

ADS-B (Automatic dependent surveillance — broadcast) is the protocol used by airplanes to give their position beacons. This includes there altitude, location, heading, and Squawk Code.

Eric and I discuss the benefits of owning your own ADS-B receiving setup, the steps required to build your own ground station, and the perks of sending your data to FlightAware.com

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session24

A tutorial on ADS-B setup, monitoring, and a shopping list can be found at www.scannerschool.com/adsb

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

023 - Aviation Scanning with Dave Pascoe KM3T May 29, 2018

Dave Pascoe, KM3T, from LiveATC.net joins us on the podcast.

We talk about the basics of aviation monitoring, what equipment is required, and how to understand the terms and common phrases used during aviation communications.

Dave also discusses the conversation workflow that a pilot goes through before taking off, while flying, and while landing.

All session notes can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session23

Please support the Scanner School podcast. Visit www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

022 - Scanning Air Shows May 22, 2018

One of my favorite scanning activities is to scan the local Air Show. The Air Show at Jones Beach is every Memorial Day weekend and it brings a lot of Military and Civilian Performers.

In this podcast, I'm going to let you know what you need to maximize your scanning during an air show.

We have a lot of links in this podcast, and all of them can be found in the show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session22

Please support Scanner School by becoming a Patreon Supporter at www.scannerschool.com/support

021 - Scanning and Fire Buff Photography with Jim Peruta May 15, 2018

Today we are joined by Jim Peruta, a 45 year veteran of the Fire Buff Photography scene. Jim runs his own website at res23cue.net and is a member of the Connecticut Fire Photographer's Association.

Jim and I discuss what it takes to be a fire buff photographer and what someone should do or should not do if they are looking to buff a fire scene.

We have a lot of links in this podcast, and all of them can befound in the show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session21

Please support Scanner School by becoming a Patreon Supporter at www.scannerschool.com/support

020 - Fire Paging and Uniden's Fire Tone Out Mode May 08, 2018

Fire Tone Out (FTO) is a feature included with higher end Uniden Scanners.

Before breaking down FTO and how it works, we take a look at basic two tone alerting by Plectron, GE, and Motorola.

We also discuss 5/6 tone and ZVEI tones used outside of the US.

Show notes can be found at www.scannerschool.com

Please support Scanner School by becoming a Patreon Supporter at www.patreon.com/scannerschool

019 - Weather Alert Radios and Weather Alert Monitoring May 01, 2018

Severe Weather Monitoring goes beyond just scanning.

I believe that every home and business should have a weather alert radio in a location that is centralized. A weather alert radio can be a life saving device and should be given the same importance as smoke detectors, CO alarms, Explosive Gas meters, and fire extinguishers.

In this session, we discuss how to use your scanner as a weather alert radio, how to monitor weather activity from SKYWARN via Amateur Radio, GMRS, and FRS.

I also recommend a few dedicated Weather Alert radios that you can purchase for less than $50 (USD).

Step by Step instructions for purchasing and setting up a weather alert radio can be found in the show notes at www.scannerschool.com/session19 or at www.scannerschool.com/wxalert

018 - Tips and Tricks when dealing with Simulcast Issues Apr 24, 2018

Simulcast - when it comes to digital systems, it can be your worst nightmare.

In this session of Scanner School, we have a few tips on dealing with simulcast and a few suggestions to eliminating the problems it causes.

You can grab the show notes for today's podcast at www.scannerschool.com/session18

New this week, you can also help support the Scanner School podcast by visiting www.scannerschool.com/support We have several ways to help fund the podcast, including a way that comes at no cost to you!

Don't forget to catch us this Saturday for our FB Live Q&A Session. See our schedule at www.scannerschool.com/events

73

Phil / w2lie

017 - The Benefits of Joining a Local Scanner Radio Community with Marshall Sherard Apr 17, 2018

Today we welcome Marshall Sherard, KE4ZNR, from the Tarheel Scanner/Shortwave Listener's Group, based out of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Marshall and I discuss the benefits of joining a local Scanner Radio Group, how to locate an existing group, and how to start your own group if there aren't any established in your area.

In addition, Marshall and I discuss what his background is and how he became interested in the scanner radio hobby.

You can grab the show notes for today's podcast at www.scannerschool.com/session17

New this week, you can also help support the Scanner School podcast by visiting www.scannerschool.com/support We have several ways to help fund the podcast, including a way that comes at no cost to you!

Don't forget to catch us this Saturday for our FB Live Q&A Session. See our schedule at www.scannerschool.com/events

73

Phil / w2lie

016 - P25 Scanner Radio Reviews and Best Buys Apr 10, 2018

In Today's podcast, we review the current Phase 2 capable scanners on the market

In Session 14 we introduced you P25 systems and hardware.

In Session 15 we discussed Phase 1, Phase 2, X2-TDMA, and conventional P25 as well as some hints and tricks you can use to monitor P25 systems.

This podcast will wrap up our P25 series, for now.

You can grab links and see more reviews on the scanners mentioned on today's podcast at www.scannerschool.com/session16

New this week, you can also help support the Scanner School podcast by visiting www.scannerschool.com/support We have several ways to help fund the podcast, including a way that comes at no cost to you!

Don't forget to catch us this Saturday for our FB Live Q&A Session. See our schedule at www.scannerschool.com/events

015 - P25 Hints and Tricks - Plus Conventional, Phase 1, Phase 2, X2-TDMA Trunking Apr 03, 2018

Last week we introduced P25. This week we build on that introduction session and discuss conventional and trunking with P25. This includes Phase 1, Phase 2, and X2-TDMA systems.

We also have a few hints and tricks for you to optimize your P25 reception on your Uniden, Whistler, GRE, or Radio Shack scanner radio.

You can grab the show notes for today's podcast at www.scannerschool.com/session15

You can also take a look at our glossary for all of the acronyms we used in this session at www.scannerschool.com/glossary

We also have a live Facebook Q&A Session every Saturday at 11am. Join us at www.scannerschool.com/facebook

73

Phil / w2lie

014 - Introduction to P25 Mar 27, 2018

Welcome to P25 aka Project 25 aka APCO-25.

We talk about the 8 modules that make up a P25 system and how they operate.

P25 Conventional is covered as well as NAC.

P25 Trunking, Phase 1, Phase 2, and X2-TDMA will follow in next week's session of the Scanner School Podcast.

If you haven't subscribed to our podcast, please do so now so you don't miss next week's session.

013 - Consulting Call with Jon Goldenberg Mar 20, 2018

Be a fly on the wall on one of my consulting sessions with Jon Goldenberg.

Jon was one of the winners of the Free Consulting Contest that we had in February of 2018.

Jon and I discuss his current scanner needs and discuss some ways on how he can setup his scanners.

We talk about the local P25 and EDACS Trunk systems, close call, P25 threshold settings, and if he should consider using multiple scanners for his monitoring needs.

There is also an idea I have been tossing around at the end of this session, so please be sure to list to the full podcast to know what I have planned at the end of this week.

012 - Trunk Tracker III Scanner Radio Reviews Mar 13, 2018

In this session of Scanner School, we review scanners that support "Analog" trunk systems, or systems that are not completely digital like P25, DMR, or NXDN. These scanners are sometimes called Trunk Tracker III scanners and the scanners we review in this session all support rebanding. You can download session notes for this podcast, as well as additional resources at http://www.scannerschool.com/session12

We also have a new e-guide available for anyone looking for their first scanner. Download a copy of the "5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Scanner" at http://www.scannerschool.com/newscanner

011 - Rebanding Mar 06, 2018

Rebanding is a necessary evil in the 800 MHz spectrum in the United States. In this session of Scanner School, we discuss why rebanding happened, how it changed the landscape of the 800MHz spectrum, and what it means for the scanner radio user.

There will be extra content that goes along with this podcast on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session11

010 - Motorola Trunk Radio Systems Feb 27, 2018

Motorola Type I was the first generation trunk system by Motorola. Motorola Type IIi Hybrid was a bridge to the 2nd Generation Trunk System by Motorola, the Type II Smart Net.

A Smart Net system can be expanded into Smart Zone and Omni Link Systems. We will explain those systems, plus Motorola Type II VOC on the session of Scanner School.

Show notes can be found at https://www.scannerschool.com/session10

Please leave your feedback! https://www.scannerschool.com/speakpipe or at +1 516-308-2885

009 - EDACS Trunk Radio Scanning Feb 20, 2018

In this session of the Scanner School podcast, we discuss the different flavors of EDACS Trunking. We cover EDACS Wide, EDACS Narrow, EDACS SCAT, EDACS-ESK, including AEGIS and ProVoice.

In addition, we answer some listener e-mail questions and give suggestions on discone antennas, coax, and scanners that support EDACS-ESK.

Session notes can be found at www.scannerschool.com/session9

008 - LTR (Logic Trunked Radio) Systems Feb 13, 2018

LTR or Logic Trunked Radio Systems, is a trunking protocol built by E.F. Johnson in the late 1970's. While it is primarily used in my area for business radios, it is the old dinosaur in the trunking world.

There are a few flavors of LTR Trunking. This session focuses on LTR Standard and LTR-Net. We discuss LTR Passport and LTR MultiNet very briefly.

Be sure to join our facebook group for your chance to win a free consulting session.

007 - Introduction to Trunked Radio Systems Feb 06, 2018

Trunked Radio Systems are not difficult to understand one you know how they work. In this session of Scanner School, we talk about the basics of how Trunking works and will be focusing on specific trunk systems in the upcoming episodes.

006 - Entry Level Scanner Radio Reviews Jan 30, 2018

Welcome to Scanner School Session 6 (www.scannerschool.com/session6). We review 3 handheld and 3 desktop scanners that you can use now with what you have learned in Scanner School Sessions 2 - 5.

005 - Common Analog Modulation Types - AM, FM, SSB, WFM, NFM Jan 23, 2018

Today we talk about the more common analog modulation methods, AM, SSB (LSB & USB), FM, NFM, and WFB (WBFM). Session notes are at https://www.scannerschool.com/session5

004 - Simplex, Duplex, and Repeaters Jan 16, 2018

We break down the differences between each and give examples of when each one might be used to communicate. Session notes are at https://www.scannerschool.com/session4

003 - Carrier Squelch, Tone Squelch, and Digital Coded Squelch Jan 09, 2018

In Session 3, we discuss the differences between Carrier Squelch, Tone Squelch, Digital Tone Squelch, and what is a NAC.

Show notes can be found at https://www.scannerschool.com/session3

002 - Frequencies and Hertz Jan 02, 2018

In this session we talk about Frequencies and how we measure them in Hertz.

001 - Welcome to Scanner School Jan 02, 2018

Welcome to the first session of Scanner School, a podcast by Phil Lichtenberger, W2LIE. In this episode, I'll introduce myself and talk about the goals of Scanner School and what you can expect in future episodes.

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