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

Latest Episodes:

175 - Decimal, Binary, Octal, and Hex Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

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.

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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

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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

174 - Scanners vs Receivers Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

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.

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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

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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

173 - What Can You Do When They Encrypt? Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

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.

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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

Show notes

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.

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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:

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

Show notes

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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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

Show notes

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.

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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

Show notes

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.

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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

Show notes

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.

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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

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