Scanner for multi-bands

[RLGray]

Hello all, shopping for a scanner that receives Ham, GMRS, Police etc, for a youngster who’s interested in getting into communications. Any suggestions? Thanks

[WyoJoe]

1 hour ago, RLGray said:

Hello all, shopping for a scanner that receives Ham, GMRS, Police etc, for a youngster who’s interested in getting into communications. Any suggestions? Thanks

There are lots of options, and which would be best will depend largely on what the youngster is interested in.

One inexpensive option would be an SDR dongle that can attach to a computer. There are units that can scan most of the radio spectrum. Of course a decent antenna is also required to make the most of it.

Another, possibly less expensive, option would be to use a scanner application on a mobile phone. Scanner Radio is one that I know of. These applications allow the user to select the bands they wish to listen to from those that are available. There are some limitations to what's available to listen to, but if you already have the device, there is little or no cost to this option.

[tweiss3]

This is going to depend on many things, including your area, and where you intend to listen (car, home, etc.). It could be as simple as a small antenna on the window and an RTL-SDR usb dongle and some free software or as expensive as a Uniden SDS100/200 scanner.

[RLGray]

Thanks for the replies. The Uniden is a nice radio, but that’s a little out of my price range. Is there something comparable at a budget price?


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[tweiss3]

16 minutes ago, RLGray said:

Thanks for the replies. The Uniden is a nice radio, but that’s a little out of my price range. Is there something comparable at a budget price?


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That's where you need to think about the above questions. Where do you intend to listen? Where do are you located?

Public Safety radio has made some significant changes the past 10 years, and most (not all) have gone to large digital trunked systems which cannot be listened to with basic scanners. This is really beyond the scope of this GMRS forum. I suggest you go to RadioReference and take some time reading through the database for your area and the scanning forums.

You might be able to listen to all you want with your computer, then again, maybe not.

[wrci350]

32 minutes ago, tweiss3 said:

I suggest you go to RadioReference and take some time reading through the database for your area and the scanning forums.

You might be able to listen to all you want with your computer, then again, maybe not.

+1 on RadioReference.  If you register for an account, you can post in your (or your youngster's) state forum and folks who are local can assist.

Or feel free to give us a state and county and we can give you a more informed recommendation.  RR is definitely The Place for scanner folks though.

[axorlov]

Another vote for RadioReference. To get useful info, you do not need to  register, just go to Databases (https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/) find your location, see what's around and what standards and modulations.

Years ago I used to have a simple trunking BC245XLT scanner, and was able to listen to my towns police, fire, sheriff nearby, jail, CHP, railroad, BART, pretty much everything. Now, with the move to P25, only available sources to listen are CHP, bus company, BART and railroad. P25 scanners are expensive.

[RLGray]

Ok thanks everyone. That gives me some good information and another source.


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[AdmiralCochrane]

In my area not all agencies have moved to P25 and there is still a lot for a kid to listen to.  I still use a BC245XLT from time to time.  I bought it on eBay a couple years ago, since 245XLT is no longer state of the art, it can be had cheap

[PACNWComms]

Another option is to find an old scanner. While many public safety systems are digital (P25 Phase 1 or 2 or both) there is a lot that is still old school analog. AM aviation 121.5/243.0MHz, amateur/FRS/GMRS calling frequencies, wireless devices, and 88-108 MHz broadcast radio. Get something with push button programming, PLL circuit, and a decent display. Think Radio Shack Pro-2032/2004/2006 that does AM/FM and VHF/UHF and there will still be a lot out there to listen to. Sure, a phone application works, but loses some of that "radio" aspect. I have found many handheld scanners at thrift stores and yard sales, where the battery compartment just needed to be cleaned out with DeOxit. Add new batteries and it was back in service.

Even in 2021, there are many "retro" aspects of a desktop or handheld scanner from the 80's-2000's that still appeal to many. Most areas have an airport, FRS/GMRS analog radio on UHF, and some VHF transmitters that can be heard. Make it a contest how many different channels/frequencies/people can be heard in 5 minutes, or a specific area.....get creative, and good luck.