Police Scanner

[vwabbitman]

I spent the last hour searching and didnt find much. So now I am wondering what scanner would work best here in Humboldt County to pick up CHP, HCSO, Eureka, Fortuna(includes Ferndale, Rio Dell) and Arcata. I am getting into law enforcement and want to listen to the radio to 'acustom my ears' to the radio and help me learn local codes easier. I have found a online radio scanner but i dont know which agency is talking. Atleast with a real scanner i will know better what agency is talking. Plus its nice to know what to expect on my half hour drive to work or home before i leave.

I know its not legal for civilian to have a scanner in there car so I will say right now it WILL NOT be in my car unless its off and in the trunk.

[hankido2000]

Contact your local RadioShack.

[syphon157]

I spent the last hour searching and didnt find much. So now I am wondering what scanner would work best here in Humboldt County to pick up CHP, HCSO, Eureka, Fortuna(includes Ferndale, Rio Dell) and Arcata. I am getting into law enforcement and want to listen to the radio to 'acustom my ears' to the radio and help me learn local codes easier. I have found a online radio scanner but i dont know which agency is talking. Atleast with a real scanner i will know better what agency is talking. Plus its nice to know what to expect on my half hour drive to work or home before i leave.

I know its not legal for civilian to have a scanner in there car so I will say right now it WILL NOT be in my car unless its off and in the trunk.

If you want the best, its going to be a digital, non handheld version. I recommend a Uniden.

http://www.uniden.com/products/productlisting.cfm?cat=Scanners&filter=Public%20Safety

[MidnightBlue]

I know its not legal for civilian to have a scanner in there car so I will say right now it WILL NOT be in my car unless its off and in the trunk.

Are you sure it's illegal in CA? What's the PC section because I have one in my car to listen to people at work as well as the surrounding agencies (the same ones you've mentioned, coincidentally). The only law I know of that mentions public safety frequencies is PC 636.5 which only prohibits scanning public safety frequencies in the commission of another crime, if I understand it correctly. If there's some other law, I need to go take it out of my car. :( The officers have never said anything though and they know it's there. It's not like you're able to transmit...

[SgtCHP]

Scanners are not illegal in CA as long as they are not being used for criminal activity. You can get a good portable scanner at most Radio Shacks or electronics stores. Here are some that RS carries...........

http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=scanners&origkw=scanners&sr=1

In order to receive both CHP and local agencies, get one that is VHF/UHF compatible.

Here is a listing of some of the statewide emergency frequencies..

http://www.freqofnature.com/frequencies/ca/oes.html

[MidnightBlue]

Thanks for clearing that up, Sarge. I was hoping I wasn't wrong on that one.

VW,

Here's the scanner that I have:

http://uniden.com/products/productdetail.cfm?product=BCT8&page=2&filter=Public%20Safety

I've had it for a few years and it's served me well. As has been suggested, it's a Uniden and can scan both local and CHP frequencies. It actually has pre-programmed frequencies based on the state you're currently in. Not sure of the practicality of that if they decided to change frequencies...

Anyway, here's an additional frequency database that may also be of use to you:

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/

It's pretty user-friendly and updated fairly regularly.

Hope this helps.

[mdrdep]

In addition radiorefrence has a forum board that can help out a scanner newbie....

[YELLOWLAB]

Humbolt County ya say? I know, it has poor reputation. A beautiful area and great climate for growth!

[417Lt]

Contact your local RadioShack.
And get a copy of their book, "Police Call". You need to learn about the system(s) of the agencies you most want to scan in order to get the right scanner. If one of the agencies has a "trunked system" you will need a scanner that has a much higher scan rate and channel capacity.

[mdrdep]

417LT, "Police Call" is no longer published. Gene the man who published it for years retired about 3 years ago and passed away last year.

[417Lt]

417LT, "Police Call" is no longer published. Gene the man who published it for years retired about 3 years ago and passed away last year.
Doh!
My newest one is a 2000 edition. With all the changes in radio systems I'd offer to give it to someone but it's likely obsolete. I'm sure someone publishes a similar guide. A scanner club might be a good resource.

[VChopefull]

To any other applicants who want to listen to the radio of their agency of choice.....

http://www.freqofnature.com/ is a great website for info as to radio freq's, station ID's and shift symbols in the cal sign's...

[mdrdep]

Both

www.freqofnature.com

and

www.radioreference.com

are 2 of the best sites for scanner enthusiats, I utilize both on a regular basis, the database in radioreference tends to be a little more up to date and nationwide, but freqofnature has some great info. Both sites also have a FCC search engine that will let you look up freq.s in the FCC database as well.