Hand held police, fire scanners ??

[coobie]

With all that is going on in the USA at this time I have considered to purchase a hand held police/fire scanner for our travels threw out our state.The reason to avoid protest areas, do not want any part of that at our age.Looking at the Uniden BCD436HP you type in the zip code you are in and it gives you the local fire/police dept.Anyone have one of these units?

 

[JK22]

Don’t have that particular model, but you should be aware that more and more LEO jurisdictions and FDs have deployed “trunking” which encrypts transmissions and render scanners useless (you just hear a series of beeps followed by static). I have issues with that, but that’s the way it is for now. [I get the LEO argument for why they encrypt, but I also don’t believe in sacrificing liberty for safety].

 

[JK22]

Don’t have that particular model, but you should be aware that more and more LEO jurisdictions and FDs have deployed “trunking” which encrypts transmissions and render scanners useless (you just hear a series of beeps followed by static). I have issues with that, but that’s the way it is for now. [I get the LEO argument for why they encrypt, but I also don’t believe in sacrificing liberty for safety].

Edit to add: there are free smartphone apps out there like 5-0 Radio that will allow you test out what you might be able to hear before deciding whether to purchase a dedicated device.

 

[Diggin It]

Many PDs and SOs have gone encrypted now and no scanners will 'hear' them. Those that haven't, FDs and Medics may have joined elaborate trunked systems such as (MPSCS - Michigan Public Safety Communication System) which scanners have trouble following. Some of those systems are flakey enough that even the high dollar two way systems in the rigs can't communicate reliably. Scanning just ain't what it used to be.

Then there is the other angle. MI law used to strictly prohibit being able to receive PD signals in moving vehicles. Not sure if that has changed.

 

[Diggin It]

have deployed 鍍runking which encrypts transmissions

Trunking and Encryption are not the same. Many trunked systems are in the clear and many encrypted systems are stand-alone, not trunked. Encryption is often selectable where trunking is not. Our units are still on analog VHF-Hi (150Mhz range) and can push a button to encrypt or go clear at will.

 

[JK22]

Trunking and Encryption are not the same. Many trunked systems are in the clear and many encrypted systems are stand-alone, not trunked. Encryption is often selectable where trunking is not. Our units are still on analog VHF-Hi (150Mhz range) and can push a button to encrypt or go clear at will.

Interesting thanks. Was really into the hobby back in the day but lost track of the terminology.

 

[two_bit_score]

Don’t have that particular model, but you should be aware that more and more LEO jurisdictions and FDs have deployed “trunking” which encrypts transmissions and render scanners useless (you just hear a series of beeps followed by static). I have issues with that, but that’s the way it is for now. [I get the LEO argument for why they encrypt, but I also don’t believe in sacrificing liberty for safety].

Yep they could always go to 'scramble' on the old radios when needed but now a lot are digitally scrambled full time.



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[kennyd]

If you have a smartphone, Broadcastify is a great scanner app. Our son is in the local VFD, and follow them frequently.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It used to be so easy. Monitored public service for years. Now it's mostly on Digital Trunking systems and much more complex and expensive to monitor. And most digital systems can easiy be encrypted. Figures, I am served by a rinky dink little PD, but they utilize Motorola Moto-Turbo Encryped radios that pretty much can't be hacked.

 

[coobie]

Great info thanks.