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gear:scanner [2024/07/04 00:00] – [Police Scanners] Humphrey Boa-Gartgear:scanner [2024/08/06 05:47] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 The term "//police scanner//" is actually somewhat of a misnomer, as all of the devices described on this page can listen to more than just police frequencies, including fire/EMS, aircraft bands, [[gear:radio#marine-radio|marine radio]], [[gear:wx|weather radio]], [[gear:radio#frsgmrs-walkie-talkies|civilian walkie-talkie channels]], [[gear:radio#amateur-radio|amateur radio]], and much much more. The term "//police scanner//" is actually somewhat of a misnomer, as all of the devices described on this page can listen to more than just police frequencies, including fire/EMS, aircraft bands, [[gear:radio#marine-radio|marine radio]], [[gear:wx|weather radio]], [[gear:radio#frsgmrs-walkie-talkies|civilian walkie-talkie channels]], [[gear:radio#amateur-radio|amateur radio]], and much much more.
  
-Scanners are (usually) only capable of receiving audio. If you want to transmit, you will need a [[gear:radio|two-way walkie talkie or amateur radio]]+Scanners are (usually) only capable of receiving audio. If you want to transmit, you will need a [[gear:radio|two-way walkie talkie or amateur radio]].
  
 ===== Types of Scanners ===== ===== Types of Scanners =====
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 ==== Digital Scanners ==== ==== Digital Scanners ====
  
-If you are looking for maximum compatibility out-of-the-box with minimal configuration, you will need to pony up the cash for a **trunk-tracking digital scanner**. While they are a substantial investment up-front (especially if you have to purchase, yes **//purchase//**, a [[rr>Firmware_Upgrade_(Uniden_DMA_Scanners)|firmware update]] for your model), nothing beats having one of these mounted to your [[:vehicles|vehicle]] or [[gear:molle|tactical bag]], pre-programmed and ready to go.+If you are looking for maximum compatibility out-of-the-box with minimal configuration, you will need to pony up the cash for a **trunk-tracking digital scanner**. While they are a substantial investment up-front (especially if you have to purchase, yes **//purchase//**, a [[rr>Firmware_Upgrade_(Uniden_DMA_Scanners)|firmware update]] for your model), nothing beats having one of these mounted to your [[:vehicles|vehicle]] or [[gear:pals|tactical bag]], pre-programmed and ready to go.
  
 Some popular digital scanners with trunk-tracking capabilities include: Some popular digital scanners with trunk-tracking capabilities include:
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 [[wp>Software-defined radio]] (or **SDR**) is a simple type of radio tuner, which relies on piggybacked software to tell the radio what to do, instead of built-in firmware and hardware components. Many modern consumer radios are now glorified SDR's, as they are far cheaper to manufacture than your typical digital scanner. This is also extremely useful for hobbyists and other people with too much time on their hands, who can spend forever working on the perfect custom radio setup by tweaking some applications on their computer. [[wp>Software-defined radio]] (or **SDR**) is a simple type of radio tuner, which relies on piggybacked software to tell the radio what to do, instead of built-in firmware and hardware components. Many modern consumer radios are now glorified SDR's, as they are far cheaper to manufacture than your typical digital scanner. This is also extremely useful for hobbyists and other people with too much time on their hands, who can spend forever working on the perfect custom radio setup by tweaking some applications on their computer.
  
-The easiest way to get started with SDR, is with **RTL-SDR**, which is built off of the notoriously cheap and widely available [[https://www.realtek.com/Product/Index?id=615&cate_id=194|Realtek RTL2832U]]. For under fifty dollars, you can get an RTL-SDR starter kit from [[https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/|RTL-SDR Blog]] or [[https://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/sdr-receivers/nesdr-smartee.html|Nooelec]], which works with any standard PC and even many phones, as long as you have the right software to make it work.+The easiest way to get started with SDR, is with **RTL-SDR**, which is built off of the notoriously cheap and widely available [[https://www.realtek.com/Product/Index?id=615&cate_id=194|Realtek RTL2832U]]. For under fifty dollars, you can get an RTL-SDR starter kit from [[https://www.rtl-sdr.com/buy-rtl-sdr-dvb-t-dongles/|RTL-SDR Blog]] or [[https://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/sdr-receivers/nesdr-smartee.html|Nooelec]], which works with any standard PC and even many phones, as long as you have the right software to make it work. With RTL-SDR you can only receive (no transmit) which is fine if you are using it as a scanner, though some high-end SDR models let you transmit as well.
  
 **Note: If you choose to go the RTL-SDR route, __do so through Nooelec or RTL-SDR Blog__. Because anyone can order a crate of these RTL2832U chips and haphazardly slap them in a case, there are many RTL-SDR knockoffs which are infamously unreliable. DO NOT try to cheap out on these already inexpensive chips by going to Aliexpress or eBay, as YOU WILL REGRET IT.** **Note: If you choose to go the RTL-SDR route, __do so through Nooelec or RTL-SDR Blog__. Because anyone can order a crate of these RTL2832U chips and haphazardly slap them in a case, there are many RTL-SDR knockoffs which are infamously unreliable. DO NOT try to cheap out on these already inexpensive chips by going to Aliexpress or eBay, as YOU WILL REGRET IT.**
gear/scanner.1720051207.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/08/06 05:50 (external edit)

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