A “police scanner” is another name for a radio scanner, a communications device that monitors radio signals in your area. In addition to communications from emergency personnel like police and firefighters, scanners can also be programmed with frequencies to various other public communications offices, including schools, media, and utility companies. Scanners are often used by hobbyists for fun, but they can also be used for business communications or to keep people safe in emergency situations. While using a scanner is a straightforward process, the initial process of programming the frequencies you want to receive can be a bit complicated.
Programming A Basic Model
1. Read the manufacturer’s information. When you buy a scanner from an electronics or hobby store, it should come with a brochure with details of its make and model.
- Each make and model of scanner is configured differently. It is therefore advisable to follow the individual instructions.
2. Find frequencies. Different regional agencies use different frequencies or “channels” for communication purposes, and you can find frequencies for the agencies you want to track in your area.
- A frequency is the number that you will need to program into your scanner to listen to the specific service provider that you want to hear. As scanners operate over radio waves, you can only receive signals from local frequencies, just as you can only listen to local radio stations broadcasting in your area.
- To find local frequencies, search online for the information or ask the retailer where you purchased your scanner.
- You can also try www.radioreference.com, which can be viewed by city. Once you’ve located your city, you can choose the frequencies that interest you, including businesses, airports / aviation, utility companies, media, schools, and numerous different sorts of organizations.
- If you are interested in national frequencies, go to www.dxing.com/scanfreq.htm, where you will find a list of frequencies such as the National Guard and the National Weather Service.
- When you find frequencies that you want to program into your scanner, write their reference numbers in a list. You will need the list to be easily accessible when programming the scanner, so place the list where you can see it.
3. Connect the antenna and plug in the scanner. You can go ahead and turn it on now to make sure it works without issues.
- Because you haven’t programmed any local frequencies yet, don’t be surprised if you only hear white noise. This is totally normal.
4. Locate the programming button. Depending on your scanner model, it may be labeled “Prog” or “PGM”.
- This button may be located in different places on different scanner models. Ask your dealer for the location if it is difficult to find, or consult your owner’s manual.
5. Press the programming button. You may need to briefly press the button to activate the schedule function.
- Look at the top of the screen. On most models, you will see “CH” flashing on the display to indicate that it is ready to program a channel.
6. Enter the channel number. A channel is where you store your frequencies so you can easily access them when you need them. Think of it like the preset buttons on your car stereo.
- The channel number is a three digit number used to store your frequencies.
7. Enter one of your frequency numbers. You should do this directly after entering your channel number, as this will locate that particular frequency in that particular channel.
- The recurrence number is typically five or six digits in length and contains a decimal point. Utilize the numeric keypad to enter the numbers. For example, if your number is 123.456, you would press the keys in this order: 1-2-3-decimal-4-5-6.
- You can arrange the channels and their frequencies however you want, but one of the methods is to use a particular channel for emergency agencies like police, fire department, etc. another channel for local media; another channel for utility companies; etc. Keep a list of the places where you went out of your way to facilitate future research.
8. Press Enter. “You should do this directly after entering the channel followed by the frequency.
- Now the frequency you entered is in this channel.
9. Verify that the process was successful by going to another frequency and enter “MAN, 110, MAN. “
- After entering the sequence MAN, 110, MAN, your channel and frequency should appear.
- Re-program the scanner if the test failed using the same process.
- Repeat the process with all the frequencies you want to program into your scanner until you have the frequencies organized among the channels as you like.
- When you have finished programming the scanner, press your programming button (“Prog” or “PGM”) again to exit programming mode.To get more info about the program a police scanner you can visit at Techrogers.
