Yes - Episode 122 is being released before episode 121...

We are all starting to feel a little bit cooped up in our homes.  Social distancing is the new normal and keeping inside may be driving you nuts.

Today we go over 12 different radio ways you can keep yourself sane during an insane time.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session122

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

In this episode, Phil plays the live Ask Scanner School session he held on Facebook and YouTube.

This month we answer:

• Has there been anything about new scanners on the horizon from Uniden or Whistler?
• Where should you look for tips if you’re brand new to scanning?
• How to troubleshoot scanning on a Windows 10 Sentinel machine?
• What to do about a hum sound on an SDS-200?
• What impact will the passing of Paul Opitz at Uniden have on future scanner quality?
• Will Phil ever do an IceCast setup tutorial for Windows or Linux?
• Would Phil recommend Butel software for a beginner?
• What is the best antenna to use for your house without breaking the bank?
• Is there a known issue with the Radio Shack Pro 197 resetting its memory?
• How is the SDR class coming along?
• Does DSD support trunking?
• Can you fly with any of your scanning equipment?
• How can using quick keys benefit you?
• Is there a database to identify non-voice signals on scanners?
• What to do if you get an “Unknown” error?
• Are there certain settings to pay attention to, like filters, to improve your audio quality?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session120

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Today we're talking about a classic, the Uniden BC780XLT. 

This radio came out in 2000 and it shook up the scanner radio market. 

Learn why the power that was behind it made it a go-to scanner for many people at the time and what was available for this model on the aftermarket. 

What You Learn in this Week’s Podcast:

• Learn what the BC780XLT could do right out of the box. 
• The BC780XLT was strictly analog.
• You can put a Motorola trunk system in the same bank as conventional frequencies.
•  You can't mix two trunk systems in the same bank but you can mix conventional and trunking together.
• This model allows you to search out CTCSS and DCS tones. 
• You can program 500 channels in 10 banks.
• It works well as a weather receiver
• You can program scan delays that are built-in per channel, and you can have a limit hold on each frequency.
• This scanner has channel alerts.
• A very cool feature is this scanner’s versatile RS232 serial port.
• You have a tape-out on the back of the radio
• Program searches are built-in.
• You can pre-program ten search ranges and have selectable step sizes.
• The display was revolutionary for the time.
• There were many aftermarket software options for this model.
• People took this scanner with them and actually used it as a portable radio.
• Aftermarket Accessories Include:
• • Protective carrying cases for portable use
  • There was a way to have internal battery packs powering the scanner.
  • AM and shortwave broadcasts modification
  • An automatic mute with an RF sensor mod.
  • Remote head kit.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session119

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Have you ever wondered what it takes to set up a dispatch center?

In this episode, Phil talks to his old friend Rob Bambino to discuss his company RF Designs.

Rob's company specializes in consulting with fire departments and local law enforcement to build and maintain their dispatch centers and equipment.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session118

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

Where can you find frequencies that might have Coronavirus-related traffic?

In this episode, Phil shares with you what he’s listening to and makes suggestions for you to find what you might want to listen for in your area.

What You Need To Know

• Some local radio frequencies will be encrypted, but don't expect everything to have encryption.
• You may be able to find local ambulance companies or EMS.
• Many of these dispatches give a rundown of symptoms before responders go in.
• Find frequencies for your local hospitals.
• Don't forget about news frequencies.
• Another suggestion is a university public safety office.
• On a national level, Phil suggests trying TSA, FEMA, and CBP.
• The NIFOG is a group with Homeland Security that responds in emergencies, and Phil has heard them in the past when they responded to Hurricane Sandy on Long Island.
• In search mode, maybe you’ll hear something in aviation or rail, although rail is now being affected by the pandemic.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session117

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Don't forget to join us for our weekly net on Zello. For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

How can you join the Scanner School community in a live Zello chat?

In this episode, Phil walks you through how to create your Zello account and join the Scanner School group, and explains the purpose of the weekly Zello net chat and what sets it apart! 

For info, visit https://www.scannerschool.com/zello

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session116

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Many of you have have been submitting their questions and today I am answering some of them.

This month I answer:

• Difficultly with monitoring in Sacramento California
• How do I program or add talk groups or frequencies to the GRE-PSR800 handheld scanner?
• What is the best scanner available? Who is the best source to purchase from?
• I have an SDS100. Can you tell me the flight watch move for the statewide system in Indiana?

If you have a question about scanning, please visit www.scannerschool.com/ask and leave us a message via SpeakPipe or the local number on our website.   We'll play your message on next month's #AskScannerSchool

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session1115

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Did you know you can use a free app to set up a live scanner feed?

How can you get started?

In this episode, I will walk you through how to set up a live feed of your scanner radio using the free app Zello, including equipment you’ll need and how it compares to setting up a broadcast hosted on your own computer.

PS - Join our NEW Zello channel!

For info, visit https://zello.scannerschool.com

What You Need To Know

• Zello is a free app for your smartphone or other smart device that wasn’t originally built for the scanner radio hobby.
• Zello is a push-to-talk application that allows you to mimic the function of a two-way radio.
• It can be set up with “private rooms” where only one user can talk, or a few trusted users can talk, which makes it perfect for scanner radio broadcasts.
• There is almost no delay in the broadcast like there is with other online broadcasts.
• You can keep multiple rooms open at once.
• To broadcast your scanner, you need a Windows computer that’s always on, a wired Internet connection, a radio scanner with output through a patch cable, potentially an additional sound card depending on your setup, and a separate Zello account just for the live stream.
• Know what your audio input is.
• Turn on Vox and set the activation threshold and deactivation threshold.
• To listen to your channel, open the app on your phone and search for the group you’ve created.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session114

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Do you want to set up your own scanner live feed?

How can you get started?

In this episode, I'll walk you through how to set up a live feed of your scanner radio to be hosted on your home computer, from what hardware you need to specific software settings that need to be changed.  

All of this in less time than it takes to get a pizza delivered

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session113

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support

Does your area have a lot of rail traffic that you want to scan?

How can you get started?

In this episode, we have guest Joe Curtis.  He shares about his background, his setup, how he monitors train location while trackside, and more.

What You Need To Know

• Guest Joe Curtis shares his background and how he got into scanning rail networks.
• The equipment Joe uses and what’s actually necessary to listen to rail traffic.
• What can you hear on a rail scanner?
• The first steps you should take if you want to listen to the rails.
• What does Joe hear most often when listening to the rails?
• You only need the basics to listen to the railroads because they haven’t switched to digital yet.
• Listening to the railroad is a good alternative as police departments increasingly encrypt their radios.
• How Joe uses his iPhone to monitor train location with PC-based software.
• Joe and Phil discuss the benefits and limitations of different rail scanning setups.
• Joe shares advice for those interested in monitoring the railroads.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session112

You can help support Scanner School by visiting our support page at www.scannerschool.com/support