Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby

The Scanning hobby is ever-changing.

Who would have though that at the start of the 2010's we would see touch screen scanners, be able to receive DMR and NXDN, and also use SDR's to pickup almost any signal out there?

What will the next one hold?

In this podcast, we discuss what has happened over the last decade in scanning and what might be coming in the future.

What do you predict we will see in the hobby in the next 10 years?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session106

I've been in the scanning hobby for about 30 years now.

Here are some of the observations that I've made about the hobby since I started.

I hope you enjoy this list!

What are some observations you made about the hobby?

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session105

In this podcast, we discuss where you can find high-quality reviews for the equipment you are looking for.

• Are you searching for new or used equipment?
• What do people think about the products you're looking for?
• Sometimes "good" review for can be hard to find.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session104

Are you not able to afford completely new equipment?

How do you go about finding the best "used" equipment?

What do you look for when buying "used" gear?

In this podcast, we talk about what's changed in finding new gear, how to go about looking for used scanners and the best and safe ways for finding good used equipment.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session103

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

This month I answer:

• Should you be scanning NIFOG Frequencies and why they should be programmed into your scanner
• Scanning the Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network and where to find the frequencies and talk groups
• What type of computer should you buy for radio programming
• What antennas would I recommend for basement dwellers?
• What do the filters do on the SDS100 and SDS200?
• Where do I see the hobby going in the next 10 years?
• Does it look like a SDS100 or SDS200 will be required to monitor the Alameda County Trunk System in California?

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 can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session102

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

The holidays are just around the corner!

Here is my scanner radio and accessory buyer's guide for the 2019 Holiday Season.

Links to purchase all of these recommendations can be round at the link below.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session101

We made it to session 100 of the podcast - and I have something new for you.

A new community for all of you Scanner School members, called scannerschool.club

This will not replace the existing Facebook Group, but will be a place for anyone to join. So if you don't like Facebook here is a way to network with your fellow Scanner School classmates.

Harrison Wilson returns to the podcast to discuss some tips and tricks on how to install your scanning in your vehicle.

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session99

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

This month I answer:

• Why can't I update my SDS 200e?
• Is there a setting to allow me to listen to just My fire station or equipment that I need to do so?
• What external antennas do you recommend?
• How do you input frequencies when not using the Radio Reference Database?

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 can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session98

A big THANK YOU to our continued Patreon Supporters. www.scannerschool.com/support to see how you can help us. Some of the ways you can support us won't cost you any additional money!

We spoke about the dangers of using commercial radios on Session 81 of the podcast

In this podcast, we talk about an actual incident of stolen radios that occurred in the Ohio MARCS P25 System.

Several people were arrested for "stealing" and "pirating" stolen radios IDS that belong on the OHIO MARC Trunk Radio System.

Those arrested were charged with the following:

• Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
• Aggravated theft
• Unauthorized use of computer, cable or telecommunications property
• Criminal simulation
• Impersonating a peace office

What You Need To Know

• The Incident that sparked arrests for stolen radio I.D.'s
• The effect of the stolen pirated I.D.'s
• The charges attributed to the perpetrators.
• Can you actually steal a radio I.D.?
• What you need to be aware of.
• Why you need to scan with a scanner.

Remember - this is now on the radar. People have been charged with possessing, selling, and programming commercial radios.

If you want to monitor a trunk radio system, you are far safer to do so with a communications scanner and not a two way radio. If someone sees you using a two way radio, it can look suspicious.

And now that people have been charged with this, what is to say there won't be more people in possession of personal two way radios that are monitoring a trunk system find themselves in trouble with the law as well.

It is better to be safe than sorry!

All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at www.scannerschool.com/session97