Scanner Tip: Aircraft Listening with the Air Scanner Package

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Rich Carlson

One of the favorite uses of scanners is for aircraft. It is exciting to listen to control towers, air to air, air shows and other aviation communications.

Some airports have viewing areas that allow you to watch aircraft operations. A scanner will allow you to listen to the operations and know what is coming along next. For the aviation photographer a scanner is essential!

One of the best aviation scanners is the Uniden BC125AT due to its compact size, easy operations, low price and great features. We put together an Air Scanner Package based on the BC125AT specifically for the aviation fan, this include the W901 Airband antenna, leather carry case, AC and DC power adaptors and a Starter Aviation Frequency list. This package gets you up and running quickly!

The BC125AT handles the civilian VHF aircraft band (108-137) and the Military UHF Aircraft band (225-380) as well as other analog communications like railroads, some police, fire, EMS and business traffic. This is an easy to program and use scanner at a great price. For serious photographers we suggest keeping a scanner in the camera bag as well, at this price it is very affordable and the size is small enough to leave plenty of room for lenses and camera bodies.

Check out the BC125AT Air Scanning Package!

Please follow and like us:

New Product – Indoor 762-894 MHz 5dB Gain Omni Antenna W/Desk Stand

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Jonathan Higgins

Finally there is an omni-directional indoor antenna option for 700-800 MHz with some serious gain. The Indoor 762-894 MHz 5dB Gain Omni Antenna W/Desk Stand comes complete with desk stand and 6 feet of coax cable with a BNC connection for your scanner. This sharp looking but very compact antenna packs a punch bringing in digital and analog 700 and 800 MHz systems. Its also does an excellent job of also receiving 400-500 MHz channels as well.

Includes the following:

762-894 MHz 5dB Panorama Elevated Omni Antenna
BNC Female to N Male Connector
RG58 Jumper Cable, 6′, BNC Male to BNC Male
Desk Stand

Please follow and like us:

Scanner Tip: Care and feeding of scanner batteries

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Rich Carlson

If you use handheld scanners then you have to manage batteries. Most scanners come with or use rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride cells, often abbreviated to Ni-MH. There are still some older Nickel Cadmium (“Ni-Cad”) cells still around. There is also a newer technology called Lithium Ion (“LI”). If you still use one of the older scanners with composite battery packs (like the BC250D or BC296D) these likely use or NiMH battery packs.

Current scanners almost always use “AA” sized batteries. AA Ni-MH batteries are very common these days and can be found almost anywhere and are also used in a wide variety of different applications. LI batteries are more expensive but are lighter in weight and provide longer life in many instances.

If you charge your batteries in the radio then remember that it is likely set up for Ni-MH. If you use Ni-Cad or LI cells then the charge times will be different. If your radio supports altering charge times then you could change it to match.

Whatever you do make sure that ALL the cells in the radio are the same! Do not mix different types of cells. Also make sure that you do not try to charge alkaline cells like Duracell or Ray-O-Vac’s! This is an easy way to blow things up and make nasty things happen. If you do this warranty will not cover you and the repairs are on you.

If you want to use rechargeable batteries that are different than the ones that came with the radio then consider a separate charger. This would allow you to manage 2 or 3 sets, one for current use and another for standby when the current ones are depleted and a third set in the charger. Make sure the charger you use is appropriate for the batteries you use.

What about Alkalines? Alkaline batteries, such as Duracell’s, Energizer or Ray-O-Vac brands, are great for scanners. You do need to make sure that you do not try to charge them. On many Uniden scanners there is a tiny switch inside the battery compartment that you can select Alkaline or Ni-MH. If you select Alkaline the radio will not attempt to charge batteries in the radio. If you have a RadioShack, GRE or Whistler handheld scanner then the yellow battery holder will charge your batteries when the radio is plugged into an outside power source, so do not use the yellow holder for alkalines. The black battery holder is used for alkaline batteries.

One other thing to consider is that rechargeable batteries produce a slightly lower voltage than alkaline ones do. Typically rechargeable cells produce 1.2 to 1.25 volts compared to 1.5 volts for alkalines at full charge. Usually this is not a problem; the extra quarter-volt per cell is not going to burn up your radio. Using higher voltage alkaline cells will allow the radio to run a bit longer before the battery warning starts.

Here is a little hint for users of later Uniden scanners: You can see how many volts your battery has at any time by pressing the rotary knob down while scanning. Make note of the voltage with fresh cells and the voltage when the battery warning starts. This will give you a good idea of when to expect the need to change or charge the batteries.

I always try to keep an extra set of batteries handy when I am out and about. Save those little battery boxes or use something to keep the batteries from shorting and bouncing around. I use a prescription bottle; larger ones are perfect for 3 or 4 AA’s! I can then toss that in the glove box. Just remember to take off the label so the world doesn’t find out what meds you take. Do they make a pill that will cure a scanner addiction?

Please follow and like us:

Scanner Tip of the Day: Search, Search, Search!

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Rich Carlson

Most scanners these days have Search functions. These can be “Service Search”, “Range Search” and some sort of near-field search. Each works differently but provides a similar result: New stuff to listen to.

Service Search allows you to root out users of specific services, like aircraft, marine, railroads etc. Select the service you want from your scanner’s controls and the radio will go thru frequencies used by that service and stop on active traffic. Like to listen to planes, trains or boats but don’t know what channels they use in your area? Use Service Search and find out.

Range Search allows you to set up a pair of frequencies (or several pairs on some radios) and search from one end to the other over and over, stopping on active frequencies. This is handy if you know about where they operate or want to search out and find new stuff in a specific frequency range.

Near Field reception (called CloseCall by Uniden, Spectrum Sweeper on GRE and Whistler radios etc.) is a fascinating way to find operations where you least expect it. CloseCall and it’s brethren allows you to find a nearby transmission so you can listen to very local operations. While it works a little differently behind the scenes, the results are very similar with GRE/RadioShack and Whistler radios.

On a mobile scanner in a vehicle using an outside antenna you may well hear base station traffic within a few miles or so and mobile radios within a few blocks. Using a handheld scanner your range will be less but then likely you will want to hear stuff closer to you anyway.

Next time you are at the mall take your handheld scanner with a set of earbuds and walk around a bit. You will be amazed at the amount of radio traffic you can hear. The largest department stores to the little boutiques all use radios these days. It isn’t just the security and maintenance guys either.

Some radios also let you store hits from the various Searches. Then you can go back and review them to figure out who or what they are.

Please follow and like us:

New Product – New 700/800MHz Base Antenna

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Jonathan Higgins

Having a hard time receiving trunked and digital 700 and 800 MHz systems?

The new “762-894 MHz 5dB Panorama Elevated Omni Antenna” is a great tuned omnidirectional antenna. This antenna can be used for temporary field use or permanent installations. Flexible helical elements are used to provide an effective but compact ground plane. The center fitting has a metal body to carry the radials and a moulded insulator for the radiator. The whip element is plastic coated for weather proofing and durability. The antenna is only 15″ tall and 4 1/2″ in diameter but with its 5 db of gain it does an outstanding job receiving 700/800 MHz systems and interestingly it does an excellent job of also receiving 400-500 MHz channels as well. A great find. – Order Now

Please follow and like us:

Hamvention 2015

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Jonathan Higgins

AOR to demonstrate their new AR-DV1 Multi-Mode Digital Receiver at the Scanner Master booth #402 on Friday May 15th at 2 PM

We are so pleased and excited to announce that Taka Nakayama of AOR-USA will be at our booth on Friday afternoon at the Dayton Hamvention this year to demonstrate the eagerly awaited, all-new, AR-DV1 receiver.

The DV1 is the first radio that provides decoding of many of the digital formats which no other scanner is able to receive, including:

MotoTrbo ™
DMR ™
dPMR ™
NXDN ™

as well as numerous amateur radio digital formats from Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom and Alinco. The radio will also decode APCO-25 Phase I digital as well as conventional analog traffic. (The receiver does not trunk). MotoTrbo systems are now used by public safety agencies and business around the country and the world. NXDN is used by public safety as well as railroads around the nation.

This radio is a huge breakthrough and we hope you’ll join us at Dayton this year to see the receiver in action, live at our booth. We also will have a small stock available for purchase at the show. Gommert Buysen of BuTel Software will once again be at our booth as well.

The Dayton Hamvention
Friday May 15, 2015 – Sunday, May 17, 2015
Hours are as follows:
Flea Market
Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Inside Exhibitors
Friday: 9;00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Please follow and like us:

Why Do I Need a Uniden Scanner with Internet Scanner Apps?

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Scanner Master

One common question people have in today’s Internet and app heavy environments is whether a handheld Uniden scanner or Whistler scanner is really necessary since people can access online police scanners. Handheld police scanners are still an essential piece of hardware for people to own for several reasons.

Running a scanner app on your smart phone limits your channel selections. With an app, you are limited to a few frequencies rather a full spectrum of scanner radio frequencies. With a battery operated handheld scanner you have access to more channels, the ability to monitor your local area better with access to not only sheriff, police, and fir dispatch channels, but also tactical, detective, SWAT, state police, highway patrol, fire ground, and numerous other channels rarely offered on scanner apps. In addition, you can monitor public works, university police, transits and so much more. Remember too, that thousands of local, county, and state agency dispatch channels are not offered on apps since there is no one local in many areas feeding the audio to the Internet. These apps generally rely on hobbyists, who may just decide to take down their feed at any time.

Also, consider you are home during a severe thunderstorm and the power goes out. Your home Internet and cellular hotspot services are down and not working. As a result, you cannot access online police scanners from your computer or smart phone. You have no way of knowing what is going on because you are cut off from the police radio scanner transmissions.

However, if you have a battery operated handheld scanner radio, like the Uniden BCD436HP or Uniden HomePatrol HP2, it does not matter if the power is out or whether your Internet or hotspot service is functioning. You are able to listen and monitor radio frequencies from your local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency responders, as well as other numerous other agencies in your community, and know exactly what is going on in regards to the severe storm.

If you are like 90 percent-plus of the people out there who buy police scanners to listen to live police scanner audio feeds and fire department audio feeds, you want to make sure you hear all of the transmissions from city, county, volunteer, and state agencies. The easiest way to ensure you are able to monitor all of these transmissions is with a Uniden scanner, like the BCD436HP or HomePatrol HP2.

How to Program a BCD436HP and HomePatrol HP2 Uniden Scanner Radios

The BCD436HP and HomePatrol HP 2 Uniden scanner radios are one of the easiest scanners on the market to program. You do not need an advanced degree in computers and electronics to program this scanner. It is as simple as entering in your zip code into the scanner. The scanner does all the work and downloads all of the available scanner radio frequencies available in your area. If you ever want to update the radio frequencies, like if you take the handheld scanner with you on vacation, you just enter in the zip code for wherever you are and the scanner updates to that location.

To learn more about handheld Uniden scanner radio models, including the BCD436HP or HomePatrol HP2, or for professional assistance in choosing the best scanner for your area and needs, contact us today at 1-800-SCANNER (1-800-722-6637).

Please follow and like us:

Selecting Your First Radio Scanner

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Scanner Master

Buying your first radio scanner requires understanding the differences between radio systems and scanner frequencies. While you do not need to know exactly how each radio system works, you do need to know which ones are used in your area. It is never safe to assume, just because you live in a small town, your needs will be met with a basic analog scanner. You would be surprised by how many smaller communities have state-of-the-art radio systems, requiring either trunking or digital scanners to listen to two-way radio communications.

Find out what radio systems are used in your town. The first step to selecting a radio scanner is to conduct a little research and find out what radio systems fire, police, and other agencies use for communications. The easiest way to do this is to use our free scanner comparison tool. All you have to do is choose your desired listening range and enter in your zip code. Next, select the counties you want to monitor on your new police scanner to see important information about the radio systems used.
Compare scanner radios based compatible with your location. Our scanner comparison tool also shows you several different models of hand-held portable, mobile, and desktop scanners that will pick up scanner frequencies in your location. The key thing to remember is that it is not what features and options are on the scanner, but the type of radio systems used in your area. Every location is different, and the police scanner has to be matched to the radio systems.
Consider what agencies you want to monitor. Most people buy a scanner to listen to fire, police, and emergency medical responder transmissions. A small percentage of people also use their scanner radios to listen to other government agencies, railroad communications, campus police, and racer/pit crew communications at live NASCAR racing events. Choose a scanner based on the scanner frequencies you want to hear.
Radio systems used in your town can change. Police, fire, emergency responders, and other agencies do upgrade radio systems from time to time. Keep this in mind when selecting a compatible scanner. For instance, if your city currently uses a basic analog radio system, they might decide to upgrade it to a trunking system in the future. Unless you have a scanner capable of picking up both analog and trunking communications, you would no longer be able to monitor any frequencies moved to the new system. You may want to check with your city or county planning commission to find out if there are any plans for upgrading the radio system in the near future before purchasing your new police scanner.
Support options for the scanner. If you know you are going to need help programming and updating the scanners firmware, it is recommended you look at models that can be plugged into a computer. This way, in most cases, you are able to receive remote desktop scanner support without having to send in your scanner any time you need help.

For more information about police scanner radios or friendly assistance from one of our scanner experts, contact us today at 1-800-SCANNER (1-800-722-6637).

Please follow and like us:

What Is the Best Police Scanner?

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Scanner Master

One frequently asked question by people in the scanner world, as well as those interested in purchasing their first new scanner, is which one is the best police scanner to own. The most straightforward answer is: it depends on the situation. There are several key factors that need to be evaluated to determine what radios scanners are most appropriate for your needs and, from there, these can then be narrowed down to the best scanner radio.

What scanner frequencies are you going to be listening to? Do you want to monitor police, fire, and EMT channels only, or do you also want to be able to listen to railroad, NASCAR racing, and other public broadcast channels?
What signal formats do you need to listen to your favorite scanner frequencies? You need to find out whether local police, fire, EMTs, and other channels you want to listen to use analog, analog trunking, or digital scanner frequencies, or some combination thereof.
How do you intend to use the scanner? If you only intend to listen to transmissions from your home office, a desktop radio scanner could be sufficient. However, if you want to be able to listen to scanner radios while on the go, you need to determine if a handheld or mobile police scanner meets your needs.
How many channels and how much memory does the scanner have? If you intend to save multiple favorites in the scanner, you should look at models with more memory. The number of channels is really not important. What truly is important is the type of radio systems used in your local area. You could have a high end scanner with all the bells and whistles, but may not need it.
How much does the scanner cost? Some people get hung up on cost and think the higher the price, the better the scanner. This is not always the case, and you need to be careful the price does not distract you too much. Remember, you are looking for a scanner with the features and options to satisfy your listening requirements.
How difficult is it to program the scanner? If you are tech savvy, then this probably is not an issue. For other scanner users, there are one-touch programmable scanners where you simply enter in the zip code, and the scanner downloads all available scanner channels. Another option for more complex scanners is to have the scanner preprogrammed before it is shipped to your home or office.
Is the scanner computer friendly? Many modern scanners can be connected to desktop and laptop computers to make downloading radio frequencies and installing firmware updates simple and easy. You are able to obtain remote support for most programming and scanner update issues with computer-friendly models.
What is included with the scanner? Some models include everything you need to get started, while others could require purchasing additional accessories, like an external antenna to pick up more frequencies.

For further assistance in selecting the best police scanner, contact us today at 1-800-SCANNER (1-800-722-6637).

Please follow and like us:

The Easy Way to Program and Load Scanner Codes into Police Scanners

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Scanner Master

There are numerous methods for programming and loading scanner codes into police radio scanners. The most appropriate method for your scanner radio depends on the make, model, and type of scanner. Some scanner models are simple and easy to program, and do not have to be manually programmed, like the Bearcat BCD436HP. To program and load scanner codes into this Uniden scanner you simply enter in the zip code of your location. The scanner automatically loads all available police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) channels and scanner frequencies.

Another scanner model that does not require any programming knowledge to load scanner frequencies is the Bearcat BCD536HP model. Just like the BCD436HP model, you enter in your zip code, and the scanner radio does all the work. Both of these Uniden models are well suited for anyone who wants to listen to police, fire, and EMS transmissions, but who does not have the patience or ability to manually program the scanner by hand.

If you are considering Whistler scanners or other models without the zip code feature, and are new to the scanner world, loading scanner codes is not difficult if you have them preloaded at the time of purchase. Your scanner supplier is fully capable of loading and programming your Whistler scanner, like the WS1010 analog handheld police scanner radio, based on where you live, before they ship it to your home or office.

How Do I Get Scanner Codes Updated if I Move and Need Help?

There are a few different options for having your scanner codes updated any time you move to a new location. If you have either a BCD436HP or BCD536HP model, just enter in your new zip code, and the scanner updates itself. If you do not have a scanner with the zip code programming feature, many of the modern scanner radio models on the market today are able to be connected directly to your desktop or laptop computer using a USB connection cable. If you have one of these models, you can obtain Home Town Programming Remote Services. This unique service is where your scanner is reprogrammed using your Internet connection and sharing access to your computer with the scanner programing technician, while the scanner is plugged into your computer.

In situations where your scanner model is older and not able to be connected to your computer, or you do not have a reliable Internet connection for Home Town Programming Remote Services, your other option to have your scanner reprogrammed is to use Home Town Programming Mail-in Service. This is where you mail in your scanner and have the scanner codes updated for your new location. You may also have the firmware in your scanner updated to the latest version while it is being serviced.

For more information about either of these programming services, or assistance in selecting a brand new scanner model, feel free to call us today at 1-800-SCANNER (1-800-722-6637) and speak to one of our friendly and experienced scanner technicians.

Please follow and like us:

Scanner Master Blog

The Nation's Oldest and Largest Scanner Only Dealer

Scanner Tip: Aircraft Listening with the Air Scanner Package

New Product – Indoor 762-894 MHz 5dB Gain Omni Antenna W/Desk Stand

Scanner Tip: Care and feeding of scanner batteries

Scanner Tip of the Day: Search, Search, Search!

New Product – New 700/800MHz Base Antenna

Hamvention 2015

Why Do I Need a Uniden Scanner with Internet Scanner Apps?

Selecting Your First Radio Scanner

What Is the Best Police Scanner?

The Easy Way to Program and Load Scanner Codes into Police Scanners