Police Scanners?

[8baal]

A few nights ago a friend of mine saved my ass from this big graduation party because he had a police scanner in his car, locked in on the cops frequencies, i was able to get the hell out of there before they showed. I realized then i should get something like this, also it was pretty cool, does anyone have any idea what police scanners are good, ones to avoid, ones to buy, im all ears. :grin:

[1-3-2-4]

Most departments have a trunked radio system.. the HQ has a master frq and the cops in the cars talk to the master channel but not on the same channel as the HQ but it's picked up on it..

Anyways look for one that's dual trunking.. Now some departments are moving over to digital if not already.. it's called rebranding and for that you need a digital scanner.. most seem to cost around $400-600 for them.

check here to see what your area is on.

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/

*edit

You are in NY so I know for sure they are trunked.. also be careful since your not allowed to have a scanner in the car by NYS law..

The only way is by having a Amateur Radio license but that's a whole other story I wont get into

[8baal]

wow that site is pretty sweet, i found a hand held radio-shack scanner the pro-164 its around $200, its a triple trunking and extremely high quality says some reviews though am i being scammed on the price like can i find a cheaper one do you think some where else?

[Perdue]

There are so many different types of radios hitting the market right now that it's not funny. From standard VHF, to UHF, to the UHF Digital radios. Find out what they are using in your area, as it was mandated by the federal government in the midst of 9/11 that all emergency services go to the UHF Digital radios after 911 to assist in maintaining a cohesive command structure in the event of a disaster. These radios are far too expensive though, leaving most departments and agencies unable to comply. The ones we are using here on the ambulance act more like a cell phone and are heavily encoded. Supposedly "scanner-proof" unless you have the proper equipment and access. Most Police departments here either don't have the money to buy the new radios, or they just haven't been forced to do so. We use Nextel's to do anything we don't want heard on the radio anyways, thereby avoiding the heads-up criminals with scanners may get. The days of "Scanner-land" are being phased out, like it or not.

As far as legality, it will vary from state to state. Some states do not allow scanners for non-emergency personnel, while others, like West Virginia, state that you may have a scanner in your vehicle as long as it is not used to aid in an illegal act. Proving that is kinda tough though.