Scanner (radio)

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Uniden BCD396D handheld trunktracking scanner.
Uniden BCD396D handheld trunktracking scanner.

A scanner is a radio receiver that automatically tunes, or scans, two or more discrete frequencies. Generally, scanners cover the non-broadcast radio bands between 30 and 950 MHz using FM, although there are models that cover more of the radio spectrum and use other modulation types.

Scanners developed from earlier tunable and fixed-frequency radios that received one frequency at a time. Non-broadcast radio systems, such as those used by public safety agencies, do not transmit continuously. With a radio fixed on a single frequency, many minutes could pass between signals. The development of the scanner, with its multiple frequencies, allowed the radio to move on to the next frequency after a transmission ended on the first frequency.

Popular amongst hobbyists, reporters, corporate spies, criminals and lawyers, scanners allow chosen frequencies to be stored in memory banks to allow them to be monitored later and will only stop scanning when there is a signal strong enough to break the radio's squelch setting.

Scanners first became popular and widely available during CB Radio's heyday in the 1970s. The first scanners often had between four and ten channels and required a separate crystal for each frequency received. Modern programmable scanners allow hundreds or thousands of frequencies to be entered via a keypad and stored in various 'memory banks' and can scan at a rapid rate due to modern microprocessors.

A hand-held wide band communications receiver.
A hand-held wide band communications receiver.

Many recent models will allow scanning of the specific DCS or CTCSS code used on a specific frequency should it have multiple users. One memory bank can be assigned to air traffic control, another can be for local marine communications, and yet another for local police frequencies. These can be switched on and off depending on the user's preference. Most scanners have a weather radio band, allowing the listener to tune into weather radio broadcasts from within 50 miles (or even greater) of a weather radio transmitter.

Active frequencies can be found by searching the internet and frequency reference books or can be discovered through a radio's search function. An external antenna for a desktop scanner or an extendable antenna for a handheld unit is a good idea for optimum performance.

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[edit] Legal issues

Radio scanners have had a mixed response from law enforcement agencies and sometimes championed by those supporting civil liberties. In some communities, law enforcement has chosen to encrypt their communications. Although scanners capable of following trunked radio systems and demodulating some digital radio systems such as APCO Project 25 are available, decryption-capable scanners would be a violation of United States law and possibly laws of other countries.

A law passed by Congress of the United States (under the pressure of cellular telephone interests) prevented scanners sold in the U.S. from tuning the 800 MHz cellular band. Later, the law was amended to make it impossible to modify radios to receive those frequencies. This law remains in effect even though few cellular subscribers still use analog technology. Typically, there are Canadian and European "unblocked" versions available, however these are illegal to import into the U.S. The cordless phone bands at 43.720--44.480,46.610--46.930 MHz and 902.000 – 906.000 MHz can still be picked up by many scanners. These bands, too, are illegal to monitor in the U.S. The proliferation of scanners led to cordless phone manufacturers going to a much more secure 2.4 GHz system using spread-spectrum technology. Certain states in the U.S., such as New York and Florida, prohibit the use of scanners in a vehicle unless licensed by the FCC.

In the United Kingdom and France, it is illegal to listen to almost anything outside the amateur radio and broadcast bands. Canada allows any analog transmission to be monitored but content of the communication may not be disclosed. In some parts of the United States, there are extra penalties for the possession of a scanner during a crime. Other countries consider possession of a scanner at any time an offense.

In the United States, the general guidelines to follow when using a radio scanner are that it is illegal to:

  • listen in on cellular and cordless phone calls,
  • intercept encrypted or scrambled communications,
  • sell or import radio scanners that are capable of receiving cellular phone frequencies (Note: This rule does not apply to sales by individuals and radio scanners made before 1985),
  • modify radio scanners so that cellular phone frequencies can be received,
  • use information received for personal gain (A common example is where a taxi driver listens to a competitor's dispatch channel to steal a customer),
  • use information received to aid in the commission of a crime, or
  • disclose information received to other persons.

A full text copy of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 can be found here: "Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986"

[edit] International Scanner Laws

  • United States of America: It is illegal to tune to the 800 MHz cellular band.
  • New Zealand: According to the [Act 1989] It is legal to possess and use a scanner at any time to tune to any any private voice radio (not encrypted data) provided that private information is not passed on or disclosed to any other person(s) or party(s).
  • Australia: It is legal to possess a scanner. It is legal to listen to any transmission that is not classified as telecommunication (i.e. anything not connected to the telephone network).

[edit] See also

Portal:Electronics
 Electronics Portal

[edit] External links

[edit] Radio Frequency Sources

There are numerous websites which provide lists of frequencies for emergency services and businesses in various areas of the world. These are among the most prominent.

[edit] Scanner Manufacturers

[edit] Scanner Laws

[edit] Other links

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