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Laura’s |
 Ditch the duck. That’s right, toss the “rubber duck” antenna if you’re trying to hear more distant stations on your scanner. An outside antenna works much better, whether you’re in a vehicle or building. |
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Look at all those new scanners in those ads! They sure beat that old 10-channel, crystal-controlled radio you’ve got on the shelf. But which one is right for you? I’ve compiled these “top-10” questions for you to ask yourself in the hopes that they’ll save you time—and money—as you search for that new scanner. 1. Which scanner should I buy? This is an age-old question, one that’s been around since we had more than two scanners to choose from. The best scanner isn’t the one with the most “bells and whistles”—it’s the one that meets your needs. You should buy the scanner that has the features you need, the frequency ranges you want to listen to, and that carries a price you can afford. Of course, the “perfect” scanner is another story entirely. Though many consider the Uniden BC780XLT the perfect blend of conventional and trunking capabilities, the new BC785D and its handheld brother, the BC250D, may soon grab the “perfect scanner” title for those of us inundated with digital systems. Then again, every scanner lacks something that someone considers a must-have feature. Remember, the best scanner is the one that does what you want it to do. 2. Where can I find the frequencies in use in my city?
Frequencies are the heart and soul of
scanning; without them we just hear the hiss of white noise. Getting the
right frequencies for your area can be difficult if you don’t know where
to look. Most of us start out with the bible of scanner frequencies, Gene
Hughes’ Police Call. Updated yearly with input from official sources and
actual monitoring, Police Call’s nine regional volumes are the first stop
for frequency information. If you have Internet access, you can also visit
<www.bearcat1.com/free.htm>
for links to frequencies, talkgroups, and more. There are many hobby sites
containing frequency information—just search for “scanner frequencies”
using Yahoo, Google, or your favorite search engine. |
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