Scanners and Receivers are more cousins than brothers and sisters. Both receive frequencies, both can scan frequencies, and both do not transmit. However, each has their own strong points and weaknesses when it comes to tuning, range, and features. Found out if you should buy a receiver for your radio arsenal in this podcast episode.   ==================================== 🛒  Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner...

Are you looking for a creative way to build a radio bond with your child? Have you tried to scan something they can relate to, such as their own school? When your child hears a teacher, faculty, or staff that they know and can recognize talking on the radio, it could spark an interest for scanning within them. Scanning your child’s school can also be of interest during times where the school has engaged their own safety protocols and have locked down.   Or, it could be interesting to hear...

For many, you can’t talk about scanning without mentioning Larry Van Horn. Larry has influenced many in the hobby when it comes to Military Monitoring.    He wrote for Monitoring Time Magazine for many years and continued to write for “The Spectrum Monitor” once MT ceased publication. Not only was Larry a wealth of information when it came to Military Monitoring, but his yearly airshow columns were second to none. Larry, N5FPW, spent many years monitoring and sharing information.  Larry...

If you’ve ever wanted to create or build your own scanner accessories, 3D printing may be an exciting avenue to start exploring. Matt Neely has been bitten by the 3D Printing bug, and has already printed many scanner radio accessories for a fraction of what ‘store bought’ products would cost. Imagine printing your own replacement parts.  This includes belt clips, channel, squelch, and volume control knobs.   Maybe even SDS100 battery door retainer clips or desk stands. Free plans for many...

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting https://www.scannerschool.com/ask Don't forget to join us on YouTube on the first Tuesday of every month for our live Q&A session.  https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube Questions answered on this week's podcast Joe would like help understanding how trunked systems work and how they are programmed into a scanner Gary is...

Icom recently displayed their newest receiver at the 2023 Tokyo Hamfest. This is being called the successor to the IC-R30, but I completely disagree.  It lacks most of the features that made the IC-R30 great.  To call it a successor, based on the released specs, is an insult to the former model. The IC-R15 looks to be a neutered receiver and does not include the frequency ranges commonly found on most of the Icom receivers that predated this new model. I, for one, am hopeful that these...

300 Weekly Episodes!   12 Weeks shy of 6 years!   All I can say is WOW! Instead of spending a lot of time looking back at the last 300 episodes, let’s talk about what the plans are for the next 6 years or 300 episodes of the podcast. Yes - the podcast will remain - but there is something new that is in the works that will make the podcast even better, and more enjoyable for you. Thank you all for your support over the last 300 episodes.     ==================================== 🛒  Check...

Finally - after 20 years in my house I'm finally able to build my radio room the way I want it. I've had 2 temporary locations that always looked like a hodgepodge of radios, computers, and wires.  Frankly, each was an embarrassment in their own right. But - no matter how bad they looked in my opinion, they were functional. And that is the story here!   Whether you have a single radio on a desk, nightstand, or on your hip, whatever works best for you is perfectly fine!  We don’t need...

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask Don't forget to join us on YouTube on the first Tuesday of every month for our live Q&A session.   Click here to Subscribe! Questions answered on this week's podcast Rob would like to disable Zip Code scanning and enable his favorites lists on his scanner. David has a question about how well...

Do you want to be known as your community's go to guy or gal for scanner radio help and programming? Luke Hartnett is known in his firehouse as being the point of contact for any radio issues other members may have.   And by word of mouth, he is quickly becoming known in his area for being a "Scanner Scholar". Hear how Luke built trust with those around him, networked with other radio users, and because known as "The Guru" in his community on today's podcast.   ...

Finally - not one, but TWO new scanners from Uniden. Should we be excited about these two new radios, or should we pass on them? That all depends on your location and your needs. See, these scanners break the mold and give us something we’ve never seen before A scanner radio, with no trunking, no P25, but supports DMR and NXDN. Who is this radio for? The answers are in this week’s podcast.   ==================================== 🛒  Check out our new Merch! ...

Looking to level-up your portable scanner radios? Today's podcast covers 10 must have accessories every user needs. A shortlist of what we cover (with affiliate links): Easier To Read Manuals https://www.scannermaster.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=500&Click=6262 Aftermarket Antennas http://www.scannermaster.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=27&Click=6262 Protective Cases http://www.scannermaster.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=41&Click=6262 ==================================== 🛒  Check...

Scanner radios, with some small exceptions, come in two form factors.  Handheld for portable use, or desktop/mobile for single location installations. Which type of scanner is right for your needs?  If you are looking for your first or next scanner and can’t decide between a handheld or desktop scanner, I have 5 reasons why you should consider a portable radio. ==================================== 🛒  Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own...

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask Don't forget to join us on YouTube on the first Tuesday of every month for our live Q&A session.   Click here to Subscribe! Questions answered on this week's podcast Rob would like to disable Zip Code scanning and enable his favorites lists on his scanner. David has a question about how well...

Like it or not, digital is here to stay. Why are more agencies and licenses digital instead of analog? Should you upgrade right now or do you wait? And no... it always doesn't have to do with encryption. And this does not mean it's the end of the scanner radio hobby.  Not by a long shot! ==================================== 🛒  Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! Show your love for the Scanner...

Be part of the action! Hear breaking news reports directly from an eye in the sky. Receive your traffic updates every minute or two instead of when the local FM Radio Station wants to cycle the traffic reports every 10 minutes. Monitoring Traffic and News helicopters is usually something you can monitor with an analog only scanner.   But as is the case in some locations, what you can and cannot listen to may vary based on where you live. Using your favorite flight tracking app or...

Patients who run out of patience. Missing kids, life saving alerts, and routine messages. Hospitals can be exciting to monitor!   You never know what might come next. And as many of you know, I had a short stay in a hospital a few months ago.   Finding those frequencies and talk groups were not as easy as looking at Radio Reference.   The hospital I was staying at was not in the database.  This podcast explains how I was able to find those frequencies and talkgroups. In addition, we had a...

Every month I answer your questions on the podcast. If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask Don't forget to join us on YouTube on the first Tuesday of every month for our live Q&A session.   Click here to Subscribe! Questions answered on this week's podcast Bill wants to know about the placement of a transmitter antenna in relation to his scanner (receiving) antenna Jim wants to know...

🏖️ Grab your sunscreen and flip flops! It is time for a change of scenery for both you and your scanner. There are so many options when it comes to scanning during the summer season. Lifeguards, marine, aviation, parks, campgrounds, and more!   🔔 This podcast is full of what you should be monitoring this summer.   ==================================== 🛒  Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! ...

This coming weekend, the 4th Saturday of June, Field Day.  An annual test of emergency preparedness in the amateur radio community and a contest to see how many other stations you can make contact with in 24 hours. Tom Dean, KC2SJM, joins us today to speak about how much fun he is having on amateur radio, without the need to advance beyond the technician class license. Tom speaks all over the word and is active in his local community.  Helping the Red Cross during drills, local races and...

I want to welcome a great radio friend, David Vine back to the podcast this week. David has a wealth of information when it comes to the radio hobby and has many presentations that he’s prepared for multiple radio groups. David returns this week to share a presentation about how frequencies are distributed and organized here in the United States, and across the world. Frequency Allocation is important, because it not only helps vendors create RF Hardware for certain end users.  For...

I want to take a second away from the scanner radio hobby to talk about my battle with Prostate Cancer. I'd like to share my story as a warning. If you are one who skips yearly physicals, I hope this persuades you into going. Why?  Because it was a simple blood test at a physical that uncovered my Stage 3 Cancer. I had no symptoms.  There were no flashing lights or red flags.   And only a doctor's check box on a blood screen uncovered what was hidden and lurking inside of me. This is a...

🧢 Beaker Breaker 1 - 9 You need to make this change in your scanners if you monitor CB, Good Buddy! Here in the US, CB Radio has been primarily been AM or SSB.  But there is a new modulation for CB, and it's FM! FM on CB will have many benefits, such as the ability to use PL or DPL, but will it be adopted here in the US? What does FM CB mean for us, the scanner radio user? What do we need to be ready for? And how do we listen to FM CB? All those answers, and more, are in this week's...

Did you know you can listen to the International Space Station or “Brazilian Pirates” from your backyard? With correct software, you can download weather images directly from satellites. Or, you may be able to receive Slow Scan TV images (SSTV) and earn certificates just for participating? 🛰️ Satellite Scanning is fun and exciting.   ==================================== 🔗  Links from this podcast ==================================== Orbitron: http://www.stoff.pl/ gPredict:...