Buying Your First Digital Radio Scanner
The modern digital radio scanner is called “digital” because it is designed to be compatible with radio signals transmitted in digital mode rather than conventional analog mode. Most digital radio scanners still process the analog signals too. There has been no mandated changeover to digital radio like TV broadcasters recently experienced so both types of signals are in use.
Digital signals are less subject to interference and noise and deliver usable information better at the extremes of their range where analog signals become unpredictable. Digital signals can be encrypted easily while still being transmitted over the same frequency. Analog signal security usually involves changing frequencies rapidly within an agreed-upon range.
The non-encrypted “APCO P-25″ type Digital signal is the formal specification for the transmissions digital radio scanners can process. Digital radio scanners cannot process any encrypted data or cell phone messages and cannot be modified to do so. The variety of radio transmissions that digital radio scanners can receive includes: local police and fire departments, ham radio, news media vans and helicopters, aircraft and many more. Sporting events officials and race teams also communicate over two-way radio accessible by scanner. Listening in on race team communications is a common use of digital radio scanners.
FCC regulations do not prohibit the sale, ownership or use of digital radio scanners. Scanners must be FCC approved, of course. Some state and local governments have laws in effect limiting scanner use in vehicles or while committing a crime. Scanner regulations include a clause against scanned use to “break existing laws.” Checking local rules is advised and the information presented is not legal advice.
The basic functions of digital radio scanners are quite uniform over the many brands and models available. Buying a high-priced scanner will not mean better reception and a low-priced scanner will have as good (possibly better) reception. Price differences are often based on special features or additional band coverage.
One common complicated-sounding technical term is trunked signals. A trunk is a pool of frequencies (channels) shared by multiple users and departments. The advantage is that all frequencies share the load. No one frequency carries almost all the transmissions while others remain unused. Communication can be over any of the trunked frequencies at any time - making following the communication with a scanner almost impossible. Digital radio scanners with trunk support have built-in technology to make use of some of the many versions of trunk lines.
A couple other terms you will encounter are PL and DPL. Some digital radio frequencies are shared by two or more departments. Each department’s transmissions begin with a PL tone that specifies the department. Digital radio scanners with the feature can be set to ignore or accept transmissions from specified departments.
The added dangers of online shopping are well known. The retailer you buy from should offer several payment options, have a real physical store address, offer new - not refurbished - products with full USA warranty and not have outrageous hidden shipping charges.
To get free tips and reviews on Uniden radio scanner , visit Radio Scanner Reviews Site.
categories: radio scanner,radio scanners
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