264 - 5 Steps to Get You Started with Scanning Today

264 - 5 Steps to Get You Started with Scanning Today

Author: Phil Lichtenberger January 10, 2023 Duration: 34:53

If you are looking to get started in the scanner radio hobby, I have 5 tips to help you get started today.

I also walk through common mistakes and this podcast will help you avoid making common beginner mistakes.

This podcast is also available in a shorter format on our YouTube Channel
🎥 https://youtu.be/l8RHrJ8z1Qg

 

Step 1 - Make a list of what it is you want to listen to
Be as detailed as possible and write down specifics to help you understand who it is you want to monitor

Step 2 - Set reasonable expectations on how far you want to monitor
Scanner reception is dependent on many factors.  Be prepared to monitor anywhere from down the block to across the county

Step 3 - Know the frequencies and trunk systems in your area
Use the database at Radio Reference in order to help you understand how you can monitor your local area

Step 4 - Understand your budget
New radios will range from $100 to over $600.  You may need to work within your budget to get started with the hobby.

Step 5 - Be prepared to ask and learn
There will be a lot to learn.  There are great resources online and on YouTube to help you understand the scanner radio hobby

Bonus - This is a hobby and you will learn and grow with it
Don't be discouraged.  Sticking with any hobby is rewarding and scanning is no exception.

 

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🛒  Check out our new Merch!
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Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!

Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.
Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.

🔗 https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/

 

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🎙 Join our new Scanner Radio Community
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Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!

By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!

Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.

🔗 https://www.scannerschool.com/discord


Ever wondered about the distant voices crackling over a police band or the chatter between air traffic controllers? Scanner School is for the curious. Hosted by Phil Lichtenberger, this exploration digs into the nuances of monitoring public safety and utility communications, transforming a technical hobby into a accessible and fascinating pastime. Rather than just listing equipment, episodes unpack the how and why-the stories behind the signals. You’ll hear practical advice on choosing a scanner, decoding technical jargon, and understanding radio protocols, all explained without assuming prior expertise. The discussion often extends to the ethics and laws surrounding the hobby, providing a thoughtful framework for listeners. Newcomers will find a clear path forward, while seasoned enthusiasts discover deeper layers to their interest. It’s a weekly dose of clarity and discovery, where specific listener questions shape the conversation, moving from basic concepts to more intricate details. Tune in to this podcast for a guided tour through a world of sound most people walk right past, and you might just find yourself listening to your surroundings in a completely new way.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby
Podcast Episodes
262 - New Year's Eve Scanning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:57
Why is one of my favorite nights to listen to the scanner radio New Years Eve? That is because my scanner allows me to get behind the scenes to the biggest New Years Eve party in the United States. Every year in Times Sq…
261 - A Conversation with Blake Hagerty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:25
I enjoy having conversations with others in the scanner radio hobby, and those of you who listen to the podcast. Many of us have the same backstory on how we found our way into the hobby, and others have their own unique…
260 - Building Your Own Scanner with Joey Absi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:21
Joey Absi talks about how he built his own scanner radio using a Raspberry Pi and Free Software. Joey's home built scanner went through several revisions before it became what it is today. And while most of what Joey bui…
259 - Ask Scanner School v51 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:10
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 YouT…
258 - San Francisco Interoperability with Garret Farwell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:39
Garrett joins the podcast again this week to talk about how multiple different agencies and jurisdictions communicate in the San Francisco Bay Area. Garrett spent quite a bit of time listening to the interop channels in…
257 - Holiday Buyer's Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:53
Are you looking for a new Uniden Scanner or Whistler Scanner Radio? Are you unsure of what to buy and what is the right scanner for you? Our 2022 Holiday Buyer's Guide will help you navigate the current Scanner Radio Lan…
256 - A Scanner Radio Thesis w/ Brian Rackham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:56
Brian Rackham is our guest this week on the podcast. Brian is finishing his Doctoral Dissertation at Arizona State University on the Scanner Radio hobby. In the first half of the conversation, I'll ask Brian about his re…
255 - Washington DC Scanning w/ Joseph Durnal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:07
Bringing a Scanner to Washington DC can be very exciting and also very confusing. There are a lot of "Alphabet" agencies to try to listen to, but many are encrypted. Even Police activity is secure. But, if you know what…
254 - Ask Scanner School v50 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:22
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 YouT…
253 - How to Safely Buy and Sell Scanners Online [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:24
Nobody wants to get burned when buying and selling online. The internet can be a very unsafe place to exchange cash for goods, especially when you let your guard down. I've been buying and selling radios online for sever…