Floods, Fires and Scanner Radios: Stories From 50 Years of Listening

Floods, Fires and Scanner Radios: Stories From 50 Years of Listening

Author: Phil Lichtenberger July 21, 2026 Duration: 56:02

Haskell Moore has spent approximately 50 years listening to scanner radios. He also brings 40 years of information-technology experience, including work as a Global IT Crisis Manager for BP, and continues to teach hurricane preparedness.

In this episode, Haskell explains how scanner radio helped him navigate flooded streets in Houston, keep family members away from dangerous situations and intervene during a fire before a friend reentered a burning building.

Phil and Haskell also discuss the evolution of scanner technology, including early crystal and synthesized radios, the Realistic Pro-2006, the Optoelectronics OS-456, computer-controlled scanning, the Uniden SDS100, the HomePatrol and the Unication G5.

For beginners, Haskell shares advice about RadioReference, programming software, ham-radio education, building antennas and creating focused scan lists.

The episode closes with the golden rule of responsible scanning: never publish sensitive information in a way that could endanger responders or contribute to additional encryption.

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🔗 Learn More About Haskell Moore
🌐 https://hidefromthewind.com
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HaskellMoore

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🔗 Links in this episode
📕 Haskell's Book - Hurricane Preparedness for the Home https://amzn.to/4fwp6T8
💾 BuTel software https://www.scannerschool.com/butel
🌐 Radio Reference https://www.radioreference.com

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❤️ Support Scanner School
🎙️ Patreon https://scannerschool.com/patreon
🎥 YouTube Membership https://www.youtube.com/@scannerschool/join
🎤 Want to be a guest on Scanner School? https://scannerschool.com/guest

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📭 MAILING ADDRESS
Scanner School
PO Box 1642
North Massapequa, NY 11758


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: 50

Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby
Podcast Episodes
294 - 5 Reasons Why You Need a Portable Scanner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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293 - Ask Scanner School Vol 59 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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292 - Why Are Agencies Migrating to Digital? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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290 - Hospital Scanning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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289 - Ask Scanner School Vol 58 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:59
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…
288 - Summer Scanning Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:44
🏖️ 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,…
287 - Ham Radio Hijinks w/ Tom Dean [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:35
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 De…
286 - Frequency Allocation w/ David Vine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:30
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…