Best Radio Scanners in 2022

Last update: January 7, 2023

Are police frequencies encrypted?

Yes, police frequencies are encrypted in order to protect the information that is being communicated. This is done in order to keep the conversations private and to prevent people from eavesdropping on them.

Are police scanners legal US?

Police scanners are legal in the United States as long as they are used in a legal manner. There are many ways to use a police scanner legally, such as listening to police radio frequencies for news and information, or using a scanner to monitor your own property and personal safety. There are also many illegal uses for police scanners, such as using one to listen in on private conversations, or to commit a crime. It is important to know the law before using a police scanner, to ensure that you are using it in a legal and responsible manner.

Are radio scanners illegal UK?

No, radio scanners are not illegal in the UK. They are however, regulated by the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. This act requires anyone using a radio scanner to have a valid licence from the UK government's communications regulator, Ofcom.

Are radio scanners still useful?

Yes, radio scanners are still useful. They allow you to listen to a variety of radio frequencies, which can be helpful in a number of situations. For example, if you’re a journalist, you can use a radio scanner to listen to police and fire frequencies to stay up-to-date on breaking news. Or, if you’re a hobbyist, you can use a radio scanner to listen in on aircraft, ship, and train communications.


sherry Anti Spy Detector & Camera Finder RF Signal Detector GPS Bug Detector Hidden Camera Detector for GSM Tracking Device GPS Radar Radio Frequency Detector Review:


By holding down the M button for a long time, you can change between the RF signal mode and magnetic probe mode. Different types of signals can be detected by each of these modes. I enjoy how small the gadget is since it makes traveling with it simple. It features a viewfinder with a red filter that you may use to spot hidden cameras that can be lit up by a ring of red LED lights. I discovered as a fun extra that it's sort of interesting to capture images on your phone with the filter. Once I can employ this equipment in more espionage circumstances, I'm sure I'll like it more.



Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner, 25,000 Dynamically Allocated Channels, Close Call RF Capture Technology, 4-Line Alpha display, Base/Mobile Design, Phase 2, Location-Based Scanning Review:


This scanner can pick up most signals in analog or digital modes in the Police/Fire/Public Service/Military Air/Gov/Misc bands that are not encrypted. With a stock antenna, it gets APCO P-25 digital (both Phase I



Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner. TrunkTracker V, Simple Programming, S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert, Covers USA and Canada Review:


With over 700 evaluations of this product, there is a lot of material out there. If you're like me and have limited time to read reviews, let me sum this thing up for you:1. It is plug



Whistler WS1065 Desktop Digital Scanner Review:


Permit me to add that, with a few small deviations, 4 Stars is Very Good.The radio has a countrywide database that is "Pre-Programmed" and allows you to start scanning by entering your zip code. Everything will begin to be scanned, primarily items in which you have little interest. You'll need to quickly create a unique profile. There will be no question that the radio you get is functional.The good: Whistler is simple to download and frequently offers free firmware and programming software updates for radios. I bought this radio specifically to receive NXDN, and it works wonderfully now that the firmware has been updated to allow decoding. Although I haven't used DMR, I believe it functions as well. My neighborhood receives P-25 simulcast, which is terrible to receivers from earlier generations. With extremely low digital jitter, the TRX-2 performs exceptionally well in terms of reception. It compares favorably to my Uniden BCD536HP. I also bought the TRX-2 in order to use the mobile operation of the detachable control head. This is a fantastic feature as well, and all that is needed to connect it to the radio component is a regular 8 wire LAN patch cable (supplied). The provided programming software is generally good but could be better. No further payment of $45 or more is necessary for a third-party programming application. But I don't see why the program prevents you from copying and pasting a full column, as in a spreadsheet. (Suggest an upgrade to the firmware?) It's simple to enable and disable scanlists.Negatives: Compared to the BCD536HP display, the LCD display is smaller and less "finished." There is no auto-off feature on the radio. This might be fixed with a firmware update (sleep timer).Like other P-25 trunking scanners, this radio requires some effort to program correctly. YOU WILL DEVOTE HOURS to familiarizing yourself with talkgroups, software, frequencies, digital trunking, and programming (and re-programming). This is a component of what ownership means to me. The TRX-2 manual, like manuals from other brands, won't lead you by the hand. patience, trial, and error. Alternately, track out someone who is willing to share their programming.I'm glad I got this radio, to be honest. The performance, the supplied programming tools, and notably the ongoing firmware upgrade process that will keep this radio current for years have all exceeded my expectations. The TRX-2 is an option to think about if you're prepared to invest in one of the "Big Iron" P-25 scanners.revised on May 16, 20174 months after purchase and installation in my car.I strongly advise the TRX-2 over the Uniden versions for mobile applications. The control head is secured in position and has never moved. The control head is held firmly in place by powerful magnets. The nylon spacers worked wonderfully, however I had to mount the control head in a somewhat inventive manner. While mobile VHF P-25 works effectively, multipath distortion at 850 MHz is far more common.The TRX-2 would be a better option for digital scanner radio if you intend to go mobile.



Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Handheld Scanner. 500 Alpha-Tagged channels. Public Safety, Police, Fire, Emergency, Marine, Military Aircraft, and Auto Racing Scanner. Lightweight, Portable Design. Review:


It was time to upgrade my 25-year-old 10 channel (not 10 bank) Radio Shack Scanner. Being an ex-volunteer fireman and living in a remote area in Northern California, my wife and I rely on our scanner to stay informed of any local emergencies.I chose the Uniden BC125AT after assisting a friend with his programming. I discovered a few things that guided my decision, including:THE BEST• Sound quality. • Compact size and comfortable in the hand; • The filtering in this scanner was able to filter out the static noise from the numerous electronics in our home.• Channel identification and programming in Alpha Numeric. Knowing what is actually happening is made easier by the option to add labels to each channel as it displays on the screen during a transmission. Instantaneously, I can determine what the dispatch center is transmitting. I was able to quickly and easily enter the frequencies I needed along with a name for each channel, save it to a file on my computer, and then upload the file to the scanner using the free Windows software that is available from the Uniden website (link in the owner's handbook). It was easy to build different banks for fire, police, air firefighting resources, and even separate banks for local city emergency resources thanks to the ten separate banks of 505 channels each. I received my device about two days after I had finished programming the friend's, and it only took a few seconds to upload the info into my BC125AT.• The power to shut down banks. Since it is relatively simple to lock out any bank, you might, for instance, shut out all but the one where you program local fire resources.• Choose one channel to scan, one bank to scan, or all banks to scan. It's convenient to be able to simply listen to the primary fire dispatch channel in an emergency, and it's simple to choose that option.• The "volume knob" with multiple functions. The rotary knob can be used for a variety of tasks, such as adjusting the squelch, scrolling among banks of saved channels, and altering the volume.THE UGLY (or at least, not as good)• While the bundled batteries are rechargeable, the charger in the Uniden can only be configured for time in hours. If the charger is configured to charge for six hours, insert a fully charged pair of batteries and plug the Uniden in. It will charge for that amount of time. This causes the batteries to overheat, which may reduce their lifespan. They become extremely warm to the touch, but not in a hazardous way. I advise charging a spare set of batteries and replacing them as necessary. Only while the device is off does it charge the batteries using the USB cord. The batteries won't be charged if the BC125AT is on. When the charge is switched off, it restarts and runs for the entire time that was chosen in the menu system. When I bought it, the warranty information on Amazon was a link to an outdated PDF file from Uniden from 2010 that indicated the device had a three (3) year warranty. THAT IS NOT TRUE. The scanner's one (1) year warranty is stated in the printed manual that was sent with it (published in 2012). Today, 8/6/2018, I called Uniden, and that information was verified.• The user guide might be improved. This is a strong unit that is capable of many things. Many menu items require multiple button presses to access. There is considerable unnecessary complexity in the writing in the manual that covers these. It would have been MUCH better to provide flow charts for each function. I am aware of this since I have authored owners manuals and flowcharts for programming and function systems that are similar.CONCLUSIONThe only reason I gave this product 4 instead of 5 stars was due of the antiquated battery charging mechanism. Other than that, this under-$100 scanner is quite great. I do advise getting the extended warranty so that you have coverage for more than a year.NOTE: When I bought this scanner from Amazon, the accompanying PDF warranty documentation claimed that the warranty was good for three (3) years. NOT AT ALL! The PDF document was created in 2010. The warranty lasts for one (1) year, according to the scanner's 2012 owner's manual. This was confirmed by Uniden Customer Service.



Uniden BC355N 800 MHz 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner, Close Call RF Capture, Pre-programmed Search “Action” Bands to Hear Police, Ambulance, Fire, Amateur Radio, Public Utilities, Weather, and More Review:


Being new to police scanners, I'm relieved that this was simple to set up. You literally only need to plug in the power and antenna to get started.Thanks to prior evaluations Since I purchased an aftermarket antenna and utilized it right away, I haven't had the reception problems that other reviews have noted.I was also able to (quite) easily configure the channel into the private bank for my neighborhood police agency thanks to a previous review. Although it did take a little longer because I couldn't input the channel directly and because I couldn't just hold down the button and have it fast scroll through to the station I wanted, I had to repeatedly press the search arrows for each channel change. Due of this, I had to push the scroll up button 150 times, I kid you not, before I reached the station I was looking for and was able to store it into the private bank. But now that it's there, it's very handy.When turned up all the way, the built-in speaker is decent and rather loud. It is a little bit hazy, but it's difficult to tell if that is because of the speaker's quality or the radio equipment used by my local police (I live in a small town that is kind of behind the times when it comes to technology). Nevertheless, despite the fact that some of it is hazy, I can still make out practically all of what is being said.



Anti Spy RF Detector Hidden Camera Detector Bug GPS Wireless Signal Alarm Scanner Detection Device [Military-Professional Version] Review:


I'm really amazed! Here are the things that the unit performs to assist you learn more quickly. 1. Uses a red light with four flashing settings to locate camera lenses ( just user preference). You can quickly and easily identify camera lenses since they will have a red dot. 2. Finds magnets that, for example, are utilized in cars with hidden GPS systems. works by making the antenna's dull purple light glow white and vibrate. 3. AI will search for transmitted signals and sound an alarm (some surveillance equipment is not always on. Cell phone, walkie-talkie, microwave (which makes me worry if my microwave is leaking, lol), and security camera lenses were all tested. I'm not sure what the numerals on top of the unit are for. Additionally, locating signals is made incredibly quick and simple by using the sensitivity dial up top. Very sensitive. Simply set your RF search between positions 1 and 2.



Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) with 9,000 Channels, TrunkTracker III Technology, Base/Mobile Design, Close Call RF Capture Technology with Location-Based Scanning, - Black Color Review:


This is a fantastic piece of technology that performs everything Uniden scanners today claim they will. However, getting it to DO everything can take some time and requires reading the documentation, which in this instance STINS. I suggest visiting the Uniden website and obtaining the handbook for the BCT15, the hardware's previous iteration. Since its predecessor performed the most of this unit's functions, the manual is virtually entirely finished. Additionally, look for "simple to understand BCT15X handbook" on the internet. There is another online handbook available that is superior to Uniden's. Find the free freeware called FreeSCAN, as the name suggests. Using this software, I've had great success programming my BCT15X. To make sure that the software can find your scanner, start by selecting upload -> COM setup -> Auto Detect. I can see why this scanner has received unfavorable reviews. This product could be challenging for someone who isn't a serious scanner and computer hobbyist. But after you've invested the time in learning the technique, it's EASY, and after that, a fantastic scanner.


Are you allowed to listen to air traffic control in the UK?

Yes, you are allowed to listen to air traffic control in the UK. There are a number of ways to do this, including using a radio scanner, listening to a live stream online, or downloading a mobile app.

Can a ham radio be used as a police scanner?

Ham radios can be used as police scanners if they are programmed to pick up the right frequencies. Most ham radios can be programmed to pick up a wide range of frequencies, so it is simply a matter of finding the right frequencies to program into the radio. Police scanners are typically scanning for two-way radio traffic on a specific set of frequencies, so as long as the ham radio is programmed to pick up those frequencies, it can act as a police scanner.

Do you need a licence for a radio scanner?

If you want to buy a radio scanner, you may be wondering if you need a licence to use one. In most cases, the answer is no – you don’t need a licence to use a radio scanner in the UK. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. If you want to use a radio scanner to listen to conversations between police officers, air traffic controllers or other emergency services workers, then you will need a licence. This is because these conversations are considered ‘restricted transmissions’. If you want to use a radio scanner to

How can I listen to local police scanners?

If you want to listen to local police scanners, there are a few different ways that you can do so. One way is to purchase a police scanner. Another way is to listen to police scanner apps on your smartphone. There are also websites that offer live police scanner audio.

How do I choose a scanner?

When choosing a scanner, you need to consider what type of scanner you need. There are three main types of scanners: flatbed, sheetfed, and handheld. Flatbed scanners are the most common type and can scan both documents and photos. Sheetfed scanners are faster but can only scan documents. Handheld scanners are portable but have limited scanning capabilities. Once you know what type of scanner you need, you can narrow down your choices by considering features like scanning speed, resolution, and connectivity.

How do I find local radio frequencies?

To find local radio frequencies, start by turning your radio to the AM or FM band and slowly scanning through the available stations. You can also use an online radio directory to search for stations in your area. Once you find a station you like, make a note of the frequency so you can tune in again later.