Digital modes, like P25, NXDN, DMR and others will use FDMA, TDMA, or both allow multiple transmissions to share a single frequency at the same time. FDMA or Frequency Division Multiple Access divides a current carrier frequency into multiple parts, allowing for multiple users to operate on the same time on the same frequency. TDMA or Time Division…

Do you program your scanner with FM or FM Narrowband? 🤔 Find out why the right choice matters in our latest Scanner Radio University episode. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobb…

Imagine knowing that your scanner radio has a full signal, but you can't hear anything. Maybe you're listening to a p25 trunk system, but you can't listen to any of the activity. You can see your scanner is trying to go to a voice channel. It's trying to work. But you hear nothing. How frustrating does this sound? For many, this is a common occurre…

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 This month, we are pulling questions that were asked via Facebook Messenger. ▶︎ How do I log P25 Radio IDs? ▶︎ Where can I find a manual for a Uniden BC950XLT? ▶…

The Nextel Conundrum: Originally established as a convenient communication solution for small businesses, Nextel swiftly expanded its services to include cellular telephony. However, the positioning of Nextel within the RF spectrum, sandwiched besides public safety frequencies, combined with its network built for capacity, led to unprecedented chal…

Once upon a time, we only had analog trunked radio systems. These systems all had analog voice talk groups. These systems included Motorola Type I, Motorola Type IIi, Motorola Type II, EDACS, and LTR systems. Today, we are living in a digital trunked environment, where there are no analog voice channels. All voice is done using a form of digital mo…

There are two distinct flavors of trunked radio systems that we need to be aware of when programming our scanners. There are systems that require that every frequency for each site be programmed into their pre-determined channel number, and those that do not. Systems that require every frequency be programmed into our scanners in their designated s…

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 podca…

Did you know that trunked radio systems are just like an orchestra? There are several parts in each that work in harmony. In our latest podcast, we compare the two to make it easier for you to understand exactly how a trunked system works. We also dive into why trunked systems are an excellent way of utilizing the limited radio frequency resources.…

Conventional is the "OG" when it comes to scanning. Every scanner radio that has ever been sold can receive conventional (analog) signals. This week's session of Scanner Radio University will break down several modes of conventional transmissions you can receive with your scanner radio. 🎬 Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://www.scannerschool.com…

Welcome to the first in a series of classes that we are calling "Scanner Radio University". Over the next several weeks and months, we will be covering topics that will not only be geared towards those just entering the hobby, but topics that maybe you needed to overlook because a lot of today scanners just work out of the box or with computer assi…

Discover the incredible story behind my love for scanner radios. Join me as I reminisce about my first scanner radio and how it sparked my lifelong passion to helping others with the scanner radio hobby. 🎬 Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CeW3APzXvGM ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ====================…

The Yaesu FT-60R has to be one of the longest radios available for purchase. First released in 2004, the FT-60R is still for sale, 20 years later! Yes, this is a Ham Radio, but this rugged two way radio has a wide enough receiver that it could be used as a conventional only scanner radio. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles that most scan…

We’ve made it through another year. Here is a quick rundown of what we did in 2023 and what is planned for Scanner School in 2024. ==================================== 🛒 Check out our new Merch! ==================================== Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise! Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scann…

Are you looking for a last minute Scanner Radio gift this holiday season? Do you need something for yourself or someone else? Here is a list of Scanner Radio accessories that you can have as a gift in just a few days. ==================================== 🔗 Gifts recommended in this week's podcast (Links Below May Be Affiliate links, which means we …

How does the Radio Reference obtain the data that it publishes? Is it from Federal Licensed Databases or other online frequency repositories? Nope! It comes from Scannerds like you and I. In other words, the data that is inside the Radio Reference database is user contributed data that has been confirmed. We’ll cover how you can find and submit dat…

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. Questions answered on this week's podcast Ralph is looking for h…

Garrett Farwell returns to the podcast this week to talk about his recent trip from California to Colorado aboard Amtrak’s California Zephyr. How does a “Scannerd” occupy their time while on a multi-day and multi-state land cruise? With their portable scanner of course! Garrett shares how he prepared for his trip using online resources to find freq…

David Vine returns to the podcast this week to share alternative uses to Ham Radios. Not only can you use VHF and UHF Ham Radios to talk and monitor amateur radio frequencies, but you can use most of them to monitor outside the amateur radio band. This means many ham radios can also be used as basic scanner radios. Frequencies that can be monitored…

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 scannerschool.com/ask Questions answered on this week's podcast Scott would like to know how to make his scanner scan faster Derek is looking for a scanner that has a display that is easy…

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. ==============…

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 …

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…

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 includ…

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…

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…

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, …

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 her…

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 podca…

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 aro…

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 fo…

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 Prote…

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 port…

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 podca…

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…

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 ca…

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 …

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 podca…

🏖️ 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. ==================================== 🛒…

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 techn…

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, a…

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 fla…

🧢 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,…

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. ================…

Amateur Radio Operators are very resourceful when it comes to surplus equipment. Did you know that there are P25, NXDN, and DMR amateur radio repeaters in most corners of the world? These repeaters are easily linked, allowing world wide communications during emergencies, events, and day to day activities. There are also HAM specific digital voice n…