Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby

As the name implies, a filter will either allow or reject frequencies from passing through and onto your radio In this session, we discuss: High Pass & Low Pass Filters Band Pass & Band Reject Filters Common filter terms Why we use filters Where to install a filter What to look for when buying a filter   All session notes can be found on our website at  www.scannerschool.com/session34   Please sup...

There are many different way to share a single antenna with multiple radios.  Many will get the job done, but we today we talk about the best way and the preferred way to share one antenna with multiple scanners In this session, we discuss: What makes a multicoupler different than splitters The benefits of using multicouplers Why cable TV splitters are a bad idea Why we don't use "T" connectors Th...

Lightning can destroy your scanner radio setup in a second.   Adding proper grounding and installing lightning arrestors only takes a few minutes and can potentially save your setup. In this session, you will learn how lightning arrestors work, what they do, the different types of lightning arrestors, and some that I recommend. All session notes can be found on our website at  www.scannerschool.co...

Jonathan Higgins is the Digital Media Communications Manager for Scanner Master .  He and I speak about his background in scanning, share some great stories, and talk about his "RailFan" experiences. Jonathan and I also talk about the history of Scanner Master , which started 40 years ago.  We talk about their current product lines and services, such as scanner radio programming, scanner sales, an...

  What are you using for coax cable?  Not all coax cable is created equal and in today's podcast we will run through some numbers to show you why the bargain stuff is so inexpensive compared to quality coax. We have a great chart to help you see all the numbers in this week's session notes. All session notes can be found on our website at  www.scannerschool.com/session30   ** CONTEST ALERT ** Win...

Preamplifiers could help you or hurt you depending on several factors. I have used preamps in the past and have seen mixed results.  There are certain situations where a preamp could be extremely helpful.   I have ways you might be able to improve your station instead of investing in a preamp.  All session notes can be found on our website at  www.scannerschool.com/session29   ** CONTEST ALERT **...

There are many things to consider when purchasing your next (or first) scanner radio antenna.  Do you need an antenna that... Covers many frequencies Covers a particular frequency Is directional Is NOT directional Will fit in an attic Is affordable Will be used for a portable radio These are some of the items we talk about today and tell you what the next antenna that I will be installing on my ho...

MilAir Scanning is different depending on where it is you live. Today's guest, Michael Man, is a big fan of Military Air monitoring.  Since he lives close to a few training facilities, MilAir Scanning is one of this favorite past times. Michael is lucky enough to live near several practice areas where he can listen to dog fights, refueling exercises, and other ground exercises. Any scanner that ca...

Field Day - Amateur Radio's Open House! If you've never been on the air or if you are interested in checking out what Amateur Radio is all about (and if you live in the US), check out Field Day. Field Day is a contest. The more contacts you make, the more points you get... and it is by far the most popular and publicized event featuring Ham Radio. But besides being a contest, Field Day is where Am...

Its finally here - the new Uniden SDS100 Scanner. This scanner is new from the inside out, top to bottom. I'll let you know all about this new scanner and my first thoughts after using this radio for only a day. You can keep up to date with my review by visiting www.sds100review.com If you are looking to purchase this scanner, would you mind using our affiliate link?  We would earn a small fee for...

Eric Carlson from FlightAware.com joins us on the podcast to talk about ADS-B monitoring using a PiAware setup. ADS-B (Automatic dependent surveillance — broadcast) is the protocol used by airplanes to give their position beacons.  This includes there altitude, location, heading, and Squawk Code.   Eric and I discuss the benefits of owning your own ADS-B receiving setup, the steps required to buil...

Dave Pascoe, KM3T, from LiveATC.net joins us on the podcast. We talk about the basics of aviation monitoring, what equipment is required, and how to understand the terms and common phrases used during aviation communications. Dave also discusses the conversation workflow that a pilot goes through before taking off, while flying, and while landing. All session notes can be found on our website at w...

One of my favorite scanning activities is to scan the local Air Show.  The Air Show at Jones Beach is every Memorial Day weekend and it brings a lot of Military and Civilian Performers. In this podcast, I'm going to let you know what you need to maximize your scanning during an air show. We have a lot of links in this podcast, and all of them can be found in the show notes at www.scannerschool.com...

Today we are joined by Jim Peruta, a 45 year veteran of the Fire Buff Photography scene.   Jim runs his own website at res23cue.net and is a member of the Connecticut Fire Photographer's Association . Jim and I discuss what it takes to be a fire buff photographer and what someone should do or should not do if they are looking to buff a fire scene. We have a lot of links in this podcast, and all of...

Fire Tone Out (FTO) is a feature included with higher end Uniden Scanners.  Before breaking down FTO and how it works, we take a look at basic two tone alerting by Plectron, GE, and Motorola. We also discuss 5/6 tone and ZVEI tones used outside of the US. Show notes can be found at www.scannerschool.com Please support Scanner School by becoming a Patreon Supporter at www.patreon.com/scannerschool

Severe Weather Monitoring goes beyond just scanning.   I believe that every home and business should have a weather alert radio in a location that is centralized.   A weather alert radio can be a life saving device and should be given the same importance as smoke detectors, CO alarms, Explosive Gas meters, and fire extinguishers. In this session, we discuss how to use your scanner as a weather ale...

Simulcast - when it comes to digital systems, it can be your worst nightmare. In this session of Scanner School, we have a few tips on dealing with simulcast and a few suggestions to eliminating the problems it causes. You can grab the show notes for today's podcast at www.scannerschool.com/session18 New this week, you can also help support the Scanner School podcast by visiting www.scannerschool....

Today we welcome Marshall Sherard, KE4ZNR, from the Tarheel Scanner/Shortwave Listener's Group, based out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Marshall and I discuss the benefits of joining a local Scanner Radio Group, how to locate an existing group, and how to start your own group if there aren't any established in your area. In addition, Marshall and I discuss what his background is and how he became in...

In Today's podcast, we review the current Phase 2 capable scanners on the market In Session 14 we introduced you P25 systems and hardware. In Session 15 we discussed Phase 1, Phase 2, X2-TDMA, and conventional P25 as well as some hints and tricks you can use to monitor P25 systems. This podcast will wrap up our P25 series, for now. You can grab links and see more reviews on the scanners mentioned...

Last week we introduced P25.   This week we build on that introduction session and discuss conventional and trunking with P25.  This includes Phase 1, Phase 2, and X2-TDMA systems. We also have a few hints and tricks for you to optimize your P25 reception on your Uniden, Whistler, GRE, or Radio Shack scanner radio. You can grab the show notes for today's podcast at www.scannerschool.com/session15...

Welcome to P25 aka Project 25 aka APCO-25. We talk about the 8 modules that make up a P25 system and how they operate. P25 Conventional is covered as well as NAC. P25 Trunking, Phase 1, Phase 2, and X2-TDMA will follow in next week's session of the Scanner School Podcast. If you haven't subscribed to our podcast, please do so now so you don't miss next week's session.

Be a fly on the wall on one of my consulting sessions with Jon Goldenberg.   Jon was one of the winners of the Free Consulting Contest that we had in February of 2018. Jon and I discuss his current scanner needs and discuss some ways on how he can setup his scanners. We talk about the local P25 and EDACS Trunk systems, close call, P25 threshold settings, and if he should consider using multiple sc...

In this session of Scanner School, we review scanners that support "Analog" trunk systems, or systems that are not completely digital like P25, DMR, or NXDN.   These scanners are sometimes called Trunk Tracker III scanners and the scanners we review in this session all support rebanding. You can download session notes for this podcast, as well as additional resources at http://www.scannerschool.co...

Rebanding is a necessary evil in the 800 MHz spectrum in the United States.  In this session of Scanner School, we discuss why rebanding happened, how it changed the landscape of the 800MHz spectrum, and what it means for the scanner radio user. There will be extra content that goes along with this podcast on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session11

Motorola Type I was the first generation trunk system by Motorola.  Motorola Type IIi Hybrid was a bridge to the 2nd Generation Trunk System by Motorola, the Type II Smart Net. A Smart Net system can be expanded into Smart Zone and Omni Link Systems.  We will explain those systems, plus Motorola Type II VOC on the session of Scanner School. Show notes can be found at https://www.scannerschool.com/...