Yes, if your willing to pay $250.00 and up. Check out Radio Shack or scanner websites. I don't know what kind of frequencies you can find for your area.

joker1

 

Actually Scanners start around $99.99 at RadioShack (Catalog number 20-404 and 20-405 as an example). Trunking scanners (if needed) start at $199.99 (Catalog numbers 20-163 and 20-164). Check out RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference first to find out what you will need for your area. (Analog, Trunking, Digital, et. al.) There are some knowledgeable people at RadioShack and some that are just Cell Phone Salespeople. Just ask if they have a "scanner guy or gal" that can help you. Maybe call a few stores in the area before driving out to any one store.

Another good source for scanners and other parts is Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942. I have bought several items from them for my scanners and ham radio equipment before and have always been pleased with their service and products.

I have several scanners myself, Base station at home, mobile units in a couple vehicles, and two hand-held models.

Some of the Police Departments in my area are having problems getting signals in the "urban canyons" of their downtown areas and are either carrying two radios or a radio and a Nextel.

Anyway, if there are problems with communications (Power outages or natural disasters) most departments with use smaller radios (possibly analog) and/or enlist the help of local Ham Operators. Also Fire Departments and EMS sometimes do not share the same system as the Police and other LEOs, so while the LEO are digital, fire and EMS could still be analog.

My $.02

 

Yes, you can but it is expensive. If the police in your area do things right, or don't want people listening in, you won't be able to with out a lot of equipment and even more knowledge.

 

Any department that has gone digital has almost certainly gone encrypted, as well.

 

Scanners are worthless if local LE is using encrypted channels. Most have gone hi tech and it will cost you quite a bit.

 

Ah yes...the old Uniden Bearcat scanner. You can probably still get the weather repeater and a few other things on it. Mostly it's mixed now....digital and what not. Modern technology.

 

Radio Shack is your friend. Go ask them lots of questions. Take $$$.

Do a search for "scanner frequencies" too. Some are fee sites, some are worthless, but some have lots of info. Still, the local RS will have the best info.

 

If the agency you are looking to receive has gone digital you will find very few scanners that will work and will have to be programmed by someone that has the necessary codes. When our county went digital I bought a GRE handheld which is capable of receiving their traffic but had to have someone from the Sheriff's Office radio shop give me the codes. Since I use it in an "official capacity", but off duty, that was not a problem but I'm not sure where someone that is not a LEO would get that information....

As an aside, it took me a couple of months to find someone that wanted my Bearcat Trunk Tracker for free. Expect to pay $550-595 for a GRE.

 

RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference has live feeds from many jurisdictions. Check to see if they have a live feed and save your money for ammo.

 

is it even legal to have a police scanner?

 

Sure, in most states, although some areas have restrictions on scanners in vehicles.

It's not illegal to listen, but if you act on the information you hear, there may be problems.

 

OMG, I can't believe that free Americans are allowed by nanny state to have scanners. That needs to get fixed ASAP!

 

Probably working thru congress as we communicate:danceban:

 

Look at post #3 razor.

 

sorry Geno Thanks for clearing that up

I found something about Ohio though...

With the exception of a specific local municipal ordinance, it's just a generic criminal tools law in the rest of the state under Ohio Revised Code (see ORC 2923.24). It's a 1st degree misdemeanor, unless it is used in the commission of a felony (like burglary, robbery, etc.). In that case, it is a 5th degree felony.

2923.24 Possessing criminal tools.
(A) No person shall possess or have under the person’s control any substance, device, instrument, or article, with purpose to use it criminally.

(B) Each of the following constitutes prima-facie evidence of criminal purpose:

(1) Possession or control of any dangerous ordnance, or the materials or parts for making dangerous ordnance, in the absence of circumstances indicating the dangerous ordnance, materials, or parts are intended for legitimate use;

(2) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article designed or specially adapted for criminal use;

(3) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article commonly used for criminal purposes, under circumstances indicating the item is intended for criminal use.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of possessing criminal tools. Except as otherwise provided in this division, possessing criminal tools is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the circumstances indicate that the substance, device, instrument, or article involved in the offense was intended for use in the commission of a felony, possessing criminal tools is a felony of the fifth degree.

Effective Date: 07-01-1996

I guess its a general "thin line" to walk in Ohio depening where you are at, and a "gray area" if a LEO finds you with it...

 

sorry Geno Thanks for clearing that up

I found something about Ohio though...





I guess its a general "thin line" to walk in Ohio depening where you are at, and a "gray area" if a LEO finds you with it...

Its not a gray area at all; don't use a scanner (or anything else) as a tool in a crime. Its just a tack on charge anyway, designed to bring the entire scope of a crime to light.

 

I have a Uniden BC 246T w/ trunktracker for sale, PM me an offer. It's like new.

 

No personal offense meant there razor. It was just me quipping off about the way so much everything is getting regulated to where there is a blizzard of paperwork and laws.
For years I had a six chanel business band mobile radio with scanner capibility. One of my handhelds was also set up that way. It worked out really well with local rural fire departments. EMS and LE scanning was occasionally helpful.
For some people around here it seems as though it's their entertainment and source of gossip.

 

I have an iPhone and there are several apps that allow you to listen to police and fire in your area. I think the app was 99 cents. I'm pretty sure there's one for the Android OS too.

http://www.geardiary.com/2009/01/24/live-police-scanner-streaming-to-your-iphone-or-blackberry/

 

I use my iPhone with the "Police Radio" app. I can listen to city police, county sheriff's, EMS, city and county fire. I really like it, goes anywhere, and the App was 99 cents. It covers all 50 states.