At Scanner Master, we’re more than a retailer. We are also an online resource for the police and emergency services scanner community.

If you’re looking for information on police scanner codes, police scanner frequencies, scanner codes, scanner frequencies, police radio frequencies, or other information, use this section as your guide.

Keep in mind that we’re always happy to talk, chat, or email with you about your specialized problems. The world of police and emergency responder scanning is as vast as the U.S. and Canada, so visit this page frequently for the latest updates of concern to our scanning community.

The best national resource for frequency information is found at radioreference.com. Just create a user name and password for free, although donations are welcome, and then go to the “Database” and then “Database Home” for information on frequencies and trunking talk groups for your area or any area in the nation.

Frequencies, Communications Systems and More

If you’re looking for frequencies and trying to understand the many communication systems in your area, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s cover some of the basics.

There are three types of communication systems:

• Analog conventional
• Trunking
• Digital

That means there are three levels of scanners:

1. Analog conventional
2. Analog trunking
3. Digital, which can cover all three types of systems

The type of scanner needed is determined by the communication systems in use in your area.

What is an Analog Conventional Scanner?

These scanners are great for monitoring basic analog “FM” police and fire systems and usually AM commercial aviation. Analog conventional scanners do not pick up trunking, digital, 700 MHz, or 800 MHz systems.

Basic scanners can also pick up:

• Amateur radio
• Marine
• Railroad
• Air, excluding military air
• FRS/GMRS
• Racing

What is an Analog Trunking Scanner?

These scanners are non-digital scanners that pick up both analog conventional and analog trunking systems.

Trunking is a system in which multiple agencies share the same system. One individual department conversation may jump from one frequency to another. Conversations for an individual group or department can be followed by programming a talk group.

In most systems, there is one frequency called a Control Channel. This channel sounds like a buzz saw if monitored conventionally. The Control Channel is the brain of the system, assigning each user on the system a frequency when transmitting.

Here is an example using the Portland, ME Motorola Type II Trunking system.

Step 1

First, you need to determine the type of trunking system.

• LTR
• EDACS
• Motorola System I/II

This system is Motorola System II.

Step 2

You would then enter the group of frequencies of the nearest transmitter site in your area.

Site 1 - Portland: 866.06250, 866.28750, 866.31250, 866.53750, 866.56250, 866.78750, 867.28750c, 867.78750c, 868.28750c, 868.78750c

Site 2 - Scarborough: 855.98750, 856.26250, 856.46250, 857.21250, 857.46250, 857.73750, 858.21250, 858.46250

The “C” indicates it is a control channel.

If you’re in downtown Portland, you would pick Site 1.

Step 3

The final step is programming the talk groups you wish to monitor.

Programming a trunking system can be made this simple by getting the optional ARC software. This software looks very much like a spreadsheet. You can enter the data into the appropriate fields. The other option is to leave the programming to us with our HomeTown Programming Service.

What is a Digital “Project 25” P25 Scanner?

This type of scanner can pick up analog and digital conventional communications, as well as analog and digital trunking. Digital communications are transmitted in ones and zeros, like computer binary code or digital TV.

Digital scanners decode digital signals and can also receive analog signals. Digital scanners cannot pick up encrypted communications or cell phone calls. It’s not possible or lawful. Click here to see our full line of Digital Scanners.

There are a few systems that cannot be monitored, including OpenSky, EDACS ProVoice, European TETRA, or any type of encryption.

Did You Buy the Right Scanner?

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