What is a frequency scanner?
A frequency scanner or radio (frequency) scanner is a radio receiver that can tune or scan two or more frequencies and stops when it finds a signal on any of the frequencies it is scanning.
The term scanner refers to a communications receiver primarily for monitoring VHF and UHF land mobile radio systems, instead of monitoring international shortwave transmissions.
Frequency scanner coverage
Radio (frequency) scanners have wide frequency ranges so you can listen to all kinds of radio signals. Not all scanners cover the same frequencies but most of them currently on the market covers the most commonly used safety and business bands.
Usually, they are used to tune in to police, fire and emergency radio, and or any ground to air communications along with local stations in the area.
Types of Frequency scanners
Frequency scanners, based on your budget, come in different types, handheld and base unit / mobile or even PC-based units. Many models allow scanning of specific DCS or CTCSS code used on a specific frequency in case of multiple users. Most scanners have a weather radio band to tune into weather radio broadcasts but it is still possible to have more than one memory bank assigned to different frequencies.
Frequencies
Scanners are divided into two types, conventional and trunk tracking. Conventional scanners are designed to follow sets of discrete frequencies, each one carrying separate types of conversations. Trunk-tracking scanners are designed to allow the programming of a set of frequencies that are used among several channels or agencies on a shared basis. All trunk tracking scanners are also conventional.
Frequency Scanner modes
Frequency scanners typically operate in three modes, scan, manual scan, and search. In scan mode, the receiver constantly changes frequencies looking for one that someone is transmitting. In manual scan mode, the user usually handles a button or dial to manually step through pre-programmed frequencies one frequency at a time. In search mode, the receiver is set between two sets of frequencies within a given band. This mode is useful mainly to users who don’t know a frequency but want to know the active frequencies in a given area.
Frequency scanners in Australia
Frequency scanners are legal to possess in Australia and it can be of any transmission that is not classified as telecommunication (i.e. connected to a telephone network).
They are often used by hobbyists, railfans, auto race fans, aviation enthusiasts, off-duty emergency services personnel and reporters.
Things to consider when purchasing a scanner?
It is important to figure out what bands or range of frequencies interests you so you can make sure the scanner you buy is equipped to receive those bands. Another thing to consider is that scanners usually come with a small whip antenna which enables you to hear more transmissions at a greater distance.
Here’s a few of Our frequency scanners
Our range of frequency scanners include:
UNIDEN UBCD436PT XT DIGITAL SCANNER CFA POLICE FIRE LATEST MODEL
UNIDEN UBCD536-PT DIGITAL SCANNER CFA RADIO APCO PHASE II 2 AUST
UNIDEN 25000 CHANNEL DIGITAL UBCD325-P2 SCANNER PHASE 1 2 TRUNK