Going to purchace a scanner...

[topcop24]

The radio shack guy was trying to sell me a 1.1Gig scanner. I was wondering if a 800mhz or a 500mhz is good enough? I will be using it to listen to lapd and lasd pd's which are about 10-30 miles away.

[Recondo]

Grab the 800mhz unit, it will provide you with plenty of scan & should cover the channels used by your local LE dept's, including fire, civilian aviation, tow co's sometimes, etc. A good option to have is "trunking" which will allow you to follow selected transmissions as (or if) they change channels. I have heard of some big depts using encoded/encripted (for lack of a better term) channels that cannot be scanned in without the proper LE only equipment. Good Luck!
Recondo

[michiganstud]

Radio Shack will ALWAYS try to sell you something you don't need. Just tell them you want onlyl what you need, and go with the 800. Neither scanner will receive any better than the other one. Pretty sure LAPD is trunked right??

[txinvestigator1]

Does anyone know if LAPD is NOT using frequencies above 800?

[Orleander]

Why do people need scanners?

[txinvestigator1]

To listen to police, fire, ambulance, and hundreds of other radio calls

[Orleander]

To listen to police, fire, ambulance, and hundreds of other radio calls

Why? Are they going to help? Are they just being nosy? I just figured it was a lot of sad (house fires), upsetting (child abuse cases), scarey (shooting) things. Is it entertaining? Are they wanting to learn the lingo? Why Why Why??? :confused:

[darrell]

LAPD is a mix of Trunked and Symplex digital. A 800MHZ will work fine just make sure its a trunking one.

[metallicat]

Why? Are they going to help? Are they just being nosy? I just figured it was a lot of sad (house fires), upsetting (child abuse cases), scarey (shooting) things. Is it entertaining? Are they wanting to learn the lingo? Why Why Why??? :confused:

I do it beacuse it is interesting for me to hear what is going on in my city with the emergency departments.

[K9 Police]

Before being hired I listened occassionally. Yes, it was entertaining. Although, I believe it had a larger effect on me learning more about the profession. Probably as close as you can get for a ride along without actually going.

K9

[Recondo]

K9 hit it on the head!
You can not only learn alot of the lingo, but you can also learn how certain situations play out, what was the proper response to the specific situation, how different depts handle things & interact with other agentcies, etc.
It has also opened my eyes to just how much $#!* goes on around you, in your own neighborhood, often times right on your own street - that you may never have known about otherwise. I normally have mine going in the background of my office, I only clue in for a closer listen now, when I hear local streets to my house or my LEO buddies #'s come up! Great tool & worth the $$!
Recondo

[Post#83Chief]

It's always nice to have when you hear sirens and you know your LEO buddy is working or your FF friend is. it kinda dampers that little worry you get.. it especially is nice in a small town.

[MrMisterSU]

I do it beacuse it is interesting for me to hear what is going on in my city with the emergency departments.

I'll second this comment.

Plus, its nice to have the 'old' one I already have so that I know where NOT to go when Im out driving from time to time.

[JBU2010]

Only thing that I would definitely consider include that of rechargeable batteries for your scanner. Depending on your listening patterns and the amount of traffic that it's scanning, it can definitely drain just regular batteries.

Another idea is to stock up on batteries from "The Dollar Store, Dollar General, Etc" and reserve those for the scanner. It can quickly add up, but rechargeable is probably the best way to go!

[Orleander]

Thanks all! I always wondered and you all gave very good reasons.