Introduction to Scanners
Radio scanners works as a receiver to scan more than one discrete frequency at a time. It then stops when it finds a functioning transmission or continues to scan to find others when the first one stops functioning. The model of the scanner determines how much of the radio spectrum and many of the modulation types covered. Most of the popular ones work on the FM modulation type and cover 30 to 951 MHz radio bands. Generally, radio scanners aren't very expensive and have become more and more portable. With today's technology, there seems to be thousands and thousands of radio waves circling around us every day. From radio stations to TV channels to emergency vehicles' communications, all of this can be accessed with the right radio scanner.
Modes
While operating a radio scanner, there are three different modes that can be set: scan mode, manual scan mode and search mode. Scan mode has a set order that the receiver uses to continually change frequencies until it finds one that is transmitting. In the manual scan mode, the frequencies are found as the user manually goes through the channels one at a time. The last mode is search mode, where the scanner searches for frequencies between two destination points set by the user.
Controls and Features
The radio scanners come with a set of different features and controls. Some scanners are portable and come with rechargeable battery packs. These have become increasing popular amongst NASCAR fans that are looking to hear communications between drivers and their pit crew. Other scanners have to be plugged into another device such as a vehicle or a personal computer. The common controls that are attached to radio scanners are the volume control, numeric keypad, WX button and squelch control. The volume control is self-explanatory; it controls the volume at which the transmitting frequency will play. The numeric keypad makes it possible to enter in frequencies or to put a range of frequencies for the search mode. The WX button is for doing scans of pre-programmed frequencies. The squelch button works as a mute button to get rid of the white noise when no frequency has been established. Other controls are for the search, manual and search modes.
Picking Up Frequencies
The scanner may come with two different antennas. These are what are needed to be able for the scanner to pick up frequencies. There will be an external antenna and an internal antenna that is already attached to the inside of the scanner. Not all types of information are able to be picked up by radio scanners. Cellular and cordless phone conversations are protected by law and cannot be picked up by regular radio scanner. Several branches of law enforcement take use of scrambling technologies so that their conversations are also blocked from scanners.
Getting Started with New Scanner
After you have purchased the scanner, read the manually thoroughly for instructions on connect and get it working properly. Then familiarize yourself with the different controls and buttons on the scanner. While trying to use a radio scanner, the first thing that needs to be done is to find a frequency. Some are already programmed in your scanners, and others can be contained from a list from the Internet.
Internet Radio Scanning
A cheap and quick way to take advantage of the radio scanning technology without having to buy a scanner is from Internet radio scanning. Sites like the DXZone list several different resources to go to listen to feeds from scanners. This is a good way to familiarize yourself with the type of communication that comes through a radio scanner before deciding to purchase one of your own.
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