Scanning Q&A
From The RadioReference Wiki
This article can be used to house questions about scanning in general - anything from antennas to laws to coax and more
General Scanning Questions
- ''Can I bring my scanner on an airplane?''
- Read the Scanning on an Airplane and Scanners and Airport Security pages.
- ''Is scanning legal? How about in my car?''
- Read this informative site on scanner laws.
- ''What is the best scanner for me?''
- See the help provided on the scanner decision page.
Equipment Questions
- ''Where can I find information on scanner antennas, filters, mobile mounts, ect.?''
- Return to our main page via the navigation link to the left, go to the bottom and see the 'Antennas and Accessories' category.
- ''I want to hear more. Will an amplifier help?''
- Before you go looking at amps, make sure that your antenna and feedline are at the best you can afford. A nice high antenna, with the right coax, will hear lots - maybe, at times, too much. In some cases, a good filter will be a huge asset. Not all scanners - particularly handhelds - work very well with big outdoor antennas and feedlines. They simply aren't designed to handle that much RF all at once.
- ''Is the coax that important?''
- They can make the difference between hearing a signal (particularly if you are out in a fringe area) and not hearing well, or at all. The larger the loss, the less signal is received. The general rule is a 3db loss results in a loss of 1/2 the signal. In practical terms, if you are in a strong signal area, this won't mean much - but if you're a long way off, this kind of loss should concern you. These 2 links explain this clearly;
- Strong Signals Coax Cable
- NASA Coax Cable loss chart
General Frequencies
If you are searching for specific frequencies in your area, the RR Database is the place to start - but at times there may be a better option....
- ''Where can I find frequencies for the various services, such as Railroads, Aircraft, ect.?''
- Please see our US/Canadian Common Frequencies article
- ''Where can I find frequencies for NASCAR, LPGA, NFL, ect.?''
- See our Sports frequencies article
- ''Im flying into an airport that the RRDB doesnt have. Where can I find frequencies for it?''
- Go to the popular Airnav website
- ''Im going on a cruise and would like to see if theres activity to be heard. Where can I find frequencies?''
- See this popular website by Bill Dunn for cruise ship frequencies
- ''I need to look up a callsign I copied. Where can I find it?''
- ''I need to look up a frequency that isnt in the database. Where might I find it?''
- Go to the FCC General Reports website
- ''Where can I find out about military communications in my area?''
- Check out our Milcom article
- ''Where can I find out about frequencies used by the US Federal Government?''
- Check out our Federal frequencies article