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Anyone listening to a police radio\scanner?

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jmcd

jmcd

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I have a Uniden BCD536HP scanner on my desk connected to a discone antenna located outside. This gives me a fairly decent radius I can pull frequencies in from. Since the outbreak, other than the local fire departments town ambulances shuttling families to local hospitals becasue they all think they are infected, it has been radio silent. The police have been non existent. Anyone else listening and noticing anything different with more or less chatter?
 
Grew up having a scanner in every vehicle and a base scanner in the home. At one point in time I could tell you every code for every precinct, fire department and medical code for almost the entire state I lived in. More often then not it was more entertainment then the TV or radio. Definitely wouldn’t mind getting me another one of those again.
 
I don't have a scanner but I have noticed a heavy state police presence these past couple weeks on the highways in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It's pretty crazy too because I never see anyone getting pulled over even though most people are speeding with the highways not congested. I think the police are avoiding as much interaction as possible with the public.
 
10mmLife said:
I don't have a scanner but I have noticed a heavy state police presence these past couple weeks on the highways in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It's pretty crazy too because I never see anyone getting pulled over even though most people are speeding with the highways not congested. I think the police are avoiding as much interaction as possible with the public.
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That is true. The PD in my area have actually made it known that they would prefer not to pull you over or come into the station. Of course they will still handle emergent calls and will do things by mail\phone. The very few traffic stops I have heard have resulted in arrests so they must have had outstanding warrants. I could never figure that out. I would think if you had a warrant, you would want to be extra cautious?
 
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I also have the Uniden BCD436HP which is the hand held version to the base one I have. When my son drags me to NASCAR every year, listening to things with the headphones on just makes it so much better. Same with air shows.
 
Patrol presence around here (MD) is definitely decreased, both MSP and county Sheriffs. Highway speeds are definitely up (I've heard... ;) ) and photo speed traps are still in abundance, but I haven't seen a whole lot of officers on patrol.

That's backed up by the fact we have a LOT of county Sheriff vehicles in our shop right now for repair. Not "they've been out wrecking their vehicles" busy, but "lets catch up on all the maintenance now, while we're not doing much".

Another interesting development - again, this is in the People's Republik of Maryland - is that I've noticed a LOT of casual firearm carrying lately. Not "concealed" or "open" carry per se...but things like yesterday when I was talking to a customer, thought his cell phone was sticking out of his back pocket...but it was the butt end of his Sig. Just stuck in a back pocket with no attempt to conceal. Couldn't tell if it was a pocket holster in there, or just a gun in a pocket, but there have been more and more folks around the area who are carrying their firearms. Me? I'm licensed and carry IWB daily. These others? I have no idea. I do know MD is stingy about permits (may-issue, "good and substantial reason" state), and I can't imagine all these folks have been recently approved. And, anyone in MD who IS approved, makes the best of it and never leaves their weapon at home in the first place, because we know how rare it is.

Nothing "bad" going on - no looting, no fires, none of that stuff - but definitely a different feel in the air.
 
Wirenut said:
I used to have mine on all the time, but a few years back most departments either went to 800 frequencies and some to a trunking system.
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They are doing that over here as well. State is trunked. Most towns are still analog but a few around me, including mine and the local university, went digital. I can still get them. I just have to update the frequencies audio option. I have all of the options for the newish stuff coming out, What I don't like seeing is the "encrypted tactical" channels that are becoming more of a "regular" channel. It's game over when they crossover to that, for everyone.
 
It seems like a lot more city PD cruisers are out downtown, but I think it seems that way because they're parked and visible in strategic locations, and not on the move cruising the streets. Out here where we live (4 miles outside of town), the ususal County Sheriff, State Trooper, and ambulance units are still seen rushing by as usual.
 
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Like you Jmcd, I have a handheld Uniden digital scanner. I live about 100 yards from the firehouse, so when they respond to a call, they leave with their sirens blaring & that's when I usually turn it on and listen. Pa. State Police frequencies are scrambled and not listenable, but towns and regional police are. I get local airport traffic as well, and sometimes set the scanner on auto to scan until it picks up something, which is always interesting. When I use to go to Indy Car races, I would download the teams car frequencies and upload them into the scanner and bring it to the race. It was great listening to the drivers conversing with their pits, usually complaining about something.
I haven't really listen lately, but fire and police sirens around here have been mostly quiet. Probably due to less traffic and less traffic accidents.
 
ScottJ said:
It seems like a lot more city PD cruisers are out downtown, but I think it seems that way because they're parked and visible in strategic locations, and not on the move cruising the streets. Out here where we live (4 miles outside of town), the ususal County Sheriff, State Trooper, and ambulance units are still seen rushing by as usual.
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The county sheriff. That's a little sad here. I don't think they can even pull you over. They can work a traffic detail in a construction zone if the county sheriff allows it. Ours does.
 
BET7 said:
Pa. State Police frequencies are scrambled and not listenable, but towns and regional police are.
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Looking up with my limited knowledge, looks like they went to P25 in 2017. But yes, if they scramble it, you are out of luck. That's a real bummer. SP can get real busy at times.

Can relate to using it for the racing car\pit crew. Just makes it more enjoyable.

I like to think it adds to my "situational awareness" when things are happening close by.
 
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