| If you're gong to buy a radio scanner, familiarity | | | | you. |
| with its basic features is necessary. You also have | | | | Telescoping Whip Antenna |
| to be aware of its legal status, when it can be | | | | These are metal antennas constructed of short |
| used and its limitations. | | | | tubes. They are superior to rubber ducks in terms |
| What Can a Radio Scanner Do? | | | | of performance. |
| It depends on the type of radio you get. But | | | | Car Antennas |
| most scanners let you tune in to authorities as | | | | Also called mobile antennas, these are available in |
| they interrogate suspects and try to control | | | | two types: magnetic mount and glass mount. |
| hostile crowds. You can also tune in to paramedics | | | | When you buy a radio magnetic mount antenna, it |
| and firefighters as they go about their tasks. | | | | will use the car's plane to facilitate reception. The |
| You can listen in to commercial aircraft and | | | | glass mounted antennas require an adhesive and |
| choppers as they fly. You can also hear military | | | | must be attached to the window. The magnetic |
| aircraft and race car drivers. Other services you | | | | antennas provide a better signal. |
| can hear when you buy a radio include the | | | | Outdoor Antennas |
| National Weather Service, amateur radio | | | | These antennas are mounted on the roof like |
| operators and CB radio. | | | | outdoor TV antennas. The higher the antenna is, |
| Are Radio Scanners Legal? | | | | the better the reception. |
| All the chatter you hear on scanners is legal. | | | | Coaxial Cables |
| However, the law forbids using a radio scanner to | | | | These will be used to connect the antenna to the |
| listen in to cell phone conversations or encrypted | | | | radio scanner. Avoid cables with high signal loss as |
| communications. Most scanners cannot unscramble | | | | this will result in poor performance. |
| encoded communication messages. | | | | Cables with tolerable loss are the following: G-59, |
| Even if the scanner can pick them up, it is illegal | | | | RG-6, 9913, RG-213, Belden 8214 and RG-8. Do |
| to listen in. Some states also impose some | | | | not use RG-174 and RG-58. Hardline cables |
| limitations on using scanners while in the car. | | | | provide excellent quality but are very expensive. |
| There are no legal restrictions when listening to | | | | They can also be quite difficult to set up. Get |
| radio scanners at home. | | | | cables with connectors to reduce the use of |
| Before you buy a radio scanner, it's a good idea | | | | adaptors. |
| to know something of the various accessories | | | | Note: bands at the 450-470 and 800/900 MHz |
| these scanners come with. | | | | frequencies need cables with as low signal loss as |
| Flexible Antennas | | | | possible. |
| Flexible antennas (also known as rubber ducks) | | | | It's easy enough to buy a radio scanner these |
| are fitted on most radio. These are made of wire | | | | days. But unless you know the accessories |
| covered in rubber plastic. While commonplace, the | | | | available you won't be able to maximize its use, |
| reception can be weak at times. You need to look | | | | so a little research will go a long way. |
| at different brands to find one that works for | | | | |