Becoming a Stringer. What equipment do I need?

[cruzmichaelmoreno]

Hey everybody!
New to the group and first time poster. So, I have decided to become a news stringer. I have a military police background and come from a big city (Houston) So I'm used to the crazy. I am really enthusiastic about starting this and need to know the type of equipment I'll need when it comes to scanner because I'm completely green. This is what I need to know:

• Is there a resource that will tell me the specific channels that I need to monitor police, fire and rescue? (I need Roseburg, Douglas County, and PDX)
• What is a budget friendly scanner I could purchase on Amazon that will get me started? (I got a $100 gift card I need to blow!)
• What type of roof mounted antenna should I be looking for? (I see police vehicles with a thin metal antenna, and also those little stubby cylinder type antennas)
• What software do I need in order to use my computer to work the scanner?
• Is there any Stringer groups ya'll could recommend so that I could connect and get started?

I appreciate your help guys! Also, any Stringers out there I'd love to meet you! Talk soon!

 

[KK4JUG]

Before you worry about the electronics, I'd make sure there's at least one media outlet that's willing to buy your stuff.

 

[cruzmichaelmoreno]

Great point. And it's a little like "the chicken before the egg" thing. Can't show them what they would be buying if I don't shoot it. Can't shoot it without equipment. And that also being said, having built a relationship with the local news, I don't think it's will be an issue. Also, this isn't going to nessisarly become a full time profession. Just a hobby with the potential to become something great!

 

[vagrant]

1. Specific frequencies for the Douglas County area. Roseburg is too far to hear PDX tower/ground, etc.
2. Uniden BC125AT scanner
3. Larsen NMO150-450-800 antenna
4. Scan125 is a good program and there are others to use with the Uniden BC125AT scanner.

Others will probably chime in with recommendations as well.

 

[RaleighGuy]

A number of stations will feed you the tips and you respond where they send you, easier than them having a dozen camera people sitting around when nothing is happening. I'd be more concerned with the video equipment and software to edit/feed hi-def video back to the station to use.

And, I can't agree more with @KK4JUG, are there outlets who will buy your stuff?

 

[icom1020]

Portland area law with the current exception of Multnomah Sheriff and those on that TG are or will be encrypted. That includes Clark and soon Wash/Clack counties. Fire is still in the clear...Don't know if Clackamas county S.O will leave their VHF multicast up and running after phase 2 but it doesn't seem practical.

 

[chrismol1]

Watch the movie Nightcrawler

 

[ko6jw_2]

Having spent some time doing radio news, I can tell you that here in California you need a press pass. Otherwise they'll kick you out or worse. I had three, local PD, local sheriff and CHP. Good luck getting one if you don't work for a media outlet already.

I had friend who was a professional cameraman. He shot HD professional video of a brush fire and approached the local TV station. Glad to take the video. Pay for it? Not a chance.

I had another friend who worked for NBC news in L.A.. He did fires, riots, the O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson trials. Highly paid at the time. Now the reporters use their cell phones.

Everyone has a cell phone. Some one always gets a video. 4K? You bet. Professional quality? No, but they're only going to use a 30 second clip - if that.

 

[marcotor]

Everyone has a cell phone. Some one always gets a video. 4K? You bet. Professional quality? No, but they're only going to use a 30 second clip - if that.

More like 10 seconds, and then endlessly loop it while the talking head narrates.

 

[cruzmichaelmoreno]

Having spent some time doing radio news, I can tell you that here in California you need a press pass. Otherwise they'll kick you out or worse. I had three, local PD, local sheriff and CHP. Good luck getting one if you don't work for a media outlet already.

I had friend who was a professional cameraman. He shot HD professional video of a brush fire and approached the local TV station. Glad to take the video. Pay for it? Not a chance.

I had another friend who worked for NBC news in L.A.. He did fires, riots, the O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson trials. Highly paid at the time. Now the reporters use their cell phones.

Everyone has a cell phone. Some one always gets a video. 4K? You bet. Professional quality? No, but they're only going to use a 30 second clip - if that.

Thank you for this response. And I think I better be more clear on this. This would definitely not be a career move lol! I have too much going on right now than to sit in my car every night, till all hours of the night, chasing ambulances. This is something I wanted to get into. And I'm like okay if I did this and COULD get paid, what would I need to do this.

SIDE NOTE: I've heard of computer set ups using SDR's. Does anyone have any experience using something like this in their cars?

 

[natedawg1604]

Just FYI I know a lot of agencies using encryption will give media a few radios, you might see if that's an option. I'm guessing that would be an involved process, and if they charge you it may cost a small fortune, especially if they're using APX 6000s or the like.

 

[kb7ado]

It was my understanding that the last several electronic communication privacy acts still made it illegal to repeat what you hear on a scanner to anyone who didn't hear it for themselves, with no mention of exemptions for news media. Having been involved with law enforcement and several government agencies, I can tell you they don't like scanner chasers.

 

[Baker845]

Hope it works out being stringer.

 

[chrismol1]

It was my understanding that the last several electronic communication privacy acts still made it illegal to repeat what you hear on a scanner to anyone who didn't hear it for themselves, with no mention of exemptions for news media. Having been involved with law enforcement and several government agencies, I can tell you they don't like scanner chasers.

Yet Ive seen numerous news stations put up snippets of radio traffic with credits to broadcastify

Having been involved with law enforcement and several government agencies, I can tell you they don't like scanner chasers.

Yup, must be very careful, your either suspect for attempting to hide illegal activties, or your a looky loo who wants to show up and interfere with the scene in their eyes. It must be done with some finesse

 

[Baker845]

Best thing is learn state laws and state laws on filming, scanners. If you known the laws you be good.

 

[kb7ado]

Most laws related to monitoring and divulging what was heard or using it for personal benefit are federal, such as the Communications Act of 1934.

 

[fredva]

It was my understanding that the last several electronic communication privacy acts still made it illegal to repeat what you hear on a scanner to anyone who didn't hear it for themselves, with no mention of exemptions for news media. Having been involved with law enforcement and several government agencies, I can tell you they don't like scanner chasers.

In Washington DC, the heart of the federal government, the top radio stations give traffic reports using information coming from the scanners blaring in the background. Do you know anybody who has been prosecuted by the federal government for repeating what was heard on a scanner? This has been discussed several times on RadioReference.

What does get enforced, at times, are laws in certain states prohibiting the use of scanners in vehicles.

 

[azagel]

I have been on the scene taking video of a number of high-profile events over the past years mainly fires and went to school in Photojournalism before the advent of Cell phones so I know how to shoot a scene.

My experience has been with the local news stations that they will not pay for any footage but will give credit as a footer to the video.

With local law enforcement agencies and their dispatch centers moving towards encryption of their feeds being a stringer will be hard to make any money if money is there to be made.

I think what will start or has started in some markets are those who shoot great videos of fire department events and share on their youtube could make some money. But it's putting in the time and effort to get the great shots and know how to get your channel at the top of people's searches.

 

[GlobalNorth]

What local media outlets still do their own journalism any longer? Few, if any. The local paper is likely a Gannett subsidiary getting their feeds from USA Today. Very few family owned radio stations exist in medium or large markets and TV is nearly all corporate owned.

The days of the stringer producing viable news feeds are gone, just like "Lou Grant".

 

[KK4JUG]

What local media outlets still do their own journalism any longer? Few, if any. The local paper is likely a Gannett subsidiary getting their feeds from USA Today. Very few family owned radio stations exist in medium or large markets and TV is nearly all corporate owned.

The days of the stringer producing viable news feeds are gone, just like "Lou Grant".

Most TV stations still do their own journalism. Almost all are owned by larger organizations but they still depend on news. People want to see accidents, covered bodies, fires, etc. as long as it's happening to the other guy. Among other things, I was public information officer for the local PD that covered a population of about 200K. Four network affiliates all had reporters and most had assigned area of coverage (police, city hall, schools, etc.). They have microwave trucks and frequently use satellites. They would stop by and look at police reports and on slow days might stop by and beg for some kind of story, even if it wasn't hard news. That when we coughed up stories about a set of twins in the patrol division or the former pro golfer in uniform. Then there was the recurring assault we had in front of the public safety building. That was a mockingbird with a nest of chicks that would attack pedestrians as they walked by. I did an interview about trying to apprehend the suspect and just we were wrapping it up, the bird attacked me. I heard about that for weeks. You may not see or want to see the local news but the journalists are out there. There may not be any stringers but there are reporters.