Buying first scanner - How prevalent are encrypted frequencies?

[BlackKnight]

Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy my first radio scanner to monitor local police frequencies. I've been doing light research on the topic for a couple weeks and have decided to invest on a digital trunking scanner. So either the Bearcat BC396XT, the PSR-900, or the PRO-106.

But I'm starting to wonder how much use I can get out of it if it's true that most police frequencies are encyrpted now a days.

And if I wanted to know if the police of a town encyrpt their communications, can I just look at the database you guys have here. Does it have that kind of info?

 

[Astrak]

You can look in the database there will be an E next to encrypted frequencies/talkgroups. A lot of stuff is still in the clear, but being P25 does make encrypting something a lot easier.

 

[gmclam]

... have decided to invest on a digital trunking scanner. So either the Bearcat BC396XT, the PSR-900, or the PRO-106.

You should realize that the PSR-500 is the same scanner as the PRO-106. While it might "appear" to be more expensive, it is the same price after you add in all the extras you'll need (AC adapter and USB cable for example).

And if I wanted to know if the police of a town encyrpt their communications, can I just look at the database you guys have here. Does it have that kind of info?

Yes it does. We could help you better if we knew where you are and the specific agencies you want to monitor.

 

[CoolCat]

Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy my first radio scanner to monitor local police frequencies. I've been doing light research on the topic for a couple weeks and have decided to invest on a digital trunking scanner. So either the Bearcat BC396XT, the PSR-900, or the PRO-106.

Welcome to the hobby
Those are all good scanners (but there is no PSR-900, I think you mean PSR-500)

But I'm starting to wonder how much use I can get out of it if it's true that most police frequencies are encyrpted now a days.

I don't know who told you that most police frequencies are encrypted, but that is simply not true. While there are a few areas around the country that are 100% encrypted, they are currently the exception -not the rule.

And if I wanted to know if the police of a town encyrpt their communications, can I just look at the database you guys have here. Does it have that kind of info?

Yes you can, and yes it does (usually). In the database; encrypted channels are indicated by a capitol "E" in the mode column and/or or the word "encrypted" will be written in the channel description.