police scanner app vs TRX-1

[1ibandit]

Ok new scanner owner just got my TRX-1 entered zip and boom it worked sort of.

I use ploice scanner app for my local area( kenosha Wisconsin) I also set up my TRX for kenosha... And guess what they are not the same. I have no clue why. I get somethings the same, but what is on the app I want on my scanner... How do I find what channel the app is playing?

Thanks for any help
Bob

 

[hiegtx]

Looks like there are several feeds for the Kenosha area on Broadcastify.
https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/3081

For each feed, there is a description of what is being carried. If you are listening to a feed on an app other than Broadcastify (the live audio companion to RadioReference), then you would need to see if details are available on that platform.

For scanning with the TRX-1 and your area, did you first install EZ-Scan, then download a database update? Be sure and do that. Once you do the update, and rite that information to the scanner, then you have two choices: You can set it up to listen by using your zip code, or use the Library Import function in EZ-Scan to pick and choose what you want.

Note that if you simply use the zip code, that will only load systems and agencies in your county (the county for the zipcode you entered). You would not get systems and conventional channels for the counties adjacent to your's.

To get a better response from someone in your area, as to what you should, and should not, expect to hear, you may want to request that this thread be moved to the Wisconsin state forum. To do that, do not create a new thread. Instead, click on the Report in the lower left corner of one of your posts, and request that a moderator move your thread to the state forum. Someone in the area would be more likely to see it there.

 

[radionut44]

One other comment: there are some channels (tactical for example) that are not allowed on the streaming apps, but that you may be able to receive on your own private scanner. There are other channels that the stream operators do not care about streaming, but you may want to listen to. Only time I use streaming is for feeds that are out of my range of reception that I want to hear for breaking events, like a major fire many states away.

 

[hiegtx]

One other comment: there are some channels (tactical for example) that are not allowed on the streaming apps, but that you may be able to receive on your own private scanner. There are other channels that the stream operators do not care about streaming, but you may want to listen to. Only time I use streaming is for feeds that are out of my range of reception that I want to hear for breaking events, like a major fire many states away.

Excellent point. In your local area, fireground and other tactical frequencies may be very interesting, but often are not on any feed. (As noted, some types are not allowed on feeds.)

I also primarily use the feeds to listen to traffic on incidents in areas outside my own region. The fires in California; aircraft accidents, such as the "Miracle on the Hudson" when 'Capt. Sully' set his plane down in the river after losing both engines due to bird strikes; or listening to the responses on some of the mass shooting incidents, such as that in Las Vegas some time back.

 

[1ibandit]

Looks like there are several feeds for the Kenosha area on Broadcastify.
https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/3081

For each feed, there is a description of what is being carried. If you are listening to a feed on an app other than Broadcastify (the live audio companion to RadioReference), then you would need to see if details are available on that platform.

For scanning with the TRX-1 and your area, did you first install EZ-Scan, then download a database update? Be sure and do that. Once you do the update, and rite that information to the scanner, then you have two choices: You can set it up to listen by using your zip code, or use the Library Import function in EZ-Scan to pick and choose what you want.

Note that if you simply use the zip code, that will only load systems and agencies in your county (the county for the zipcode you entered). You would not get systems and conventional channels for the counties adjacent to your's.

To get a better response from someone in your area, as to what you should, and should not, expect to hear, you may want to request that this thread be moved to the Wisconsin state forum. To do that, do not create a new thread. Instead, click on the Report in the lower left corner of one of your posts, and request that a moderator move your thread to the state forum. Someone in the area would be more likely to see it there.

Thank you for the reply. I two apps I have used so far gave me no clue to the channels they use. I will do the request you told me about. Again thank you.

 

[1ibandit]

One other comment: there are some channels (tactical for example) that are not allowed on the streaming apps, but that you may be able to receive on your own private scanner. There are other channels that the stream operators do not care about streaming, but you may want to listen to. Only time I use streaming is for feeds that are out of my range of reception that I want to hear for breaking events, like a major fire many states away.

Thank you. I use the apps from away from home, but again I get somethings on the app I have not found on the scanner.

 

[1ibandit]

Looks like there are several feeds for the Kenosha area on Broadcastify.
https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/3081

For each feed, there is a description of what is being carried. If you are listening to a feed on an app other than Broadcastify (the live audio companion to RadioReference), then you would need to see if details are available on that platform.

For scanning with the TRX-1 and your area, did you first install EZ-Scan, then download a database update? Be sure and do that. Once you do the update, and rite that information to the scanner, then you have two choices: You can set it up to listen by using your zip code, or use the Library Import function in EZ-Scan to pick and choose what you want.

Note that if you simply use the zip code, that will only load systems and agencies in your county (the county for the zipcode you entered). You would not get systems and conventional channels for the counties adjacent to your's.

To get a better response from someone in your area, as to what you should, and should not, expect to hear, you may want to request that this thread be moved to the Wisconsin state forum. To do that, do not create a new thread. Instead, click on the Report in the lower left corner of one of your posts, and request that a moderator move your thread to the state forum. Someone in the area would be more likely to see it there.

Sorry for replying two times... I did install ez-scan, did all updates and that was before this post. More info.. I have had a few times that both get the same broard cast. Other times only the app plays it. I am wondering if maybe I need a better antenna.

 

[DJ11DLN]

If you are using the stock antenna that came with the scanner then the answer would be that unless you are right on top of the transmitters you wish to monitor, then yes you do need a better one. All stock scanner antennas are pretty awful due to being designed for very wide coverage. Knowing what frequency bands your interest lies in and posting those here will doubtless result in some good recommendations.

 

[hiegtx]

If you are using the stock antenna that came with the scanner then the answer would be that unless you are right on top of the transmitters you wish to monitor, then yes you do need a better one. All stock scanner antennas are pretty awful due to being designed for very wide coverage. Knowing what frequency bands your interest lies in and posting those here will doubtless result in some good recommendations.

Looks like just about all the public safety agencies in Kenosha County are using Vhf-high. So the often recommended Remtronix 800MHz antenna would not be a good choice. I would suggest either the RH77CA or RH789. Be sure to get the BNC version of either of these Diamond antennas; the SMA versions are used on some of the Uniden scanners, not Whistler. There are models of other manufacturer's antennas that would work as well, but I am not familiar with the specific model numbers to look at.

 

[1ibandit]

If you are using the stock antenna that came with the scanner then the answer would be that unless you are right on top of the transmitters you wish to monitor, then yes you do need a better one. All stock scanner antennas are pretty awful due to being designed for very wide coverage. Knowing what frequency bands your interest lies in and posting those here will doubtless result in some good recommendations.

Yes I am on stock antenna. Most of channel are around 154.000 to 156.000. someone else posted some antennas for me to check out.
Again thank you for the help
Bob

 

[1ibandit]

Looks like just about all the public safety agencies in Kenosha County are using Vhf-high. So the often recommended Remtronix 800MHz antenna would not be a good choice. I would suggest either the RH77CA or RH789. Be sure to get the BNC version of either of these Diamond antennas; the SMA versions are used on some of the Uniden scanners, not Whistler. There are models of other manufacturer's antennas that would work as well, but I am not familiar with the specific model numbers to look at.

Thank you. I will look both up tonight...

Bob

 

[DJ11DLN]

The above-recommended antennas should work pretty well for that frequency range and they won't break the bank either. They're going to be longer than the stock one though so be prepared for that.

 

[hiegtx]

The above-recommended antennas should work pretty well for that frequency range and they won't break the bank either. They're going to be longer than the stock one though so be prepared for that.

Very true. That's why I prefer the RH789, because I can collapse the antenna when carrying, so that the antenna does not get snagged on anything.

 

[1ibandit]

Very true. That's why I prefer the RH789, because I can collapse the antenna when carrying, so that the antenna does not get snagged on anything.

I ordered both... Will see what one works better..
Thank everyone for the help.

 

[sparklehorse]

Your scanner app may not tell you what channels it’s scanning, but with a little sleuthing you can usually figure it out. It’s generally easy enough to tell whether what you’re hearing is Fire/EMS or Law Enforcement. From there it’s just a matter of figuring out which town it is, or which city, or which county. Devote some time to listening and sit down with a paper map and plot out with a pencil where the addresses are that you hear, what the unit numbers are that are responding, what some of the codes are that you hear. Anything that seems like a clue. You will be surprised at how much you can learn in a short period of time. Once you know what you’re listening to, and therefore what you want to hear, you can use the Radioreference database as a guide to learn who is on what communication system, what frequencies do they use, what Talkgroups if it’s a Trunk system, etc, etc. You may even find a listing of the codes being used at the RR database page or elsewhere online. Once you have nailed down some of this info it’s just a matter of learning how to properly program your scanner so that it scans exactly what you want it to scan and not a whole bunch of stuff that you have no interest in or can’t receive anyway. Zip Code scanning will become something you used to do.
.

 

[1ibandit]

Your scanner app may not tell you what channels it’s scanning, but with a little sleuthing you can usually figure it out. It’s generally easy enough to tell whether what you’re hearing is Fire/EMS or Law Enforcement. From there it’s just a matter of figuring out which town it is, or which city, or which county. Devote some time to listening and sit down with a paper map and plot out with a pencil where the addresses are that you hear, what the unit numbers are that are responding, what some of the codes are that you hear. Anything that seems like a clue. You will be surprised at how much you can learn in a short period of time. Once you know what you’re listening to, and therefore what you want to hear, you can use the Radioreference database as a guide to learn who is on what communication system, what frequencies do they use, what Talkgroups if it’s a Trunk system, etc, etc. You may even find a listing of the codes being used at the RR database page or elsewhere online. Once you have nailed down some of this info it’s just a matter of learning how to properly program your scanner so that it scans exactly what you want it to scan and not a whole bunch of stuff that you have no interest in or can’t receive anyway. Zip Code scanning will become something you used to do.
.

I was doing the DD, but the scanner was not getting same channels.... Now I was able to test with both antennas.... Guess what... Perfect now! I get all the channels the app was using.... Thanks everyone for helping.

I like the RH789 best at home when I have the least chance of bending it. The RH77CA for away from home becuase of how it flexes.
Again thank you all
1ibandit