sunnyskyez
Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2016
- Messages
- 19
Hello to you all,
I hope Im in the proper area for this. Im looking for opinions & advice on the difference between listening to a ham radio and a police scanner. Soon all law enforcement will encrypt their digital signals leaving digital scanners silent. So my head went to ham radios, I do not want to transmit, (maybe when I retire I will revisit that thought). I want to listen to activity in my small town around the world?. Instead of spending $650 on a police scanner that will be silent in a year, would a ham radio be a better option?
Im an amateur when it comes to evan police scanners so much so I still don’t understand it which is why I had my old scanner pre-programmed for me. Whilst reading up on hams I got a headache trying to soak some of it up, it was greek to me. Im more of a hands on woman, I like pictures when I build book shelves. LOL.
I know I would need a transreceiver and I know Its illegal to transmit with out a license, but I can listen and be legal. So if a ham radio would be better at this point, which one would be reliable if you will? How do I even find traffic? I understand I would need a larger outside antenna, but one step at a time.
Im so confused I don’t even know the right questions to ask you. Like what is the range in comparison to scanners?
I did read on your forum that the gov’t is thinking about letting hams go digital. Good for you guys and gals!
Or should I just forget the whole thing and just go silent. Frustration is not a good thing on me. LOL.
I truly appreciate any advice- opinions anyone has, even if you tell me to go silent. HA!
Thanks so much and have a great day. Sunny
I hope Im in the proper area for this. Im looking for opinions & advice on the difference between listening to a ham radio and a police scanner. Soon all law enforcement will encrypt their digital signals leaving digital scanners silent. So my head went to ham radios, I do not want to transmit, (maybe when I retire I will revisit that thought). I want to listen to activity in my small town around the world?. Instead of spending $650 on a police scanner that will be silent in a year, would a ham radio be a better option?
Im an amateur when it comes to evan police scanners so much so I still don’t understand it which is why I had my old scanner pre-programmed for me. Whilst reading up on hams I got a headache trying to soak some of it up, it was greek to me. Im more of a hands on woman, I like pictures when I build book shelves. LOL.
I know I would need a transreceiver and I know Its illegal to transmit with out a license, but I can listen and be legal. So if a ham radio would be better at this point, which one would be reliable if you will? How do I even find traffic? I understand I would need a larger outside antenna, but one step at a time.
Im so confused I don’t even know the right questions to ask you. Like what is the range in comparison to scanners?
I did read on your forum that the gov’t is thinking about letting hams go digital. Good for you guys and gals!
Or should I just forget the whole thing and just go silent. Frustration is not a good thing on me. LOL.
I truly appreciate any advice- opinions anyone has, even if you tell me to go silent. HA!
Thanks so much and have a great day. Sunny