Why do we listen to scanners?

[xpawel15x]

People that dont have to (but do) listen to police/fire on their scanners. Why? I have people asking me all the time, why do I do what I do. I tell them it's a hobby and it's very interesting to know what goes on around in your area. Anyone else have a better explanation on why we listen to scanners?

 

[rpowley]

It is a hobby, but it is also a great way get information in real time. When I'm traveling I use it to avoid accidents and other problem spots. When bad weather is in the area NOAA is fine, but the local PD/FD that are out in the field give constant reports and updates.

 

[MNRotrMedic]

I worked in a local ER and we always had our base in monitoring the local EMS dispatch channel as well as the local and national EMS frequencies. After leaving the ER i missed hearing the ambulance tones and knowing where they were going when i would hear them go out so i bought my first scanner (a PRO-92). After that i got into some of the problem solving aspects. One of the first tasks that i set was sorting out the local LTR system that the air med in my area was dispatched on. Once i mapped (and submitted) that system i was hooked! I'm always looking for a problem to solve!

 

[proquist96]

I always hear the sirens and wonder "what has happened this time". Its a hobby where you hear breaking news before the media can report it, which is great for the car chases.

 

[maalox]

hi . here in nyc. if there were a major incident i would hear it way before it hits the news the news does not give you full details of whats happenning but your scanner will.

 

[Universaldecoder]

I listen for real time news in my immediate area, as well as neighboring cities. Next to this, I listen for its entertainment value (--- FM, especially in the morning, really sucks in my area....from the annoying DJ's and their teenagish sense of humor....to the non-stop commercials, and the same songs being played over, and over, and over, and over again...), it's nice to have a little variety, and a bit of spice.

 

[mikea7531]

I just say it's 'Reality Radio!'

 

[902]

I've been listening since I was a kid. I wanted to know what went on in my neighborhood. When I got older, I joined the ambulance corps and then the fire department and I still listened to hear what I may be going out on before I actually got called. When it finally became my job, I still have my scanner (along with a few other issued items). I also listen when I travel to hear how other agencies work and have, over the years, picked up on ideas from other places and brought them home.

The short answer is that I guess I'm just nosey.

 

[SLWilson]

Hooked !

I've been listening since I got my first "tunable" AM/FM/Public Safety tunable radio when I was just a kid in scouts.

Then, got a "real" Bearcat VIII crystal scanner.

Graduated school, went to Hocking Tech for "Police Science"....Went to work at the local PD as a dispatcher. Took the police basic. Became a Reserve Officer. Kept dispatching full time.

In the mid '80's got my ham ticket.

Left the PD in '97 to take a job with the county running the 911 Center.

Just been listen to and or creating what everyone with a scanner hears in our county. I guess you could say I was just HOOKED on listening !!!!

Steve/KB8FAR

 

[Turbo68]

I been Scanning the Airbands for 30 years & I enjoy every minute and People ask me why I got so many Radios and I suppose if they are not in the Hobby they will never understand.

Regards Lino (Melbourne Australia)

 

[hotdjdave]

Communications and Electronics

I love communications and electronics (gadgets - consumer electronics). What a better combination than the marriage of these two?

 

[manross]

I relate it to: A well armed population is a safer population....a well informed population is a MUCH SAFER population. Think about all the aspects of those two things. If I'm sitting in my livingroom watching tv and someone busts through my front door, being well armed I'll be able to protect my family. If I hear on a scanner the cops are chasing a bad guy in my neighborhood......I'll be at the front door to welcome the bad guy....you betcha

 

[manross]

Sorry for the double post ?!?!?!?

 

[kb2vxa]

Because it's THERE. Also because a scanner is easier to use that this old beast, my first VHF receiver.

"...and the same songs being played over, and over, and over, and over again..."

"It's the same old song, you done me wrong!"
Genesis, Robbery Assault and Battery from the album Trick of the Tale.

Yeah, today's scanners free us from the boring local crap with a LOT more to play with.

 

[KA2ZEY]

so much to hear

At the age of 8, I was blown away by the fact that there was other stuff happening on either side of the FM and AM dial. The fact that you could listen to aircraft was incredible. I also had a toy CB and was fascinated by how far you could talk on it. I remember getting my first copy of Police Call without knowing that there were direct entry scanners yet. When I found out that you could enter all those frequencies directly, that was it!!!

I live in NYC and it's incredible to think of how many transmissions are going on at once. I guess it's fascinating to listen to the otherwise unknowable 'going ons' of the city...

 

[ReceiverBeaver]

Beavers have always held one ear to the sky and....and....er....ah...a tail in the water (makes a good ground) and have always had a natural, if not downright peculiar, thirsty desire to participate fully in whatever all is going on with this darn radio thing. I mean......whitey is out there and is going to transmit his RF signals into the air all over and they (radio signals) come across our dams and through our furry and shimmering bodies......by golly gosh dagnabbit we got a right to know what is on those signals and their electronic natures. So we Beavers....being a thrifty lot, seeing as we have to live and plot out here in the woods and all...we have long since scavaged neighboring yard sales, perused government auctions and in later years have bought a rig or two on ebay. But mostly we steel them. Boy oh boy some of you sheeple are really stoopid. People...people....don't leave your radios out lying around where any ol' Beaver can walk by and snatch the muther.

But yeah, radios are fun things. One can hear many lots of useful stuff. You can hear when the Beaver Patrol is coming your way.....it's kindof like a smokey report on one of your beaver-slaughtering super highways :evil:

Peace be with you


Beavers say: Keep Chewing !!! ..and we also say, 10-4 good buddy and have fun with radios! Radios are just the thing for all your listening needs and all yer talkin' needs too.




When Beavers speak........trees listen !!

 

[rockag41]

I have been scanning since the early 1980s. I still have (and use) my first scanner. It was is a bearcat 220. I simply enjoy listining to what is happening in the community. My friends say that I am nosey.

I guess scanning is like golf. You either get it or you don't.

 

[b52hbuff]

Because since they got rid of the moving light, they're not as much fun to watch?

Except maybe the Icom R3...

 

[Boomeranger]

People that dont have to (but do) listen to police/fire on their scanners. Why? I have people asking me all the time, why do I do what I do. I tell them it's a hobby and it's very interesting to know what goes on around in your area. Anyone else have a better explanation on why we listen to scanners?

It beats waiting for the TV news.

It lets me build a crime map of my neighborhoods. Using street mapping software, of course.

I get copter traffic reports just in time to take evasive driving maneuvers.

I can hear the electric company crews tell me in advance how long it will take to return power, where the problem is and then hear them throw the switch and BINGO!

Listen to the plow and road crews sound off plowing progress and road closures.

Listen to the local school bus drivers/dispatch to get a clear picture of the winter conditions on all my roads. (Better than DOT most of the time).

Listen to the TV-audio during power outtages. Just another resource.

Listen to my plow service to hear when they're going to make it up my street.

Listen for comms to animal control about road kill. DINNER!

Listen to ballpark security so if I piss in the aisle, I'll know where they're coming from.

The last two being humor!

Andy
Scannist

 

[b7spectra]

I got my 1st one (Pro-14) right after I got caught street racing (so I would know where they were), but gave up the fast cars (1971 Boss 351 Mustang). I since went on to be a Paramedic (had lots of radio's then) and a traffic reporter (listened to a lot of scanners there!). I just like to know what is going on! People at work are always asking me "so what happened at so-and-so location last night?"