The distance you can hear a transmission is dependant upon multiple factors, a few of which are height of antenna and transmitter output power, your scanner antenna and how high it’s mounted above the ground… higher is better. Hearing 12 miles away is fully within expectations provided you don’t have any hills or mountains, buildings blocking your line-of-sight. If you live in a valley and your location is in a gully, then chances are reception will be diminished. But if you can see the mountain or building the transmitter’s antenna is located on from your location, it’s considered line-of-sight and reception should be pristine. The best way to determine if it’s possible is to ask someone in your area if they can hear what you want to monitor. There are regional forums listed by state where you should ask here on RR. But you should contact the moderator and ask him to move your post to the other forum… it’s a rule RR asks that we follow. Once you list your state, county and agency you wish to listen to, you may learn it’s an encrypted system which the scanner is supposed to ignore and continue scanning, or it’s using a different mode than the one you programmed.
