What brand and model is the scanner? Does it have a "Band" button or something similar. If so, press it until it says something like "public saftey". If you live in an area the scanner will work, then the scanner should start receiving traffic (to an extent). Hard to tell without knowing the brand or model.
Welcome to the forums. What is the make & model of the scanner you picked up?
Is your friend local? Perhaps he/she can guide you on what to purchase if it fits your budget and perhaps can help program the scanner.
I already asked they had it done before they received it. Deal included at cost scanner & programming.
Wow! No wonder it was so cheap. Well poo any recommendations way under budget??Maybe just point me in the right direction or 2 different area I could look into. Thank youHate to be the bearer of bad news but you're not going to be able to pick up your county's police or fire with a Baofeng. They operate on the trunked radio system linked below. You'll need a P25 Phase-II capable trunk tracking scanner to pick up said trunked system, see list here for capable receivers. Talkgroups ID'ed as mode "T" are clear and can be monitored. Mode "TE" talkgroups are fully encrypted and cannot be monitored with any receiver not intended to operate on the system
Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS) Trunking System, Statewide, Multi-State
Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System (ISICS) Trunking System Profilewww.radioreference.com
And for your perusal, an overview on how trunked radio systems work:
Trunking Basics - The RadioReference Wiki
wiki.radioreference.com
I'd return the Baofeng for a refund ASAP. It has transmit capabilities and you wouldn't want you or your son inadvertently transmitting on any frequency, that could lead to trouble
Expect to spend about $300+ for a P25 Phase-II/TDMA capable scanner, receiving Phase-II isn't cheap. Alternatively you could explore a software defined radio but these require a computer and software to drive it. Plenty of info about that on the Software Defined Radio forum.
Your son could listen to online feeds on Broadcastify, however no one's providing any feeds for your county
Non the less if the county uses simulcast. Then most ~$300 scanners won't do it, sadly. If your county uses talkgroup modes with a "D", then a phase 1 scanner will do the trick.
OP's closest site doesn't appear to be simulcast per the RRDB
However, there are multiple ways to make it impossible for the radio to transmit, given you have the programing software and a programing cable. The Baofeng is a good tool to test if you want to get into Amature radio, but not a great tool for radio scanning.
www.broadcastify.com
Anamosa is in Jones County. Does the Linn County feed include Jones County?
Unfortunately before too long they will all be on the SARA network along with the counties around it so only an SDS will work. Reading their county minutes they haven't moved because of budget concerns and hasn't been mentioned since 2022.To start, this is a link to stream Iowa Dept of Public Safety for your area:
Law 3D - District #12/Department of Public Safety - Area D Group Calls Live
5303 Group Calls Live
I'm seeing some fire department analog VHF frequencies for Jones County which the Baofeng radio could be programmed to monitor. The police seem to be using P25 conventional exclusively, so the Baofeng will not work for those.
I would look into a Uniden 325P2 for your area - probably the best solution, but not cheap.
