Hello how far will a digital police scanner receive signals?
range
- Thread starter headlinemen52
- Start date
- Status
Several factors come into play: Band, power emissions at TX site, number of sites repeating same signal just to name a few. Rule of thumb is the lower the frequency the further the signal propagates, but there are exceptions to this rule. VHF generally propagates much further than 700/800mhz when conditions are favorable. Also geography, topography between you and the transmit site(s). Atmospheric & tropospheric conditions, your & TX site's elevation. Also the antenna you're using will have an impact on what your scanner is able to receive. Theoretically the higher the antenna the more you'll be able to receive. Many many different things, I'm sure I'm missing others
Last edited:
wtp
Member
if i can hear packet from the space station at 250 miles up, does that count ?
my 396T, when the weather is right, picks up tampa electric 800 trunked at 100 miles.
but that is here in 'flatland' Florida.
i have trouble with lee county at 25 miles.
my 396T, when the weather is right, picks up tampa electric 800 trunked at 100 miles.
but that is here in 'flatland' Florida.
i have trouble with lee county at 25 miles.
Signals from space meet very little if any trees, buildings, or other objects that deflect or absorb the signals. They are also not affected by the curvature of the earth like a signal from a ground location.
I'm glad to see this question asked as I've wondered myself. Of course mountains, hills, even city skylines and the height of the transmitter you're trying to listen to (as well as YOUR height and antenna) can come into play.
- Status
