I’ve been getting ready to go on a road trip for awhile and I thought that it could be pretty fun to use my scanner while I’m out and about on the road. Are there mobile options that are affordable and that are easy for me to have in my van as I travel throughout the country? Thanks for your recommendations; I can’t wait to get started!
Subject: Road Trip Scanning
- Thread starter tonefr
- Start date
-
- Tags
- trip scanning
- Status
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2004
- Messages
- 2,047
- Reaction score
- 773
First consideration: Many states now have laws that outlaw scanners in vehicles (but most exempt ham radio operators). Do your research!
Next: Different scanners have different capabilities, so what you purchase depends on what particular systems you want to hear. There are still plenty of 'plain-jane' radio systems around the country, but most big cities (and more and more counties/townships) are moving to more sophisticated radio systems - which require a more sophisticated (read expensive) scanner.
Some scanner models are capable of interface with a GPS receiver. Properly done, this would allow the scanner to seamlessly switch from system to system as you travel along your route. If you're planning a long trip, this might be something to consider.
Best of luck,
- John
Next: Different scanners have different capabilities, so what you purchase depends on what particular systems you want to hear. There are still plenty of 'plain-jane' radio systems around the country, but most big cities (and more and more counties/townships) are moving to more sophisticated radio systems - which require a more sophisticated (read expensive) scanner.
Some scanner models are capable of interface with a GPS receiver. Properly done, this would allow the scanner to seamlessly switch from system to system as you travel along your route. If you're planning a long trip, this might be something to consider.
Best of luck,
- John
jonwienke
More Info Coming Soon!
The GPS-enabled scanners are well worth their cost, especially the ones with the nationwide database. You connect the GPS to the scanner, tell the scanner what categories of traffic you want to hear and how far out you want to listen, and the scanner will automatically scan nearby channels matching your criteria, and will update what channels are scanned as you travel without you having to manually toggle anything on and off.
Having a scanner in my vehicle on long trips helps to break up the monotony and has often alerted me to traffic issues so I can react appropriately. It's been many decades since I've ventured on a trip somewhere and didn't include scanning along the way.
The things I consider essential: a scanner capable of accepting a GPS device, a GPS device, an outside antenna and an amplified speaker for the scanner.
The things I consider essential: a scanner capable of accepting a GPS device, a GPS device, an outside antenna and an amplified speaker for the scanner.
U.S. Scanner Laws. That is a link to mobile scanner laws in the US I use it all the time as an OTR truck driver
- Status
Similar threads
- Article
