The Last Police Call

[MCIAD]

This may be old news, but here is an article with Gene Hughes, owner/editor of Police Call. Evidently the 2005 edition is the last one. He is retiring.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,69133,00.html

 

[Dubbin]

No big loss since it seems to always be outdated. Right here on RR is the best place to go for freq listings

 

[MCIAD]

You must be young. For those of us who have been around for a while, before the internet, Police Call was the ONLY place to get frequency information. It is kind of like the passing of an icon. Lack of need, in large part due to the advent of the internet, is one of the biggest reasons he is calling it quits.

The fact that he is 77 years old now, and have been doing this since the 40's (as in 1940, not HIS 40's), entitles him to some respect.

Don't you think.

 

[Kirk]

I'm young (well, 37) and can remember when having a Police Call on the shelf was mandatory for any serious scanner listener. This was back in the day when if you wanted info that wasn't listed in police call (like businesses), you could either search for it yourself, or pay for data.

I recall going in with a few folks to get microfiche copies of FCC records from my area, going to the library to view the fiche, and then going to the courthouse to look up addresses and names to see what businesses people owned (as some licenses were listed under the name of the licensee, rather than the business name). Information gathering in those days was much harder.

While I confess I haven't purchased a copy of Police Call in several years, it was an institution. I certainly appreciate the contribution Gene Huges made to the hobby.

Also, while RadioReference.com is a fantastic resource, it isn't the end-all, be all. There are many areas of the country where it simply has no real useful data. I'm doing my part to contribute what I can for my area, but on numerous occasions I've gone looking for info that simply isn't there. This will improve with time, of course, but it's not there yet.

I still rely heavily on printed frequency books from trusted sources. I'm fortunate enough to live in California (well, fortunate in this one respect, unfortunate in countless others) where Bob Kelty has been providing highly detailed books for several decades.

 

[toydriver_det]

I will miss it. I still bought a copy every year. I liked the way it was layed out and for sure it was still a great reference when you are out and about without access to the internet. My copy (along with the CD the last couple of years) was always in the motorhome as I cruised around the state.
Toydriver

 

[RohnsRadio]

Yes I will miss it too. I have bought a copy since the early 70's.

Rohn
KD4HCT

 

[oregontreehugger]

When I got started in scanning the first thing I did was turn the scanner on. The second thing I did was to buy a copy of Police Call.

Mind you, this wasn't that long ago. The internet was still pay-as-you-go and there weren't a whole lot of scanner enthusiast web pages. Searching for "scanner" on the 'net usually brought up how-to's on "scanning" family photos or magazine articles.

When I found a frequency and wondered who was using it, I reached for Police Call. Sad to see it will be no longer.

If we all do our part and update the RR database, we might be at a fraction of what Gene was able to provide. Here's to hoping he has a great retirement.

 

[mule1075]

it is a shame to see it go but Happy Retierment Mr Hughes.Thanks for being their for all of us Scanner Nuts.

 

[Tsch6373]

Gene Hughes certainly does deserve alot of respect, he was the first to come out with the lists of freqs that made scanning what it is today! Without him, and of course before the internet, there was nothing to guide us in the right direction where what we wanted to listen to is concerned. Back in the mid-70s, when I began scanning, we didn't have 'digital' reception or 'service search' as we do today, back then we were limited to chrystals, one for each frequency we wanted to install in our 4- or up to 8-channel base or hand-held radio. In that time, Police Call was the only easily-accessible freq guide available, and then only thru Radio Shack.
To sum up, Thank you, Gene, for the many years you put in making this a very enjoyable hobby. By many of us veteran scannists, you will be missed. I wish you many Happy Years of Retirement!
Terri

 

[Dubbin]

You must be young. For those of us who have been around for a while, before the internet, Police Call was the ONLY place to get frequency information. It is kind of like the passing of an icon. Lack of need, in large part due to the advent of the internet, is one of the biggest reasons he is calling it quits.

The fact that he is 77 years old now, and have been doing this since the 40's (as in 1940, not HIS 40's), entitles him to some respect.

Don't you think.

Nope I'm not that young and I do remember using police call. I'm not saying that he doesn't deserve respect I'm saying that it is just not needed anymore since we now have the internet. Thats why I say its no big deal.

 

[MCIAD]

Fair enough.

 

[250d]

reply

I will give him credit for the police call books,But on the other hand it seemed to be the same stuff year after year...

 

[toydriver_det]

change

I will give him credit for the police call books,But on the other hand it seemed to be the same stuff year after year...

You could say the same thing about RadioReference (outside of the forums of course).
A lot of Policecall was repeated but how many new scanner hobbiests bought their first issue each year?
Most radio users do not change freqs very often so all that would stay the same of course.
It also grew over the years from just Policecall to Beyond Policecall, dispatch zones for major cities, the CD rom.
One of the the best uses I found was looking up who a found freq was listed for. I enjoy searching and there really is not an easy internet lookup for a freq. Not to mention looking up something while out and about away from internet access. I spend about 50% of my scanner time away from and without access to my computer.
But that's just me and my thoughts....

 

[k2epm]

You must be young. For those of us who have been around for a while, before the internet, Police Call was the ONLY place to get frequency information. It is kind of like the passing of an icon. Lack of need, in large part due to the advent of the internet, is one of the biggest reasons he is calling it quits.

The fact that he is 77 years old now, and have been doing this since the 40's (as in 1940, not HIS 40's), entitles him to some respect.

Don't you think.

Yeah, I agree !!!!!!!!!!! Some people are just STUPID.

 

[N4JNW]

Wow... This thread is like 2 years old... LOL

 

[WA1CRZ]

Wow... This thread is like 2 years old... LOL

I just saw a 2005 NY/NJ Police Callbook at a yard sale. I shoulda bought it.

 

[N4JNW]

frame it lmao