Compare Non-Digital Scanners

Manufacturer's SKU or unique product number.

There are two scanner manufacturers: Whistler & Uniden.

Scanners are able to monitor 2 formats:
Digital
Analog

Most communication is the US is digital or migrating to digital.

Scanners are able to monitor 2 formats:
Digital
Analog

Most communication is the US is digital or migrating to digital.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) & all emergency weather communication is broadcast via analog format throughout the US. All scanners can monitor NOAA.

ProVoice EDACS is a form of digital.
If your area uses this, you must buy an EDACS capable scanner to monitor.

NXDN is a form of digital.
If your area uses this, you must buy an NXDN capable scanner to monitor.

DMR is a form of digital.
If your area uses this, you must buy a DMR capable scanner to monitor.

Scanners pick up frequencies in the 25-1300 Mhz band range. This gets needlessly technical, so we recommend focusing on digital & analog.

Basically, digital scanners can monitor the full spectrum (25-1300Mhz) & analog can only pick up segments.

Some scanners are able to pick up AM & FM radio.

Number of channels (frequencies) that can be saved in scanner.

In a simulcast system, multiple transmitters on separate towers simultaneously broadcasting on the same frequency.

If what you want to hear is affected by simulcast you must buy a simulcast capable scanner.

GPS capable scanners allows frequencies to autoload while driving
GPS receiver (sold separately) required to use.

Alpha tags are short descriptions, under 12 characters, used to label frequencies & talk groups.

Network Access Code (NAC) is a user programmable 12-bit code that prefixes every packet of data sent (including voice packets). NAC codes minimize co-channel interference & allow repeater addressing.
Example: 156 = DEA, 330 = FBI

Allows scanner to operate in standby mode (no sound) & only respond to fire tone-outs, which are audible tones that alert specific resources. In this setting, no radio transmissions are audible until a specific set of tones are broadcast.

Location-based scanning allows control of which systems/sites & channel groups are scanned based on location. No need to manually enable & disable channel groups or systems when moving locations.

Rapidly detects & monitors frequencies close by. Used to pick up nearby transmissions when on-the-go.

Record transmissions while listening.

All scanners can be programmed via PCs only.

All scanners can be programmed via PCs only. There is no Mac compatible software. If you have a Mac, we can program for you.

Most digital scanners come with software which allows programming & software updated via a PC computer.

US & Canadian frequencies come on scanner. Radio Reference is the database used.

Software (data & storage) lives on an SD card which goes in the scanner (hardware).

Simple & older scanner models have dynamic memory. The memory of newer digital scanners is driven via an SD card, which has many benefits.

Estimated scanner reception range without antenna upgrade. Scanners work on line-of-sight, not satellites, so topography makes a large difference. Anything from a tree, hill, or a strong breeze can affect reception.

Fully charged.

All Whistler & Uniden scanners have a 1 year manufacturers warranty.