Deep dive on programming here.

We HIGHLY recommend letting our experts program your scanner.

Programming issues are, by FAR, the #1 reason for...

  • Returns
  • 99% of any negative comments about the WS1040 you'll read while researching
  • 99% of any negative comments about us
  • 90% + of all support questions
  • Our receding hairlines

Basically, you're about to spend hundreds of dollars on a snappy new gadget, might as well spring a few extra bucks so it will actually work right out of the box.

Programming Includes:
  • Check & install any firmware updates (OS may have updates since production).
  • Sync & update frequencies to ensure accuracy.
  • Create favorites lists for as many States & Counties as ordered.
  • Set clock & date.
  • Program with 3rd party software.
  • Use national frequency database for frequencies.
What is "One Touch Programming"?

With "One Touch Programming" our technician will program your scanner for your area. All you need to do is simply power your scanner on. Choose as many Counties as you'd like and our scanner technician will create favorites lists for police, fire and EMS in that County using frequencies from a national frequency database.

When you choose a County, we also program the State that County is in. For example, if you choose Cook County Illinois, we will program Illinois State police, fire & EMS in addition to Cook County police, fire & EMS. If your County is large and you want to listen to a specific City within that County, add this to the notes section. Please note that programming adds 2-3 days to shipping. 

Air, Rail & Race programming?

Each of these will count as "1 County." If you want to listen to Air and Rail you would buy "2 Counties" of programming and in the text area, type the name of the Airport and Rail you'd like to hear.

Programming Overview

Programming is the #1 concern of potential police scanner radio buyers. Each scanner's programming is unique & we added how-to's on each scanner product page showing how to program that particular scanner (see above for this model). We recommend watching programming videos to determine whether you should have your scanner professionally programmed. 95% of all scanner sales include programming either at purchase or after—when users get frustrated.

Self Programming

Can I program on my own?

We created a programming decision tree as well as programming videos (above) to help you decided on whether you should include professional programming with your scanner, but we HIGHLY recommend adding programming

Programming Questions? Chat with a programming expert now.