Anyone here use a police scanner?
 

I've been thinking about getting a police scanner, mainly because I'm nosey and I always wonder what happenning when I see two or three cruiser take off in the same direction, or what the chopper with the searchlight is looking for. When I was in highschool, my art teacher brought a scanner to class and we listened to an arrest in the parking lot (thjis was west county St. Louis). A lot of fun. Anyone here use a scanner or have any experience with them? They're kind of pricey.

I checked the state regs. You can't disclose what you hear, and you need a permit to have a mobile scanner. Otherwise you can eavesdrop.

Having a scanner in the home is not banned anywhere in the US, however scanners in cars are banned or require permits in some states.

If you are in a metropolitan area, police communications are probably done over a trunked system. Programming a scanner to follow trunked communications can be a bit complex. For trunked systems, you would probably want to get a scanner which can be programmed via a computer.

As a real estate appraiser, I get into many homes in this part of pa. I would say that 70% of the people have scanners on all the time. It's great for shut ins and nosey people. (I don't use one..I would never get on the net, listening to the state police...all the time) :)

I only use em when I'm gonna pull a job

the wif is an EMT so her freaking scanner is on 24/7. after a while it gets annoying/boring.
buy oil instead :)

I listend since the quake of 89
 

I bought mine after the quake of 89 in CA. Found I could listen to the police sheriff listened all the time. Heard the police dispatched to my house as last known address for someone in a hit and run we lived there for 6 years. Heard a brave crazy cop come under fully automatic gun fire calling in his situation under the dash glass breaking engine revving car crashing after he was around a corner and he calmly says I guess they don’t like cops. Heard calls where cops screwed up so bad innocent people were shot. Called my neighbor to tell him he was getting raided 1 minute before cops busted down his door. Heard every rule broken in violent hi risk situations shooting from moving vehicles ramming fleeing cars in excess of 110mph. But I was at a neighbor’s house 2 months ago when there was a home invasion robbery I escaped alerted police and that they had scanners. For my troubles I was kept locked in a police car for 9 hours finally a cop SOLD me a bottled water for a $125 they did not give a crap I was diabetic and needed my medicine had a cop raise a fist to me after 8 hours in the car I said screw it lit a smoke knowing it would get some reaction my pleas weren’t. Taken downtown after hostage stand off ended shown the door not allowed to call any one even though I told them I had no money I was robbed the San Jose PD could give a **** Ill never listen to them again. FS 2 year old top of the line radio shack desk or car scanner cost $300 sell $125 I will always keep my original bearcat scanner for earth quakes though. But if SJPD said flee north you know danger is north and there trying to keep roads clear for them selves and there families sorry to rant.
Dave San Jose CA real men are sheriffs

My friend used to keep one in his car, apparently in fl they arent illegal unless they are permanently mounted in your car or have a microphone of some sort. I understand your feeling for not trusting cops, i called them once for my room mates safety and they ended up arreseting him, plus many other occasions where they have been MUCH MUCH more harm than help. Seems all of them are out to get young people, regardless whether they are wrong or not. I've thought of getting one of these on many occasions, only thing drawing me back is money. Maybe if i had one i'd actually learn what cops really do aside from harrassing innocent people.........
Ryan

I have a scanner. I'm a Ham operator so I don't have to worry about anti-scanner laws, except for uninformed cops. I've never had a problem.

Anti scanner laws always have a ham-exempt provision, usually the last section of the law. See www.arrl.org for info on becoming a ham operator. Code a 5 wpm and some easy theory questions and you're in.

I had one back when you could listen to cellular conversations, that was a treat.