Scanners (radio)

[Likecars]

I am about to do some travelling and was wondering if there is a scanner that picks up CB channels as well as the normal scaned bands?

I know you have to programm scanners, but are there scanners that will automatically pick up signals?

[Accumulator]

I have a little BearCat scanner that picks up police/etc. but it doesn't pick up CB (wish it did!).

You don't have to program it, except to specify the state. It can be entertaining on trips, you can hear all sorts of "drama in real life" stuff (heh heh, including *you* getting your plate run if a statey catches you speeding ).

LEOs often take a dim view of such things though, they think you're up to no good, "listening in" on their business and trying to get away with something.

The "bear locator" feature, which supposedly picks up on the radio repeater signal in highway patrol cars, does *not* work reliably enough that you should count on it for ticket prevention

[Dave N]

Most scanners made in the past few years are capable of receiving CB frequencies. Some of the older Uniden Bearcat models did not, though, and some are still on the market so be careful of what you buy.

Scanners with a factory programmed service search feature for the CB usually cost a little more. But if you're willing to do some simple programming, you can enter the frequencies yourself on most scanners.

The bottom line is to make sure the scanner you're buying is capable of receiving CB frequencies. Check the scanner specs and compare it to the frequencies I have pasted below.

Right now Radio Shack has a nice little scanner (Pro-83) on sale for $80 that can receive the CB, but you have to program it yourself. I own this scanner and I must say that it is a little quirky to program and operate, but it's not too bad otherwise. The Uniden equivalent (Bearcat BC-72XLT) may also be available locally.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=20%2D501#

If you're willing to spend $150-$200 you can get a scanner with a factory-programmed search for the CB, but otherwise you'll have to buy one that received the frequencies below and program it yourself.

CB Radio frequencies (in MHz)

26.965 CH 1
26.975 CH 2
26.985 CH 3
27.005 CH 4
27.015 CH 5
27.025 CH 6
27.035 CH 7
27.055 CH 8
27.065 CH 9
27.075 CH 10
27.085 CH 11
27.105 CH 12
27.115 CH 13
27.125 CH 14
27.135 CH 15
27.155 CH 16
27.165 CH 17
27.175 CH 18
27.185 CH 19
27.205 CH 20
27.215 CH 21
27.225 CH 22
27.235 CH 23
27.245 CH 24
27.255 CH 25
27.265 CH 26
27.275 CH 27
27.285 CH 28
27.295 CH 29
27.305 CH 30
27.315 CH 31
27.325 CH 32
27.335 CH 33
27.345 CH 34
27.355 CH 35
27.365 CH 36
27.375 CH 37
27.385 CH 38
27.395 CH 39
27.405 CH 40

[Likecars]

Thanks for the input picked up a PRO96 digital scanner.

Dave, awesome freq info., exactly what I needed to program this beast. I was wondering how I was going to locate these.

[Likecars]

Recommendations on where I can find freqs online? Will not have access to the net while travelling.

How about automated software to program this baby. It would be nice to pick something by a city name and the freqs appear.

[Dave N]

Thanks for the input picked up a PRO96 digital scanner.

Yikes! That's a heavy-duty scanner!

I took a look at the manual (downloaded from the RS website), and yours has a preprogrammed search for CB. Look on page 52 of your manual.

If you have a PC, you can buy a connector cable and software to load frequencies, information, etc. into your scanner (not much out there for Macs though). There is a book called "Police Call Book" you can buy at Radio Shack that has frequencies for just about every location in the US, but I think there are something like 7 or 8 regional books to cover the whole country.

Here is a site that contains a wealth of information and a forum:

http://www.radioreference.com/

There is also a database on the RR site that contains frequencies for just about anywhere. This site just stared about half a year ago, and it's continually growing.

Be sure to read through your manual a few times to get acquainted with your scanner. They can be tricky to program unless you fully understand what you're doing (especially trunking). Also, if you bought your scanner new from RS, be sure to check their website over the next month. I think that if your scanner goes on sale within 30 days they will refund the difference to you.

Good luck, you have a really nice scanner!

[Likecars]

Good catch on p52, appreciate the assist. I was pushing buttons and found the CB channels right after my last post.

It's a pretty impressive unit, nothing like trying to figure out a new toy as the packers are moving boxes around.

I'll check out the website.

[Accumulator]

Likecars- Cool purchase! Let us know how it works out.

[Likecars]

Hey, just got back on line in my new location. Scanner worked well, scanned the CB freqs all the way across country. I had forgotten though that the majority of the communications wouldn't be approprite for the little ones riding along!

Oh well, can't have too many toys!

[Accumulator]

Thanks for the follow-up. Yeah, I guess *everything* is a bit more "adult" these days....

[Spilchy]

Can you be traced on a CB radio?

When I was in high school, my friend had a CB in his car. Late at night we would drive around and see who we could talk to. Well my friend starting foul mouthing with some lunatic on the other end.

After a while, the guy told us to look in our rear view mirror and low and behold HE WAS THERE! He chased us around in a high speed pursuit where we shut off our lights and were cutting over street corners to outrun him. He needed an alignment after!

It was like those B grade movies you see like the one in the 70's where the guy is being chased by that truck and he drives a red Dodge Dart.

We were truly frightened. It makes for a good laugh when we meet up for a beer.

Just curious if you could be traced or if he got lucky.

[TW85 HHI]

Spilchy,

Did you see the movie Joy Ride by chance?